Keeping a house clean is sometimes impossible with all of your other obligations. It helps to hire extra hands to pitch in on all the chores. Before you hire a cleaning service, you have to know how much a cleaning service costs. It varies from one company to the next, but the variables that determine the price points of the best cleaning companies remains fairly consistent.
Per Hour Costs
Companies who are bonded and insured will on average charge about $25 to $45 per hour and per person. The time it takes them to clean will vary based on how many rooms are in the home, the type of projects they are completing and the level of effort involved in cleaning the house.
It might take three to four hours to thoroughly clean a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house. Hourly that would range from approximately $150 to $270. You could adjust the price by having them clean fewer rooms or only do very specific chores like dishes, vacuuming and dusting.
Square Footage Costs
Cleaning companies might charge by square footage. Usually, the first cleaning is based on square footage because it gives the maids the ability to judge how long it will take to clean on a regular basis.
The price per square footage is usually about the same price as hourly rates once the work is completed. A 1300 square foot home can range from $120 to $300 for a one-time cleaning.
Detailed Cleaning Options
A basic cleaning package will include fairly normal chores like scrubbing floors, cleaning sinks, tubs and toilets, surfaces, making beds and vacuuming.
The price will generally increase for special projects like cleaning out refrigerators, washing the inside of the oven or cleaning windows inside (and outside if it can be completed safely).
Sometimes, it’s nice to opt for a spring deep cleaning even if it is just a one-time job.
Whole house cleaning is another service, and it goes above and beyond typical chores. It includes dusting light fixtures and baseboards, washing vents and baseboards, and possibly even cleaning air ducts and detailed organizing for the more cluttered homes.
First-time (and one-time) Cleaning Service
If the cleaning service is for moving into or out of a home or an apartment, the one-time cleaning expense might be higher. The first cleaning service can also be more expensive if they’re going to start with a deep clean.
The best cleaning services will conduct a walk-through of your home with you present to set the initial cleaning expectations.
Cleaning Supplies
If you don’t provide your own cleaning supplies but have special requirements, then the price may be more expensive. If you want to be certain the service uses all “green” cleaning products or products specific for certain allergies, then sometimes it’s best to determine before you start services if it is something you need to provide.
Cleaning Frequency
Anybody can hire a cleaning service on almost any budget. You can adjust the price of cleaning services by determining the right frequency for your family. Maybe you bring in help just once a month to keep the chaos at bay.
It might be better if you bring a maid in once a week or even twice a week if you have a big household and a lot of other obligations. Sometimes, it helps to hire maid services during busy life seasons like after bringing home a baby or during the holidays when you have guests coming into town.
Some companies will offer discounts for more frequent cleaning services.
Pro tip: Don’t choose the cheapest company or the most expensive. Instead, choose a company that offers the exact services and frequency that fits your lifestyle.
At 2 Green Chicks we offer weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and one-time cleaning services. In our first conversation or walk-through, we will determine the right quote for your home.
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