I just start a new cleaning service and right now I don't know what to charge them, I'm going by sq foot, tell me if that's a right choice

Yes, square foot is the right choice depending on what is being cleaned. Is it residential or commercial? In some case hourly rate is appropriate too.

Tick

It both.. residential an commercial, I'm thinking about flat rate on residential and sq foot on commercial is that a good idea

Hourly for residential. However, calculate all your costs and overhead and then add your profit.

Commercial is much more complimented, in my humble opinion.

I usually use several factors as square footage alone leaves you vulnerable to unforeseen problems or situations.

1. Square footage

2. How much time to totally complete the job daily

3. Know your competition and how they usually price their jobs.

4. Post bid interviews with the prospect to determine how your pricing is in relationship to your competitors.

5. From experience... finding where I can be in my pricing to make a decent profit.

I use a computer program that I have put together. In this program I can add all the pertinent information for the project and it spits out a price. I can then do any adjusting that seems necessary. But that alone (as I stated above) will not put bread on your table unless you consider everything. And, keep making your adjustments to stay ahead of the curve as things change constantly.

Stringer