How much do house cleaning services cost?
How much do house cleaning services cost?
The average cost of house cleaning on a one-time basis is $120 to $280. A one-bedroom apartment costs $75 to $200, while a 2-bed 2-bath home ranges from $95 to $225. A 2,000 square foot house costs $110 to $320 to clean, while a 3,000 sqft home runs $150 to $380.
$25 – $75 Hourly rate per cleaner
$120 – $280 Average total cost per cleaning
The average cost of house cleaning on a one-time basis is $120 to $280. A one-bedroom apartment costs $75 to $200, while a 2-bed 2-bath home ranges from $95 to $225. A 2,000 square foot house costs $110 to $320 to clean, while a 3,000 sqft home runs $150 to $380.
House Cleaning Prices
House cleaning services cost $25 to $75 per hour per cleaner or about $30 to $50 per room. A 2,000 sqft. home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms costs $110 to $320 to clean or about $0.06 to $0.16 per square foot. A 1-bed 1-bath apartment starts at $75 to $200.
| National Average Cost | $200 |
| Minimum Cost | $60 |
| Maximum Cost | $400 |
| Average Range | $120 to $280 |
Cleaning rates depend on the type of cleaning, size of the home, and the cleaning frequency.
Additional services such as washing and folding laundry, cleaning the windows, or cleaning the fridge will add to your final cost.
Many house cleaning companies offer discounts and package deals for setting up a weekly or monthly cleaning contract.
House Cleaning Cost Calculator
Cleaning services may charge a flat rate, hourly, or per square foot. Before your home is cleaned, the cleaning company will do a walkthrough of your home. The walkthrough will allow them to assess how clean your home is already, how much work they need to do, and any if there are any structural or clutter issues that may make cleaning difficult for them.
| Home Size | Standard Cleaning | Deep Cleaning | Move-Out Cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $60 | $90 | $100 |
| 1 bed 1 bath | $60 – $90 | $90 – $110 | $100 – $120 |
| 2 bed 1 bath | $90 – $120 | $120 – $175 | $120 – $180 |
| 2 bed 2 bath | $95 – $130 | $135 – $195 | $135 – $210 |
| 3 bed 1 bath | $110 – $165 | $150 – $250 | $175 – $260 |
| 3 bed 2 bath | $135 – $180 | $180 – $280 | $180 – $300 |
| 4 bed 3 bath | $140 – $200 | $200 – $400 | $200 – $390 |
| Additional Rooms | $10 – $30 | $35 | $35 |
Standard cleaning includes mopping, dusting, vacuuming, emptying trash, cleaning sinks, faucets, mirrors, appliances, and toilets, making the bed, and general cleaning throughout the house.
Additional cleaning services will cost extra. Here's an a-la-carte list of services and average pricing:
| Add-On | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Changing Bedsheets | $10 per bed |
| Wash and Dry Laundry | $5 to $20 per load |
| Interior Window Cleaning | $4 to $7 per window |
| Exterior Window Cleaning | $5 to $8 per window |
| Dusting Blinds | $20 |
| Polish Wood Surfaces | $30+ |
| Cleaning Interior of Cabinets | $25 to $45+ |
| Fridge Cleaning | $12 to $50 |
| Oven Cleaning | $15 to $35 |
| Baseboard Cleaning | $35+ |
| Cabinet Organization | $50 |
House Cleaning Prices Per Square Foot
House cleaning prices range from $0.10 to $0.17 per square foot for regular cleaning, $0.11 to $0.30 per square foot for deep cleaning, and $0.22 to $0.33 per square foot for move-out cleaning.
The bigger your home and the more cluttered or challenging it is to clean, the more you will be charged per square foot.
However, most cleaning individuals or companies will not charge on a per square feet basis, but per hour, the number of workers required, and the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
| Square Feet | Regular Cleaning | Deep Cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 or less | $75 – $170 | $150 – $300 |
| 2,000 | $190 – $340 | $300 – $600 |
| 3,000 | $180 – $390 | $450 – $900 |
House Cleaning Rates Per Hour
Hourly rates for house cleaning range from $25 to $75 per hour per worker, with most home cleaning visits lasting at least two hours with two workers for $100 to $300. A cleaning service will base your cost on how many people they need to send to your home to clean.
Cleaning services offer one-time visits or weekly cleaning. Some companies offer same-day cleaning. With a weekly cleaning service, your first-time cleaning will take longer and cost more. For an hourly rate for house cleaning, expect the prices below.
| People | Hours | Weekly | One-Time Visit | Same Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | $30 – $50 | $45 – $50 | $70 |
| 1 | 2.5 | $75 – $90 | $80 – $100 | $135 |
| 1 | 4 | $115 – $135 | $127 – $149 | $203 |
| 2 | 2 | $130 – $155 | $150 – $170 | $250 |
| 2 | 4 | $200 – $250 | $220 – $275 | Varies |
House Cleaning Cost Per Room
Some cleaning companies may charge by the number of rooms, typically $30 to $50 per room (bed or bathroom). Other companies charge by the type of room since the primary bedroom, living room, and bathrooms require more cleaning.
| Bedrooms | Bathrooms | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | $75 – $110 |
| 1 | 2 | $110 – $130 |
| 2 | 1 | $100 – $120 |
| 2 | 2 | $135 – $195 |
| 3 | 1 | $130 – $180 |
| 3 | 2 | $140 –$190 |
| 4 | 3 | $200 – $225 |
| 5 | 3 | $210+ |
Apartment Cleaning Prices
On average, apartment cleaning prices range from $75 to $135, depending on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. For a larger 3-bedroom 2-bathroom apartment, the cost starts at $135 per hour for general cleaning. Deep cleaning could run you $180 per hour.
| Bedrooms | Bathrooms | Prices |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | $140 to $200 |
| 3 | 2 | $135 to $180 |
| 2 | 2 | $95 to $130 |
| 2 | 1 | $80 to $110 |
| 1 | 2 | $90 to $120 |
| 1 | 1 | $60 to $90 |
Move-Out Cleaning Cost
Move-in or move-out cleaning costs $150 to $500, depending on the home size. A move-out cleaning is essential when selling your home or to get your rent deposit back. On top of a deep clean, move-out cleaning may include other services like cleaning out kitchen appliances, cleaning kitchen cabinets, and polishing floors.
| Square feet | Average total cost |
|---|---|
| 500 | $80 – $130 |
| 800 | $120 – $200 |
| 1,000 | $150 – $250 |
| 1,500 | $230 – $380 |
| 2,000 | $300 – $500 |
| 2,500 | $380 – $630 |
| 3,000 | $450 – $750 |
Additional services that affect move-out cleaning prices are:
Carpet shampoo – $75 to $200 or $0.18 per square foot
Cleaning the fridge – $12 to $35
Windows – $5 to $10 per window per side, and $3 per screen
Polishing – waxing floors $25 to $50
Cleaning oven interior – $15 to $50
Cleaning Services Prices
Most professional cleaning services such as Merry Maids or Molly Maid charge $75 to $100 per hour for two cleaners or about $0.10 per square foot. Cleaning a 2,000-square-foot house costs $200 per visit. You're also paying for the convenience of hiring a reliable company and trusted staff.
Cleaning Services Prices List
| Cleaning Service | Starting Cost Per Hour |
|---|---|
| Merry Maids | $100 |
| Molly Maids | $60 |
| The Cleaning Authority | $75 |
Cleaning professionals typically won't bargain on specific prices and typically stick to a preset list of pricing.
Merry Maids Cost
Merry Maids costs $100 per hour for two cleaners with a two-hour minimum. Many of the Merry Maid franchises have offers for $50 to $100 off your first five weekly or bi-weekly cleanings. However, Merry Maids has some fine print that can drive up the price quickly.
| Package | Starting Cost |
|---|---|
| Budget-Minded Cleaning Package Clean the kitchen, primary bathroom, family room, and one additional room. |
$110+ |
| Entertainer's Dream Cleaning Package Clean the areas guests will see: living, cooking, dining, and restroom areas. |
$140+ |
| Flex Cleaning Package For alternate areas cleaned on opposite weeks. |
$140+ |
| Clean for Show Package To clean everything |
$175+ |
| Sparkle and Shine Cleaning Package For a one-time deep clean which includes all doors, door frames, baseboards, and window sills. |
$345+ |
Molly Maid Prices
Molly Maid prices range from $60 to $100 per hour for a crew of two to three cleaners, or about $120 to $300 total for a standard recurring house cleaning service. Molly Maid charges $300 to $500 on average for a deep cleaning.
| Package | Starting Cost |
|---|---|
| 2 Cleaners 1 Hour | $60 – $100 |
| 2 Cleaners 2.5 Hours | $150 – $250 |
| 2 Cleaners 3.5 Hours | $210 – $350 |
| Standard cleaning | $120 – $300 |
| Deep cleaning | $300 – $500 |
The Cleaning Authority Prices
The Cleaning Authority charges $75 to $90 per hour for two workers and uses eco-friendly cleaning products. Their cleaning system ensures all the rooms are cleaned properly over a month, with basic cleaning every week and deeper cleaning of the bathrooms, bedrooms, kitchen, and living areas on rotating weeks.
| Package | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 2 Cleaners 1 Hour | $75 – $90 |
| 2 Cleaners 2 Hours | $130 – $160 |
How To Estimate The Cost Of Home Cleaning
The cost of home cleaning depends primarily on the number of rooms and the type of cleaning—standard, deep, or moving.
Additional services outside the standard cleaning are usually optional. Oven and fridge cleaning can drive the price up by over $100. Some other determining factors for cost include:
The amount of time it takes to clean
The number of bedrooms, or how many people live in the home
The number of home cleaners
The type of cleaning supplies
Pets that shed
Add-ons, like fridge and oven cleaning, laundry, or window cleaning require extra time.
Types of House Cleaning
There are several different types of house cleaning. A vacation home might need a simple dusting as you spend several months out of the year not living there. If you have children or pets, then you may opt for a deep clean to take care of any hard-to-clean messes.
Basic Cleaning – This is great for people working full-time who need a little help around the home.
Deep Cleaning – Deep cleaning a house costs $230 to $600 on average. For packed-in dirt or messes left after parties, this can be a great option.
Declutter & Spring Cleaning – If you let your home go into disarray, a cleaning service can help you get organized. Also, a cleaning service can even help you organize home offices.
Vacant House Cleaning – The empty house is cleaned to prepare it for sale or for renters to get their deposit back. Cleaning usually includes fridge, oven, all flooring, window sills, etc.
What to Expect When Hiring a Housekeeper
If you hire a housekeeper to show up for a few hours every day at the cost of $20 an hour, you could save money over hiring a weekly cleaning crew or maid. The housekeeper might also offer other services, such as babysitting, helping with homework, cooking, or doing laundry.
Make sure the housekeeper has a legal US work permit and your insurance covers people working in your home. Workers comp insurance costs $135 to $265 per year and should cover you sufficiently if your housekeeper gets hurt while working in your home. You can also request a trial period to see if hiring a housekeeper is right for you.
How to Save Money on House Cleaning
Here are four ways to save money when hiring a house cleaning service:
Cleaning Packages – Ask about a discount if you sign up for once-a-week or every-other-week of service instead of one-time or monthly cleanings.
Discounts – Ask about discounts for single mothers, veterans, disabilities, etc. or seasonal offers.
Supplies – Provide your own cleaning supplies to save $5 to $10 per visit. This also gives you the option to have them use more natural products. The cost of materials the cleaning crew uses is usually included in the overall price.
Maintenance – Don't let your house get out of control between cleanings. When you have a house cleaner on a regular basis, it will be easier to maintain your home throughout the month. The less work the crew has to do, the less you will get charged.
Choose Rooms – Select only certain rooms to clean. That way, you'll save on your overall cost, and you still have a clean home.
Choose Services – If you do not want added services such as laundry and window cleaning, make sure to state that at the beginning. That way you can avoid any added costs when the bill comes.
Hire a Cleaning Company or Individual?
Whether you are using an individual or a company, always check online for any bad reviews. One more thing to consider is that larger companies may rush from one client to another, trying to squeeze in as many as they can in a day. They may not leave your home picture perfect, whereas an individual maid might.
A maid service costs $25 to $70 per cleaning member per hour. An individual charges less than a cleaning company most of the time, from $15 to $25 an hour.
| Comparison | Cleaning company | Independent cleaners |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $75 to $100 per hour for 2 workers minimum 2 hours |
$20 to $50 per hour per worker |
| Average cost | $150 – $250 | $135 – $180 |
| Pros and cons |
|
|
Should I Tip My Housekeeper?
The general rule of thumb is to tip housekeepers 10% to 15% of the overall cost if you are happy with the service. Give your home a walkthrough after the cleaning job is done and see if the level of cleaning is worth a tip.
Additional Cleaning Services Rates
Depending on the difficulty of cleaning, the price of the task will vary. Window cleaning costs less than wood polishing because windows don't have all the nooks and crannies wood furniture has.
Here is a list of prices to expect for additional services:
Carpet Cleaning Prices
Typical carpet cleaning prices will be quoted at a rate of $0.18 to $0.36 per square foot, or about $25 to $70 per room. It may go higher for deep stains and carpet that is difficult to clean, like shag. Carpets build up dirt, dust, dander, and allergens daily, so that they can need a deep clean once or twice a year, depending on the number of pets and traffic.
Chimney Sweep Cost
Chimney sweeping costs $125 to $250 on average. Expect to pay on the higher end if your chimney is in bad condition. Creosote buildup will make it more difficult to clean than usual and will be a factor that determines the overall cost. If any dead or living critters have taken up residence in your chimney, then expect to pay more for that too.
Pressure Washing Prices
On average, pressure washing prices run from $220 to $380 to power wash a house or siding, $130 to $220 for a driveway, and $250 to $420 for a deck or patio. For companies that charge per square foot, it is usually between $0.16 to $0.22. If you have buildup on the outside of your home, power washing is an excellent option for you to remove the grime.
Gutter Cleaning Cost
Gutter cleaning costs $70 to $200 for a one-story, 1,500-square-foot home or $100 to $250 for a two-story, 2,500-square-foot home. Variables that may drive the price up are the number of stories, large bushes or trees blocking parts of the gutters, gutter screens, and badly clogged downspouts. Gutter cleaning can be dangerous for an elderly or inexperienced person. Consider getting your gutters cleaned by a professional house cleaning service if this applies to you.
Air Duct Cleaning Cost
Air duct cleaning costs $200 to $1,000 or between $25 and $50 per duct, depending on if you need a full cleaning of the ductwork. Cleaning your air ducts will keep the air quality in your home at optimum levels. Some people may claim they can clean air ducts in the house for less, but be very wary of these people. They may not do the job right or hit you with a load of hidden fees at the end.
Office Cleaning Rates
Office cleaning rates are $50 to $100 per hour or $0.04 to $0.16 per square foot. Prices decrease as square footage increases: a 4,000-square-foot office could be charged at $0.09 to $0.16 per square foot while cleaning a 30,000-square-foot-office could cost $0.04 to $0.10 per square foot.
Commercial Cleaning Services Rates
Commercial cleaning services rates range from $0.04 to $0.16 per square foot or $50 to $100 per hour. A small office might be charged per week per month at a rate of $500 to $700 and a larger office $2,000 to $4,000 per month—you’ll usually pay less per square foot as the square footage to clean increases. Specialized facilities such as a medical clinic will need additional services such as floor stripping and waxing, and therefore cost more.
Post-Construction Cleaning Rates
Post-construction cleaning rates average $550 to $800, or about $0.10 to $0.50 per square foot. Construction sites can look an absolute mess to anyone who doesn't work in that field; however, a trained post-construction cleaning crew will know exactly how to pick up and dispose of the mess.
How to Hire a Great House Cleaner
To hire a great cleaning lady or man, consider doing some or all of the following:
Interview house cleaning services.
Ask about hourly or per-square-foot rates. Compare with other quotes.
Ask about availability and flexibility.
Do a background check.
Make sure the cleaning company is licensed, bonded, and insured.
Check years of experience.
Lay out clear expectations.
List everything you want to be cleaned and how.
Give them a walkthrough of your home so they can discuss additional cleaning needs they see.
Ask about discounts for using your own cleaning supplies.
Ask if their cleaning products are child and pet safe or organic.
Lock away any valuables and pricey electronics.
Consider installing locks with rotating security codes.
Ask if there is a money-back or reclean guarantee.
It will take some time for you and the cleaner to build a rapport with each other and get to a place of mutual understanding, so give the trial period a few weeks before making your final decision on keeping your cleaner or canceling the service.
Do You Tip Cleaning Ladies or Men?
Yes, a general rule of thumb is to tip cleaning ladies (or men)Â 10% to 15%Â of the total job cost. Once you build a relationship over time, it's reasonable to give a bonus for Christmas, and their birthday.