Recently, we got some questions from an earlier post on pricing. We also get questions from people who have tried another service. There is definitely a range in prices for deep cleans or first time cleans.
Deep cleaning your home is an investment that pays off in value and comfort. It offers far more than a regular weekly or bi-weekly cleaning, as it gets into all the nooks and crannies to remove dirt, dust, and grime buildup that accumulates. There is a big difference between “old dirt” and “new dirt”. It is harder to get old dirt out, think old grease and soap scum. It requires more time and more elbow grease. And, if you don’t get rid of old dirt no matter how much you try, removing the new dirt isn’t going to make a difference.
Because of the extra time and elbow grease required, deep cleanings can easily take twice as long or more to complete. The number of adults and children, four-legged friends, and clutter all impact that first cleaning. Deep cleaning prices vary depending on the size of your home and the current condition of the home, i.e. how dirty it is. Another important factor is the cleaning company’s business model.
Most cleaners offer hourly rates for deep cleaning ranging from $25 – $75 per hour. This is a big range. The low-end of the range is usually the individual housekeeper who works out of the “trunk” of their car. The high end may be for a specialty-trained cleaner or service company that does post-renovation or remediation cleanings. This rarely includes services, such as steam cleaning carpets, windows or stripping and waxing floors. However, if you are looking for ongoing regular service for your home, the hourly rate may not be the best way to go.
Some other options are to find a company that provides a flat rate. The flat rate provides a ceiling and the comfort of knowing what the total will be. Be honest about the condition of your home to avoid any surprises. Yet another option is to look for a service provider that offers contracts or packages. These often include weekly or every-other-week services. In this scenario, you are usually paying less for the first cleaning than if it were hourly and the company expects to recoup its investment in that deep cleaning of your home through future recurring cleanings.
The cost of a deep clean or first-time clean varies depending on the size of your home, the number of people and pets living in the home, any special requests, and the condition of the home. It’s important to find a service provider that offers quality work at an affordable price. In areas of New Jersey like Basking Ridge, Summit, Chatham, Livingston, or Morristown you can expect a professional service company to charge between $125 and $350 for a deep clean of a 1200-square-foot home. The wide range is driven by the pricing model (contract vs no contract) and the condition of the home.
Let’s assume, you found a company you love, but the deep cleaning is too steep…Ask the company if they will consider splitting up the cleaning into two parts, eg. deep cleaning the second floor the first time and in two weeks deep cleaning the first floor. You can also ask for a discount if you are considering recurring services. Companies are more likely to negotiate during slower months like January, February, and August.
If you are not living in the home but need it cleaned because you had a renovation, just bought it, or it is new construction, pricing will be altogether different. In this post we are only talking about the average occupied home.
After you have vetted the quality of the company and were happy with the results of the deep or initial clean, you are ready for recurring service. To ensure you continue happily with your new love, clean home without you doing the chores, you have just a little more work. Compare the tasks that will be completed to what you need and then also compare services. Be sure to compare apples to apples. Compare recurring tasks and rotational tasks. Some companies will do laundry, others will do window washing and carpet cleaning. What do you want? How much are you able to budget?
Typically, companies with a higher price are doing more and have more personnel dedicated to training and quality control. This means there will be a better treatment of your biggest investment – your home.
I hope this post helped you better understand the different ways a cleaning company might charge for that first deep cleaning.