Find out house cleaning service costs by home size, frequency, and deep vs standard cleaning in 2026. Free cleaning cost calculator.
House cleaning services cost $120-$280 for a standard cleaning of an average 2,000 sq ft home in 2026 — about $0.06-$0.14 per square foot. Pricing depends on home size, number of bathrooms, frequency, and whether you need standard, deep, or move-in/move-out cleaning. Recurring clients (weekly or bi-weekly) typically pay 15-30% less per visit than one-time bookings. Independent cleaners are usually cheaper than national chains but carry less insurance.
Standard cleaning price ranges in 2026: 1 bed / 1 bath apartment: $80-$150 per visit. 2 bed / 1 bath (1,000 sq ft): $100-$180. 3 bed / 2 bath (1,800 sq ft): $130-$230. 4 bed / 3 bath (2,800 sq ft): $180-$320. 5+ bed / 3+ bath: $250-$450. Frequency discount: weekly saves about 25%, bi-weekly saves 15-20%, monthly is closest to one-time pricing. Deep cleaning adds 50-80% to a standard rate, and move-in/move-out cleaning adds 80-150% because it includes inside cabinets, appliances, and baseboards.
Standard cleaning (recurring): dust, vacuum, mop floors, clean bathrooms, kitchen surfaces, change linens. Deep cleaning (1-2x/year): everything in standard plus baseboards, inside microwave/oven, behind appliances, light fixtures, ceiling fans, window sills. Move-in/out cleaning: deep cleaning scope plus inside all cabinets and drawers, inside refrigerator, all windows, and detail work that gets the security deposit back. Most reputable services require a first-time deep clean before starting a recurring plan.
Tipping is appreciated but not required for ongoing recurring service — the rate already pays the cleaner directly if independent. For one-time deep cleans, move-out cleans, or holiday cleanings, $10-$20 per cleaner is standard. National chain cleaners (Merry Maids, Molly Maid) often see less of the hourly rate, so a $10-$20 tip per visit goes further. A holiday bonus equal to one cleaning fee is generous and common for loyal clients.
Independent cleaners cost 20-40% less and you build a direct relationship with the same person each visit, but they may not carry liability insurance or workers comp. Cleaning companies cost more but include insurance, bonded employees, background checks, and a backup cleaner if yours is sick. For high-value homes or anyone uncomfortable with someone unverified in the house, the company premium is worth it. For routine apartment cleaning on a budget, an independent with strong reviews is fine.
Solo cleaner timing: 1 bed apartment 1.5-2 hours, 2 bed 2-3 hours, 3 bed 3-4 hours, 4+ bed 4-6 hours. Two-person team cuts time roughly in half. Deep cleaning takes 50-80% longer than standard. If a cleaner finishes a 3-bedroom standard clean in under 90 minutes, the work was almost certainly rushed — that's a quality red flag.
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