How Much Does Move-Out Cleaning Cost?

Move-Out Cleaning Costs by Home Type

The type and size of your home are huge factors in the overall price for move-out cleaning. We break down the average move-out cleaning costs for different home types below.

House

Because houses are larger and have many rooms, expect the cost to deep clean a house to be higher than that for smaller spaces like apartments.

Many homes need extra cleaning add-ons beyond what these basic prices account for. Depending on the amount of work, this could raise the price to around $450 to $650.

Apartment

The cost to clean an apartment for move-out averages between $110 and $350, factoring in potential add-ons. A studio apartment that doesn’t need extra cleaning might only cost between $90 and $130. On the other hand, a larger apartment—such as a three-bedroom, two-bathroom—could cost up to $690 if it needs a lot of work.

Rental Property

Cleaning a rental property after guests and tenants leave costs an average of $360, but prices will vary depending on the size of the place and any service add-ons. As a rental property owner, it's important to factor your estimated cleaning costs into the security deposit.

You might also need to add upholstery cleaning costs if your property is fully furnished. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 for a couch. And if your tenants had pets, this could up the price.

Move-Out Cleaning Add-On Costs

A basic move-out cleaning usually includes simple tasks like tidying up, dusting, wiping down surfaces, vacuuming, and mopping floors. You can purchase additional services for a more thorough cleaning, which typically adds an average of $150 to $390 to the total cost. If your home just needs one or two add-ons, you might only pay an extra $20 to $40, depending on the service.

Carpet

A basic move-out cleaning usually includes vacuuming your carpet, but not a deep cleaning. You need to deep clean your carpet once or twice per year, so ask whether your move-out cleaning company offers carpet steam and shampoo services. Carpet cleaning costs around $120 to $240 for an entire house or about $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot.

Windows 

Proper window cleaning should include wiping down both sides of each window and the sills, which tends to cost around $11 to $13 per window or $80 to $300 for the whole house. Expect window cleaning costs to increase if your windows are large or difficult to reach.

Appliances

Don’t expect a basic move-out cleaning service to include the inside of your fridge or oven. If you want your cleaning company to scrub inside your kitchen appliances, expect to pay about $10 to $40 each.

Blinds

Blinds tend to collect dust and often aren't included as part of a basic move-out cleaning package. Professional blind cleaning costs an additional $5 to $10 per set.

Hardwood Floor

Your typical move-out cleaning service will only dust mop your hardwood floors. If you really want your floors to shine, polishing hardwood floors typically costs $100 to $300.

Tile and Grout

You can mop tile and grout floors, but that won't remove stains or protect them in the long run. If you want proper tile and grout cleaning as part of your move-out cleaning service, expect to pay an additional $100 to $200.

Garage

The garage is one room that won’t be included in most standard move-out cleaning services. However, clearing out the garage can be an important part of preparing a home for new tenants, so plan to pay an extra $70 to $200 if your cleaning company offers garage cleaning.

Junk Removal

A junk removal service can come in handy, whether it's for a broken appliance, unwanted old furniture, or other items you don't think are worth trying to salvage. Junk removal costs anywhere from $60 to $370, depending on the size and quantity of the items involved.

DIY Move-Out Cleaning vs. Hiring a Cleaning Service

Many people tackle move-out cleaning on their own, but hiring a service is a major convenience. This is especially true if you're short on time, have young kids who need supervision, or can't do a thorough job while balancing all the other aspects of moving.

Hiring a professional service is not only helpful, but it could also legally protect you. You could breach the contract if you don't sell your house as-is and things aren't clean enough for the next homeowners. Buyers could back out of closing or sue you for non-performance of the contract. Thorough, professional cleaning eliminates this risk—and helps your house look great, too.

If you're unable to find a pro in your area, consult with your real estate agent. Many agents build relationships with local house cleaning companies and may be able to offer discounted or specified services.

FAQs

How long does it take to clean a house professionally?

A professional four-person crew usually takes an hour for every 1,000 square feet to clean a house. Anyone who has handled move-out cleaning on their own knows even a small apartment can take one person several hours to get the job done.

What happens in a professional move-out cleaning?

For a basic cleaning, you can expect the following services:

• Wiping down all the surfaces

• Dusting

• Mopping

• Vacuuming

A house needing a deeper cleaning will use a lot of add-ons, such as cleaning out the inside of a fridge or oven. Deeper cleanings also require special products that may cost more.

Do you tip for a move-out clean?

You can tip for a move-out cleaning, but it’s never mandatory. A local move-out cleaner may appreciate being tipped for a job particularly well done, so feel free to tip at your own discretion.