How Much Does a Cleaner Cost?
The cost of hiring a cleaner can vary depending on where you live, the type of cleaning you need and the size of your property. This guide explains typical cleaning costs in the UK, what affects the price and what to look for when comparing quotes.
6 min read
Written by The Cleaning Site
Last updated: September 2026
UK Cleaning Costs at a Glance – 2026
As a general guide, cleaning prices in the UK can vary depending on your location, the company you choose and the type of cleaning required. Typical prices can include:
Regular domestic cleaning: around £15–£30 per hour
Deep cleaning: around £25–£37 per hour
End of tenancy cleaning: around £100–£500+ per property
After-builders cleaning: around £30–£35 per hour
These are guide prices rather than fixed rates. London and some higher-cost areas may be more expensive, while prices elsewhere in the UK can be lower. Always request a quote based on your property and requirements.
1. Typical Cleaner Costs in the UK
As the price guide above shows, cleaning costs in the UK can vary considerably. Regular domestic cleaning is often charged by the hour, while deep cleaning, end of tenancy cleaning and other one-off services may be charged hourly or quoted at a fixed price.
Rather than choosing a cleaner based on price alone, it is important to understand exactly what is included. A slightly higher quote may include cleaning products, equipment, insurance and additional tasks that are charged separately by another company.
The best approach is to compare like-for-like quotes and consider the overall service being offered, not simply the lowest price.
2. What Affects the Cost of a Cleaner?
There is no single price for professional cleaning because every property and cleaning job is different. Several factors can affect the final cost.
The size of the property is one of the biggest factors, along with how often the cleaning is required and the amount of work involved. A regularly maintained home will usually require less time than a property that has not been professionally cleaned for some time.
Location can also affect prices, as labour and operating costs vary across the UK. Other factors may include the number of cleaners required, whether specialist equipment or products are needed, parking and access, and whether the work is required at evenings or weekends.
When requesting a quote, give the cleaning company as much information as possible. This makes it easier for them to provide an accurate price and reduces the chance of unexpected additional charges.
3. Regular Domestic Cleaning Costs
Regular domestic cleaning is usually charged by the hour, although some cleaning companies may offer a fixed price based on the size of your home and the work required.
The total cost will depend largely on how many hours are needed. A smaller, regularly maintained property may only require a few hours per visit, while larger homes or households requiring more extensive cleaning will naturally take longer.
It is also worth checking whether the hourly price includes cleaning products and equipment. Some cleaners expect the customer to provide these, while others bring everything needed and include the cost within their rate.
Regular weekly or fortnightly cleaning can sometimes provide better value than occasional cleaning because the property is maintained consistently and each visit may require less intensive work.
4. Deep Cleaning Costs
A deep clean usually costs more than regular domestic cleaning because it involves considerably more time and attention to detail. Rather than focusing only on routine tasks, a deep clean normally covers areas that may not be cleaned during every visit.
The price will depend on the size and condition of the property, the number of rooms and exactly what you want included. Kitchens and bathrooms can take particularly long because of grease, limescale and built-up dirt.
Some companies offer fixed-price deep cleaning packages, while others will estimate the number of hours and cleaners required. Additional services such as oven cleaning, carpet cleaning or internal window cleaning may be priced separately.
Before accepting a quote, ask for a clear list of what the deep clean includes so you can compare different companies on a like-for-like basis.
5. End of Tenancy Cleaning Costs
End of tenancy cleaning is usually more expensive than a standard domestic clean because the property normally requires a thorough top-to-bottom clean before it is handed back to the landlord or letting agent.
Prices are often quoted as a fixed amount based on the size of the property, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and its overall condition. An empty property may be easier to access, but the cleaning standard expected at the end of a tenancy can be considerably higher than for routine cleaning.
Services such as oven cleaning, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning and external window cleaning may not be included in the basic price, so always check the quotation carefully.
If you are a tenant, ask the cleaning company exactly what is included and whether they have experience with end of tenancy cleaning. This can help ensure the property is cleaned to the standard expected when you move out.
6. Commercial Cleaning Costs
Commercial cleaning is usually priced differently from domestic cleaning because every workplace has different requirements. The cost can depend on the size of the premises, cleaning frequency, number of cleaners required and the type of building being cleaned.
An office cleaned several times each week may be priced using an hourly rate or a regular monthly contract. Larger premises such as schools, warehouses, medical facilities and communal buildings may require a detailed site survey before an accurate quotation can be provided.
The specification also has a significant effect on price. Tasks such as washroom cleaning, kitchen areas, internal glass, periodic deep cleaning, consumable supplies and specialist floor care may all need to be considered.
For regular commercial cleaning, ask for a written cleaning specification alongside the quotation. This makes it clear what will be cleaned, how often each task will be completed and what is included in the agreed price.
7. How to Compare Cleaning Quotes
When comparing cleaning quotes, try not to look at the final price alone. Two companies may quote very different amounts because they have included different tasks, cleaning frequencies or levels of service.
Check whether the quote includes cleaning products and equipment, how many cleaning hours are included, which areas will be cleaned and whether any tasks are charged separately. For regular cleaning, it is also worth asking what happens if your usual cleaner is absent.
Make sure you understand whether the price includes VAT where applicable, and ask about any additional charges for parking, travel, weekends or specialist cleaning.
A clear written quotation makes it much easier to compare companies fairly and helps prevent misunderstandings once the cleaning service begins.
8. Getting the Best Value from a Cleaning Company
Getting good value from a cleaning company does not necessarily mean choosing the cheapest quote. Reliability, quality of cleaning, insurance, experience and good communication can all be just as important as the price you pay.
Be clear about your priorities from the beginning and agree exactly what you expect the cleaner or cleaning company to do. If you are arranging regular cleaning, reviewing the service occasionally can help make sure the cleaning schedule still suits your needs.
A professional cleaning company should be happy to explain its pricing, answer your questions and provide a clear description of the service you will receive.
Taking a little time to compare your options can help you find a cleaning company that offers the right balance of price, quality and reliability.
Quick Checklist: Choosing a Cleaning Company
- Decide which cleaning service you need
- Ask exactly what is included in the price
- Check whether products and equipment are included
- Compare quotes on a like-for-like basis
- Ask about any additional charges
- Check whether VAT is included where applicable
- Consider experience, reliability and insurance
- Choose the best overall value, not simply the lowest price
Understanding Cleaning Costs
Cleaning costs can vary considerably, so the most useful quote is one that is based on your actual property and the service you need.
Ask cleaning companies to explain exactly what is included, compare quotations on a like-for-like basis and consider reliability, experience and quality alongside price.
When you’re ready to compare your options, browse our Cleaning Guides for more helpful advice, or discover cleaning companies and services in your area.
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