Move-out cleaning averages $200–$600 depending on size and condition. Get the complete 2026 pricing guide with rates by bedroom count, condition modifiers, deposit-ready add-ons, and a quoting checklist.
Move-out cleaning is one of the most profitable services a residential cleaning business can offer — and one of the most frequently under-priced. The average move-out clean generates $320–$550 per job, takes 4–7 hours, and requires no recurring scheduling or follow-up. It's a one-and-done service that pays like a deep clean.
But move-out cleaning is also one of the most misquoted service types. Cleaners who price it the same as a standard house clean lose money. The property has been vacated — often for weeks — and must meet tenant handover or landlord inspection standards. That means every surface, inside every cabinet and appliance, and every corner of every room. No shortcuts.
This guide covers how to price move-out cleaning correctly for every property size and condition, gives you a room-by-room scope checklist, and shows you how to quote a move-out job in 5 minutes over the phone using the move-out cleaning calculator.
Move-out cleaning demands a fundamentally different level of service than a standard house clean — and your price needs to reflect that.
In a standard cleaning, your team works around the client's furniture and belongings, focusing on visible surfaces, floors, kitchens, and bathrooms. A standard 3-bed/2-bath home takes 2–3 hours for an efficient team.
In a move-out cleaning, the same property must be cleaned to rental-ready or sale-ready standards: inside every cabinet and drawer, inside the oven and refrigerator, inside every closet, baseboards scrubbed, window tracks cleaned, grout scrubbed, light fixtures cleaned, blinds wiped, and often the garage swept. The same 3-bed/2-bath home takes 4–7 hours depending on condition.
The condition variable is enormous. A well-maintained home vacated 2 weeks ago might take 4 hours. A rental with pets, years of grease in the oven, and heavy bathroom buildup might take 8–10 hours. Always inspect or request photos — and include a condition clause in your quote if you can't inspect in person.
These rates are for standard-condition properties — maintained but not heavily soiled. Adjust upward 25–50% for heavy condition and 10–20% for properties with pets.
Studio / 1-bedroom apartment (400–800 sq ft): $175–$280
2-bedroom apartment or small house (900–1,200 sq ft): $230–$350
3-bedroom house (1,300–1,800 sq ft): $295–$460
4-bedroom house (1,900–2,500 sq ft): $380–$570
5+ bedroom / luxury home (2,600+ sq ft): $475–$750+
High-cost markets (NYC, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston) add 25–40% to these rates. These prices assume you're providing all cleaning products and equipment. If the client supplies products, adjust accordingly.
Use the move-out cleaning calculator to get a precise quote for any property size and condition combination.
This is the standard move-out cleaning scope that justifies premium pricing. Every item on this list should be in your written proposal or scope document.
Kitchen: Inside all cabinets and drawers (wiped and sanitized), inside oven (oven cleaner + scrubbing), inside refrigerator (shelves, drawers, door gaskets), exterior of all appliances, microwave inside and out, sink and faucet scrubbed, countertops, backsplash, range hood filter cleaned, floor mopped and baseboards scrubbed.
Bathrooms: Toilet (inside bowl, under rim, tank, base, and behind), shower/tub (grout scrubbed, soap scum removed, fixtures polished), vanity and sink (all surfaces), mirror cleaned, cabinet interiors, exhaust fan, floor and grout, baseboards.
Bedrooms and living areas: Interior of all closets (shelves, floors, corners), ceiling fans wiped, light fixtures wiped, window sills and tracks, blinds wiped, walls spot-cleaned, baseboards scrubbed, floors swept/mopped/vacuumed.
Whole property: Windows (interior glass), all doors and door frames wiped, light switch plates and outlet covers, garage swept and walls spot-cleaned, laundry area cleaned (inside washer/dryer drum if accessible).
What's typically excluded: Exterior windows (add-on), carpet shampooing (separate service), wall painting or patching, pest issues, biohazard cleaning.
Condition is the biggest variable in move-out cleaning. Without a condition adjustment in your pricing, you'll regularly lose money on heavily soiled properties.
Standard condition (base rate): Unit has been maintained with regular cleaning, vacated within the past 2–4 weeks, no visible heavy buildup, appliances in reasonable condition.
Moderate condition (add 15–25%): Some buildup in bathroom grout, moderate oven grease, cabinet interiors show wear, minor pet hair or stains. This is the most common condition for rental properties.
Heavy condition (add 35–60%): Heavy soap scum and rust in bathrooms, multiple layers of grease in the oven requiring multiple applications, significant pet hair throughout, mold or mildew, stained grout, excessive dirt and debris throughout.
Extreme condition (add 60–100% or decline): Biohazard concerns, hoarding situations, post-eviction cleanup, major water damage residue. These jobs require specialized equipment, products, and often additional crew. Quote extremely high or refer to a specialty cleaner.
How to assess condition remotely: Ask the client to send 5–10 photos: kitchen (oven open, cabinet open), bathrooms (shower/tub, toilet), one bedroom (closet open), overall view of each room. Photos prevent surprises and are defensible if a client disputes your condition assessment.
You don't need a walkthrough to quote most move-out cleans if you use a structured process. Here's how to quote over the phone or via text in under 5 minutes:
Step 1: Confirm property details. Bedrooms, bathrooms, approximate square footage, and whether it's an apartment or house. Ask if there's a garage.
Step 2: Assess condition. Ask: 'Has it been regularly cleaned during your time there, or has it been a while?' and 'Any pets?' and 'Any areas of particular concern — oven, bathrooms, carpets?' Listen for red flags: 'We had 3 dogs for 5 years' or 'It's been about a year since we really cleaned it.'
Step 3: Confirm timeline. When do they need it done, and is there a landlord/property manager inspection they're working toward? Rush jobs command a 15–25% premium.
Step 4: Open the calculator. Use the move-out cleaning calculator to generate a price based on size, condition, and add-ons.
Step 5: Present the price. 'Based on what you've described, a full move-out clean including inside all appliances, cabinets, and detailed bathroom work would run [price]. That includes everything a landlord or property manager would inspect. Want me to send you a written proposal?'
The written proposal triggers an electronic acceptance and gets the job on the calendar. Verbal quotes that aren't followed with proposals have a much lower close rate.
Airbnb and vacation rental move-out cleaning follows the same scope as standard move-out cleaning but with a faster turnaround requirement. A property that needs to be reset for a guest checking in the same afternoon requires your team to work efficiently without shortcuts.
For Airbnb move-out (turnover) cleans, price them as deep cleans with a turnaround premium: add 15–20% for same-day turnaround, 10% for next-day.
Short-term rental owners who hire cleaning services value reliability and speed over price. A team that consistently delivers landlord-ready results within a 3-hour window will hold that account for years. The Airbnb cleaning calculator helps you price turnover cleans accurately. For complete Airbnb pricing strategy — including add-ons, contracts, and how to win host accounts — see our Airbnb cleaning fee guide.
Property managers who oversee multiple short-term rentals are exceptional clients — a single manager may send you 10–20 recurring turnovers per month. Target this client type with a dedicated commercial proposal that shows your turnaround capability and consistency.