How Much Does a Cleaning Service Cost? (2026 Pricing Guide)
Short answer: A cleaning service costs $25 to $65 per hour, or between $100 and $700 per visit depending on what you need. Residential cleaning averages $120–$400, commercial cleaning runs $0.10–$0.35 per square foot, deep cleans cost $280–$700, and move-out cleans start at $250. This guide covers every type of cleaning and what affects the price.
"How much does a cleaning service cost?" is one of the most-searched cleaning questions — and the most confusingly answered. The price depends on what you're cleaning (home or business), the type of clean (regular, deep, or specialty), how often you book, and the size of the space. This 2026 guide breaks down every category so you can budget accurately before contacting any company.
Cleaning Service Prices at a Glance (2026)
| Category | Hourly Rate | Per-Visit Range |
|---|---|---|
| Residential — regular cleaning | $30 – $55 | $120 – $400 |
| Residential — deep cleaning | $45 – $65 | $280 – $900 |
| Move-in / Move-out cleaning | $45 – $65 | $250 – $700 |
| Post-renovation cleaning | $50 – $75 | $450 – $1,500 |
| Airbnb / turnover cleaning | $35 – $55 | $80 – $250 per turn |
| Commercial / office cleaning | $30 – $50 | $150 – $1,000+ |
| Carpet cleaning | — | $125 – $400 |
| Specialty (windows, ovens, sofa) | — | $60 – $250 per service |
Residential Cleaning Service — How Much Per Visit?
For homes and apartments, cleaning services are usually priced by visit (flat rate) or by hour. Flat-rate pricing is the more common and more transparent option.
Studio / 1-bedroom
2.5 hours minimum. Best for small condos.
3½ apartment (2-bed)
Most common Montreal apartment size.
5½ / 3-bedroom house
House with multiple bathrooms.
Large house (4+ bed)
Multi-floor or 2,000+ sq ft homes.
Booking weekly or bi-weekly reduces the per-visit price by 20–30%. Full pricing details are on the house cleaning Montreal page.
Deep Cleaning Service — What It Costs
Deep cleaning is the heavy version of residential cleaning. It includes everything a regular clean does, plus baseboards, inside cabinets, inside appliances, behind furniture, light fixtures, grout, door frames, and ceiling fans. It takes 2 to 3 times longer than regular cleaning and costs proportionally more:
- Apartment deep clean: $280 – $450
- Small house (under 1,500 sq ft): $450 – $600
- Large house (2,000+ sq ft): $600 – $900+
Most cleaning companies recommend a deep clean before starting a recurring plan, especially if the home hasn't been professionally cleaned in 6+ months. See the deep cleaning page for full details.
Move-In / Move-Out Cleaning Service Cost
Designed to meet landlord inspection standards — gets your security deposit back or sets up your new home spotless. Pricing by home size:
- Studio / 1-bedroom: From $250
- 2-bedroom apartment: From $290
- 3 to 4-bedroom home: From $350
- 5+ bedroom / large house: Custom quote, typically $500–$700
Add-ons like carpet cleaning ($125–$200) or interior windows ($5–$10 each) are priced separately. Full breakdown on the move-in / move-out page.
Commercial Cleaning Service — How It's Priced
Commercial and office cleaning is priced differently than residential. Three pricing models are common:
Per square foot
Most common for offices and retail spaces. Typical rates: $0.10 – $0.35 per square foot, with higher rates for heavier traffic (medical clinics, restaurants, gyms) and lower rates for simple offices.
Per visit (flat rate)
- Small office (under 1,000 sq ft): From $150 per visit
- Medium office (1,000 – 3,000 sq ft): From $250 per visit
- Large office (3,000+ sq ft): Custom quote
Monthly contract
Most commercial clients book weekly, bi-weekly, or daily and pay a monthly invoice. A medium office cleaned 3× per week typically costs $1,200–$2,500/month. See the commercial cleaning and office cleaning pages.
Specialty & Add-On Cleaning Services
| Service | Starting Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oven cleaning | From $80 | Inside oven, stovetop, range hood |
| Oven (self-clean or double) | From $100 – $130 | Pyrolytic or double ovens |
| Carpet steam cleaning | From $125 | 1–2 rooms; full home $200+ |
| Sofa / couch cleaning | $60 – $150 per piece | Armchair to sectional |
| Bathroom deep cleaning | From $80 / bathroom | Full sanitization, grout treatment |
| Interior window cleaning | $5 – $10 per window | Both sides standard |
| Post-renovation cleanup | From $450 | Construction dust, fine debris |
| Airbnb turnover | $80 – $250 per turn | Includes linens if pre-arranged |
The 6 Factors That Determine Cleaning Service Price
1. Size of the space
The biggest single factor. More square footage = more time = higher price.
2. Type of cleaning
Regular < Deep < Move-out < Post-renovation in terms of difficulty and cost.
3. Current condition
A home cleaned every two weeks costs less per visit than one cleaned twice a year. Heavy soiling, pet hair, grease, smoke residue all add 20–50%.
4. Frequency
Weekly recurring clients pay the lowest per-visit rate. One-time clients pay the most. The reason: maintained homes take less time.
5. Location
Downtown Montreal is 5–15% higher than suburbs due to parking, traffic, and travel time. West Island and Laval typically have the same or slightly lower rates than downtown.
6. Provider type
Insured professional companies cost more than independent cash cleaners. The difference covers insurance, supplies, supervision, training, and a guarantee.
Independent Cleaner vs Professional Company — Real Cost Difference
| Provider | Hourly Rate | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Independent cash cleaner | $20 – $30 | No insurance, no checklist, no replacement if sick, no recourse if something is damaged. |
| Budget agency | $25 – $40 | Some insurance, variable staff, basic checklist. |
| Professional company | $45 – $65 | Full insurance, vetted staff, supplies included, written guarantee, photo proof, free re-clean if not satisfied. |
The $15–$30/hour difference between independents and professional companies covers the things that protect you when something goes wrong. For occasional cleaning it may not matter; for recurring service with valuables in the home, the insurance alone is worth the premium.
How to Get the Best Price from a Cleaning Service
- Get a flat-rate written quote. Avoid "starting from" without commitment.
- Book recurring instead of one-time. Weekly saves 25–30% per visit vs one-time.
- Bundle services. Add carpet or oven cleaning to a regular visit at a discount.
- Tidy before they arrive. Time spent organizing is not time spent cleaning.
- Send your specific requirements. Skip rooms you don't use; bundle priorities into one visit.
- Compare 3 quotes minimum. Prices vary wildly between providers, even for the same scope.
Get a Free Personalized Quote in Minutes
Flat-rate pricing, no hidden fees, fully insured. Residential & commercial. Montreal · West Island · Laval.
📞 (514) 219-7799Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of a cleaning service?
In Canada in 2026, the average professional cleaning service costs $40–$55 per hour or $150–$300 per visit for a typical home. Commercial rates start around $0.15 per square foot.
Is it cheaper to clean myself or hire a cleaning service?
Doing it yourself has no cash cost but takes 4–8 hours of your time per visit. At $50/hour earning potential, a professional clean at $150 is already cheaper than your own time — without counting the better results.
Why do cleaning companies charge so much per hour?
The hourly rate covers labor + insurance + payroll taxes + supplies + equipment + supervision + training + replacement if a cleaner is sick + a written guarantee. Independent cash cleaners charge less because they skip most of those.
Do cleaning services bring their own supplies?
Professional companies do — supplies and equipment are included in the price. Most can use your supplies on request if you prefer specific products.
How often should I book a cleaning service?
Most households book bi-weekly. Families with kids or pets often go weekly. Singles and couples often go monthly. The right frequency is whatever keeps your home where you want it without you cleaning between visits.
Do I need to be home during the cleaning?
No. Most clients give us a key, a door code, or have a building concierge let us in. We message you when done.
Bottom Line
A cleaning service costs $25 to $65 per hour, with most professional companies in the $45–$55/hour range. By visit, expect $120–$400 for residential, $250–$700 for move-out, and $150–$1,000+ for commercial. The right price depends on size, type, frequency, and the quality of the company. Always get a written flat-rate quote and choose an insured provider when the cost of a problem outweighs the savings of going cheap.
For transparent, flat-rate quotes in Montreal, West Island, Laval, and surrounding areas, visit snamcleaning.com or call (514) 219-7799.
