Move out cleaners near you

Typically, it will take between 3 and 8 hours for a professional to complete a move-out cleaning. Here are a few factors that may impact how long it takes:

• Size of your home: A home with more square footage or multiple floors will take longer to clean since the cleaners have more ground to cover.

• Number of bedrooms and bathrooms: Regardless of square footage, each additional bathroom or bedroom will add to the duration of the move-out cleaning. Multiple bathrooms can add an hour or more to the total cleaning time.

• Number of cleaners: The timeline for your move-out cleaning will also depend on how many cleaning professionals you have on site.

• State of your home: If your home is especially messy or there is a buildup of residue from smoking, mold, etc., plan for your move-out cleaning to take some additional time.

Remember: The timeline for your project will vary depending on many factors. Always ask your pro to provide an estimate.

When looking for a professional move-out cleaning service, make sure you complete the following steps: 

• Verify their business license and insurance coverage: Any cleaning company must have a general business license to operate legally. General liability coverage should also be in place to make sure you don't incur the cost of an accidental broken window or light fixture.

• Get several estimates: Some providers may be willing to offer a discount, but be careful with the fine print. Ask for quotes that specify which services are covered. Some providers may ask for extra fees for tasks like deep cleaning heavily stained carpets. 

• Read their reviews: Online reviews offer valuable insight into a company's reliability, the length of time it has been in business and its service quality. Look for companies with many positive reviews and five-star ratings. 

• Ask important questions: Find out about the services and terms the pros offer. For example, do they provide their own equipment and cleaning supplies? How flexible is their availability and scheduling?

For more tips, visit Thumbtack's Smart Hiring page.

The national average cost to hire professional move-out cleaning services ranges from around $170 to $322,* according to Thumbtack data. There are several factors that might impact the cost of this project, including: 

• Number of bedrooms: Regardless of your home’s square footage, the number of bedrooms will impact how much a move-out cleaning service charges.

• Number of bathrooms: Bathroom cleaning is a time-consuming task, so cleaners will charge more per bathroom. Even for small bathrooms, they still have to scrub the sink, shower and toilet.

• State of your home: Many cleaners will schedule a walkthrough before cleaning to determine what to charge. If your home has a substantial buildup of dirt or grime, expect to pay more for move-out cleaning.

You might be able to save money with these tips: 

• Get multiple estimates: One of the best ways to save money on move-out cleaning services is to get multiple quotes and compare prices.

• Get your home ready for cleaning: Getting rid of clutter and doing some preliminary cleaning can make the task easier for the cleaners and save you money on their hourly cost.

• Save on unnecessary services: Ask about different cleaning packages to see if you can cut out any unnecessary spending, like carpet cleaning.

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

In most cases, a professional will include the following in a move-out cleaning:

• Floors: The cleaners will vacuum, sweep and mop floors throughout the house. If you need carpet steam cleaning, keep in mind it may be an additional fee.

• Kitchen cleaning: Scrubbing countertops and sinks, cleaning cabinets and drawers inside and out.

• Appliance cleaning: Thoroughly cleaning the oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and stove, as well as checking that everything works properly.

• Bathrooms: Scrubbing and sanitizing toilets, showers, tubs and sinks, as well as cleaning mirrors and bathroom vanities.

• Dusting: Dusting off ceiling fans and lights, air vent covers and blinds.

• Windows and walls: Cleaners will typically wash all the window interiors — including the glass and the window sill — and clean up any spots on the walls.

• Trash removal: Move-out cleaning usually includes the removal of any garbage or debris.

Here's what to consider when weighing the pros and cons of move-out cleaning services:

• Time savings: Packing and unpacking already takes up a lot of time and energy, so you may prefer to pay for a pro to save yourself the hassle of cleaning on top of everything else.

• Condition of your home: If your home is regularly cleaned and in the same condition as when you moved in, a full move-out cleaning service may not be worth the cost. If the reverse is true, a full clean-out may be worth it.

• Security deposit: Compare the cost of a move-out cleaning to your security deposit. For larger homes with higher deposits, hiring a cleaning service can sometimes cost far less than the fees a landlord may charge you.

Move-out cleaning is usually a deep cleaning process for those moving out of their homes, while a regular cleaning focuses on maintaining day-to-day cleanliness. Here are a few factors to help you determine the difference:

• Scope of work: Regular cleaning includes vacuuming, dusting, mopping floors and wiping surfaces. Move-out cleaning is usually more intensive, covering deep cleaning of surfaces, carpets, appliances (inside and out), cupboards, bathrooms and every corner of the property’s interior.

• Time and effort: A regular clean typically takes 1 to 3 hours, depending on the home's size. Move-out cleaning is more time-consuming, often taking 3 to 8 hours due to the level of detail required.

• Tools and materials: Regular cleaning relies on standard supplies like all-purpose cleaners, mops and vacuums. Move-out cleaning may require more specialized equipment, such as steam cleaners, industrial vacuums and stronger detergents to tackle built-up grime. Crews may also use stepladders to reach difficult areas.

• Cost comparison: Standard cleanings typically cost less than move-out cleanings. 

Deep cleaning a house goes beyond the surface level to clear out the dust, grime and gunk that’s collecting on the fan blades, hiding in the blinds, and built up inside the refrigerator drawers. Deep cleaning of a home or apartment costs more than regular house cleaning because it takes more time, effort, and cleaning products. You may choose to have a deep cleaning once or several times a year in addition to your standard cleaning services. You may have a one-time deep cleaning to prepare for company or to clean after a house party. Companies may charge an hourly rate or a price per square foot, or may offer you a flat rate after they have visited your home and estimated work time. The national average house cleaning price is $110-$150, with rates ranging higher for deep-cleaning services. Here are some examples of how a company may calculate their deep-cleaning prices:

• 10 cents per square foot (compared with 5 cents per square foot for standard house cleaning).
• $300 for a 3,000-square-foot home.
• $25 per hour per worker for deep-cleaning services.

There are many questions to ask a cleaning service before you hire them to make sure they’re the right fit. These questions might include:

• How much do you charge?
• How do you set your prices -- per hour or per square foot? Or, do you charge a flat rate?
• What is your past work experience? Can I see a list of references?
• Are you accustomed to working with different home or apartment types and sizes?
• Can you work with children or pets in the house?
• What types of cleaning products do you use?
• Do you bring your own cleaning supplies and products?
• How often can you clean my home?
• Is there anything you recommend I do (or don't do) to my home before you arrive?

For more tips on how to hire the best maid or house cleaning service, read our smart hiring guide.

A basic house cleaning typically includes tasks like carpet cleaning, wiping countertops, taking out the trash, doing the laundry and washing dishes. A deep house cleaning is a much more involved process, where all aspects of the home are given full attention for a cleanout. In a deep house cleaning, the cleaners will wet-wipe everything from door frames to light switch plates, making sure to also clean walls, windows, air vents, ceiling fans, furniture and more.

You may benefit from hiring a professional move-out cleaning service, depending on your budget, time frame and whether you will be getting a deposit back. Hiring a cleaning service takes the stress out of your move. But if you’ve had your house regularly deep-cleaned, or if your landlord will charge you for cleaning anyway, you can save costs by DIY-ing it.