Hourly rate, after a date
Simple notice for hourly work.
Hi Jordan — a heads-up that starting January 1 my hourly rate goes from $45 to $50. Anything already booked before then stays at $45. Thanks for being a regular.
Price increase letter, email & text to customers
Raising your rates is normal. What upsets clients is a surprise on the invoice or a vague notice that leaves them guessing. A good price increase letter says the old price, the new price, the date it starts, and what isn’t changing — in a few sentences. This page has short texts for regulars you message from your phone, price increase emails, formal rate increase letters you can print or attach, and replies for when a client asks why or says it’s too much. They’re written for cleaners, tutors, handypeople, dog walkers, lawn care, and other solo or small service businesses.
Names, amounts, and dates are samples. Swap in your real numbers. Already-booked or already-quoted work normally keeps the old price — say so in the message.
On this page
When to send a price increase notice
- Recurring clients: give at least two visits’ notice, and closer to 30 days if they’re weekly or biweekly. Monthly clients deserve a full billing cycle.
- One-off or project clients: you don’t need to announce anything. Quote the new rate on the next estimate. Only send a notice if they have an open quote you’re about to honor or re-price.
- Good moments: the start of a year or season, after you add a certification or tool that changes the work, or when supplies or fuel have clearly gone up. January and February are common because clients expect it then.
- Bad moments: the day of the visit, inside an invoice with no warning, mid-project on work you already quoted, or right after a complaint you haven’t fixed.
If you haven’t raised prices in a few years, a single larger step is usually easier on everyone than several small ones in a row. Pick one number you’re comfortable defending and give it a clear start date.
What a price increase letter should include
- The old and new price. “$130 to $145 per visit” is clearer than “a 12% increase.” If you charge hourly, give the hourly number.
- The effective date. A real date, not “soon” or “next month.”
- What stays the same. Visits already booked, quotes already signed, prepaid packages, or a client you’re grandfathering for a while.
- One honest reason, optional. Supplies, fuel, insurance, more time per visit, or simply that rates haven’t moved in a while. One sentence. You don’t owe a cost breakdown.
- A thank-you and an easy way to ask questions. “Reply here if you want to talk about it” keeps it personal.
Leave out long apologies, a paragraph about inflation, and discounts you don’t intend to keep. A calm, short notice reads as confident; a long one reads as nervous and invites bargaining.
Mistakes to avoid
- Burying it in the invoice. If the first time they see the new price is on a bill, it feels like a mistake or a trick.
- Being vague. “Prices are going up slightly” makes people imagine the worst. Give the number.
- Re-pricing quoted work. If you gave a written estimate, honor it or talk to them before the work starts — don’t change it silently.
- Different rules for different clients without a reason. Grandfathering long-time clients is fine; just be consistent about who and until when.
- Over-explaining. Three sentences of reasons turn a notice into a negotiation.
- Sending it and disappearing. Answer replies quickly, and send a short reminder before the first visit at the new rate.
A worked example
Maria cleans houses on a biweekly schedule. Her standard clean has been $130 for two years, and supplies and gas have gone up. She decides on $145 starting January 1.
On December 1 she texts each regular a short notice (the “Standing visit, flat price” text below) and emails the same thing to two clients who prefer email. Two clients reply: one says thanks, one asks whether the price could stay the same if she switches to monthly. Maria answers with the “They ask for a discount” reply and keeps the new price but offers to move her to a monthly slot.
The visit before January 1, she sends a one-line reminder. The first invoice at $145 surprises no one, because everybody already heard the number twice.
Price increase text messages
Short notices for clients you already text. Send them a few weeks ahead, one client at a time, so replies stay private.
Standing visit, flat price
Recurring cleaning, lawn, or pool visits.
Hi Alex — starting January 1, the standard biweekly clean will be $145, up from $130. Your December visits stay at the current price. Reply here if you have any questions.
Booked work keeps the old rate
Make clear nothing already scheduled changes.
Quick update: my rates go up on March 1. Everything you already have on the calendar before then keeps the old price. New bookings after March 1 will be $60 an hour instead of $52.
Short reason included
One honest line, no essay.
Hi Jordan — supply and fuel costs have gone up, so starting February 1 visits will be $95 instead of $85. Nothing changes before then. I appreciate your understanding.
First increase in a few years
Lets them know it isn’t frequent.
Hi Alex — I haven’t changed my prices in three years, and I need to bring them up a bit. Starting April 1 your weekly visit will be $75 instead of $65. Thank you for sticking with me.
Long-time client, grandfathered for a while
Reward loyalty with time, not a permanent discount.
Hi Jordan — my rates for new clients go up next month. Because you’ve been with me so long, your price stays at $120 through June. From July 1 it will be $135. Thanks for everything.
Tutoring session rate
Parents paying per session.
Hi Alex — starting with the spring term (January 11), tutoring sessions will be $60 per hour, up from $55. Any sessions you’ve already paid for stay at the old rate.
Dog walking or pet sitting
Per-walk or per-visit pricing.
Hi Jordan — starting March 1, a 30-minute walk will be $25 (currently $22) and drop-in visits $28 (currently $25). Your walks this month don’t change. Thanks for trusting me with Buddy.
Lawn care for the new season
Seasonal reset at the start of the year.
Hi Alex — for the 2027 mowing season, weekly service will be $55 per visit, up from $50. Same day and same crew. Reply if you want to keep your spot for spring.
Minimum charge or trip fee change
When the change is a fee, not the rate.
Hi Jordan — a small change starting next month: my minimum service call goes from $75 to $90. My hourly rate stays the same. Anything already scheduled is unaffected.
If the new price doesn’t work
Leaves the door open without pleading.
Hi Alex — I’m raising rates starting February 1. Your monthly visit will be $20 more, so $160 instead of $140. If that doesn’t work for your budget, just tell me and we’ll figure out a lighter schedule or wrap up — no hard feelings.
Reminder before the first visit at the new rate
Send one or two days before.
Hi Jordan — just a reminder that tomorrow’s visit is the first one at the new rate of $145. Same time as usual. See you then.
Price increase emails
Use email when the client usually emails, when you want a written record, or when the change has a few parts.
Standard price increase email to customers
Works for most recurring clients.
Subject: Price update starting January 1 Hi Alex, Thank you for being a client this year. I’m writing to let you know that my prices will change on January 1. Your regular visit will be $145, up from $130. Anything scheduled before January 1 stays at the current price. If you have any questions, just reply to this email. Thank you, [Your name] [Business name] · [Phone]
Price increase email with a reason
When costs genuinely went up.
Subject: An update to my rates Hi Jordan, The cost of supplies, fuel, and insurance has gone up quite a bit over the past year, and I need to adjust my prices to keep doing the work well. Starting March 1: • Standard visit: $95 (currently $85) • Deep clean: $220 (currently $195) Visits booked before March 1 keep the current price. I really appreciate your business, and I’m happy to talk it through if you have questions. Best, [Your name]
Annual rate increase email
For businesses that adjust every year.
Subject: 2027 rates Hi Alex, Each January I review my prices. For 2027, my hourly rate will be $68, up from $65 — about a 5% change. Your existing bookings in December are not affected. Thank you for another good year working together. I’m looking forward to the next one. [Your name]
Email to recurring clients with options
Gives them a way to keep their budget.
Subject: New rates from February 1 — and a few options Hi Jordan, Starting February 1, my weekly visit will be $90 instead of $80. If you’d like to keep your monthly cost about the same, I can switch you to every other week with a slightly longer visit, or trim the task list to fit the old time. Just reply with what you prefer and I’ll set it up. Nothing changes for the rest of January. Thanks, [Your name]
Tutor or coach email to parents
Session pricing with term dates.
Subject: Session rates for the spring term Hi Alex, Thank you for trusting me with Sam’s tutoring this fall. Starting January 11, sessions will be $60 per hour (currently $55). Package rates change the same way: a 10-session package will be $570. Sessions you’ve already paid for keep the old price, and you’re welcome to buy a package at the current rate before January 11. Please reply if you have any questions. [Your name]
Contractor labor rate change for future quotes
Handyman, painter, or trade work.
Subject: Updated labor rate for new projects Hi Jordan, A quick note for future work: starting March 1, my labor rate for new estimates will be $85 per hour, up from $75. Material markups aren’t changing. Any estimate I’ve already sent you will be honored as written until its expiration date. Thanks for thinking of me for your projects. [Your name]
Price increase notice for commercial or property clients
Office cleaning, property managers, small businesses.
Subject: Service rate change effective April 1 Hello [Client name], This is notice that the monthly rate for [service] at [property address] will change from $600 to $660, effective April 1. The scope and schedule stay the same. If you need an updated quote or a revised agreement for your records, let me know and I’ll send one this week. Thank you for your continued business. [Your name] [Business name] · [Phone] · [Email]
Prepaid packages or memberships
When clients prepay.
Subject: Package prices change on May 1 Hi Alex, On May 1, my 5-visit package goes from $400 to $450. If you’d like to buy another package at the current price, you can do that any time before May 1. Packages you already have will be honored in full at the price you paid. Thank you, [Your name]
Short email for clients who prefer email
Same as the text, a little more formal.
Subject: Rate change Hi Jordan, Starting February 1, visits will be $95 instead of $85. Anything booked before then stays the same. Thank you for being a client — reply anytime with questions. [Your name]
Price increase plus service change
Rate goes up because the service got bigger.
Subject: Changes to your service in the new year Hi Alex, Starting January 1, each visit will include [new thing — e.g., inside windows or a monthly fridge clean], and the price will be $150 instead of $130. If you’d rather keep the current service at the current length, I can do that for $140. Let me know which you prefer before December 20 and I’ll update your schedule. Thanks, [Your name]
Rate increase letter templates
Formal versions with placeholders in brackets. Paste into a document, print on letterhead, or attach to an email.
Formal price increase letter template
Fill in the brackets; print or attach as a PDF.
[Business name] [Address] · [Phone] · [Email] [Date] Dear [Client name], Thank you for choosing [Business name]. I’m writing to let you know about a change to our pricing. Effective [date], the price for [service] will change from [old price] to [new price]. This change applies to services provided on or after [date]. Any work already scheduled or quoted before that date will be billed at the current rate. [Optional: one sentence on the reason, such as rising costs for materials, insurance, or fuel.] We value your business and want to keep providing the same quality of service. If you have questions, please contact me at [phone] or [email]. Sincerely, [Your name] [Title], [Business name]
Rate increase letter to clients (professional services)
Bookkeepers, consultants, designers, virtual assistants.
Dear [Client name], I wanted to give you advance notice that my hourly rate will increase from [old rate] to [new rate], effective [date]. Retainer agreements currently in place will continue at their existing rate until their renewal date of [date]. Project work already under a signed proposal is not affected. I’ve enjoyed working with you and look forward to continuing. Please reach out if you’d like to talk through your scope or budget. Kind regards, [Your name]
Cost increase letter (materials and supplies)
When the change is tied to costs.
Dear [Client name], Over the past year, the cost of [materials / supplies / fuel] used in our work has risen significantly. To keep providing the same standard of service, we are adjusting our prices. Effective [date]: • [Service 1]: [old price] → [new price] • [Service 2]: [old price] → [new price] Estimates issued before [date] will be honored until their expiration. Thank you for your understanding and for your continued business. Sincerely, [Your name], [Business name]
Increase in rates letter for a service agreement
For clients with a written agreement or contract.
Dear [Client name], Under our service agreement dated [date], [Business name] provides [service] on a [weekly / monthly] basis. This letter is notice that the rate will change from [old amount] to [new amount] per [visit / month], beginning [date], which is [number] days from the date of this letter. All other terms of the agreement remain the same. If you would like to discuss the change or review the agreement, please contact me before [date]. Thank you, [Your name]
Short notice card left at the home or job
For a handwritten note or a printed card.
A quick note from [Your name] Starting [date], my [visit / hourly] rate will be [new price] (currently [old price]). Visits before then don’t change. Thank you for being a client — it means a lot. Questions? Text me at [phone].
Price increase notice for a website or invoice footer
A short public notice.
Price update: Starting [date], [service] is [new price] per [visit / hour]. Bookings and quotes made before [date] keep the current price. Thank you for supporting a small local business.
Replies when a client pushes back
Most clients say “thanks for the heads-up.” For the few who don’t, keep replies short and kind, and don’t change the number on the spot.
They ask why
Short, honest, no apology spiral.
Good question — my costs for supplies, gas, and insurance have all gone up, and I hadn’t changed my price in a while. The new rate lets me keep doing the work the same way.
They ask for a discount
Keep the price; offer a different lever.
I understand. I’m keeping the new rate the same for everyone, but I can make it easier on your budget by switching you to every other week or trimming the list a little. Want me to suggest a version?
They say they’ll cancel
Gracious, and leaves the door open.
Totally understand, and thank you for telling me. Your last visit will be [date]. If things change, I’d be glad to have you back — just text me.
They accept
Close the loop warmly.
Thanks so much, Jordan — I really appreciate it. Nothing else changes; see you at the usual time.
They didn’t see the notice
Calm restatement with the date.
No problem — I sent a note on [date], but it’s easy to miss. The new rate started [date]. Here’s a copy of the message for your records. Let me know if you have any questions.
They point out an open quote
Honor what you wrote.
You’re right — that quote was at the old rate, and I’ll honor it as written. The new rate only applies to work quoted after [date].
How to send it
Copy one message, swap in your real numbers, dates, and name, and send it from your own phone or email. Send individually rather than as a group text so each client can reply privately.
Keep a note of who you told and when. If a client later says they never heard, you can point to the date you sent it.