cleaning service cost uk

What does a clean actually cost in the UK? The answer isn’t a single price tag so much as a menu: a regular weekly spruce-up, a deep post-renovation blitz, a sparkling oven, a full end‑of‑tenancy reset-each comes with its own way of measuring time, effort, and specialist know‑how.

Cleaning prices are built from small, practical details. Hourly versus fixed fees, the size and condition of the space, how often you book, whether supplies are included, travel and parking, insurance and VAT, even the day and time of the visit-all can nudge the total up or down. Location matters too: a two-hour clean in a market town rarely costs the same as in central London, and commercial contracts are priced differently to domestic jobs.

This guide walks through the moving parts that shape cleaning service costs in the UK. You’ll learn how quotes are put together, what affects the rate you’re offered, how regional differences play in, and what typical ranges look like for common services-from weekly housekeeping to carpets, windows, ovens, after‑builders and end‑of‑tenancy cleans. By the end, you’ll be able to compare like‑for‑like, spot hidden extras, and set a realistic budget for the level of clean you want.

Table of Contents

• Hourly rate or fixed fee choosing the best pricing model for your home and budget
• What drives the price in the UK home size frequency materials insurance and VAT
• Regional realities London versus the rest and how travel and parking affect costs
• Spend less without cutting corners bundle tasks pick midweek slots and confirm what supplies are included
• Final Thoughts

Hourly rate or fixed fee choosing the best pricing model for your home and budget

In the UK, the choice often comes down to flexibility versus predictability. An hourly arrangement gives you control: you set priorities each visit, add or remove tasks, and pay for exactly the time used. Expect typical rates of £17-£22/hr outside major cities and £20-£30/hr in London, with common minimums of 2-3 hours and potential extras for supplies or parking. A fixed fee suits clearly defined outcomes-deep cleans, oven cleans, or end-of-tenancy-where the provider prices the entire job, often including materials, equipment, and a short re-clean guarantee. This model delivers a firmer total cost, but you’ll want a crisp checklist to avoid scope creep.

Scenario	Model	Typical UK price
Weekly upkeep (2-bed, outside London)	Hourly	£17-£22/hr × 2-3h
Deep clean (2-bed)	Fixed fee	£160-£260
End of tenancy (1-bed, London)	Fixed fee	£180-£300
Oven clean	Fixed fee	£55-£85
One-off blitz (studio)	Hourly	£20-£28/hr × 2h

• Predictability vs. control: Choose fixed for a clear, capped total; choose hourly to fine-tune tasks each visit.
• Home variables: Pets, limescale, mould, or heavy clutter can lengthen hourly jobs and raise fixed quotes.
• Scope clarity: For fixed fees, insist on a written checklist, time cap, and what counts as an extra.
• Inclusions: Ask if materials, equipment, VAT, parking/ULEZ are included; clarify re-clean windows (24-72h).
• Minimums & fees: Check minimum hours, short-notice fees, and cancellation policies before booking.

Not sure? Blend both: a modest hourly slot for regular upkeep, plus a quarterly or seasonal fixed-fee deep clean to reset standards. If you value tight budgeting or are moving out, a fixed price reduces risk; if your needs shift week to week, hourly keeps you agile. Either way, compare two or three quotes, set an upper spend limit for hourly visits, and request a like-for-like breakdown so you can convert an hourly estimate into a task-based price-or vice versa-before you commit.

What drives the price in the UK home size frequency materials insurance and VAT

Quotes hinge on scope and rhythm: a compact studio with vinyl floors is quicker than a sprawling townhouse with multiple bathrooms and glass balustrades. Time is the currency, so the more rooms, details, and resets needed between visits, the higher the labour block. Regular schedules usually reduce the per-visit rate, while one-off or intensive sessions command a premium. Expect transparent notes on access and logistics too-parking restrictions, top-floor flats without lifts, or narrow time windows can subtly nudge totals.

• Home size & layout: Extra bathrooms, stairs, and delicate finishes increase labour minutes.
• Frequency: Weekly or biweekly plans lower the per-visit price; monthly and one-off deep cleans are higher.
• Access & location: Parking, travel, and key collection influence call-out time.
• Materials & equipment: Eco products, limescale removers, and oven chemicals add consumables costs.
• Special tasks: Oven/fridge interiors, post-renovation, or end-of-tenancy require longer slots and specialist kit.

Behind the scenes, providers factor in insurance (public liability and, where applicable, employers’ liability), training, and scheduling software-overheads that help protect your home and the crew. VAT at 20% applies only when a company is VAT-registered (many sole traders under the current £90,000 threshold are not), so you may see both ex-VAT and inc-VAT figures. Materials might be bundled or itemised as a small per-visit fee. Use the table below as an orienting snapshot; your final quote will reflect your home’s specifics and preferred cadence.

Service example	Est. ex VAT	VAT (20%)	Total inc VAT
1-2 bed flat, weekly maintenance	£45-£55	£9-£11	£54-£66
3-bed house, fortnightly standard	£60-£80	£12-£16	£72-£96
4-5 bed home, one-off deep clean	£180-£260	£36-£52	£216-£312
Oven clean (add-on)	£40-£60	£8-£12	£48-£72

Regional realities London versus the rest and how travel and parking affect costs

Prices naturally climb where time and curb space are scarce. In the capital, hourly rates often embed the hidden logistics of crossing postcodes, loading kits onto trains, or circling for a legal bay. The knock‑on effects include higher minimum bookings and stricter arrival windows, because every detour eats margin. Beyond the M25, the curve flattens: labour is still the main cost, but traffic density and parking stress fall away, replaced by longer point‑to‑point drives that add mileage rather than meters. Expect quotes to reflect not just square footage, but the choreography of getting there-and where a van can pause without a ticket.

• Urban premiums: Congestion zones, ULEZ, and Controlled Parking Zones can show up as line items or baked‑in rates.
• Travel time risk: Dense routes mean small delays compound; providers price to buffer lateness and rescheduling.
• Equipment mobility: Lighter, public‑transportable kits reduce fees; heavy gear delivery costs more.
• Rural drag: Fewer jams, but longer distances and limited suppliers can nudge the call‑out upward.

Smart scheduling trims the bill. Offer flexible arrival windows, share permit details in advance, and bundle tasks (e.g., oven plus carpets) so one journey does more. Recurring visits often come with loyalty pricing, and aligning your slot with the team’s existing route shortens dead miles. In towns and coastal areas, seasonal parking rules, ferry crossings, or tourist traffic may nudge quotes temporarily; in big cities outside the capital, expect mid‑tier premiums centred on parking scarcity rather than city‑wide charges.

• Cost‑savers you control: Provide access notes, lift availability, and on‑site parking or visitor permits.
• Route‑friendly timing: Off‑peak or grouped visits reduce travel overhead.
• Clear scopes: Specify rooms and add‑ons to avoid second trips.

Spend less without cutting corners bundle tasks pick midweek slots and confirm what supplies are included

Stretch your budget by grouping jobs so a cleaner can move efficiently from room to room without resetting tools or charging multiple call‑out fees. Think in “zones” (kitchen + bathrooms) or “themes” (high‑touch surfaces + appliances). Ask for a line‑item quote and a bundled rate to see the difference-most providers price fairly when travel and setup are minimised. Negotiating a rolling slot (fortnightly or monthly) can also unlock loyalty savings without compromising on quality.

• Bundle deep jobs: oven + extractor + fridge for one visit.
• Pair wet rooms: two bathrooms back‑to‑back for faster descaling.
• Add quick wins: skirting boards and switches while solutions dwell.
• Book recurring: light weekly upkeep reduces costly “resets.”
• Choose off‑peak: midweek, mid‑day slots are quieter and cheaper.

Schedule for Tuesday-Thursday late morning/early afternoon to avoid weekend premiums, and keep a flexible arrival window-both can shave pounds off urban rates in the UK. Before you confirm, ask exactly which supplies are included: some cleaners bring a vacuum, mop, and eco detergents; others use your kit. Inclusion can add a small hourly uplift but saves you buying consumables. Clarify what’s supplied, what’s optional, and what’s extra (e.g., oven gel, limescale remover), so the final invoice matches the quote.

Factor	Option	Typical Price Effect (UK)
Time slot	Tue-Thu, 10am-3pm	−£1 to −£2/hr
Time slot	Evenings/Weekends	+£3 to +£6/hr
Job mix	Kitchen + 2 baths + oven (bundled)	Save ~10-15% vs separate visits
Supplies	Cleaner brings kit & products	+£1 to +£3/hr
Supplies	You provide products/equipment	Base rate; allow £5-£10/visit for stock

Final Thoughts

In the end, the cost of cleaning in the UK lives at the intersection of time, tasks, and postcode. What you pay will mirror what you need: the size of your space, the complexity of the job, the frequency of visits, who supplies materials, and when you book. The rest is clarity.

Define your scope, prioritise the must‑do tasks, and ask for itemised quotes that include VAT, travel, and any minimums or cancellation terms. Check insurance, training, and reviews; confirm what “standard,” “deep,” or “end of tenancy” actually covers; and decide whether eco products or specialist add‑ons matter to you. Then compare like for like and choose the service that matches your expectations as well as your budget.

Clean doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With a clear brief and transparent pricing, you can find a service that fits-whether it’s a weekly reset or a once‑off blitz-leaving you with fewer unknowns and a home that feels as it should.