How much do you earn as an independent cleaner?
What determines your hourly rate, and how to raise it over time.
There's no fixed rate for the whole Netherlands
As an independent contractor you set your own hourly rate, and it varies significantly by region, type of work and experience. A rate that's standard in one city might be low or high in another. So always look at what other cleaners in your own area charge, rather than using a national average as your starting point.
What influences your rate
Experience, the type of cleaning work (regular cleaning versus, say, a thorough deep clean), how flexible your availability is, and whether you speak specific languages all factor into what a reasonable rate is. A higher rate needs to be justified by what you bring to the table.
Gross isn't the same as what you keep
As an independent contractor you set aside money yourself for income tax and any costs such as travel or cleaning supplies. So your hourly rate is a gross amount, not automatically what you keep at the end. Keep this in mind when setting a rate you can actually live on.
Raising your rate over time
A rate isn't set in stone. As you build up references and reviews, you give new customers more reason to accept a higher rate than they would with an empty profile. It's very common to start with a rate that fits a new profile, and raise it step by step later.
Where to see what's actually being charged
On Matiwala you can see, per city, an overview of the average, lowest and highest rate among active cleaners, based on real profiles. Look up your own city via the cities overview to see what's standard there.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay tax on my income as a cleaner?
Yes, as an independent contractor you declare your income in your income tax return, regardless of which platform or how you find customers.
Can I raise my rate later for existing customers?
You agree that directly with the customer. It's common to announce a rate change in good time, especially for a fixed, recurring arrangement.
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Curious what cleaners in your city charge?
View the cities overview