How to reply to a house cleaning quote request (with a template)

Most house cleaning quote requests are one line long. "How much for a cleaning?" "Do you have anything next week?" There's rarely enough in them to give a real price.

Your reply has three jobs: prove you're a real person who will show up, collect what you need to price the job, and make it easy to answer. The template below does all three in one message.

The five questions to ask

You can't price a cleaning without these. Ask all five in your first reply so you don't need a second round.

1. How big is the home? Rough square footage and number of floors. Many people don't know the exact figure, so tell them a guess is fine.
2. How many bedrooms and bathrooms? It's the quickest way to size the job, and it's a number everyone knows. Ask about half baths too.
3. Any pets? Pet hair changes how long floors and furniture take, and you'll want to know about a dog at the door before you arrive.
4. How often? One-time, weekly, every two weeks or monthly. If you price regular visits differently from one-offs, this tells you which price to send.
5. Is this a first clean or regular upkeep? A home that hasn't been professionally cleaned in a while, or a move-in or move-out, needs more time than one you'll keep on a schedule. Ask when it was last deep cleaned.

Also get the street address or ZIP code, so you know the home is in your area, and the days that suit them.

The reply template

Save this in your phone's notes or as an email template, then fill in the brackets.

Hi [Name],

Thanks for reaching out to [Business name]. I'd be glad to give you a price for cleaning your home in [town or neighborhood].

So I can quote accurately, could you tell me:

1. Roughly how big is the home (square feet and number of floors)? A guess is fine.
2. How many bedrooms and bathrooms?
3. Any pets?
4. Are you looking for a one-time cleaning or regular visits (weekly, every two weeks or monthly)?
5. When was it last deep cleaned? Is this a move-in or move-out?

And your street address or ZIP code, so I can confirm you're in my area.

Once I have that, I'll send you a price [today / by tomorrow morning]. I have openings on [days].

Thanks,
[Your name]
[Business name], [phone]

The numbered list does a lot of the work, because it invites an answer in the same shape. A reply like "1. About 1,800 sq ft, two floors. 2. Three bed, two bath..." is one you can price.

Text message version

If the request came by text, send something shorter:

Hi [Name], this is [Your name] from [Business name]. Happy to give you a price. Quick questions: how many bedrooms and bathrooms, roughly how many square feet, any pets, and is this one-time or regular? And your ZIP code. I'll get back to you today.

Sending the price

When the answers come back, send the price in one message that covers:

• The price, and whether it's per visit. If the first clean costs more than regular visits, give both numbers.
• What's included, for example kitchen counters and appliance fronts, bathrooms, dusting, floors and making beds.
• What isn't included, or what costs extra: inside the oven, inside the fridge, interior windows, laundry.
• How long you expect to be there.
• Two specific times you could start, like "Tuesday at 9 or Thursday at 1?" A choice of two is easier to answer than "let me know what works."

Keep the price message short enough to read on a phone without scrolling much. If they need the details, they'll ask.

When they go quiet

Some people ask several cleaners at once, then life gets busy. A short, friendly follow-up isn't pushy. It's a reminder.

If they never answered your questions, make it easier. Two or three days later:

Hi [Name], no problem if you're busy. If it's easier, just send the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and your ZIP code, and I'll give you a rough price.

If they got your price but didn't reply, two or three days later:

Hi [Name], just checking you got my quote: [price] for [a one-time cleaning / every two weeks]. I still have [day] open if that helps. Any questions, just reply here.

A week after that, one last note that closes the loop:

Hi [Name], I'll assume the timing isn't right, so I won't keep messaging. If you'd like a cleaning later, reply here or call [phone] and I'll find you a time.

Then stop. The last message gives them an easy way back without making them say no.

Habits that help

Reply the same day. Even if you can't price it until tonight, a quick "Got it, I'll send a price this evening" tells them someone's there.

Keep every request in one place. Quote requests arrive by text, email, Facebook messages and your website form. It's easy to lose one. Pick a single place to track them, even a notebook or a spreadsheet, and check it at set times each day.

Write down what you learn. Keep the pet's name, the gate code and anything they asked for with the request, so the first clean starts well.

Reuse your best wording. When a reply gets a fast yes, save that version as your new template.