How Much Does it Cost to Hire a House Cleaner?

Keeping your house clean can be a monumental task – especially if you work full time, have young children or pets, or all of the above. The good news is that hiring a professional housecleaner can help to lower the stress and make life a whole lot easier. And, it may be more affordable than you think!

Here’s a look at what you can expect to pay for house cleaning services — and what’s typically included in the cost.

How Much Do Cleaning Services Charge?

Professional house cleaners set cleaning prices in a variety of ways. They might charge by the hour, the square footage of your home, the number of rooms to clean, or the number of cleaners sent out for the job. An hourly rate is the most common and ranges from $25 to $90, depending on the frequency of service, your pro’s experience level and the type of services you need.

When it comes to frequency, a “first clean” or “one-time clean” often costs more than regular services. That’s because cleaners need to determine how long they’ll spend in a home and see whether any rooms need extra work – for example a family bathroom or large play area. Cleaners will also typically spend extra time on a first visit prepping your home for more regular cleanings.

On the other hand, the more times a house cleaner comes in a month, the lower the price is likely to be per visit. This is often a matter of $5 to $10 per clean. Some cleaners will also offer a discount if you pay for multiple visits up front or sign a long-term contract.

A cleaning professional newer to the business may charge less per hour than a more experienced professional, with a less experienced professional charging an average of $25 to $40 an hour and a more experienced professional charging an average of $40 to $90.

Individual Cleaners vs. Cleaning Companies

There are also important distinctions between individual cleaners and companies.

Cleaning companies typically:

• Charge higher rates
• Charge a minimum fee
• Have bonded and licensed employees
• Send 2+ employees per clean
• Have backup employees
• Are easier to take up a legal complaint with

Individuals typically:

• Charge lower rates
• Require cash payments or checks
• May not be bonded or licensed
• Have few to no backup employees in emergencies
• Aren’t easy to take up a legal complaint with

Types of Cleaning Services

Another factor that affects pricing is the type of service you need. While there’s no “standard” set of cleaning services, most house cleaners will include basic tasks like:

• Vacuuming
• Dusting
• Toilet and shower cleaning
• General kitchen cleaning
• Tidying up

Once they’ve run through their own standard list, they’ll tackle specific client requests. For example, you might request that they clean:

• Blinds
• Tough soap scum
• Ovens
• Carpets
• Windows
• Walls
• Refrigerators

These services might cost more, or the cleaner might simply calculate the hours into your total. Keep in mind that each house cleaner or company will offer different services and may not offer extras like carpet or upholstery cleaning.

Then, there’s deep cleaning services. These services can help you get your home in shape for visitors or just give you a clean slate to start fresh. Most people get deep cleanings once or twice a year. They cost an average of $100 to $300 per visit, depending on the size of your home. Other similar services include move-out and move-in cleanings, which typically range up to and over $400.

Extra House Cleaning Costs

Your home is unique to you, and that means your mess is equally unique. If you have pets and children, for instance, the hours and depth of your cleaning will be much different from those for a one-person, no-pet household. Here are a few potential extras to factor in:

• Spots of deep cleaning: If you have a mud room, playroom or pet area that needs extra attention, that might add to your rate.
• Personal preferences: If you want your pro to use a specific brand of eco-friendly or allergy- or sensitivity-specific products, you might need to provide these or pay extra.
• Periodic projects: You might want your cleaner to help with the garage or basement once a quarter. Expect higher rates for these services.

Also, keep in mind that some professional house cleaners bring products and tools with them, while others expect the client to provide supplies. Be sure to discuss this before you hire to ensure you’re working with a pro that suits your preferences.

Take these cost factors and your unique needs into account as you ask for quotes and interview pros for your house cleaning services. Both companies and individual cleaners can offer great value for your money; which you choose depends on your preference and comfort level. Angi pros offer reliable and high-quality services, whether they are independent contractors or large cleaning companies.