Guide · House cleaning

How much to charge for move-out cleaning

There is no honest single number: move-out cleans vary more than any other residential job because the home is empty, the scope is bigger and condition is unknown. The reliable answer is a method. Estimate the hours, multiply by your real cost per hour, add materials and margin, and protect yourself on condition.

Step 1: define the scope in writing

Move-out cleans fail on expectations, not effort. List what is included so the client (or landlord) can compare it with their checkout list. A typical editorial scope:

Inside oven, fridge and freezer, microwave and dishwasher.
Inside cabinets, drawers and closets.
Baseboards, door frames, light switches and spot-cleaning walls.
Window sills and tracks; interior glass if you include it.
Bathrooms descaled; floors vacuumed and mopped throughout.

Say clearly what is not included, for example carpet shampooing, exterior windows, wall washing, hauling trash or furniture, and biohazard. Price those as add-ons or refer them out.

Step 2: estimate hours before you quote

Walkthrough or video call for anything large or unknown. Ask for photos of the oven, fridge, bathrooms and floors at minimum.
Start from your own records. If you track job times, look at past move-outs by bedrooms and bathrooms. If you don't yet, time the next few and write the results down.
Adjust for condition: heavy grease, pet hair, smoke residue, hard-water buildup and how long the home has been lived in all add time.

Step 3: turn hours into a price

Labor cost = estimated person-hours × (wage + payroll taxes and insurance per hour).
Add travel (time and vehicle), supplies (move-outs use more degreaser, pads and magic erasers) and any dump or disposal fee.
Add your share of overhead: monthly insurance, software, phone and marketing divided by jobs per month.
Apply your margin: price = cost ÷ (1 − margin). A 30% margin means dividing by 0.70.

Our turnover price calculator does this math. For a move-out, set linens to "Host handles linens", untick restocking, and raise the minutes per room in the time assumptions to match what your move-outs actually take.

Flat rate or hourly?

Flat rate works when you have seen the home (or good photos) and have timed similar jobs. Clients prefer it.
Hourly with an estimate range fits homes you can't see first or that look rough. State the hourly rate, crew size and a not-to-exceed amount the client approves.
Either way, set a minimum so small units still cover travel and setup.

Guardrails

Condition clause: say the quote assumes the condition shown in the photos, and that you will call before going over.
Utilities on: require water, power and hot water at the scheduled time.
Deposit and cancellation: move dates slip, so put your deposit and reschedule terms in the quote. See our cleaning quote template.
Photo proof: take before and after photos of every room, especially if the client is trying to get a deposit back.

Tools that help

BookingKoala: $27 / $57 / $197 per month (5/15/50 providers)
ZenMaid: Starter $19, Pro $39, Pro Max $49 per month (as shown with 0 office managers selected in the page's team-size picker); SMS charges not included
BunnyBid: Free start; Pro $19/mo or $190/yr
ResponsiBid: Startup free; Scaling $179/mo; Pro $229/mo; setup fee (amount not shown)
Jobber: Core $49/mo no commitment, $39/mo on a 1-year commitment, $29/mo billed annually; Connect $139 ($119 / $99); Grow $199 ($169 / $149); Plus $499 ($439 / $399, includes 5 users); starting prices for the smallest team size; extra users $29/mo each; AI Receptionist add-on $29/mo (included in Plus)
CompanyCam: Not checked price unverified

Run the numbers → Quote template

Prices are as shown on vendor pages or the cited source, as recorded in our directory. Always confirm on the vendor's site before buying. Not sponsored. Page checked 2026-10-18.

FAQ

How do I calculate a price for a move-out clean?

Estimate the person-hours from photos or a walkthrough, multiply by your loaded labor cost per hour, add travel, supplies and overhead, then divide by one minus your target margin. Set a minimum so small jobs still pay.

Should move-out cleaning cost more than a regular clean?

It usually takes longer because it includes inside appliances, cabinets, baseboards and other areas a recurring clean skips, and condition is unknown. Price it from the hours it actually takes, not from your recurring rate.

Should I charge hourly or flat rate for move-out cleaning?

Flat rate when you have seen the home or clear photos and have timed similar jobs. Hourly with an approved not-to-exceed amount when you can't see it first or it looks rough.

What should a move-out cleaning quote include?

The scope (what is and isn't included), the price or hourly rate, crew size, an assumption about condition, utilities that must be on, and your deposit, cancellation and payment terms.