How Much Does Move-Out Cleaning Cost in 2025?

Normal Range: $120 - $420

Move-out cleaning costs an average of $360

How we get this data
Two workers cleaning a country house
Photo: alfa27 / Adobe Stock
Two workers cleaning a country house
Photo: alfa27 / Adobe Stock
Highlights
  • Move-out cleaning usually involves sweeping, mopping, dusting, surface cleaning, and disinfecting.

  • Move-out cleaning costs between $120 and $420, with an average cost of $360, though many companies charge based on the number of rooms.

  • Tasks like junk removal, carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, and air vent and duct cleaning can be added to your move-out cleaning service for an extra fee.

  • You can reduce the cost of move-out cleaning by doing some cleaning yourself, ensuring the space is as empty for the cleaners, and booking your move-out cleaning far in advance.

  • Professional cleaners offer superior thoroughness, specialized equipment, and efficiency that reduce your moving stress.

Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Geo Icon

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Move-out cleaning services cost $360 on average, ranging from $120 to $420, depending on the size and condition of your home. Professional cleaners charge $25 to $50 per hour per person. Key cost factors include your home's size, the extent of cleaning required, and any additional services you choose to add.

Move-Out Cleaning Cost Factors

Several cost factors affect your total cleaning service cost. Most importantly, consider the size of your home, the number of rooms being cleaned, whether you’re having the whole house cleaned or only parts of it, the number of cleaning tasks being done, and any extra services you add on.

Home Size

The size of your home significantly impacts the cost of move-out cleaning. Larger homes take longer to clean and therefore cost more, while apartment cleaning costs less since they can be cleaned in a few hours. Cleaning a multi-story house can take a full day or longer.

Square Feet Average Cost Range
1,000–1,500 $120–$260
1,500–2,000 $180–$300
2,000–2,500$240–$340
2,500–3,000 $300–$380
3,000–3,500 $360–$420

Number of Rooms

The number of rooms in your home affects the cost of move-out cleaning. Homes with more rooms require more time and effort to clean. Many cleaning companies charge based on the number of bedrooms or total rooms rather than square footage. For instance, a four-bedroom house will cost more to clean than a small studio apartment.

Home Type Number of Rooms Average Cost Range
Studio apartment 2 $90–$130
1-bedroom apartment 4 $100–$190
2-bedroom apartment 5–6 $140–$210
3-bedroom townhouse 7–8 $180–$300
4-bedroom house 8–10 $200–$750

Room Cleaning vs. Whole Home

You don't always need to pay to have your entire home professionally cleaned. Handle the living room and bedrooms yourself while leaving the kitchen and bathrooms to the experts. In this case, you’ll pay by the room. A local house cleaner charges between $80 and $200 per room.

Cleaning Tasks

Another key cost factor is the extent of cleaning you need done. For instance, simple junk removal costs far less than the average cost to deep clean a house. Many basic services are typically included in the base price of move-out cleaning, including:

  • Sweeping and vacuuming

  • Mopping

  • Dusting

  • Cleaning windows

  • Cleaning blinds

  • Cleaning walls and ceilings

  • Cleaning kitchen appliances 

  • Cleaning under and behind furniture

  • Disinfecting kitchens and bathrooms

Anything beyond these basic cleaning tasks will add more to your overall move-out cleaning bill.

Additional Tasks

Additional cleaning tasks can be added to your move-out service, further increasing the overall cost. However, adding these services is often more cost-effective than hiring separate providers.

Cleaning Task Average Cost Range
Junk removal $150–$300 per container
Tile and grout cleaning $100–$200
Carpet cleaning $40–$90 per room
Gutter cleaning $100–$360
Air duct and vent cleaning $270–$500
Air conditioner coil cleaning $100–$400

Junk Removal

Part of cleaning your home to move out is making sure it’s clear of all garbage, debris, and unwanted items. It’s best to do this step before having cleaners come so they can access the entire home. Junk removal costs $150 to $300 per container.

Tile & Grout Cleaning

Tiles on floors, showers, or backsplashes can harbor a surprising amount of buildup, mold, or dirt, which can be stubborn to remove on your own. If you opt to have your tile and grout professionally cleaned, it will cost $100 to $200.

Carpet Cleaning

Even if you vacuum regularly, carpets can become dusty, dirty, or stained over time. Many people choose to have their carpets professionally cleaned before moving out. Professional carpet cleaning costs $40 to $90 per room.

Gutter Cleaning

To go above and beyond with move-out cleaning, clear your gutters of leaves and other debris. Professional gutter cleaning costs between $100 and $360.

Air Duct & Vent Cleaning

To ensure clean, fresh air flows throughout the home, get your air ducts and vents professionally cleaned. Air duct and vent cleaning costs $270 to $500, on average.

Air Conditioner Coil Cleaning

Cleaning the coils on your air conditioner helps it run more efficiently, prevents problems with the unit down the line, and ensures good airflow throughout the house. Air conditioner coil cleaning costs $100 to $400.

Budgeting for Move-Out Cleaning

To save on move-out cleaning costs, consider these strategies before hiring professional cleaners:

  • Do certain rooms or cleaning tasks yourself to reduce the time professionals need.

  • Book your professional cleaners well in advance to avoid last-minute booking fees.

  • Do your own decluttering and junk removal to make the process easier for your cleaning professionals.

  • Save money by buying standard cleaning supplies rather than specialty products for various tasks.

  • Limit add-on services like gutter clearing, vent and duct cleaning, and tile and grout scrubbing.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro for Move-Out Cleaning

While DIY move-out cleaning may save money upfront, it involves purchasing supplies, dedicating significant time during a busy move, and potentially missing areas that professionals would catch. Professional cleaners bring efficiency, expertise, and specialized equipment to ensure thorough cleaning, especially for appliances, carpets, and hard-to-reach areas.

Professional move-out cleaners bring efficiency, thoroughness, and specialized equipment to ensure every corner meets landlord or future owner expectations. They follow comprehensive checklists, reaching areas amateur cleaners overlook. Their industrial-grade cleaning solutions deliver superior results for stubborn issues like carpet stains, bathroom grime, and kitchen grease.

Investing in local move-out cleaners secures your security deposit return and frees up your time to focus on other moving priorities.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Move-out cleaning is a professional cleaning service that returns a home to its best possible condition before a new occupant moves in. This service meets lease requirements or sale stipulations and is provided as a courtesy by departing occupants. The process involves a comprehensive cleaning of all spaces—floors, surfaces, and often overlooked corners—to prepare the property for its next chapter.

A professional move-out cleaning crew can clean a small home or apartment with most of the belongings emptied out in just two or three hours. However, larger homes may take a day or more, particularly dirty spaces or areas where the team has to work around furniture and other belongings.

It's often the tenant's responsibility to leave the property clean when moving out. This doesn't necessarily require hiring professional cleaners; tenants may choose to do it themselves. However, if the lease stipulates professional cleaning or if the landlord deems it necessary, the cost may be deducted from the tenant's security deposit.

A deep clean is an intensive cleaning service that covers neglected areas such as walls, ceilings, baseboards, and spaces behind appliances. It employs a rigorous cleaning regimen that disinfects kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-touch areas more thoroughly than a regular clean, restoring every surface to impeccable condition. With deep cleaning, every hidden detail is meticulously addressed, ensuring the home is thoroughly purified for a higher standard of cleanliness.

A basic move-out cleaning service covers essential cleaning tasks that restore every room of the home. The service includes dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and wiping down surfaces in common areas. In addition, optional add-on services such as grout cleaning, carpet shampooing, and window washing further enhance the overall thoroughness to ensure a pristine presentation.

Need professional help with your project?
Get quotes from top-rated pros.
The homeowners guide to maid services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A metal pipe chimney with cap
Apr 26, 2025
Apr 26, 2025
Budget for chimney cap replacement costs based on factors such as cap size, material, shape, type, customization, labor, and more.
woman doing laundry
Apr 25, 2025
Apr 25, 2025
Budget for dryer vent cleaning costs based on factors such as vent location, type, length, obstructions, potential repairs, accessibility, labor, and more.
professional powerwashing the roof of a house
Apr 24, 2025
Apr 24, 2025
Budget for roof cleaning costs based on factors such as your home’s size, the roof’s condition, accessibility, professional labor, repairs, and more.
maid wiping down kitchen table
Apr 22, 2025
Apr 22, 2025
Budget for professional house cleaning costs based on factors such as home size, number of rooms, cleaning type, frequency, room type, and more.
professional cleaning the walls of a kitchen
Apr 21, 2025
Apr 21, 2025
Explore how factors such as cleaning products, ceiling height, and service requirements affect the cost to wash walls and ceilings.
professionals cleaning an apartment kitchen
Apr 16, 2025
Apr 16, 2025
Find out how much professional apartment cleaning service costs based on apartment size, cleaning services chosen, and deep cleaning options.