Factors that Affect the Price of a Cleaning Service

Cleaning your home or office is a time consuming and exhausting task. It’s also one that most people don’t have the time, energy, or desire to do themselves. That’s where hiring a professional cleaning service comes in.

A professional service can do it all, whether it’d be your weekly office cleaning or your one-time home spring clean. They will clean every  nook and cranny, dust every surface (and window), scrub the floors with hot water and soap, and much more for the right price.

But not every service provider is equal with some charging premium prices and others offering more affordable rates. If you’re not sure what to expect when it comes to the cost of a professional cleaning service, here are some things that can affect the price:

The Location of Your Cleaning Space

A cleaning service’s rates will vary depending on the geographical location of your home. For example, if you live in a high-cost city like Sydney or Melbourne, then you can expect to pay more than a House cleaning service in Hobart, Tasmania.

Rates vary because cleaners have to pay their overheads, which can include things like vehicle costs, petrol, equipment and insurance. As the cost of living and services differ between locations, it’s only natural that cleaners’ fees will also vary.

You’ll also need to consider the proximity between your house and the cleaning company. If the company is too far away, they may charge you for transport costs, which will be passed on to you as the customer.

The Size of Your Cleaning Space

Larger homes are generally the most expensive to clean because they have more rooms, furnishings and fixtures, and often more complex layouts. More laborious cleaning areas that take longer include bathrooms with tile and grout, kitchens with ovens and stoves, and high ceilings.

A cleaner will usually take 2.5 -3.5 hours to clean a two bedroom, one bathroom apartment, and about half the time if two cleaners are deployed. In contrast, it takes 1.5 -2.5 hours to clean a one bedroom, one bathroom unit.

For homeowners living in bigger homes, a cleaning service may price their services based on square feet. This is a flat fee given based on the size of your home, rather than charging an hourly fee.

The Type of Cleaning Service

End of lease clean or regular clean? Hourly or per job? Deep cleaning or just surface level? The type of service you require will affect the cost.

For example, if your home needs a deep clean after months or years of not being thoroughly cleaned (or because it’s just that dirty), then expect to pay more than a weekly clean which is standard and takes less time.

Before hiring a service, it’s essential to find out what service you require. Start by evaluating the condition of your home, the amount of time you have, and your budget. Once you have a fair idea of your needs, ask the cleaning service to provide you with an approximate quote.

You may also want to consider additional services a cleaner may offer, such as carpet steaming or window washing. These add on services can be a great deal but do come with an additional price tag.

The Size of Your Cleaning Team

Is your cleaning job a quick one or are you expecting two cleaners for a more intensive clean? The size of your cleaning team will also affect the price.

Generally, if you’re expecting a deep clean or have a large space to be cleaned, then two cleaners will be sent to complete the job in half the time. This is because it’s more efficient and effective to have more people working on a task.

However, you can request for two cleaners for any space if it’s within your budget. An additional cleaner may be more expensive, but it can be worth it if you want a thorough clean in less time.

The Quality of Service Provided

If a service offers only mid-level cleaning services but charges premium prices for it, then it may be worth finding a different cleaner who offers quality services at an affordable price.

Reputable service providers can offer competitive rates and excellent service because we don’t send inexperienced cleaners to the job; rather, they only deploy fully-vetted professionals with industry experience and qualifications.

If a service is providing a high standard of cleaning, then it’s likely that price will reflect this. If you find a service is cheaper than the average, then there may be an underlying reason for the low rate.

Before signing up to any new cleaning company, find out what the average rate is in your country. For example, if you’re a resident living in Australia, you can expect to pay $30-40 per hour. If a cleaning service deviates greatly from this average, don’t be afraid to negotiate for a better deal.

The Frequency of Your Cleaning

How often you want your home or office cleaned will also play into the price. Most services offer discounts for those who sign up for regular cleaning (weekly, fortnightly, monthly etc.), as this allows them to better plan their cleaning schedule and budget.

The length of your service agreement will also affect the price you pay per visit, with longer agreements often resulting in cheaper prices or discounted rates. If you sign up for an annual contract instead of a bi-weekly one, then expect discounts at least 10% off the cost.