Cleaner Costs UK: Budget and Quote Guide

The biggest cost drivers are the size of the property, the amount of cleaning required and how often the cleaner attends. A regularly maintained two-bedroom home may need far less time than a larger property that has not been professionally cleaned for months.

The type of service matters too. Standard domestic cleaning usually focuses on routine tasks such as vacuuming, mopping, dusting and cleaning kitchens and bathrooms. Deep cleans, post-building cleans and end-of-tenancy services normally involve more detailed work and therefore take longer.

Independent cleaners and agencies can both be suitable choices, but their pricing and service models can differ. An agency may offer easier cover when a regular cleaner is unavailable, while an independent cleaner may provide a more direct working relationship.

When comparing prices, check whether products and equipment are included, whether there is a minimum booking period and whether VAT is included in the advertised or quoted price.

Regular cleaning is commonly charged by the hour. The number of hours you need depends on the size of the home, how many people live there, whether pets are present and which tasks you want completed during each visit.

Agreeing a clear list of priorities can help you get better value from a fixed number of hours. For example, you may want the cleaner to focus on bathrooms, kitchen surfaces and floors each week while rotating less frequent tasks.

A deep clean is more intensive than routine maintenance. It can include detailed cleaning around appliances, skirting boards, cupboards, tiles, fixtures and areas that are not normally covered during a shorter weekly visit.

Because the cleaner is likely to spend longer at the property, deep cleaning is often priced as a fixed job or a larger block of hours rather than a normal weekly visit.

End-of-tenancy cleaning can cost substantially more than a standard visit because the entire property may need to be cleaned to a consistent standard before keys are returned. Ovens, bathrooms, kitchens, cupboards and flooring may all need extra attention.

Ask what the quotation includes. Carpet cleaning, exterior windows, upholstery, appliance interiors and heavily soiled areas may be charged separately by some businesses.

Compare the scope of work rather than the headline price alone. One cleaner may quote for two hours while another expects the same property to need four, so the cheapest hourly rate does not automatically mean the lowest total cost.

For ongoing cleaning, also consider reliability, communication and whether the same person is likely to attend regularly. For one-off jobs, ask for a written description of what is and is not included.

Keeping surfaces reasonably clear before the cleaner arrives can allow more of the paid time to be spent on actual cleaning. Regular visits can also prevent heavier build-up that takes longer to tackle later.

For larger or specialist jobs, requesting several quotes gives you a better idea of the local market and allows you to compare the service included rather than guessing from national averages.

One visit covers weekly priority tasks; another begins with a deep clean and supplies equipment.

Agree the task list and realistic hours. Compare the first clean separately from recurring visits and specialist extras.

Use the provider’s quoted rate and agreed billable hours. Account for any minimum booking, billing increments and separately charged parts or attendance.

The calculator below uses the figures you enter from a quotation. It does not estimate market prices. Confirm what the quoted amount includes, whether VAT applies and which costs remain provisional.