CSClean Start Calculator

Free UK tool

Hourly Rate Calculator

Work backwards from desired take-home pay, tax buffer, admin time and overhead to a sustainable charge-out rate.

Last reviewed: 9 August 2026

Free calculator

Hourly Rate Calculator

Work backwards from what you need to keep after tax, overhead and unpaid admin time.

Suggested charge-out rate£34
Three-hour visit before materials£103

Use case

When this tool helps

  • Convert a target take-home amount into a customer-facing charge-out rate.
  • Include unpaid admin time so short jobs and gaps between bookings are not ignored.
  • Sense-check whether your target rate supports the kind of service you want to sell.

Assumptions

Change the defaults

  • Tax and National Insurance vary by circumstances, so the tax buffer is only a planning allowance.
  • Overhead should include insurance, phone, software, replacement kit, marketing and payment fees where relevant.
  • If the result looks too high for your market, narrow the service or improve efficiency rather than hiding costs.

Next steps

Use the result in context

Related resource

Build a pricing method

Open this next when you are ready to turn the calculator output into a clearer business decision.

Related resource

Turn the rate into a quote

Open this next when you are ready to turn the calculator output into a clearer business decision.

Related resource

Track rates and job profit in a workbook

Open this next when you are ready to turn the calculator output into a clearer business decision.

Calculator FAQ

Common questions

What hourly rate should a cleaner charge in the UK?

The right rate depends on service type, local demand, travel, insurance, supplies and unpaid admin. Use the calculator to work backwards from the income you need rather than copying a competitor's headline rate.

Important assumptions

These figures are planning estimates. Replace defaults with your own supplier quotes, insurance terms, travel costs, wage costs and tax/accounting advice before making business decisions.