Per square metre, per hour or per job — which to use, when, and which one to never say out loud.
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## 1. Per square metre Measure the area, multiply by a rate. Australian residential work generally sits between $1.50 and $5.00 per m², with smaller jobs at the top of the range and volume commercial well below it.
Good for: driveways, paths, large flat areas, commercial tenders. Weakness: condition drives cost more than area does. A driveway with fifteen years of oil takes a degreaser, a soak and three passes; a lightly soiled one takes one. Same square metres, double the time.
## 2. Per hour Charge for time — commonly $120–$165 an hour for a solo operator in Australia.
Good for: unknown scope, restoration work, commercial maintenance where the client dictates the hours. Weakness: never tell a residential customer an hourly rate. They will compare it to a wage and feel robbed, and it punishes you for being fast — which is exactly what the surface cleaner made you.
## 3. Per job (fixed price) One number for a defined scope. This is what you quote almost every time.
Good for: everything residential. The customer gets certainty, you get paid for skill rather than time, and buying better gear increases your margin instead of cutting your income. Weakness: you must be able to estimate. That is what the calculator is for.
## How the pros actually do it Calculate internally per square metre and per hour. Quote a fixed price. Check the effective hourly rate before you say the number.
If the fixed price does not clear your target hourly, one of three things is wrong: the scope, the access, or the customer. Never the price.
## The minimum charge Set a minimum — typically $180–$250 residential. Below that, travel, setup and pack-down eat the job. Small jobs are not free marketing; they are a loss with a smile.