Introduction — house cleaning prices: what to expect

This guide makes house cleaning prices practical: it turns vague ranges into actionable estimates for UK homes in 2025. Within the next pages readers will find clear definitions (hourly rate, flat fee, minimum charge), the difference between one‑off and regular visits, and how deep cleans differ from maintenance cleans. The phrase “house cleaning prices” appears throughout so you can quickly compare quotes and budget accurately.

Expect regional variance (city vs rural), differences by provider type (independent cleaner versus agency), and common additional fees such as materials, specialist equipment or travel/parking surcharges. The guide is organised for homeowners, Airbnb hosts, landlords and busy professionals: first a TL;DR with fast price ranges, then hourly benchmarks, regional examples, full cost drivers, service‑type pricing and worked examples to estimate your total bill.

How to use this guide: skim the TL;DR if you need a quick budget. Read the worked examples if you want to calculate a bespoke cost. Use the checklists to prepare your home and reduce billable time before booking.

TL;DR — key ranges for house cleaning prices (fast answer)

  • Independent cleaners (typical 2025 range): ~£12–£20 per hour. See representative local published rates. Wolfson College / sector data, 2025.
  • Agencies / homecare firms (typical 2025 range): ~£16–£30 per hour depending on region and service complexity. GOV.UK, MSIF report, 2024–25.
  • One‑off deep cleans & end‑of‑tenancy: typical totals from £80–£350 depending on property size and condition (agency quotes and university/local authority charge examples). Reading University charges, 2024–25.
  • Specialist single‑task cleans: oven cleaning ~£50–£120; per‑room carpet cleaning often starts ~£25–£60. Local authority pricing examples, 2025.
  • Major cost drivers: region, number of bathrooms/bedrooms, pets/children, frequency and extras (appliances, stain removal).

Average hourly rates across the UK (2025)

National median and what it means for your budget

Benchmarks for 2025 show a banded market rather than a single national price. Independent self‑employed cleaners commonly operate in the lower band—roughly £12–£20 per hour—while agencies and specialist providers typically charge from around £16 up to £30 per hour depending on service level and location. These ranges reflect pay floors, local living costs and the extra overhead agencies carry (insurance, DBS checks, guarantees).

Interpreting the ranges:

  • Low band (£12–£15/hr): independent cleaners in smaller towns or rural areas, minimal overheads, often pay‑as‑you‑go arrangements.
  • Median band (£16–£20/hr): typical agency or experienced independent rates in regional centres; common for weekly or fortnightly contracts.
  • High band (£21–£30+/hr): London and South East agencies, specialist deep cleans, end‑of‑tenancy guarantees or same‑day bookings.

Why one‑off cleans cost more per hour: one‑off and deep cleans take longer for the same amount of visible work (oven degreasing, descaling, heavy dust and limescale) and often require specialist products or additional staff. Agencies usually publish an hourly ‘from’ rate that assumes a minimum booking (e.g., 2–3 hours); untidy homes increase required time and total cost.

Representative sources: sector pay and local charge lists illustrate these ranges — see the 2025 sector pay summary and local authority cleaning charge examples. Wolfson College, 2025; GOV.UK MSIF, 2024–25.

Regional price differences: London, South East, North & Scotland

Why London costs more (and how to avoid overpaying)

Regional variation is driven by labour costs, travel time, parking/congestion, and local demand. Expect a significant premium in London and the South East: agency hourly rates there commonly push into the £22–£30+ range for agency-led, guaranteed work. In the Midlands and major northern cities (Manchester, Leeds), median agency rates sit closer to £16–£22/hr. In Scotland and rural areas rates are often lower, though remote travel surcharges can apply.

  • Central London: higher base rates, potential congestion/parking fees and minimum booking times. Consider flexible timing outside peak travel windows to reduce call‑out costs.
  • South East (commuter belt): modest premium over regional centres due to higher rents and labour costs.
  • Midlands & North: competitive rates; independent cleaners and smaller agencies often provide the best value here.
  • Scotland & rural areas: lower hourly rates but watch for travel/time surcharges for distant properties.

Practical advice for accurate local quotes: use postcode‑based platforms, ask agencies for a postcode quote, or request an in‑home estimate. Platform and local authority published charge lists give useful comparators when you receive a quote.

For an immediate local guarantee or agency‑grade inspection checklist, consider a specialist provider such as Britshine end‑of‑tenancy cleaning which publishes regional pricing and service standards online.

What drives cleaning costs (size, bathrooms, pets, condition)

Quick checklist to reduce billable time

Main cost drivers:

  • Property size and number of bedrooms: more rooms = more time. Providers typically estimate total hours based on room count.
  • Bathrooms: each additional bathroom can add roughly 30–60 minutes depending on condition — bathrooms are disproportionately time‑consuming.
  • Home condition and decluttering: an already tidy room needs less attention; highly untidy or hoarded rooms increase required hours.
  • Pets and children: pet hair, stains and toys increase routine maintenance time; homes with shedding pets often require more vacuuming and upholstery attention.
  • Stubborn issues and specialist tasks: heavy limescale, mould, oven degrease, end‑of‑tenancy deep cleans and post‑build dust demand extra time and products.
  • Accessibility and travel: stairs, long access times or lack of parking increase hourly time or result in travel surcharges.

Quick checklist to reduce billable time before the cleaner arrives:

  1. Declutter surfaces and remove bulky items from floors.
  2. Leave clear access to bathrooms and kitchens.
  3. Bag and remove rubbish; empty bins.
  4. Secure pets or arrange a plan for pets to be out of the way.
  5. Flag specific problem areas to the provider ahead of time so they bring any required specialist products.

Preparing your home reduces hours needed and keeps the job in the quoted price band.

Service types & typical costs — regular, one‑off, deep clean and spring cleans

Sample price table: one‑off deep clean by property size

Service types defined:

  • Regular cleaning (weekly/fortnightly/monthly): ongoing maintenance, usually charged hourly with a minimum booking (often 2–3 hours).
  • One‑off / spring clean: intensive single visit focusing on thorough dusting, behind appliances, and high‑touch areas.
  • Initial deep clean: a top‑to‑bottom preparatory clean before a regular schedule starts; often billed as fixed price or extended hourly booking.
  • End‑of‑tenancy: agency‑grade checklist, guaranteed pass options and re‑clean policies available from many agencies.

Property

Typical model

Guideline price (one‑off deep clean)

Studio / Bedsit

Fixed

From £85–£140

1‑bed flat

Fixed or hourly (2–4h)

£120–£180

2‑bed flat

Hourly / fixed (3–6h)

£160–£240

3‑bed house

Hourly / fixed (4–8h)

£220–£350+

Typical pricing models: regular cleans are frequently hourly with lower per‑hour rates for weekly contracts; one‑off deep cleans may be charged as fixed jobs or at a premium hourly rate. Extras—oven, inside‑fridge, inside‑cupboards, carpet shampooing—are usually quoted separately or added as line items.

Minimum booking times and cancellation: many providers require a 2–3 hour minimum for domestic bookings and a 24–48 hour cancellation window. Always confirm whether materials are included—some providers include general cleaning materials while specialised products may be extra.

For appliance and specialist extras, see the appliance pricing section. Representative oven and carpet prices fall into the ranges given earlier — local authority and sector charge lists provide illustrative examples. Local pricing examples, 2025.

End-of-tenancy & deposit‑return cleaning — what agents expect

Checklist to pass an inventory inspection

Letting agents and landlords typically use an inventory checklist that emphasises kitchen, bathroom and visible surfaces. Common failings that cause deposit deductions include greasy ovens, marked skirting boards, unclean bathrooms and stained carpets.

  • Book early — popular slots fill around tenancy changeover periods.
  • Provide the agent’s checklist to the cleaner in advance so the team can scope the job correctly.
  • Consider separate specialist cleans for oven and carpets if the inventory requires it — agencies often ask for evidence of specialist cleaning.
  • Take date‑stamped photos after cleaning and keep before‑and‑after records to present if there is a dispute.

Cost guidance: expect end‑of‑tenancy cleans to start around £85–£140 for small flats and to reach £200–£350+ for larger houses and for jobs that include oven/fridge and carpet care. Many agencies offer a re‑clean guarantee if their checklist isn’t met on inspection — check the terms and any time limits (e.g., 48–72 hours) for arranging a re‑clean.

Tip: request a written re‑clean guarantee and confirmation of what it covers before booking. Britshine’s end‑of‑tenancy product maps to common agency requirements and offers checklist‑based services and re‑clean options for landlords and hosts.

Appliance & specialist cleans — oven, fridge/freezer, carpets & upholstery

Typical appliance clean price examples

Service

Typical ‘from’ price

Notes

Oven (single)

£50–£80

Includes degrease, soak removable parts; double ovens cost more.

Fridge / freezer (interior)

£30–£80

Food‑safe products used; defrosting may add time.

Carpet (single bedroom)

£25–£60

Depends on size, condition; minimum charge often applies.

Upholstery (armchair)

£20–£40

Per item; stain severity affects price.

What affects specialist prices: size of the appliance, removable parts requiring soak, severity of grease or staining, minimum call‑out charges and whether stain removal or protective treatments (e.g., Scotchgard) are requested. For example, local published examples show single ovens from ~£56 and institutional cleaning charges in the £60–£80 band for combined appliance cleaning. Local authority examples, 2025; Carpet charge examples, 2025.

Recommended frequency: oven and fridge interior — annually or before important guests; carpets — every 12–24 months depending on traffic and pets; upholstery — annually or when staining appears. Hosts and allergy‑sensitive households should schedule more frequent professional cleans for allergen control.

How to estimate your total cleaning bill — worked examples

Worked example 1: Weekly maintenance for a 2‑bed flat

Assumptions: tidy 2‑bed flat, one bathroom, weekly 2.5‑hour visit, median agency hourly rate £18/hr (weekly discount applied).

  • Hourly rate: £18
  • Visit length: 2.5 hours
  • Per‑visit total = 2.5 × £18 = £45
  • Monthly (4 visits) = £180
  • Annual cost (52 weeks) ≈ £2,340

Worked example 2: Untidy 3‑bed one‑off deep clean

Assumptions: 3‑bed house, 2 bathrooms, heavy limescale and oven cleaning requested. Provider charge: one‑off deep clean hourly ‘from’ £24/hr; specialist oven extra £65.

  • Estimated clean hours: 7 hours
  • Cleaning labour = 7 × £24 = £168
  • Oven clean = £65
  • Total estimate = £233 (allow 10–20% contingency for unexpected time)

Worked example 3: Airbnb host — 2 turnovers/week, 1‑bed flat

Assumptions: per turnover clean=1.5 hours, rate £20/hr (agency that includes linen change option for a premium), linen service per turnover £8.

  • Per turnover labour = 1.5 × £20 = £30
  • Per turnover linen = £8
  • Total per turnover = £38
  • Weekly (2 turnovers) = £76; monthly (8 turnovers) = £304

Simple estimator formula: Total = (Hourly rate × Estimated hours) + Specialist extras + (Travel/parking surcharge if applicable). When expected visits exceed 8–12 per month, negotiate a fixed package or bulk discount for predictability.

How to choose between independent cleaners and agencies

Compare on five dimensions: cost, vetting, insurance, reliability and flexibility.

  • Cost: independents often undercut agencies on hourly rate because they carry fewer overheads.
  • Vetting and checks: agencies commonly provide DBS checks, reference checks and documented training; independents may provide references but check credentials carefully.
  • Insurance and guarantees: agencies usually supply public liability and employer’s liability cover; independents may be uninsured — always ask for proof.
  • Reliability and cover: agencies can substitute staff and offer re‑clean guarantees; independents can offer a consistent single cleaner relationship but may have less cover for emergency substitutions.
  • Flexibility: independents can be more flexible on scope and timing; agencies scale better for multiple properties or same‑day turnovers.

Red flags to watch for in a quote

  • No written scope or checklist.
  • No insurance or refusal to provide policy details.
  • Unclear cancellation or re‑clean guarantee terms.
  • Extremely low price with vague service inclusions (likely to incur hidden extras).

Checklist of questions to ask when getting quotes: Are staff DBS checked? Is public liability insurance in place (ask for certificate)? What is included in the hourly rate? Minimum booking time? Cancellation terms? Re‑clean guarantee and time window? Documentation ensures you compare like‑for‑like offers.

Saving money without sacrificing results — frequency, bundling and negotiation

Ways to reduce average cost per clean without lowering quality:

  • Frequency: weekly or fortnightly contracts usually offer the lowest effective hourly cost because networks price regular work competitively.
  • Bundling: schedule specialist tasks (oven, fridge, carpets) to coincide with planned deep cleans to avoid repeat call‑out fees.
  • Negotiate for multi‑property or multi‑turnover discounts if you manage more than one unit (hosts and agents can often secure bulk rates).
  • Agree a consistent scope and checklist so cleaners don’t arrive needing to renegotiate time on site.
  • Offer flexible windows for cleaners (mid‑day or less popular slots) to reduce premiums for peak times and same‑day requests.
  • Provide basic materials for regular cleans or confirm whether materials are included—this can slightly reduce the hourly rate if you supply common consumables.

Seasonal tip for hosts: schedule heavier maintenance in low demand months and use reduced‑rate blocks for bulk bookings. Always get a written quote that lists extras so you avoid surprise billing.

Why choose Britshine — services, guarantees and eco‑friendly approach

How Britshine maps to the cost drivers in this guide

Britshine offers a service suite designed to match the cost drivers covered earlier: Regular Cleaning, Initial Deep Clean, End‑of‑Tenancy, Airbnb turnovers and specialist appliance cleans. Key trust elements include DBS‑checked staff, insured teams and a satisfaction guarantee that offers a free re‑clean within a defined period if the checklist is not met.

  • Satisfaction Guarantee with Free Re‑Clean Service — documented scope and a 48–72 hour re‑clean window depending on the product.
  • Online Booking and transparent pricing — postcode quotes and clear inclusion of materials or where customer supplies them.
  • Sustainable cleaning options — non‑toxic, food‑safe products for appliance cleans; certifications and product data sheets are available on request to substantiate environmental claims.

Business details and policies (for compliance & contact): Britshine is contactable at Popeshead Court Offices, Peter Lane, York, YO1 8SU; phone +44 1904 922954; email info@britshine.co.uk. Full privacy, cancellation and consumer‑rights information is provided at booking in line with UK Consumer Contracts Regulations and GDPR requirements.

Value for hosts and landlords: bundled packages and checklist‑based end‑of‑tenancy services reduce dispute risk with letting agents and make deposit returns more likely—while eco‑friendly options reduce chemical exposure for guests and households with children or allergies.

FAQ — common questions about house cleaning prices

Typical ranges are ~£12–£20/hr for independent cleaners and ~£16–£30/hr for agencies depending on region and service complexity (see sector and local charge examples cited earlier). GOV.UK MSIF, 2024–25.

Many providers include standard materials; specialised agents or equipment can be extra. Confirm at booking whether materials are included or if you will supply them.

Each bathroom typically adds 30–60 minutes depending on condition; factor this into your hour estimate when requesting quotes.

Yes — pets and young children increase routine mess and may require additional vacuuming, stain treatment and time.

Yes—common minimums are 2–3 hours for domestic jobs and some providers levy travel/parking or congestion charges where applicable. Always ask for a full written quote.

Provide postcode, property size, number of bathrooms, current condition (tidy/untidy), and any specialist extras (oven, carpets). Photos of rooms speed up accurate quoting.

Conclusion — plan your cleaner with confidence

Next steps and resources

Key takeaways: use the benchmark ranges to set expectations, understand the main cost drivers (bathrooms, pets, condition), and decide whether an independent or agency model suits your needs. Use the worked examples and the simple estimator formula in this guide to produce a quick quote before contacting suppliers.

To get started: request a postcode quote, share photos and the agent checklist (if relevant), or book Britshine for insured, DBS‑checked, eco‑aware cleaning. Save this guide as a checklist for quoting conversations and to compare like‑for‑like offers.