Move-Out Cleaning Cost (and How to Get Your Deposit Back)
Move-out and deep cleaning prices by home size, what landlords actually inspect, and whether a professional clean pays for itself.
Updated 2026-08-01
A move-out clean is a different product from a recurring clean. The home is empty, every surface is reachable, and the standard is inspection-grade rather than lived-in-tidy.
Pricing is by square footage and condition, and the whole calculation is simple: if the clean costs less than the deposit at risk, it pays for itself.
Appliance interiors, cabinet interiors, baseboards, blinds and window tracks are the five things landlords check first — and the five things renters skip.
Typical price
Most two-bedroom move-outs land at $250–$380, against a deposit that's usually several times that.
Price breakdown
| Item | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom apartment | $180 – $280 | 3–5 labor hours. |
| 2 bedroom apartment | $250 – $380 | Most common move-out job. |
| 3 bedroom home | $350 – $500 | Usually a two- or three-person crew. |
| 4+ bedroom home | $450 – $750 | Full-day job. |
| Inside all cabinets and drawers | Included | Standard on move-out, not on recurring. |
| Oven and refrigerator interiors | Included | Confirm in writing. |
| Interior windows and tracks | +$75 – $200 | Often quoted separately. |
| Carpet steam cleaning | +$120 – $300 | Separate trade in most cases. |
| Wall spot-washing / scuff removal | +$50 – $150 | Not the same as painting. |
What drives the price
- Square footage and bathroom count.
- Condition — grease, pet hair and smoke all add hours.
- Whether the unit is fully empty (it should be).
- Carpet versus hard floors.
- How strict the landlord's or property manager's checklist is.
How to pay less
- Book after the unit is completely empty; cleaning around boxes costs more.
- Send the landlord's move-out checklist to the cleaner so nothing is quoted twice.
- Bundle carpet cleaning with the same company if they offer it.
- Avoid the last two days of the month, when demand and prices peak.
- Handle trash removal yourself before the crew arrives.
Questions to ask before you book
- Does your move-out clean include inside the oven, fridge and cabinets?
- Will you re-clean free if the landlord flags something?
- Do you provide a receipt or itemized invoice for the deposit dispute?
- How many cleaners and how many hours are you quoting?
- Is carpet cleaning included or subcontracted?
Red flags
- No re-clean guarantee on a deposit-critical job.
- Refusing to provide an invoice.
- Quoting a move-out at the same price as a standard clean — it's not the same work.
Frequently asked questions
- Is professional move-out cleaning worth it?
- If your deposit is more than roughly $400, yes — the clean usually costs less than the deductions landlords apply for cleaning.
- How far in advance should I book?
- Two to five days is usually enough, except at the end of the month when slots fill a week or more out.
- Do I still need to clean if I hire someone?
- No, but remove all belongings and trash first — most quotes assume an empty unit.