Move-out and move-in cleaning is one of the most requested — and most poorly priced — services in the residential cleaning industry. Charge too little and you'll eat hours on baseboards, inside ovens, and cabinet interiors. Charge too much without justifying it and you'll lose the booking to a competitor with a clearer quote. This guide breaks down real pricing ranges, what drives the cost up or down, and how to quote these jobs so you're not guessing every time.
What makes move-out/move-in cleaning different from a regular clean
A standard recurring clean assumes a lived-in, reasonably maintained home. Move-out/move-in cleaning assumes the opposite: empty rooms (which sounds easier but isn't), buildup inside every appliance and cabinet, and a landlord or new owner doing a white-glove inspection. Typical scope includes:
- Inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers (kitchen and bathrooms)
- Inside oven, fridge, microwave, and dishwasher
- Baseboards, door frames, light switches, vents
- Inside closets and pantry shelving
- Windowsills and interior window glass
- Full bathroom disinfection including grout and fixtures
- Floors vacuumed and mopped throughout
Because there's no furniture in the way (usually), you move faster room to room — but the deep-clean detail work (grease, grime, mineral deposits) takes real time regardless of square footage.
Average move-out/move-in cleaning prices in the US
Prices vary by region, but here's what most independent cleaners and small cleaning companies charge nationally in 2025. Coastal metros (NYC, LA, SF, Boston) run 20–35% higher; smaller Midwest and Southern markets run lower.
| Home size | Typical flat price (empty unit) | Typical hourly equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom apt | $120 – $200 | 2.5–4 hrs |
| 2 bedroom apt/house | $180 – $280 | 4–6 hrs |
| 3 bedroom house | $250 – $400 | 6–9 hrs |
| 4+ bedroom house | $350 – $600+ | 9–14 hrs |
In the UK, equivalent end-of-tenancy cleaning typically runs £90–£150 for a 1-bed flat, £150–£250 for a 2–3 bed house, and £250–£400+ for larger 4+ bedroom homes, often priced per property rather than hourly since letting agents expect a fixed quote.
Occupied vs. empty pricing
Some clients book move-out cleaning while furniture is still in the home. Always price this higher — 15–25% more — than an empty-unit clean, since you're working around boxes and furniture and can't access baseboards or floor corners freely.
Flat rate vs. hourly for this service specifically
Move-out/move-in jobs are one of the clearest cases where flat-rate pricing beats hourly. Clients booking these jobs are almost always on a deadline (lease end date, closing date, new tenant move-in) and want a guaranteed total, not a running clock. A flat quote also protects you: if you underestimate build-up in an oven, you're not stuck explaining a lower price after the fact.
That said, you still need to calculate your hourly rate internally to build the flat quote correctly. If your target hourly rate is $35–$50 per cleaner, estimate hours needed based on square footage and condition, then add a buffer of 15–20% for unknowns — old ovens, hard water buildup, pet hair in vents. For a full breakdown of how to calculate your baseline rate before turning it into flat pricing, see our guide on how much to charge for house cleaning (hourly vs flat).
What pushes the price up
- Oven and fridge deep clean: add $25–$50 combined if not already in your base scope
- Interior window cleaning (beyond sills): add $5–$10 per window or $40–$80 flat for a whole house
- Carpet steam cleaning: often subcontracted or added at $40–$80 per room
- Wall washing / scuff removal: add $30–$60 depending on square footage
- Garage or basement inclusion: add $30–$70
- Heavy grease or hoarding-level buildup: add 25–50% to the base quote — always inspect via photos or video call before confirming price
- Same-day or next-day booking: rush fee of $30–$75 is standard and fair
Quoting the job without wasting your time
The biggest time-waster in this niche is quoting blind. Never give a firm price over the phone based on "3 bedroom, 2 bath" alone. Ask for photos or a short video walkthrough — most clients are happy to send this since they want an accurate price too. Look specifically at:
- Kitchen condition — grease on cabinet fronts, oven interior, range hood
- Bathroom mineral buildup and grout condition
- Whether the unit is empty or still has furniture/boxes
- Flooring type (tile and grout take longer than sealed hardwood)
- Any visible pet damage or odor issues
If photos aren't available, quote a range ("$220–$280 depending on condition") and confirm the final number once you or your team arrives and does a 5-minute walkthrough before starting the clock.
Landlord and property manager accounts
Move-out/move-in cleaning is one of the best ways to land recurring B2B accounts. Property managers and landlords need this service every time a tenant leaves — often on short notice. If you're pricing for a property management company handling multiple units, offer a modest volume discount (5–10%) in exchange for guaranteed monthly volume and net-15 or net-30 invoice terms instead of pay-on-completion. Get payment terms in writing before extending credit to a new commercial client.
Deposits and cancellation policy
Because these jobs are tied to tight move dates, no-shows and last-minute cancellations hurt more than usual — you've likely turned away other work to hold that slot. Standard practice:
- Require a 20–30% deposit to hold the booking, non-refundable inside 48 hours
- Confirm the appointment 24 hours ahead via text or email
- Charge a rebooking or trip fee if the unit isn't ready (still occupied, no water/electricity on) when your team arrives
Business structure and paperwork basics
Whether you're a sole proprietor or run an LLC, treat move-out jobs like any other taxable service: track the payment, apply sales tax where your state requires it on cleaning services, and issue a proper invoice or receipt — landlords and property managers often need this for their own records or security deposit disputes. If you don't yet have an EIN and are still filing under your SSN as a sole proprietor, it's worth getting one free from the IRS once you start invoicing businesses regularly, since most property management companies will ask for a W-9 before paying you.
Sample pricing menu you can adapt
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 bed / 1 bath, empty | $150 |
| 2 bed / 1 bath, empty | $210 |
| 3 bed / 2 bath, empty | $300 |
| Add: inside oven | +$25 |
| Add: inside fridge | +$20 |
| Add: interior windows (whole house) | +$60 |
| Rush booking (within 48 hrs) | +$50 |
Keep quotes consistent without redoing the math every time
Once you've settled on a pricing structure, the real challenge is applying it consistently across every booking, sending quotes fast enough to win the job, and not losing track of deposits and invoices for a dozen move-out jobs a month. CleanWhale handles online booking, scheduling, automated reminders, and invoicing in one place, so you can send a professional quote in minutes and get paid without chasing anyone. Check out plans & pricing or see the full toolset on the features page.