How to Charge More for Cleaning Services & Stand Out from Competitors

Why Some Cleaning Businesses Struggle to Charge Premium Prices

Many cleaning business owners struggle to charge premium rates because they rely too heavily on price-based competition rather than focusing on client experience, branding, and perceived value. If you're constantly lowering prices to compete, you’ll attract clients who prioritize cost over quality—making it hard to scale and sustain long-term profitability.

So, how do you shift from competing on price to becoming the go-to high-end cleaning service in your area?

It starts with your client journey.

Every touchpoint—from the first time a potential client sees your business to the final service follow-up—impacts how much they’re willing to pay for your services. In this post, we’ll break down how to improve client experience, increase perceived value, and confidently charge higher rates.

Step 1: First Impressions – Do You Look Like a Premium Business?

What Is Your Client’s First Impression?

Before a client ever books with you, they subconsciously decide whether they see you as a luxury service provider or just another low-cost cleaner.

✅ Is your website professional, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly?
✅ Do you have high-quality images that reflect your ideal client’s lifestyle?
✅ Are your testimonials and reviews prominently displayed for trust?
✅ Do you use consistent branding, colors, and fonts that position you as premium?
✅ Are you cheapening your brand by constantly posting discounts and sales?

Example from Beskar Cleaning

At Beskar Cleaning, we tracked our response times and found that clients who received a reply within an hour were 65% more likely to book.

To improve efficiency, we:
✔ Automated follow-ups using AI chatbots
✔ Implemented missed-call text backs to ensure no client was left waiting
✔ Used high-end home images in our branding because we target luxury homes valued at $5M+

🚀 Action Step: Review your online presence and ask yourself, "Would I pay top dollar for a service that looks like this?" If not, make adjustments.

Step 2: Make Booking Simple & Professional

Are You Making It Easy for Clients to Say Yes?

Many cleaning businesses lose potential customers simply because their booking process is frustrating or outdated.

✅ Can clients book your services online in just a few clicks?
✅ Is your pricing transparent, or do clients have to call for a quote?
✅ Do you offer multiple ways to book? (Online, phone, email, social media)
✅ Are your service packages clearly structured so clients know exactly what they’re getting?

Example from Beskar Cleaning

We simplified our booking process by creating an online portal that allowed clients to:
✔ Instantly schedule their cleaning
✔ Receive automated pricing quotes
✔ Eliminate unnecessary back-and-forth emails

💡 The result? A 42% increase in bookings.

🚀 Action Step: Test your booking process as if you were a client. If it’s confusing, slow, or outdated, fix it.

Step 3: Pre-Service Communication – Set Expectations for Premium Service

How Do You Prepare Clients Before Their Appointment?

Premium clients expect a smooth, organized experience. That starts with clear pre-service communication to make them feel valued.

✅ Do you send reminders and confirmations before appointments?
✅ Do you allow clients to add special requests?
✅ Do they receive an expectation email explaining what will happen during their service?

Example from Beskar Cleaning

We introduced automated pre-service reminders, reducing last-minute cancellations and increasing client satisfaction. Clients also had the option to request specific cleaning products, which made them feel more in control.

🚀 Action Step: Set up automated text/email reminders and give clients an easy way to communicate special requests.

Step 4: Service Delivery – The Difference Between Good and Exceptional

How Do You Make Your Service Stand Out?

Most cleaning businesses focus on just getting the job done. But premium cleaning services go beyond that—they create an experience.

✅ Is your team well-trained on customer interactions?
✅ Do they arrive on time, in uniform, and act professionally?
✅ Do they address clients by name and build rapport?
✅ Are you adding small, memorable touches that clients will remember?

Example from Beskar Cleaning

To enhance our service experience, we created checklists to ensure:
✔ Every team member followed a consistent cleaning process
✔ Cleaners left personalized thank-you notes, which clients loved
✔ We paid attention to the small details, like neatly folding towels and adjusting decor to look pristine

🚀 Action Step: Train your team to focus on the experience, not just the cleaning. The details matter.

Step 5: Post-Service Follow-Up – Keep Clients Coming Back

Do You Follow Up After the Cleaning?

Many businesses miss the opportunity to build long-term loyalty because they don’t check in with clients after the service.

✅ Do you send a thank-you message or email?
✅ Do you ask for feedback before issues turn into negative reviews?
✅ Do you have a system in place to handle complaints professionally?

Example from Beskar Cleaning

We implemented a follow-up system where:
✔ Clients received an email asking about their experience
✔ Happy clients were asked to leave a review
✔ Unhappy clients were immediately contacted to resolve issues before they went public

🚀 Action Step: Automate your follow-ups so no client is forgotten.

Step 6: Automating & Scaling Your Client Experience

How to Deliver Consistent Quality Without Working More Hours

Once you optimize your client journey, the next step is automation to keep the experience seamless at scale.

✅ Use CRM tools (like Cornerstone AI and Booking Koala) to automate emails & reminders
✅ Set up AI chatbots for quick client responses
✅ Implement SMS notifications for booking updates
✅ Regularly review and refine your systems

🚀 Action Step: Look at your biggest bottleneck in the client experience and automate it.

How to Charge More & Build a Premium Cleaning Brand

If you want to charge premium rates and attract high-end clients, you need to:
✔ Present yourself as a high-value, professional brand
✔ Make booking and communication effortless
✔ Deliver an exceptional service experience
✔ Follow up to build long-term loyalty
✔ Automate processes to maintain consistency

💡 Take Action Now:
📌 Want a step-by-step plan to refine your cleaning business strategy?
📌 Download the Ultimate Business Planning Template here:
👉 Get Your Business Plan Now: https://www.venturementors.com.au/resources/ultimate-business-planning-template-for-cleaning-business-owners