Understanding the Pricing of House Cleaning Services

We often get asked how much is it to clean with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths or my home is 2500 square feet, how much do you charge?

When hiring a house cleaning service, many people think the cost is primarily determined by the size of the home or the number of rooms. The reality is no two homes are priced the same even if it’s the same home layout. What factors determine the price: how people live in the home, the number of people living there, pets, ages of children and the amount of items in the home. These factors influence the price of cleaning services especially the 1st cleaning which is called a “deep cleaning.” A deep cleaning involves a two-step process of washing and drying of buildup on showers, tubs, lights, ceiling fans, cabinets, doors, door frames, baseboards, window frames and sills. Once a home has been “deep” cleaned, it can be maintained on a weekly, bi-weekly (every 2 weeks) or monthly (every 4 weeks) basis. These are called a “maintenance” or “standard” cleaning.

Similarly if you called to order a pizza, you will be asked specifics: what size, number of slices, types of toppings, red sauce or marinara, thin or thick crust, pick up or delivery and these options will determine your price of your pizza.

Understanding what goes into the price of cleaning can help you better anticipate the costs and choose a service that matches your needs and budget.

1. Size and Layout of the Home

While the overall square footage of your home does play a fundamental role in determining the price, it’s not the only factor. The layout of the rooms, the number of levels, and the types of spaces (such as bathrooms or kitchens, which require intensive cleaning) variety of surfaces like marble, wood, granite, hard surface floors, white cabinets, baseboards and doors or carpet can also affect the total cost. More rooms and larger areas typically mean more time needed for cleaning, which increases how long the cleaning will take and be priced accordingly. Or maybe you only want certain rooms cleaned or rotate a cleaning the basement, which would also affect your price.

2. Condition and Tidiness of the Home

The general cleanliness and tidiness of your home can significantly impact how much a cleaning service will charge. A home that is well-maintained and organized requires less time for a standard cleaning compared to a home that is cluttered or not regularly cleaned. Are tabletops covered with 2 picture frames or 10? Do bathrooms have 5, 10 or 15 items on a counter? Is the shower being used daily by 2 people or 4 people? Is the microwave wiped down after every use or a buildup of weeks of cooking? Extra time and attention are necessary for areas that go for long periods of time without cleaning. Most common time consuming areas include: removing built-up of soap scrum (white film) in showers, greasy stove tops, heavy dust on lights, fans and baseboards and washing cabinets. This becomes a 2-step process of washing and drying, even sometimes 2-3 times to come clean. Also housekeeping items like dishes, laundry and organizing of personal items may or may not be offered in a house cleaning or maid service.

3. Presence of Pets and Children

Pets and young children can add to the cleaning workload, especially if there are multiple pets, shedding hair, spills on the floor, or areas to work around cloths and toys. Small children tend to have handprints on cabinets, spills on chairs and dribbles on floors. Milk/Formula spots have magical properties of reappearing even after being wiped off!

Teenagers rooms can be difficult to navigate if clothes are strewn on the floor, plates/cups laying on desks and end tables or have areas of high clutter. Some clients say “do the best you can” while others will have a company skip those areas.

Homes with pets might also require special communications and accommodations such as vacuuming couches, dust moping hard surface floors to remove hair, removing nose prints from windows/sliding glass doors and extra washing of floors to remove muddy paw prints. Discussing in advance how to work with your pet in your home helps cleaners navigate your home safely. Some dogs may hide from a vacuum cleaner while others may attack it. Some pets roam free and are friendly while other dogs are protectors and are crated while cleaners are in their home. Communicating up front helps the cleaning run smoothly and everyone to be safe.

4. Number of Decorative Items and Furnishings

The number of decorative items, knick-knacks, and furnishings in a home reflect cleaning costs. Each item that needs dusting or careful handling requires additional time and care, increasing the overall effort and duration of cleaning. Intricate items, collectibles, or fragile decorations require detailed attention, which can raise the price. Helpful Tip: Irreplaceable or family heirlooms should be put away during cleanings to keep them safe. Items on flat surfaces such as end tables, mantles, shelves and counters also play a role how much time it will take to dust a room. An example is a bathroom counter that has 20 items versus 5 items on it can take an extra 15 minutes to clean. The more items left on surfaces, the longer it will take to clean.

5. Special Requirements or Requests

Some homes may have specific cleaning needs or requests that go beyond the standard cleaning checklist. This can include cleaning high areas like lights, stove hoods or windows, requesting the use of clients cleaning products that a cleaning service is not trained on, addressing areas with heavy buildup of soap scrum or grease, or performing deep cleans in certain rooms. Home Cleaning companies vary greatly on what is included on a deep clean or regular maintenance clean. Be sure to ask if you are looking for something specific such as windows, inside appliances or cabinets. High items (beyond a 2 step stool) may not be able to be cleaned for safety reasons. Each special requirement typically adds to the cost due to the need for specialized tools, products or techniques.

6. Frequency of Service

The frequency of cleaning services also plays a role in pricing. Engaging a cleaning service on a weekly basis might cost less per session compared to a monthly deep clean because regular maintenance prevents conditions from becoming too labor-intensive. Many services offer discounts for more frequent visits, recognizing that ongoing maintenance typically requires less time per visit.

Conclusion

A professional cleaning service will ask a series of questions to learn about your cleaning needs. Even better, schedule an in-home estimate! An estimate allows the cleaning service to provide accurate pricing, answer any questions and prevent overcharging. The in-home consultation also allows a cleaning service to schedule for the right amount of people and time and bring any specialized tools and supplies.

The cost of house cleaning services is influenced by a myriad of factors beyond just the size of your home. By understanding these factors, you can better anticipate cleaning costs and discuss their specific needs with cleaning service providers to find the best plan that fits their budget. When considering a cleaning service, it’s beneficial to have an in-home estimate so you can have detailed discussion about what each cleaning session will entail, rooms that you may not want cleaned, special areas to pay attention to or items you don’t want touched. This clarity not only ensures that you are not surprised by the bill but also guarantees that the cleaning service meets your expectations.

SMART TIP: Ask to make sure you are working with a professional cleaning service that is registered as a business, bonded, insured and covered under Worker’s Compensation to protect you and your home!