Ask the questions that set the price
You can't quote what you don't know, but you rarely need a visit for a standard clean. Ask the same few questions every time:
- size of the home, bedrooms and bathrooms
- type of clean: regular, deep, move-in or move-out
- how often: weekly, every two weeks, monthly or one time
- pets, and anything that needs special care
- the area, and how you'll get in
Write the questions down once, so whoever answers the phone, you, a helper or an answering line, asks the same ones.
Range or walkthrough
Standard recurring cleans can be quoted as a range from those answers. Deep cleans, move-outs and offices often need a walkthrough or photos first. Say which one it is up front, so the client knows what happens next.
Quote the same day, then follow up twice
A client asking for a cleaning quote is often asking more than one company. The same-day quote is the one they remember. If there's no answer, check back in two days with a question ("Would every other Friday work?"), then once more a week later with a last note that makes it easy to say not now.
Turn one-time cleans into recurring clients
The best time to offer a recurring schedule is right after a clean the client is happy with. Offer the frequency that fits their home and set the next date before you leave. A client with a date on the calendar is a recurring client; a client who will "call when they need you" usually doesn't.
Keep the schedule running
- A reminder the day before, with an easy way to reschedule by text.
- One person who answers when something goes wrong, the same day.
- A review request after a clean, sent to every client. Google's rules don't allow asking only the happy ones, and you don't need to.
Questions
Should I publish my prices?
Starting prices for standard cleans help clients decide before they call and filter out jobs that don't fit. Deep cleans and commercial work are usually better quoted after the details.
How soon should I ask for a review?
After a clean the client is clearly happy with, and every client gets the same request. Don't offer discounts or gifts for reviews; Google doesn't allow it.
What about commercial cleaning?
The same steps work for small offices: the right questions, a fast quote, follow-up and a fixed schedule. Larger commercial bids usually need a walkthrough and a written proposal.