How much does move-out cleaning cost?
How much does move-out cleaning cost?
$150 – $500 total average cost
$0.15 – $0.25 average cost per square foot
$25 – $50 average hourly rate per person
Move-out cleaning services cost
Move-out cleaning costs $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot or $150 to $500 total on average, depending on the home's size and condition. Many move-out cleaning services charge $25 to $50 per hour, per person. A small apartment in good condition costs less to clean than a large house that needs a professional deep clean.
| 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 |
Bedrooms
Some cleaning companies base their prices on how many bedrooms your house, apartment, or townhome has. The more rooms and bathrooms you have, the more it will cost to clean.
| Bedrooms | Average total cost |
|---|---|
| Studio | $80 – $200 |
| 1 | $120 – $250 |
| 2 | $150 – $380 |
| 3 | $230 – $630 |
| 4 | $380 – $750 |
If you need a cleaning service but aren’t moving out, a standard apartment cleaning costs $75 to $180 total on average.
Cost of move-out cleaning per hour
Move-out cleaning typically costs $25 to $50 per hour, per person. Some cleaners work alone, but most work in teams of 2 or 3 to get the job done faster. Two workers will clean your home for $50 to $100 per hour but will end up charging the same as a solo cleaner who takes twice as long.
Move-out cleaning cost factors
The following factors impact move-out cleaning prices:
Home condition: Homes with excessive dust, dirt, or waste require more time and effort to clean. Kitchens and bathrooms are often the dirtiest rooms, and you may pay more if they need extra attention.
Products: Some cleaning companies offer to use eco-friendly or pet-friendly products for an additional $10 to $100 fee if you prefer to use certain products.
Company: There are many nationwide cleaning companies with varying rates:
Maid services cost $120 to $280 per visit on average, depending on the company and the services offered.
Merry Maids charges $150 to $300 per visit for a standard cleaning.
Molly Maid charges $120 to $300 per visit for standard cleanings and $300 to $500 for deep cleaning.
Services
Move-out cleaning typically involves the same services as a standard or deep cleaning, depending on what’s needed to make the home move-in ready for new occupants. Move-out cleaning companies include some or all of these services in their rates:
Sweeping
Mopping
Dusting
Carpet cleaning
Cleaning blinds
Wiping down walls and baseboards
Cleaning countertops and cabinets
Cleaning windows and mirrors
Washing the oven, range, and refrigerator
Cleaning under or behind furniture
Scrubbing tiles and grout
Disinfecting the kitchen and bathrooms
Add-ons
For many companies, high-effort services like carpet cleaning, grout scrubbing, garage cleaning, or junk disposal cost extra. However, using the same company to bundle services will usually cost less than separate companies:
Junk disposal costs $150 to $350 per load.
Tile and grout cleaning costs $250 to $700 on average.
Professional carpet cleaning costs $40 to $90+ per room.
Renting a carpet cleaner costs $30 to $125 per day.
Cleaning cost by type
Most home cleaning companies have different pricing for different needs: they can provide weekly or monthly tidying, annual deep cleaning, or one-time services when you’re moving out of a rental.
| Cleaning type | Average cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Move-out cleaning | $150 – $500 | Standard or deep cleaning, carpet cleaning, getting the home back to like-new condition |
| Deep cleaning cost | $230 – $600 | Standard services plus window washing, polishing, cleaning the refrigerator or under furniture, scrubbing tile and grout |
| Standard house cleaning cost | $120 – $280 | Sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, disinfecting |
How to save on move-out cleaning
Follow these tips to lower your move-out cleaning costs:
Book a professional cleaner in advance instead of last-minute.
Declutter and dispose of garbage before the cleaners come.
Choose standard cleaning supplies instead of specialty products.
Prioritize high-traffic areas and visible stains.
Rent a carpet cleaner and clean dirty carpets yourself.
Move-out cleaning FAQs
What is move-out cleaning?
Move-out cleaning is a service that helps get an apartment or house rental back to like-new condition before a new tenant moves in. This service can be as simple as a standard cleaning or may involve a thorough, deep cleaning if the home is not in good condition.
How long does move-out cleaning take?
Most move-out cleaning jobs take 2 to 8 hours, depending on the home's size and condition. Small apartments with no major stains or issues may only take 2 to 5 hours to clean. Cleaning larger homes with an extreme workload can take up to 15 hours.
Do you tip move-out cleaners?
Ask the cleaning business you choose whether they consider tipping expected. Tipping is slightly more common for independent house cleaners. Like servers or salon employees, a 10% to 20% tip can show your gratitude for a job well done.
Who pays for cleaning when a tenant moves out?
Tenants are typically responsible for making sure the rental is clean before moving out. They can hire their own cleaning service, or the property owner will do a walk-through after they move out, pay for a cleaning service, and take the money out of the tenant’s security deposit.
Getting quotes from move-out cleaning services
Follow these steps to find the best home cleaning companies near you:
Get quotes from three or more licensed, bonded, and insured cleaning companies.
Read the cleaning companies’ reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask the company for references or pictures of past jobs.
Discuss your cleaning needs with the company to ensure they are up to the task.
Get a written estimate that lists the included services.
Questions to ask move-out cleaning companies
Ask these questions to ensure you choose the right cleaning service for your needs and budget:
How long have you done move-out cleaning?
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
What kind of training do you and other employees receive?
Can you give me any references or testimonials from clients?
Do you bring your own cleaning supplies?
What services do you include?
Can I request certain cleaning products?
What kind of safety measures do you follow?
What happens if you cause damage during the cleaning?
Do you offer any guarantees?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.