Whether you’re hiring a cleaner for the first time or switching providers, understanding house cleaning service prices helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises. Rates vary significantly based on factors like home size, cleaning type, and location, and knowing what’s reasonable puts you in control when comparing quotes.
This guide breaks down 2026 hourly and flat rates for standard, deep, and move-out cleaning services across New York. At AlphaLux Cleaning, we believe transparent pricing builds trust, which is why we’re sharing current industry benchmarks alongside the factors that influence those numbers.
By the end, you’ll know exactly what to expect when requesting estimates, whether you’re scheduling regular maintenance for a busy household or need a thorough clean before handing over the keys to your next home.
Why house cleaning prices vary
House cleaning service prices fluctuate based on several interconnected factors that cleaners use to estimate both time investment and labor intensity. Understanding these variables helps you make sense of quotes that might differ by $50 to $200 or more for what seems like the same service. Regional labor markets, home characteristics, and service frequency all play distinct roles in shaping your final cost.
Location and regional labor costs
Your zip code significantly impacts what you’ll pay. Cleaners in New York City or Long Island often charge 20% to 40% more than those in upstate or rural areas due to higher wages, insurance premiums, and transportation expenses. Urban markets also face stricter competition for qualified staff, which drives rates upward as companies invest in background checks and training.
Cost of living directly correlates with service pricing. You’ll see this reflected when comparing rates across different counties, where a three-bedroom home might cost $180 in Syracuse but $260 in Manhattan for identical work.
Home size and square footage
Larger spaces require more time, cleaning solutions, and staff members. Most companies calculate quotes using square footage tiers, with incremental pricing that reflects the added effort of covering 1,500 square feet versus 3,000. Each additional bathroom, bedroom, or living area extends the cleaning time by 15 to 45 minutes depending on condition.
A 2,500-square-foot home typically takes 60% longer to clean than a 1,500-square-foot home, which explains why flat rates increase with home size.
You’ll notice that multi-level homes sometimes carry surcharges because stairs add physical strain and slow down efficiency. Open floor plans, conversely, allow faster movement between spaces and may reduce total time slightly.
Condition and clutter level
Initial cleaning appointments cost more when your home hasn’t been professionally cleaned recently. Heavy buildup on surfaces, grease-caked appliances, or neglected bathrooms demand specialized products and extra passes to restore baseline cleanliness. Cleaners adjust pricing to account for this additional effort, often charging 30% to 50% more for first-time deep cleans.
Clutter complicates the process by forcing cleaners to move items before accessing surfaces. If your counters are covered with papers, mail, or kitchen gadgets, expect estimates to reflect the time spent organizing or working around obstacles. Maintaining clear surfaces between visits helps keep recurring service costs predictable and manageable.
Frequency of service
Scheduling regular visits lowers your per-session cost. Weekly or biweekly clients pay less than one-time customers because maintenance cleaning requires fewer resources than restoring neglected spaces. This pricing structure rewards loyalty while reflecting the reduced intensity of routine touchups compared to sporadic deep cleans.
Monthly service occupies a middle ground, costing more than weekly rates but less than standalone appointments. You lock in consistent availability and build a relationship with your cleaning team, which often translates to better attention to your home’s specific needs and preferences over time.
Average house cleaning prices in 2026
Understanding current market rates helps you evaluate quotes and spot unusually high or low estimates that might signal quality issues or hidden fees. National house cleaning service prices in 2026 average $150 to $250 per session for a standard home, with hourly rates ranging from $30 to $65 depending on location and service level. These figures represent what you’ll encounter across most U.S. markets, though your specific quote will adjust based on the factors we covered earlier.
National baseline rates
Across the United States, you’ll find that hourly rates typically fall between $30 and $50 for standard cleaning services. Larger metropolitan areas push toward the upper end of this range, while suburban and rural regions trend lower. Flat rate pricing based on home size generally breaks down as follows:
| Home Size | Standard Clean | Deep Clean |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $90-$150 | $180-$260 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $120-$190 | $220-$320 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $180-$280 | $320-$480 |
| 3,500+ sq ft | $260-$400 | $480-$700 |
These benchmarks assume moderate cleanliness and biweekly service frequency. One-time or monthly appointments typically cost 20% to 40% more than recurring visits because they require more intensive work to maintain standards.
National averages provide a starting point, but your actual costs will reflect your specific location’s labor market and your home’s unique characteristics.
New York market adjustments
New York state rates run 15% to 35% higher than national averages due to elevated labor costs and operating expenses. You’ll pay between $40 and $65 per hour in most areas, with New York City and Long Island commanding the premium end of this spectrum. A 2,000-square-foot home in Albany might cost $160 for standard cleaning, while the same service runs $240 in Brooklyn.
Long Island specifically sees rates of $180 to $320 for standard residential cleaning depending on exact location and home condition. This pricing reflects the region’s competitive labor market and higher insurance requirements that professional services like AlphaLux Cleaning factor into their cost structure.
House cleaning prices by service type
The type of cleaning you choose dramatically affects your total cost. Standard maintenance cleaning costs significantly less than intensive deep cleaning or specialized move-out services, reflecting the time commitment and detail level each requires. Understanding these distinctions helps you select the right service for your current needs without overpaying for unnecessary depth or underestimating what your space actually requires.
Standard cleaning
Standard cleaning focuses on maintaining already clean spaces through regular maintenance tasks. You’ll pay $100 to $200 for a typical 1,500 to 2,000-square-foot home, with cleaners spending two to three hours on surface-level work. This service includes dusting accessible areas, vacuuming or mopping floors, wiping counters and sinks, and cleaning toilets and showers without intensive scrubbing.
Most homeowners schedule standard cleaning weekly or biweekly to prevent buildup and maintain consistent cleanliness. Your house cleaning service prices remain predictable when you stick to this routine, as cleaners work efficiently through familiar spaces that haven’t accumulated significant grime between visits.
Deep cleaning
Deep cleaning tackles neglected areas and stubborn buildup that standard service doesn’t address. Expect to pay $220 to $400 for the same square footage, with sessions lasting four to six hours. Cleaners move appliances, scrub baseboards, detail light fixtures, clean inside cabinets, and address grout lines, window tracks, and other easily overlooked spots.
Deep cleaning costs 40% to 80% more than standard service because it requires specialized products, tools, and significantly more physical effort per square foot.
Schedule this service seasonally or before special events when you need your home restored to baseline cleanliness. Many companies require an initial deep clean before establishing recurring standard service, ensuring your space starts at an optimal maintenance level.
Move-out and move-in cleaning
Move-related cleaning commands $250 to $500 for empty properties, reflecting the comprehensive nature of leaving a space inspection-ready. Cleaners address every surface, appliance interior, cabinet, closet, and fixture without furniture or belongings obstructing access. Your timeline often requires same-week scheduling, which may add rush fees of $50 to $100.
Property managers and landlords frequently specify checklist requirements that move-out cleaning must satisfy. Verify that your quote includes all necessary tasks to avoid disputes over security deposits or additional charges for missed areas that require callbacks.
Hourly vs flat rate vs per room pricing
Cleaning companies structure house cleaning service prices using three primary models, each with distinct advantages depending on your home’s characteristics and service needs. Hourly rates work best for unpredictable spaces, flat rates provide budget certainty for standard homes, and per room pricing offers flexibility when you only need specific areas addressed. Choosing the right model affects both your total cost and how cleaners allocate their time during your appointment.
Hourly rate pricing
Hourly pricing charges you $30 to $65 per hour depending on your location and the number of cleaners assigned to your home. This model benefits you when your space has unusual layouts or fluctuating cleaning needs that make accurate time estimates difficult. You pay only for actual hours worked, which protects you from overpaying if cleaners finish faster than expected.
The uncertainty factor cuts both ways. Your final bill remains unknown until the job completes, and you risk higher costs if cleaners encounter unexpected challenges or work slower than anticipated. Two-person teams typically complete jobs faster than solo cleaners but charge for both workers’ time, potentially doubling your hourly expense while reducing total appointment duration.
Flat rate pricing
Flat rate agreements lock in predetermined costs based on your home’s size, layout, and requested service level. You receive a binding quote before scheduling, eliminating surprise charges and simplifying budget planning for recurring appointments. This structure works best for standard residential layouts that cleaners can accurately assess during initial consultations.
Flat rate pricing rewards homeowners who maintain consistent cleanliness between visits, as your cost stays fixed even if subsequent cleanings require less time than the first appointment.
Companies build buffer time into flat rates to account for variability, which means you might occasionally pay slightly more than actual labor costs. This trade-off buys you financial predictability and motivates cleaners to work efficiently since faster completion doesn’t reduce their compensation.
Per room pricing
Per room models charge $25 to $80 per space depending on room type and size. Bathrooms and kitchens command higher rates than bedrooms or living areas due to their intensive cleaning requirements. You control costs by selecting only rooms that need attention, making this approach practical for targeted refreshes between full-house cleanings.
This flexibility comes with limitations. Total costs often exceed flat rates when you book entire homes room by room, as companies price individual spaces to cover overhead and maintain profitability. Minimum service requirements of two to three rooms prevent inefficient single-room appointments that don’t justify travel and setup time.
House cleaning add-ons and typical costs
Most cleaning companies offer supplementary services beyond their standard packages, allowing you to customize your appointment based on specific needs. These add-ons typically cost $15 to $150 per item, depending on complexity and time requirements. Understanding available extras helps you build a comprehensive cleaning plan without scheduling multiple service providers or returning to tackle overlooked tasks yourself.
Common add-on services
Basic add-ons address tasks that standard cleaning packages exclude to keep base prices competitive. You’ll encounter these options across most professional services, with pricing that reflects additional labor and specialized products. Interior window cleaning runs $3 to $8 per window, while refrigerator interior cleaning adds $25 to $50 to your total. Oven cleaning commands $30 to $75 depending on buildup severity, and laundry services typically cost $20 to $40 per load when combined with house cleaning appointments.
Typical add-on pricing breaks down as follows:
| Service | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Interior windows | $3-$8 per window |
| Refrigerator interior | $25-$50 |
| Oven cleaning | $30-$75 |
| Cabinet interior | $40-$80 |
| Laundry (per load) | $20-$40 |
| Baseboards (detailed) | $30-$60 |
Add-ons increase house cleaning service prices by 15% to 40% on average, but they prevent the need for separate specialty appointments that would cost more overall.
Specialty and premium add-ons
Higher-tier services require specific expertise or equipment that justify premium pricing. Carpet cleaning for a standard room costs $50 to $100, while upholstery cleaning ranges from $75 to $200 per piece depending on fabric type and furniture size. Wall washing adds $0.50 to $2 per square foot, making it a significant expense for homes with extensive wall space needing attention.
Pet-related add-ons address hair removal and odor neutralization that standard vacuuming doesn’t fully resolve. Expect to pay $30 to $75 for enhanced pet hair removal using specialized tools, plus another $25 to $50 for enzymatic deodorizing treatments. These services prove especially valuable before hosting guests or when preparing your home for sale.
How to estimate a house cleaning quote
Calculating your potential cleaning costs before contacting companies saves you time and helps you recognize fair pricing when you receive formal estimates. You can develop accurate expectations by assessing your home’s physical characteristics and matching them against current market rates for your region. This preparation lets you enter negotiations informed and confident, knowing whether quoted house cleaning service prices align with industry standards.
Measure your home’s square footage
Start by determining your home’s total cleanable square footage, which excludes garages, unfinished basements, and outdoor spaces. You’ll find this number on your property deed or tax assessment, or you can calculate it by multiplying the length and width of each room and adding the results together. Most cleaning companies base their flat rates on square footage tiers, so knowing whether you have 1,800 or 2,200 square feet directly impacts your quote range.
Count your bathrooms, bedrooms, and specialty areas like home offices or playrooms separately. These specific room counts help refine estimates since bathrooms cost more per square foot to clean than living spaces, and companies often charge premiums for rooms requiring extra attention.
Identify your cleaning needs
Determine whether you need standard maintenance or deep cleaning by honestly assessing your home’s current condition. If you haven’t had professional cleaning in over six months, expect quotes that reflect deep cleaning rates for your first appointment. List any add-ons you want, such as interior window cleaning or appliance detailing, since these extras significantly affect your total cost.
Accurately describing your home’s condition and specific requirements prevents quote revisions and ensures cleaning teams arrive prepared with appropriate time allocations and supplies.
Get multiple quotes
Request estimates from three to five local companies to establish your market’s actual pricing range. Provide identical information to each service, including square footage, room counts, desired service type, and preferred frequency. This consistency lets you compare apples to apples and identify outliers that may signal quality concerns or hidden fees.
Ask each company to clarify what their quote includes and excludes. Verify whether rates cover cleaning supplies, if travel fees apply, and what their cancellation policy entails before committing to an appointment.
Next steps for your cleaning quote
Armed with current house cleaning service prices and market benchmarks, you can now request quotes with confidence and recognize fair pricing when you see it. Compare estimates carefully by evaluating what each package includes, from cleaning supplies to travel fees and specific add-on services, rather than choosing based solely on the lowest bottom-line number. Understanding the difference between standard and deep cleaning rates prevents you from booking the wrong service level and wasting money.
Schedule consultations with your top candidates to discuss your home’s specific requirements and confirm that their approach aligns with your expectations for quality and attention to detail. Most reputable companies offer free in-home estimates that provide more accurate pricing than phone quotes, especially for homes with unique layouts or challenging conditions that affect time estimates.
Ready to experience transparent pricing and reliable service across New York? Get your free estimate from AlphaLux Cleaning and discover what professional cleaning backed by fully insured, background-checked staff looks like for your Long Island or New York home.
