How Much Does a Maid or Regular Cleaning Service Cost?

Maid Service Costs by Frequency or Need

Have you always been curious how much cleaning services cost but assumed it was out of your price range? Hiring a maid service near you—whether from a cleaning agency or freelancer—means they will adjust their prices based on the size of your home, services you need, and a handful of other factors. 

Frequency plays a significant role in the final price tag, however. Perhaps you're looking for a monthly visit to get your home back on track or a deep clean before your annual holiday party. Full-time and live-in maid costs also vary based on the level of cleaning, errands, and even childcare requests. 

Let's take a look at common cleaning service price structures based on why and how often you call in an extra hand.

Flat Rate

Most cleaning companies will determine a flat rate of between $120 and $280 a visit, depending on frequency, the size of your home, and included services. For example, a basic weekly clean to sanitize, dust, vacuum, and perform standard chores will cost less than a monthly or bi-monthly deep clean. 

Companies may also determine your flat rate by room. Maid service costs an average of $30 to $60 per room at a flat rate, allowing you a bit more flexibility if you only want to focus on trouble areas like the kitchen or the bathrooms. 

Add-on services will also affect the price, so consider details like the cost to clean the windows or the cost of tile and grout cleaning.

Flat rates are often attractive because they are predictable from visit to visit and often work in new-customer discounts or packages for long-term contracts.

Hourly or One-Off

Hourly rates provide a little more flexibility when it comes to hiring a maid, especially if you're only hiring a team for a one-time job like an open house or a party. Cleaners charge between $30 to $80 an hour on average. 

A standard house cleaning service will last between one and a half to three hours, so expect a two-person clean to cost anywhere from $90 to $500, depending on the rate and level of cleaning requested.

Weekly

Weekly cleaning services cost an average of $80 to $250, depending on the size of your home and factors like kids, pets, and more that can make your house a bit messier. 

While weekly cleaning services may look too costly at first glance, more frequent visits mean there's simply less to clean. Some companies may offer a discounted rate for this reason, especially if you sign up for a longer contract.

Bi-Weekly

Scheduling a cleaner every two weeks is the happy middle ground between weekly and monthly services. It's also one of the most popular options. Maid services cost about $100 to $280 every two weeks, depending on the size of your home.

Monthly

Not everyone needs a thorough cleaning every one or two weeks, especially if you have a small family, a tiny apartment, or a home without pets. It is also a great option for those who prefer to handle basic house cleaning but like a fresh start once a month. 

Monthly cleaning services cost a bit more, averaging between $130 and $300 to account for the deeper cleaning necessary compared to weekly visits. The company will likely determine the rate with a flat fee or an hourly rate to account for the longer timeframe. 

Annually

Once you get into full-time maid service costs, annual prices will significantly vary depending on if you hire a live-in professional. Traditional annual maid prices range from $18,000 a year for basic services to $60,000 for live-in maids with more responsibility.

Full Time

Let's break down the cost of full-time maids a bit further. Full-time maids that work around 40 hours a week may offer additional services like basic cooking, childcare, and errand running. The average pay annual pay ranges from $18,000 to $35,000 a year or $1,500 and $3,000 a month. Your local cost of living should play a large role in determining rates.

Similar to the hourly rate, the annual cost will range higher with agencies compared to freelancers. However, if you independently hire a full-time maid, remember that you will need to withhold taxes and keep up with local labor laws. Working with an agency is a bit simpler even if it costs a bit more—especially when it comes to finding additional support on your cleaner's days off.

Live-In

Live-in maid salaries cost between $30,000 and $60,000 a year on average, depending on hours, responsibilities, and where you live. Just like full-time maids that live elsewhere, they will take on more than basic cleaning, depending on your negotiated contract. 

Duties may include deep cleaning before or after parties, running errands and grocery shopping, light cooking, childcare, and general home upkeep.

Per Square Foot

Home cleaning prices also vary based on the size of your home. Some maids or agencies will skip the hourly rate and choose a base rate solely on square footage. This is particularly helpful in cities with varying sizes of apartments. 

Expect to pay between $0.07 and $0.20 per square foot for cleaning services. Yet again, the cost comes down to whether you need basic or deep cleaning and the rates in your region. 

Here are some common spaces with per-square-foot price ranges.

Per Room

Some cleaning service professionals simplify their cost structure by simply charging by room. Room rates cost between $30 and $60, depending on the type of room, where you live, and your requested services. 

We'll break down how room type can affect this rate a bit more below. The price structure is often only cost-effective if you live in a smaller home or if you prefer the cleaner to only focus on certain areas of the house.

Move-In and Move-Out Cleaning

Whether you're just arriving at a new home or recently sold it, move-in and move-out cleaning services cost between $130 and $550. The price will come down to whether the service falls into the deep cleaning category which we'll cover more below. 

For example, you may need a deeper cleaning if contractors completed construction right before you moved in or if the house wasn't left in excellent shape by the last owners. If you're only sprucing up the place with basic mopping, sanitizing, and dusting, however, it may not cost more than a normal one-time visit.

Cost Factors for Hiring a Cleaning Service

While we've touched on the many contributing factors that can affect maid service costs, we'll look at them a bit further. These tips will help you avoid any confusion about how a cleaning service determines your rate.

Frequency

If you plan to hire a long-term house cleaner, the frequency will significantly affect your annual costs. As you'll notice above, weekly cleaning costs a bit less than bi-weekly, monthly, or one-off visits since the house requires less time to cover. 

Many companies will also offer discount rates for purchasing these services in bulk. However, not everyone needs such frequent cleanings, so consider your long-term needs before signing a contract with long commitments.

Size of Space

The size of your home or the area you need to be cleaned is a primary factor in your cost. Again, you'll pay between $0.07 and $0.20 per square foot or about $30 to $60 per room. Larger homes will also lengthen the time it takes to clean, adding to the hourly rate or number of cleaners required for each visit.

Room Type

We all know that some rooms are easier to clean than others, and professionals know it just as well. Bathrooms and kitchens, for example, require deeper sanitation standards due to their high-touch, germ-prone surfaces. They can also accumulate tougher stains that require more attention, especially for monthly or one-time cleanings after a long break. 

For example, a half bath may cost between $20 and $30 to clean, while a full bath costs $35 to $60. Rates for kitchen cleaning costs are $40 to $80, while the bedroom or living room is just $30 to $40.

Hardwood floors, antique furniture, and complex lighting fixtures can also affect the price.  Cleaners may need specialty cleaning equipment, solutions, and even experience to avoid damaging these items, and will charge more to offset the trouble.

Allergies or Chemical Sensitivities

While some companies request that clients provide cleaning supplies, others will bring their own preferred brands. If you have allergies, sensitivities, or preferences for specific products cleaning companies may upcharge for the option.

Deep Cleaning

The cost of deep cleaning can raise the price to more than $0.20 per square foot, or $200 and $550 a visit. Deep cleaning typically takes more than one employee and may even require special equipment and extra costs for carpet cleaning, tile cleaning, and pet stain removal. 

The company should specify which actions are included in a deep clean package, such as:

• Carpet shampoo

• Hardwood floor cleaning

• Move-in/move-out cleaning

• Pre- or post-party cleanup

• Refrigerator cleanout

• Deep bathroom cleaning

• Baseboard cleaning

• Garage and storage cleaning

Independent Operators vs. Cleaning Service Companies

One of the most common questions customers have about hiring a cleaning service is: Should I hire an independent maid or work through a cleaning service? While you may save money with an independent operator, keep in mind that cleaning services may offer schedule management, replacements, and specialty cleaning services.

Independent contractors may offer closer to the $30 to $40 an hour range since they pay less for overhead and set their own rates. Cleaning services charge between $40 and $80 an hour since they handle more of the management process.

Two of the largest companies in the country—Molly Maids and Merry Maids—charge between $100 and $300 per visit on average, but this heavily depends on the details of your home. Both will customize your contract based on your cleaning needs.

Keep in mind that both cleaning services and independent operators should be able to provide proof that they are bonded, insured, and licensed in the field. This protects you from the cost of accidentally broken or damaged items in your home, as well as liability should an injury occur on your property. 

Maid and Cleaning Service Pricing in Your Area

Maid service costs fluctuate based on your local cost of living and going rates. Maid services around the New York metropolitan area may be more expensive than those in rural Maine, for example.

But remember that the average size of homes in your area, as well as the general competition of maid services may affect these averages. 

Here are some cleaning service prices in major parts of the country:

FAQs

Is a cleaning service worth it?

Scheduling an ongoing cleaning service is a significant way to save time each week. While it is possible to keep a tidy and sanitized home without the help, it is an ongoing job. Calling in the extra hand can free up your schedule, especially if you have a busy week or are expecting company. 

A cleaning service is particularly helpful before or after a large gathering, home construction, or when leaving or moving into a home. Professionals have the tools and tips to efficiently yet thoroughly clean a house while you attend to other things in your day.

How can I save money on a cleaning service?

Many cleaning service companies offer special rates for new customers and long-term contracts. Recurring services scheduled weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly may offer discounts between $5 and $10 per visit, for example.

You can also save money by working directly with an independent contractor who specializes in cleaning. If you go this route, be sure that they are licensed, bonded, and insured to protect you, your home, and the cleaning team's safety.

What’s the difference between a maid and a housekeeper?

Housekeepers typically offer more services than a maid. While maids focus on cleaning, housekeepers are more likely to have experience with errands, home organization, personal assistant duties, and childcare. 

There is often crossover in the two jobs, however—particularly when you hire a full-time maid or housekeeper—but this varies from contract to contract.

Housekeeper costs are about the same as the price to hire a maid. You'll pay between $80 and $180 per visit or $25,000 to $60,000 a year for full-time employment.

Should I tip a cleaner?

Tip your one-time or occasional cleaning team between 10% and 20% of the total to show your appreciation for excellent work. If you have a team of several cleaners, you can split this percentage total between the group. 

It is not standard to tip weekly maids, but you can provide a bonus around the holidays or at some point during the year. Speak with your cleaning service company for their standard practices when in doubt.