Method & worked examples · Updated 1 November 2026
Review a cleaning job after the work is done
A quote records what you expected. A finished-job review records what actually happened. Keep both figures so you can see why the result changed.
Use a fixed quote to see the cost of an overrun
In this fictional example, two cleaners are expected to work two hours each at a loaded cost of $20 per cleaner-hour. Add $20 of other job costs: estimated cost is $100. A chosen 25% job margin produces an estimate of $133.333…, displayed as $133.33.
If both cleaners actually work three hours, on-site labor becomes $120. With the same $20 of other costs, actual cost is $140. At confirmed job revenue of $133.33, modeled job profit is −$6.67, approximately −5.00% of revenue.
Separate three changes
- Cost change: actual cost minus estimated cost. Here it is +$40.
- Revenue change: confirmed job revenue minus the agreed quote. Here it is $0.
- Profit change: actual modeled profit minus profit at the agreed quote. Here it is −$40.
Do not use the calculator’s suggested price as proof of what the customer agreed or what the business earned. Enter confirmed revenue independently. Earned revenue is also different from cash collected: this tool does not track unpaid invoices.
A short review you can use with any record system
- Keep a non-sensitive reference and the agreed scope and price.
- Record the estimated crew-hours and each cost category.
- After the visit, enter actual hours and costs, and confirmed job revenue.
- Compare the changes and check whether an unusual task or recurring underestimate explains them.
- Use that evidence when preparing the next quote.
You can do this in a notebook or your own spreadsheet. Our separate offline edition is being prepared to keep multiple reviews together, with local backup and client-quote printing. It is not on sale yet, and no payment is needed to use the free calculator.
At zero revenue the margin is undefined, even though costs and a loss can still exist. A completed-job average should use total profit divided by total revenue, rather than averaging percentages from differently sized jobs.
All money examples are in USD. Calculations use your inputs and exclude automatic sales tax, income tax and percentage payment fees. No result is a promise of profit.