Dust accumulates quietly; so do the questions about what it really costs to hire a cleaner in the UK. Between agency rates and independent freelancers, weekly spruce-ups and one-off deep cleans, the price of a sparkling sink can vary more than you might expect.
This guide breaks down what drives those differences, from where you live and how often you book, to the size of your home, the scope of the job, and whether supplies and insurance are included. We’ll outline typical price ranges, explain the trade-offs between hourly and fixed fees, and flag the extras-like oven cleaning or end-of-tenancy work-that can nudge a quote up.
Whether you’re budgeting for a regular tidy or planning a top-to-bottom reset, the aim is straightforward: give you a clear, up-to-date picture of cleaner costs across the UK so you can choose the option that fits your home, schedule, and expectations.
Table of Contents
- Typical hourly rates across the UK and how location shifts the price
- Agency or independent cleaner and the true cost of convenience
- Tasks and extras that change the bill from deep cleans to end of tenancy
- Booking frequency insurance and supplies recommendations to save without compromise
- In Retrospect
Typical hourly rates across the UK and how location shifts the price
Hourly pricing moves with the map. In broad strokes, expect domestic weekly/fortnightly cleans to land between £12-£25 per hour, with capitals and affluent commuter belts at the top end, and smaller towns or rural patches at the lower end. More time-intensive work like a deep clean or end-of-tenancy typically adds 30-60% because of extra kit, elbow grease, and detail. Agencies often sit slightly above independents due to staffing, insurance, and admin baked into the rate.
Geography nudges the needle through demand, travel logistics, and living costs. City-centre apartments with tight parking and stairs usually cost more per hour than drive-up suburban homes. Tourist hotspots can spike seasonally, and student cities see pricing shifts around move-in/out weeks. In rural areas, cleaners may quote lower base rates but require minimum hour blocks to cover travel time, so the total visit still balances out.
- City-centre demand: Higher competition for time, parking/ULEZ fees, and lift/stair access push rates up.
- Agency vs independent: Agencies add admin and cover; independents can be leaner but vary by experience.
- Products and equipment: Rates rise if eco supplies or pro gear are included.
- Minimum hours: 2-3 hour minimums are common outside dense areas to offset travel.
- Timing premiums: Evenings, weekends, and same-day turnarounds often carry a surcharge.
- Specialist add-ons: Oven, carpet, or post-build cleans are priced above a standard hourly.
| Area | Domestic hourly | Deep/specialist | Price quirk |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (Zones 1-3) | £17-£25 | £25-£40 | Parking/ULEZ surcharges |
| Outer London & commuter belt | £15-£20 | £22-£35 | 2-3 hr minimum |
| Manchester & Liverpool | £14-£18 | £20-£30 | Competitive market |
| Birmingham & West Mids | £14-£18 | £20-£30 | Driveway discounts |
| Leeds/Sheffield/Nottingham | £13-£17 | £20-£28 | Student turnover peaks |
| Bristol & Bath | £15-£19 | £22-£32 | High-demand pockets |
| Scotland (Central Belt) | £13-£17 | £20-£30 | Tenement stairs extra |
| Wales & N. Ireland | £12-£16 | £18-£26 | Smaller towns cheaper |
| Rural areas | £12-£15 | £18-£25 | Travel time adds cost |
Agency or independent cleaner and the true cost of convenience
Agencies charge a convenience premium: you’re paying for speed, structure, and peace of mind. The higher hourly rate typically bundles in vetted staff, insurance coverage, quick replacement if someone is ill, and a support line when plans change. That can be worth it if you need reliability on a tight schedule or prefer a single point of contact. Think of it as outsourcing the admin, risk, and coordination – useful for busy households and furnished rentals where consistency matters.
- What’s usually included: identity checks, background vetting, liability insurance
- Admin handled: scheduling, cancellations, emergency cover, feedback resolution
- Trade‑off: higher hourly rate and occasional minimum booking windows
Hiring an independent can be lighter on the wallet and heavier on your to‑do list. You often get lower rates and a steady person who learns your home, but you’ll manage availability, holiday cover, and any damage disputes yourself. If you enjoy a direct relationship and don’t mind a little coordination, it can be excellent value – just budget for the time you’ll spend finding the right fit and keeping the diary aligned.
- Potential savings: lower hourly price, flexible tasks, direct preferences
- DIY admin: vetting, references, backup plans, payment method, keys
- Hidden costs: last‑minute gaps, equipment purchase, travel/top‑up fees
| Option | Typical Hourly | Best For | Watch Outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agency | £20-£30+ (higher in London) | Zero‑admin reliability | Minimums, booking fees |
| Independent | £13-£22 (area‑dependent) | Personalised service | Cover gaps, vetting time |
Tasks and extras that change the bill from deep cleans to end of tenancy
Deep cleans target built-up grime, while end of tenancy cleans aim for inventory-grade results that satisfy landlords and agents. The bill shifts with every extra: ovens and fridges that need degreasing, limescale-heavy bathrooms, carpet and upholstery shampooing, and those time-thirsty jobs like blinds, skirting, and inside-cupboard washing. Expect add-ons for inside windows, mould treatment, and balconies, plus surcharges for parking/ULEZ, key collection, or weekend slots. Furnished homes, pet hair, heavy grease, post-reno dust, or nicotine residue all nudge the quote upward, as does London’s premium and tricky access.
- Kitchen upgrades: Oven, hob, extractor, fridge/freezer, inside units, degreasing
- Soft furnishings: Carpet and upholstery shampooing, mattress refresh
- Detailing: Grout whitening, limescale removal, tile polishing, skirting and switches
- Glass & light: Inside windows, mirrors, light fixtures and shades
- Outdoor bits: Balcony/patio sweep, cobwebs, door tracks
- Logistics: Key pickup/drop, parking fees, bank holiday/weekend premiums
| Add‑on | Typical extra cost (UK) |
|---|---|
| Oven (single) | £25-£60 |
| Fridge/Freezer | £15-£25 |
| Carpet shampoo (per room) | £20-£40 |
| Upholstery (per seat) | £15-£25 |
| Limescale/grout treatment | £20-£50 |
| Inside windows | £10-£30 |
| Blinds (per blind) | £2-£5 |
| Balcony/patio sweep | £10-£25 |
| Mould spot treatment | £20-£60 |
| Key collection | £5-£15 |
| Weekend/Bank Holiday | +10-50% |
| Parking/ULEZ | At cost |
To keep costs in check, declutter surfaces, defrost the freezer, bag rubbish, confirm power and water are on, and share photos for accurate quotes. Fixed-price end-of-tenancy bundles often include the oven, inside cupboards, skirting, sockets, descaling, and a reclean guarantee for inventory reports-while walls, exteriors, and upholstery are usually extra. Larger teams finish faster but may carry a call-out minimum; hourly rates suit light refreshes, while fixed packages fit check-out standards. Midweek slots, easy parking, and clear access can trim the final figure.
| Package | Best for | Inclusions snapshot | 1‑bed guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Clean | Seasonal reset | Kitchen/bath detail, surfaces, skirting; extras on request | £120-£220 |
| End of Tenancy | Move‑out, inventory | Oven, inside units, descaling, inside windows, reclean guarantee | £160-£320 |
| Post‑Builders | Dust-heavy works | Dust extraction, detail wipe‑down, vents, fixtures | £200-£400 |
Booking frequency insurance and supplies recommendations to save without compromise
- Lock a recurring slot: Weekly or fortnightly often lands 5-15% below one‑offs.
- Batch tasks: Combine light jobs into 2-3 hours to avoid minimum-charge premiums.
- Go off‑peak: Mid‑week, late morning/early afternoon has better availability and calmer rates.
- Prepay bundles: 4-12 cleans can unlock promos (ask about flexible rescheduling).
- Neighbour share: Adjacent bookings reduce travel-some cleaners pass on that saving.
| Cadence | Typical Rate Benefit | Best For | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| One‑off | Baseline + call‑out | Try‑outs, emergencies | Higher minimum time |
| Fortnightly | −5% to −10% | Busy households | Good balance of cost/clean |
| Weekly | −8% to −15% | Allergy/pet homes | Fastest, consistent finish |
| Deep/End‑of‑tenancy | Fixed project fee | Move‑outs | Checklist + deposit‑safe |
- Supplies strategy: If the cleaner brings products/equipment, expect ~£5-£10 per visit or a small hourly uplift.
- DIY kit, big savings: Buy concentrated, refillable solutions; stock microfibre cloths and washable mop pads; keep a HEPA vacuum. Cost per clean can fall under £2.
- Be specific: “Use my products, bring your cloths” avoids fragrance clashes and cross‑contamination.
- Smart saves (no compromise): Bulk‑buy eco concentrates, label a caddy per room, rotate one deep task each visit (oven, skirtings, limescale).
- Avoid false economies: Don’t skip insurance, don’t underbook time, and don’t use worn tools-inefficiency costs more than it saves.
In Retrospect
In the end, there isn’t a single “going rate” so much as a range shaped by where you live, what you need cleaned, and how often you need it. Hourly versus fixed-price jobs, one-off deep cleans versus weekly visits, whether supplies are included, travel time, VAT, and insurance all nudge the final figure up or down. Regular bookings can soften the cost; specialist or last-minute work usually does the opposite.
If you’re comparing options, make the small print do some heavy lifting. Ask for a written quote, clarify minimum hours, who provides products and equipment, what’s covered in the clean, any cancellation fees, and proof of insurance. For end-of-tenancy or deep cleans, get a checklist so expectations are crystal clear, and confirm any re-clean policy if standards aren’t met.
A short trial visit can be a sensible way to test fit before committing. With a clear brief and a fair budget, you’ll sweep away surprises and find a cleaner who fits your home, your schedule, and your wallet-leaving you with a little more time and a lot less dust.
