Hiring a professional house cleaner for the first time? Here's exactly what to expect — from the initial quote to the moment they walk out the door.
Before the job: the quote
A good cleaner can quote most homes over the phone with: square footage (or # of bedrooms + bathrooms), how often (one-time / weekly / biweekly / monthly), pets, deep clean vs maintenance, any specific exclusions or extras.
They should give you a written quote — text or email — within 24 hours. Most quotes are $120-$300 standard, $250-$500 deep.
Almost every cleaner will price your first visit as a deep clean even if you say "it's not that bad." Normal — the deep clean baselines the home so future visits are faster + cheaper.
Day-of prep (10 minutes of your time)
- Pick up the floor (toys, clothes, mail). The cleaner cleans surfaces, doesn't organize.
- Empty the dishwasher if you want them to load it.
- Strip beds if you want sheets changed.
- Note rooms NOT to clean (office, sleeping toddler, private).
- Pets: crate or take with you.
- Note allergies / chemical sensitivities upfront.
When they arrive
A pro will: walk the home with you to confirm scope, set up gear, note pre-existing damage, ask about specific products, confirm the order of rooms. You don't have to be home — most pros work from a key/lockbox/code.
During the job
Typical times:
- Standard cleaning, 1,500-2,500 sq ft: 2-3 hours solo, 1-1.5 hours team
- Deep clean, 1,500-2,500 sq ft: 4-6 hours solo, 2-3 hours team
- Move-in / move-out, 2,000 sq ft: 5-7 hours solo, 3-4 hours team
After: the walkthrough
A pro will: pack up gear, take trash out, walk the home with you, point out anything missed/excluded, send invoice. If something looks missed, say so during the walkthrough — most pros fix on the spot.
Final result + signs of a good job
After deep clean: bathrooms spotless (no water spots/mildew/soap scum); kitchen clean (counters, stovetop, microwave inside, sink, floor); floors vacuumed/mopped; surfaces dusted (shelves, baseboards); beds made; trash emptied; home smells neutral (heavy chemical smell = warning).
How much to tip
Optional. $20-$40 normal for jobs over $200 or above-and-beyond. Or — leave a Google review. Worth more than cash.
Red flags during/after
- Significant late + no communication
- Mid-job upcharge attempts
- Refusing walkthrough at end
- Clear missed areas + cleaner won't return
- Heavy chemical smell lingering hours
- Damaged items not proactively reported
The bottom line
Good cleaning takes 2-6 hours, costs $130-$500, and lasts comfortably between visits. If smooth: get on the recurring schedule. Find a house cleaner in your area.