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Hiring a cleaner can make everyday life feel much more manageable, whether you’re short on time, juggling family life, or simply want help keeping on top of the house.

For some households, it’s an occasional extra. For others, it quickly becomes one of those things that makes the week run more smoothly.

This guide explains how much house cleaning typically costs in the UK, what cleaners charge per hour, and the extra costs worth knowing about before you book.

How much does house cleaning cost?

House cleaning costs vary depending on the type of clean you need and whether you hire an independent cleaner or a cleaning agency.

As a guide, most regular house cleaning starts from around £25 per hour, while more specialist or one-off services can cost more.

For many households, the most useful figure is the hourly rate. But for one-off jobs, it’s often the total project cost that matters more, especially for end of tenancy cleaning or specialist work.

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For an accurate figure for the cost of house cleaning in your area, it’s worth getting a selection of quotes from checked services.

Enter your postcode to compare house cleaners covering your area and get accurate quotes for your property.

House cleaning costs at a glance

• Independent cleaner: around £25 per hour

• Cleaning agency: around £25–£30 per hour

• Weekly cleaner cost (3 hours): around £75

• End of tenancy clean: around £100–£500

• Cleaning after building work: around £30–£35 per hour

• Carpet cleaning (small room): around £50–£75

• Window cleaning: around £20–£70

Understanding different types of house cleaning and their costs

The total price you pay for house cleaning will depend partly on the type of cleaning you need.

Regular weekly cleaning is usually the most affordable option, while one-off or specialist jobs cost more because they take longer and often involve more detailed work.

Regular weekly house cleaning

For ongoing household cleaning, many people hire an independent cleaner or agency cleaner on an hourly basis.

Typical costs:

• Independent cleaner: around £25 per hour

• Cleaning agency: around £25–£30 per hour

• Weekly clean (3 hours): around £75

Weekly cleaning often works out better value than leaving the house longer between visits, as there’s usually less to tackle each time.

End of tenancy cleaning

End of tenancy cleaning is more intensive than standard house cleaning and is usually priced as a one-off job.

Typical cost:

• End of tenancy clean: £100–£500

• Average cost: £300

This type of clean is often much more detailed and may include appliances, skirting boards, bathrooms and inside cupboards, depending on the service agreed.

Post-building work cleaning

Cleaning after building work tends to cost more than regular cleaning because of the dust, debris and extra time involved.

Typical cost:

• Cleaning after building work: £30–£35 per hour

• Average cost: £32.50 per hour

This is one of those jobs where specialist help can make a big difference, especially after messy renovation work.

Carpet cleaning

Carpet cleaning is usually priced separately from general house cleaning.

Typical cost:

• Carpet cleaning (small room): £50–£75

• Average cost: £62.50

This is often booked as a one-off specialist service rather than as part of a weekly cleaning slot.

Window cleaning

Window cleaning is another service that is usually charged separately.

Typical cost:

• Window cleaning: £20–£70

• Average cost: £45

The final price will depend on the number of windows, how accessible they are and whether inside cleaning is included.

What affects house cleaning costs?

The final price of house cleaning depends on several factors. Regular cleaning in a tidy home will usually cost less than a one-off clean in a larger or more demanding property.

The key cost factors to be aware of include:

• Type of clean: End of tenancy, post-building work and other specialist cleans usually cost more than general weekly cleaning

• Property size and condition: Larger or more cluttered homes usually take longer to clean

• Location: Cleaners in London and the South East often charge more

• Frequency of service: Weekly cleaning can work out more cost-effective than occasional deep or catch-up cleans

• Independent cleaner vs agency: Independent cleaners are often cheaper per hour, while agencies may offer better availability

• Supplies and equipment: Some cleaners include products and equipment, while others expect you to provide them

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Additional costs to consider

The hourly cleaning rate is only part of the picture. Depending on your home and the type of cleaning you need, there may be extra costs to factor in, such as:

• Minimum call-out fees: Some agencies charge a minimum fee to cover travel, time and equipment

• Pet hair: Homes with pets may take longer to clean, particularly if there’s a lot of fur

• Stain removal: Specialist stain removal is often charged separately

• Upholstery cleaning: Cleaning a sofa typically costs around £60

• Specialist carpet cleaning: Carpet cleaning is usually charged separately, at around £62.50 per small room

These extras are not always included in a standard cleaning quote, so it’s worth being clear about expectations from the start.

What should be included in a house cleaning quote?

A good quote should explain exactly what kind of cleaning is being offered and what's included in the price.

For example, a typical house cleaning quote should include:

• Whether the price is hourly or fixed

• What rooms are included

• Whether products and equipment are included

• Whether specialist tasks are included or extra

• Minimum booking time, if there is one

• Any call-out or travel fees

• Estimated time required

• Confirmation of what is excluded

A clear written quote makes it much easier to compare like-for-like and avoids any ambiguity later on.

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How long does house cleaning take?

Cleaning times vary depending on the type of clean, the size of your property and its condition.

As a rough guide:

• A regular weekly clean is often booked for around 3 hours

• End of tenancy or post-building cleans usually take longer

• Larger or more cluttered homes will need more time

If you're booking regular cleaning, many cleaners will recommend a realistic number of hours based on the size of your home and what you want covered each visit.

House cleaning cost calculator

If you want an idea of house cleaning prices in your area before arranging quotes, our cost calculator can help.

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This calculator provides a guide price only, not a quote. For an accurate quote, it’s always best to ask an experienced local cleaner to assess the job properly and confirm what’s included before you go ahead.

Is it cheaper to clean your house yourself?

Of course, doing the cleaning yourself is the cheapest option in purely financial terms. But that doesn’t always make it the most realistic one.

Professional cleaning can be worth paying for if:

• You have limited time

• You find cleaning physically difficult

• The job needs specialist products or equipment

• The house needs more intensive cleaning than you can manage alone

For some households, regular cleaning is less about luxury and more about keeping everyday life manageable.

House cleaning cost checklist

• Decide whether you need regular cleaning or a one-off clean

• Work out roughly how many hours you’re likely to need

• Check whether products and equipment are included

• Mention pets, stains or any specialist cleaning needs

• Ask whether there is a minimum booking or call-out fee

• Compare quotes from checked local cleaners

• Make sure you understand what is and isn’t included

When should you speak to a cleaner?

If you’re struggling to keep on top of regular cleaning, you’re moving out of a property, or your home needs a thorough clean after building work, don’t hesitate to contact a checked, local cleaning service.

Whether you need one-off help, a regular weekly clean, or specialist upholstery, carpet or window cleaning, speaking with a cleaner can help you work out what kind of service you actually need and what a fair price looks like locally.

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Find a house cleaner near you

Comparing local cleaners is the best way to understand the typical cost of house cleaning in your area.

A good cleaner should be able to explain what’s included, recommend a realistic time allowance, and give you a clear written quote before any work starts.

FAQs

How much do cleaners charge per hour in the UK?

Independent cleaners typically charge around £25 per hour, while cleaning agencies usually charge £25–£30 per hour.

How much does a weekly cleaner cost?

A weekly cleaner typically costs around £75, based on 3 hours of cleaning per week.

Are independent cleaners cheaper than cleaning agencies?

Usually, yes. Independent cleaners are often slightly cheaper per hour, while agencies may offer more flexibility and availability.

How much does an end of tenancy clean cost?

An end of tenancy clean typically costs between £100–£500, depending on the size and condition of the property.

How much does cleaning after building work cost?

Cleaning after building work usually costs around £30–£35 per hour, with an average cost of £32.50 per hour.

Is carpet cleaning included in house cleaning?

Usually not. Carpet cleaning is normally charged separately and costs around £50–£75 per small room.

Do cleaners bring their own products?

Some cleaners include cleaning products and equipment in the price, while others prefer to use what you already have at home. It’s best to check before booking.

How do you price a cleaning contract in the UK?

Most domestic cleaning is priced either by the hour or as a fixed job price. The total cost usually depends on the size of the property, the amount of work involved, and whether the cleaning is regular or one-off.

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