Move-Out and Move-In Cleaning Cost Guide
A move-out clean for an apartment typically costs from about US$110 to US$350, and a house runs higher, often several hundred dollars, depending on size and condition. In Canada, published ranges for a move-in or move-out clean sit around C$250 to C$500 for a typical home.
The price follows the work: the number of bathrooms, the condition of the oven and fridge, and how long the unit has gone without a deep clean. Square footage matters, but a small unit with heavy grease can cost more than a larger one that is in good shape.
Use the ranges below to check whether a quote is in a sensible neighbourhood. Your written quote for your own unit is what counts, and it should list what is included and what is an add-on.
Typical price ranges
- Move-out clean, apartment or condo (US)US$110 to US$350
A studio to two-bedroom unit with oven, fridge, cabinets and bathrooms cleaned.
- Move-out clean, house (US)US$300 to US$650
A typical single-family home, often priced at about US$0.20 to US$0.45 per square foot.
- Move-in or move-out clean (Canada)C$250 to C$500
A typical apartment or house, priced by size and condition.
- Professional carpet cleaning, typical job (US)US$120 to US$250
A few rooms of hot water extraction, often priced by room or by square foot.
Typical 2025-2026 ranges compiled from published cost guides, including HomeAdvisor, Angi, Fixr (via This Old House), Inch Calculator and HomeStars, plus Toronto-area provider price guides. Many sources are written by cleaning companies, and local quotes vary with unit size, condition and city, so treat these as broad starting points.
What drives the cost
- Unit size
- Square footage, bedrooms and bathrooms set the base time.
- Condition of the oven and fridge
- These are the slowest items on a move-out checklist, and heavy grease adds time.
- Time since the last deep clean
- A unit lived in for years takes longer than one cleaned each season.
- Pets and smoking
- Hair, odour and residue add passes and may need specific products.
- Add-ons
- Carpet extraction, wall touch-ups and junk removal are usually quoted on their own lines.
- Timing and notice
- Same-week requests and month-end peaks can limit options and affect the price.
- Building rules
- Elevator booking, parking and access limits can add time for apartments and condos.
- City and labour market
- Large metro areas usually price higher than smaller towns.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Clear out belongings and garbage before the cleaner arrives, so the time goes to cleaning.
- Ask for add-ons to be priced separately and drop the ones you do not need.
- Book early in busy moving seasons, since last-minute requests can cost more.
- Send photos of the oven, bathrooms and floors so the quote matches the real condition.
- Compare written quotes that list the same scope, not just the final price.
Cost questions
How much does move-out cleaning cost?
For a typical apartment, published guides put it around US$110 to US$350, and houses cost more. In Canada, a typical move-in or move-out clean falls around C$250 to C$500. Your quote depends on size and condition.
Is move-out cleaning priced by the hour or a flat rate?
Both exist. Many quotes are flat prices based on size and condition, and others are hourly. A written scope helps you compare the two.
Is move-out cleaning more expensive than regular cleaning?
Usually, yes. It covers the inside of appliances and cabinets and takes longer than a regular clean of the same space.
Who pays for a move-out clean, the tenant or the landlord?
It depends on the lease and local rules. Many tenants arrange their own clean to avoid charges, and landlords may charge a cleaning fee where the law allows. Check your lease and ask what condition the unit must be left in.
Get a written price for your job
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