How to invoice as a cleaner (UK)

How cleaners normally break the money down

A cleaner's invoice is usually a price per visit for regular cleans multiplied by the number of visits in the month, plus one-off extras such as ovens or carpets, plus materials if you supply them. Keeping those apart is what stops the customer asking what the total covered.

Step by step

1. 1Count the visits in the billing period first — the number of visits × the agreed rate is the whole invoice for most regular customers.
2. 2Name the property or the office in the description if you clean more than one site for the same payer.
3. 3Add extras like oven cleans, internal windows or carpet shampooing as separate lines with their own prices.
4. 4Charge for materials only if that was the agreement, and say what they are. Customers who supply their own products notice immediately.
5. 5Send it on the first of the month for the month just gone, with the same layout every time so it takes them ten seconds to approve.

When to send it

Monthly in arrears on a fixed date, so the customer can predict it. End-of-tenancy and deep cleans are invoiced on completion.

Office and letting-agent work runs to 30 days. Domestic customers should be on 7 days or paying on the day — the amounts are small and go stale quickly.

Common questions

How should a cleaner invoice for a month of visits?

One invoice at month end showing the number of visits and the rate per visit, with any one-off extras listed underneath. It is far easier to check than four separate invoices.

Should cleaning materials be on the invoice?

Only if you supply them and that was agreed. If you do charge, list them as a single materials line rather than pricing individual bottles.

Can I charge for a cancelled clean?

Yes, if you told the customer the cancellation terms before you started. Put the notice period and the charge on every invoice so it is never a surprise.