Rapidly Create a Cleaning Estimate That Sells

By streamlining cleaning estimate creation, you can easily increase sales and become the leading cleaning service provider in your area.

Oftentimes, your cleaning estimate is the first interaction you have with potential clients—making your cleaning estimate a crucial element to closing more sales.

Keep reading and we’ll show you how to:

• Quickly create professional estimates
• Accurately calculate job costs
• Save time and streamline operations

A poorly assembled, vague estimate can raise red flags and cost you the job. However, a well-crafted, detailed estimate positions you as an expert and gives clients confidence they're hiring true professionals.

The good news is that you don't have to spend hours laboring over estimates. With some simple prep work and the right approach, you can rapidly put together winning cleaning estimates that sell—every single time.

Start With Service Details

The best cleaning estimates start by gathering all the key details about the job and should include the following:

• Type of cleaning service: Residential home, office, etc.
• Size of the space: Know the square footage of the home or facility
• Special requirements: Take note of any excessive clutter, high cleaning demands, specific instructions, etc.

By nailing down these details first, you can accurately price out labor, supplies, and services with no guesswork required. 

Also, don't be afraid to ask clients lots of questions. Missed details often lead to underquotes.

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Factor in Labor and Supplies

Once you’ve got a basic understanding of the job details, it’s time to evaluate the costs for labor and cleaning supplies and equipment.

Here are a few things to consider.

• Account for team’s time: Consider drive time, setup, the actual cleaning, waste removal, etc. 
• Have a pricing system for supplies: Replenishing cleaning products, equipment costs, and protective equipment (e.g. gloves, goggles, etc.)
• Leave room for profit margin: Your estimates need to factor in your desired profit on top of hard costs

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Highlight Value and Differentiators

While including line-item costs is important, don't stop there! 

Price is just one factor for clients when weighing cleaning companies.

Use your estimate as a chance to prove your worth by highlighting the unique value and awesome service clients get by choosing you. 

Be sure to talk about your advantages, guarantees, credentials, and other ways that set you apart from the competition.

For example, you could call out:

• Your experienced and thoroughly trained cleaners
• Use of premium, eco-friendly cleaning products
• Robust quality control process
• Cutting-edge techniques/equipment
• Glowing client testimonials and referrals

Adding in these value props on your estimate (or the email you're sending it from) shows that you're the skilled pros clients want.

Upsell Add-On Services

Additionally, structure your estimates to upsells for increased profits. 

One of the best things you can do is give clients different "good/better/best" options.

For basic cleaning jobs, you could bundle in popular extras like:

• Deep cleaning (e.g. high-traffic areas, appliances, upholstery, etc.)
• Exterior window cleaning
• Move-in/move-out cleaning
• Enhanced disinfection services

By offering convenient add-on choices and pricing right in the estimate, clients can easily upgrade to get any extra services they need. It's a win-win!

Leverage Estimate Software

Lots of companies use templates for cleaning estimates.

While the templates can save you some time, it is much easier and faster to use the right software.

With the best cleaning estimate software, you can:

• Store service pricing and calculate costs automatically 
• Create estimates from pre-built templates with your branding 
• Track opportunities and integrate with your CRM
• Give clients a self-serve option to request estimates online 
• Seamlessly convert estimates to invoices or work orders

In fact, with Service Autopilot you can do all of this and so MUCH MORE.

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Include Referral Incentives

An easy way to boost estimate conversions is by including incentives for referrals right in the estimate. 

Offer credits, discounts, or bonuses when clients refer your services to colleagues, friends, or neighbors.

You could include a short section that says something like:

• "Refer a friend and you'll both get 10% off your next cleaning!"
• "Earn $50 credit for every new client you send our way."
• "Join our Referral Rewards program to earn free cleanings!"

People love feeling like they're getting exclusive deals. 

By promoting your referral program on every estimate, you'll stay top-of-mind and generate more warm leads.

Sell More With Cleaning Estimates

When you calculate cleaning estimates correctly it is easy to grow your business.

Plus, you can highlight the services you offer and what separates you from the competition.

Remember, even though you can create an estimate using an Excel file or template, the best cleaning software can help you save endless hours, maximize profits, automate daily tasks, and streamline your operations.

Related: 33 High-Profit Types of Cleaning Services: From Dust to Glory