Evaluating House Cleaning Costs
Have you ever found yourself so busy with life that there wasn’t enough time to keep you house clean? Your answer is probably yes, because it’s a common response in today’s hectic, fast-paced world. Many times, even when you take your day off to get the cleaning done – the mess returns so quickly you wonder why you worked so hard.
There’s a way to escape the frustration that comes with having to take time out of life to keep your home clean. The solution – hire a professional cleaning service. Yet, many people stop short of hiring a cleaning service, believing the cost is simply too high. The truth is, your time is valuable, and the cost of house cleaning isn’t a waste of money but an investment that allows you spend time off with family and friends or enjoy a weekend getaway with your special someone. To help you see the value of the investment in professional cleaning services, let’s explore the costs of professional house cleaning services.
The Price of House Cleaning Services
House cleaning costs vary depending on the size of your home, the condition of your home, and the frequency of cleaning. Charges for house cleaning are calculated by the hour, the room, or the square footage. And, of course, your location also affects the cost.
Often one-time cleaning rates are higher priced than regularly scheduled cleanings as professional cleaners determine how much time they need in your home as well as any areas that need special attention. In addition, more regular cleaning helps your cleaning team maintain the cleanliness you desire with less time. Regular cleanings are typically maintenance-based cleaning versus the deep cleaning needed often needed during a first-time visit.
On average, hourly rates range from $60 to $150 while the cleaning costs for an apartment (900 – 1,000 sq. ft.) come in at $75 to $200 and a two-story home (2000 – 2500 sq. ft.) may cost anywhere from $150 to $400 with bi-weekly cleanings averaging around $150.
Part of the charge is also factored based on the number professional cleaners needed for the job. A team can get the job done more quickly but will be slightly more costly. Many cleaning services charge a higher flat rate for the first cleaning which is reduced for subsequent cleanings and based on cleaning frequency and your home’s square footage. Obviously rates also change on how often your cleaning team cleans your home – with more frequent cleanings costing less – and some services offer a discount with a long-term contract.
Many cleaning services offer online calculators to help you determine approximate costs for cleaning your home before you make the call. These handy calculators consider the number of rooms, as well as the types of rooms, in your home, along with your home’s square footage, whether you have pets, and the frequency you want to have your home cleaned. Most offer optional flat rates for window washing, blind cleaning, appliance cleaning, and if you request environmentally friendly cleaning products. Some companies even offer other services like pool cleaning, exterior pressure cleaning, and even meal delivery.
Professional Residential Cleaning Rates
Residential cleaning rates vary considerably when compared to commercial cleaning rates. Some professional cleaning companies offer both, while others focus solely on homes or solely on businesses. Residential cleaning is less costly, because the cleaning team does not have to meet state cleaning regulations for public properties and because residential spaces don’t have high traffic found in businesses.
Choosing Your Cleaning Company
When making your decision, narrow down your list of potential cleaning services through recommendations and online reviews. Once you have your short list, call the companies and ask them to visit your home and provide an estimate. Keep in mind, as with all purchases for products or services, you get what you pay for, and those companies with the best services will likely charge slightly higher than average prices.
