When I first started, I priced from instinct. I looked at what others were charging, subtracted a few dollars, and hoped for the best. That is how most owners start — and why most struggle.
Pricing is one of the most misunderstood parts of this industry. It is not just about covering costs; it is about creating positioning and long term sustainability.
🧠 The Three Layers Of Pricing Strategy
- Operational Cost: Labor, supplies, and transportation
- Margin Target: Your profit percentage per hour or per square foot
- Value Add: The brand premium you can command based on trust and reporting
Most owners only look at layer one. Professionals build models that include all three.
💡 The Data Approach
We started tracking how long each site actually took to clean. After a few months, the data showed clear trends. Smaller offices with frequent cleans often had higher profit margins than large buildings with complex schedules.
That changed how we quoted. We stopped chasing square footage and started pricing by output and value — a method that instantly improved profitability.
⚙️ The Psychology Of Pricing
Clients associate higher pricing with reliability. When you confidently quote a fair but firm price and support it with reporting, they trust you more. Cheap bids create doubt.
At GenZ, we started adding value layers like weekly reports, photos, and digital check-ins. It justified our price while reducing churn.
✨ Final Thoughts
Pricing is storytelling backed by data. It tells the client what level of partnership to expect.
Never guess your rates. Design them intentionally around your time, value, and scalability.