Maid service costs $120 to $280 on average, depending on the frequency and the services they perform. Maid services usually charge $25 to $70 per hour per cleaning lady or $200 to $550 per day. A full-time or live-in maid costs $18,000 to $55,000 per year.

Merry Maids cost $150 to $300 per visit on average. Molly Maid costs $120 to $300 per visit.

Most maids offer discounts of 5% to 20% for recurring weekly or monthly cleanings, so you'll pay less per visit if they come more often.

Standard maid cleaning services usually include:

• Sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming floors
• Cleaning countertops in the kitchen and bathroom
• Scrubbing all sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets
• Cleaning surface of appliances and cabinets
• Dusting furniture, ceiling fans, and windowsills
• Cleaning the stovetop, range, and inside the microwave
• Wiping down mirrors and fixtures

Extra services like laundry, washing dishes, cleaning inside the oven or refrigerator, and dusting blinds typically cost more.

Merry Maids costs $150 to $300 per visit on average, depending on the home size and the frequency of your visits. Merry Maids doesn't charge per hour for standard house cleaning services. Instead, they customize their prices based on your home's specific needs.

Molly Maid costs $120 to $300 per visit and is very similar to Merry Maids. Molly Maid charges $60 to $100 per hour for a 2- to 3-person team, and most standard cleaning services last 2 to 3 hours. Initial visits and deep cleans cost $300 to $500.

Tipping maids and house cleaners is not expected, but they are normally allowed to accept tips. Homeowners typically tip 10% to 20% at the end of the job or a large tip at the end of the year if you use their services regularly.

Follow these steps to find the right cleaning service for you:

• Get quotes from at least 3 licensed, bonded, and insured companies.
• Read cleaning company reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
• Ask for references from current or past clients.
• Talk about your specific cleaning needs with them.
• Get an itemized quote that includes a list of included services.

Ask the following questions to ensure you choose the right maid service:

• How long have you worked for this company?
• Is this company licensed, bonded, and insured?
• What kind of training did you receive?
• Can you show me any testimonials from clients?
• Will you bring your own supplies?
• What services are included in this quote?
• Could I request certain products or ask that you use my own?
• What kind of safety rules do you follow?
• What happens if you accidentally cause damage?
• Do you offer any money-back guarantees?