Complete move-out cleaning checklist plus exact pricing by square footage, extras, and condition. Learn what to charge for move-out cleans in 2026.
Move-out cleans are some of the most profitable jobs a cleaning business can land — and some of the most underpriced. The problem: owners quote move-out cleans using the same pricing logic as a maintenance clean, then discover on arrival that the kitchen hasn't been wiped down in six months and the oven looks like a crime scene.
This guide gives you the complete checklist of what a professional move-out clean should cover, plus a pricing framework that accounts for home size, condition, and extras. Use this to set rates that reflect the actual labor — and profit — that move-out work demands.
A professional move-out clean should cover everything a landlord or real estate agent will inspect before returning a deposit or listing the property. Miss something and you get a callback — or a negative review.
Kitchen: Clean all cabinet interiors and exteriors. Wipe down all countertops and backsplash. Clean stovetop, drip pans, and knobs. Clean inside and outside of oven (this alone can add 45–90 minutes). Clean inside and outside of refrigerator if included. Clean microwave inside and out. Wipe down dishwasher interior and door. Clean sink, faucet, and garbage disposal.
Bathrooms: Scrub toilet (bowl, base, tank, seat). Scrub shower and tub (remove soap scum and hard water stains). Clean all tile and grout. Wipe down vanity, sink, and faucet. Clean mirror. Wipe down all cabinet interiors and exteriors. Sweep and mop floor.
Bedrooms and Living Areas: Wipe all window sills and ledges. Clean light switches and outlet covers. Wipe down all baseboards. Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures. Clean inside of all closets (shelves, rods, walls). Vacuum carpet thoroughly or sweep and mop hard floors. Clean inside of windows if included.
Throughout: Wipe all doors and door frames. Remove cobwebs from all corners and ceilings. Wipe down all vents and registers. Clean garage if included (sweep floor, wipe shelves). Remove all trash.
Move-out cleans should be priced 40–60% higher than a standard maintenance clean of the same home. The extra labor is real — you're cleaning areas that haven't been touched in months, and condition varies wildly.
1BR / 1BA: $175–$275. Base rate for a clean, empty unit in good condition. Add $50–$75 if condition is poor or if oven and refrigerator are included.
2BR / 2BA: $225–$375. The most common apartment move-out. Typical time: 4–5 hours with a 2-person crew.
3BR / 2BA: $300–$475. Expect 5–7 hours. Condition adds significant cost — a neglected 3BR can easily push past $500.
4BR / 3BA: $400–$600. Large jobs — schedule a full day or 2-person crew for a half-day minimum.
5BR+: $550–$900+. Quote these as premium jobs and consider requiring an inspection before finalizing price.
Use the move-out cleaning calculator to price any size property with condition, extras, and regional adjustments built in.
Extras are where move-out cleans become genuinely profitable. Quote these as line items — don't bundle them into a flat rate unless you're confident about condition.
Inside oven: $35–$75 depending on condition. A neglected oven can take 45–90 minutes. Price it accordingly.
Inside refrigerator: $25–$50. Defrost and clean is usually 20–35 minutes.
Inside windows: $8–$15 per window, or $75–$150 as a flat rate for a full home.
Garage: $50–$150 depending on size and condition. Sweep, wipe shelves, remove cobwebs.
Carpet cleaning: Subcontract or add as a line item at $0.15–$0.30/sqft. Many landlords want this and it's a major value-add.
Walls: Spot cleaning is standard. Full wall washing is extra — $75–$150 for a standard-size home.
Always inspect or require photos before quoting. Condition is the biggest variable in move-out pricing. A 1,500 sqft home in excellent condition might be a $275 job. That same home with a neglected kitchen and pet hair embedded in carpet is a $450 job. Quote based on what you see, not what the customer describes.
Add a condition modifier. Build a 3-tier condition system into your quotes: standard, moderate neglect (+20%), heavy neglect (+40%). Show it on the quote so the customer understands why they're paying more.
Set minimum hours. Move-out cleans have high setup time and travel. Set a minimum of 3 hours even for small units — it's rarely worth the trip otherwise.
Get a deposit. Move-out clients sometimes don't show, cancel last minute, or dispute charges. A 25–50% deposit on any job over $300 protects your time.