How Much to Charge for Move-Out Cleaning
Charge 1.5–2× a standard clean for a move-out — most jobs land between $250 and $600 (average around $360), or about $0.15–$0.25 per square foot. Empty homes expose every surface and carry a turnover deadline, so quote from beds/baths plus the multiplier and add a first-time premium.
Why move-out cleaning costs more
A move-out (or move-in) clean is done on an empty home — which sounds easier but is actually harder. With furniture gone, every scuff, spill and dust line is exposed, and the expectation is 'like new' for a landlord, buyer or security deposit. Ovens, fridges, insides of cabinets and closets, baseboards and windows all come into scope.
There's also a deadline: the move is happening whether the home is ready or not. That time pressure and the higher standard are why move-out cleans command a premium.
Typical move-out pricing
Move-out cleans generally run 1.5–2× a standard clean, or about $0.15–$0.25/sq ft. In real dollars, most move-out jobs land between $250 and $600 depending on size and condition, with an average around $360.
For a home where your standard price would be $262, expect a move-out quote in the $400–$525 range. Larger or heavily soiled homes push toward the top of the range or beyond.
How to quote when you can't see the home
Move-out cleans are often booked over the phone, sight-unseen. Protect yourself:
- Price from beds/baths or square footage and apply the move-out multiplier — don't guess a flat number.
- Quote a range or a 'starting at' price and confirm on arrival, with a clear policy for heavier-than-expected condition.
- Charge a first-time/unknown-condition premium. You have no history, so build in a buffer.
- List what's included (inside oven, inside fridge, cabinets, windows) so there's no scope dispute at the door.
Add-ons that belong on a move-out quote
Move-out jobs are where add-ons matter most. Interior windows ($70–$310 depending on count), inside the oven, inside the fridge, wall washing, garage sweep-out and carpet shampoo are all commonly requested and all take real time.
Itemize them so the client sees the value and you get paid for the work. Bundling everything into one vague number is how move-out jobs turn into three unpaid extra hours.
Quote move-out jobs with confidence
BidCalc prices move-out cleans with the 2× multiplier built in, lets you add itemized extras like windows and appliances, and produces a branded quote you can text before you hang up the phone. Your cost and margin stay private; the client sees a clean, professional number.
Start free and stop underpricing the hardest jobs on your calendar.
Frequently asked questions
- How much should I charge for move-out cleaning?
- Move-out cleans run about 1.5–2× a standard clean, typically $250–$600 (average ~$360) or $0.15–$0.25 per square foot. A home whose standard clean is $262 lands around $400–$525 for a move-out.
- Why does move-out cleaning cost more?
- An empty home exposes every scuff and spill, the standard is 'like new' for a landlord or buyer, and there's a hard turnover deadline. Ovens, fridges, cabinets and windows all come into scope.
- How do I quote move-out cleaning without seeing the home?
- Price from square footage or beds/baths with the move-out multiplier, quote a 'starting at' range, list what's included, and add an unknown-condition premium so heavier-than-expected jobs stay profitable.
Price your next job in under a minute
BidCalc runs this math on your own rates and turns it into a branded quote — margin protected, costs private.