Move-out cleaning checklist with prices
Updated October 31, 2026 · QuoteCubby
Move-out cleans pay well, and they are also the jobs most likely to run long. Use a clear checklist to set the scope, the published ranges to sanity-check your price, and your own time to set the final number.
Published move-out cleaning prices (2026)
- National average $360; most pay $120–$420 (Angi).
- $150–$500 depending on home size, or $0.22–$0.33 per sq ft (HomeGuide).
| Size (Angi, 2026) | Base cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000–1,500 sq ft | $120–$260 |
| 1,500–2,000 sq ft | $180–$300 |
| 2,000–2,500 sq ft | $240–$340 |
| 2,500–3,000 sq ft | $300–$380 |
| 3,000–3,500 sq ft | $360–$420 |
| Studio apartment | $90–$130 |
| 1 bed / 1 bath | $100–$190 |
| 2 bed / 2 bath | $140–$210 |
| 3 bed / 2 bath | $180–$300 |
Source: Angi. National figures for what customers pay.
Move-out cleaning checklist (with what’s extra)
Send this to the client before you quote, so everyone agrees on the scope.
| Area | Included | Add-on (priced separately) |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Inside cabinets and drawers, counters, sink, appliance fronts and tops, inside microwave | Inside oven, inside fridge |
| Bathrooms | Toilet (base too), tub and shower, hard-water scale, mirrors, inside vanity and drawers | Heavily stained grout, heavy mold |
| Bedrooms | Inside closets (shelves and rods), baseboards, doors, switches, ceiling fans | Interior windows, blinds slat by slat |
| Whole home | Vacuum and mop floors, cobwebs, vents, door frames, easy wall scuffs | Full wall washing, carpet shampoo, junk or left-behind items |
| Finish | Photos of every room, final walkthrough, lights off, keys as agreed | — |
To print the checklist, use your browser’s print button (Ctrl+P, or Share → Print on a phone).
How to price a move-out clean
Treat it like a deep clean with more time: the calculator uses 2.2× standard time as an example. Then add the add-ons the client picked.
| Home (empty, one-time) | Person-hours | Example price |
|---|---|---|
| 900 sq ft, 2 bed / 1 bath | 4 h 20 min | $230 |
| 1,800 sq ft, 3 bed / 2 bath | 6 h 25 min | $335 |
| 1,800 sq ft, 3/2 + oven, fridge and cabinets | 8 h 05 min | $445 |
Example only, using the calculator’s starter numbers: $50 per person-hour target, $6 supplies, 12 round-trip miles at $0.35, $120 minimum job, prices rounded up to $5, average condition, no pets. Deep = 1.8× standard time, move-out = 2.2×, first clean = 1.5×. These are not market rates. Example add-ons: oven $35, fridge $35, cabinets $40.
The starter numbers happen to land inside Angi’s ranges. If your market pays less and you take the same time, the gap comes out of your hourly earnings, and the calculator will warn you.
Try it with your numbers
The free QuoteCubby calculator estimates the time for any home, prices standard, deep, move-out and first cleans, and shows what you really earn per hour after supplies and driving.
Open the free calculatorBefore you accept the job
- Get photos or do a walkthrough. Ask about furniture, trash and pets.
- Confirm hot water and power will be on.
- Agree on access times and who hands over keys.
- Take a deposit from new one-time clients.
- Photograph every room when you finish.
FAQ
How much does a move-out cleaning cost?
Angi reports a 2026 national average of $360, with most people paying $120–$420. HomeGuide lists $150–$500 depending on home size, or $0.22–$0.33 per sq ft. Your price should come from your own time and local market.
Is move-out cleaning the same as a deep clean?
They overlap, but a move-out clean is done in an empty home and includes inside cabinets, closets and often appliances. It usually takes longer than a deep clean of the same home.
Can I guarantee a tenant gets their deposit back?
Don’t. The landlord decides the deposit. Promise your checklist, take photos at the end, and offer to recheck a specific item if they tell you quickly.
Should I charge more if furniture is still in the home?
Yes, or set conditions. Furniture blocks the inside-and-behind work and slows you down. Many cleaners require the home to be empty with water and power on.
Quoting the same kinds of homes every week? The QuoteCubby kit (from $19, Google Sheets or Excel) keeps your price list, job log and client rates in one place. The free calculator stays free either way.
Related guides
- Deep clean vs. standard clean
- House cleaning add-on price list
- Deep and move-out prices per square foot
- En español: limpieza de mudanza
Sources
Price ranges are national figures published by the sources below (accessed October 31, 2026). Local prices vary a lot. QuoteCubby examples are illustrations, not market data.