Household services: say what exactly you’re looking for

Household services in the United States: prices and rules

Household services in the United States cover very different jobs, but a standard house cleaning usually costs about $100 to $300 per visit, and a cleaner's hourly rate is roughly $25 to $80. Repairs and trade work such as plumbing, electrical and handyman jobs are normally quoted per job, after someone has seen the work. To see prices for your task, describe it on BlaBlaPrice, and local providers reply with their own offer.

Licenses for trades and business

Licenses depend on the job. Home improvement work in New York City needs a home improvement contractor license, which has a $250 fee and is renewed every two years. A basic business license in the US typically costs $50 to $400, and a DBA filing from $10 to $100. Most states do not license general house cleaning, but a business still needs registration, insurance and bonding. For a home repair business, first-year license and registration fees can reach $500 to $2,000, not counting professional fees. Ask every provider which licenses they hold for the work you need.

Season and the climate

The cold months, December to February, are the heating season, so chimney sweeping and flue cleaning are best booked before fireplaces and wood stoves are used heavily. Summer, June to August, is when gardening, tree pruning and yard clean-up are in demand. Book the task that fits the season, and leave time to compare offers.

How services are bought and delivered

Most household services take place at your home, so the provider needs access, a date and a clear description of the space or the item. Cleaning is priced per visit or per hour, while repairs are priced per job. Multi-visit tasks, such as move-out cleaning or septic tank pumping, should have an agreed price before work starts. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Phoenix are all on our list, and the same task can be priced differently in each city.

Getting offers through BlaBlaPrice is free for buyers. You describe the task in your own words in a chat, and you can add a photo. BlaBlaPrice's AI asks for missing details, looks through providers' websites and price lists in the United States, and shows the prices and businesses it finds. Providers registered on BlaBlaPrice receive your request and reply in the chat with their own price and terms. Your contacts stay hidden until you decide to share them. Related pages: Plumbing work and Chimney sweeping & flue cleaning.