If you haven’t reviewed your prices in the past year, now is a good time to take a closer look.

Thumbtack’s Home Care Price Index found that house cleaning prices were up 7.35% year over year in the U.S. That’s a national benchmark, not a rule for what every cleaning business should charge. Rates still vary by location, service, home, and the cost of delivering the work. But the trend raises a fair question:

Have your prices kept pace with your market and your costs?

What an 8% price increase could add to revenue

Here’s a simple example of the potential impact. If your number of jobs and customers stays the same, an 8% increase would add:

You can see the same effect on an individual job. An 8% increase would move a $150 cleaning to $162, or $12 more per visit. Across 100 visits at that price in a month, that’s $1,200 in additional monthly revenue.

These examples show added revenue, not guaranteed profit. The actual result depends on the jobs you complete, your operating costs, and how customers respond to a price change.

A national average is a signal, not your price list

A 7.35% national increase doesn’t mean every cleaning business should raise prices by 7.35% or 8%. Your local market may be moving faster or slower. Your current prices may already be competitive, or some services may be underpriced while others are doing well.

Before changing rates, review:

• Your local market: What are comparable companies charging in the areas you serve?

• Your cost to deliver each service: Include labor, travel, supplies, insurance, and time spent on scheduling and customer communication.

• Your job profitability: Are certain homes or service types taking longer than your price accounts for?

• Your schedule: Strong demand and a full calendar may give you room to adjust rates. Open capacity may call for a different approach.

• Your customer mix: You may not need to make the same adjustment for every client or service.

If it’s been a year or more since you reviewed your rates, start by looking at the numbers. You may find that a modest update makes sense. Or you may find that some prices are already where they need to be.

How to raise prices without losing good clients

Deciding on a new price is the easy part. Telling your recurring clients is what most owners put off. A few things make it go smoother.

Give clients notice. Tell recurring clients at least 30 days before the new price starts. That gives them time to plan, and it shows respect for the relationship.

Start with new clients. Quote new clients at your new rates right away. Then move existing clients over on a set date. You learn how the market responds before you change prices for your regulars.

Keep the message short. You don't need to apologize or explain every cost. A clear, friendly note works better than a long letter.

Be ready for a few questions. Most recurring clients will stay. If someone pushes back, you can decide case by case. You might hold a long-time client's rate a little longer or adjust how often you clean.

Check the results after a month or two. Look at how many clients stayed, how your schedule looks, and whether revenue moved the way you expected.

A simple message you can send

Hi [Client name],

Thank you for trusting us with your home. Starting [date], the price for your regular cleaning will be [new price], up from [current price].

This change helps us keep up with rising costs and keep paying our team well. You'll get the same team and the same quality you're used to.

If you have any questions, just reply to this message. We're grateful to have you as a client.

[Your name]

Use local data to review your rates

Allison’s free tools can help you explore cleaning prices by location and estimate what to charge for a job. Try the Cleaning Price Map and Pricing Calculator as a starting point for your review.

Then compare those estimates with your actual costs, service details, and customer demand. The right price should work for your market and for the business you’re building.