How much does a maid cost?

Maid service cost

The average cost of maid service is $120 to $280, depending on the home's size and cleaning frequency. Weekly maid service costs $75 to $250, while monthly service costs $120 to $300. Maid services charge $25 to $70 per hour per cleaning lady or $0.06 to $0.20 per square foot.

*Standard tipping rates for one-time service are 10% to 20% or $10 to $20.

Average cost of maid service

The following table is based on an average home with 2 to 4 bedrooms.

*Based on 4,291 project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

How much is a maid?

Cleaning services may charge a flat rate, hourly, or per square foot. Pricing depends on the square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, location, cleaning frequency, and whether it's a professional company or independent cleaning lady.

*Half baths count as full bathrooms.

One-time maid service cost

One-time house cleaning costs $140 to $330 on average. Larger homes with 4+ bedrooms cost $200 to $600 for a single cleaning. A one-time deep cleaning or move in/move out maid services cost $200 to $550. Hiring a maid for a day costs $200 to $550 or $25 to $70 per hour.

*Deep cleaning services are recommended for first-time customers because of the extra time required to remove built-up grime.

Weekly and bi-weekly maid service cost

• Weekly maid service costs $75 to $145 per visit for an apartment or $100 to $250 per visit for a home, depending on size.
• A biweekly cleaning service costs $85 to $170 every two weeks for an apartment or $115 to $275 every two weeks for a home, depending on size.

Regular cleaning saves money per visit, prevents dirt buildup, and minimizes allergens in the home. Customers can choose between having the entire house cleaned regularly or only specific rooms on a rotating schedule.

Monthly maid service cost

Monthly maid service costs $120 to $300 and includes a deeper cleaner than weekly services but is more costly per visit. Monthly maid services are best for people who regularly clean their homes but want a maid to provide an occasional thorough cleaning.

Maid cost per year

A maid costs $18,000 to $55,000 per year on average, depending on if they are a full-time or live-in maid. Otherwise, weekly maid service costs $4,200 to $13,000 per year.

Full-time maid cost

Hiring a full-time maid costs $18,000 to $35,000 per year or $1,500 to $2,700 per month on average. Full-time maids perform cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, child care, running errands, and additional responsibilities negotiated when hiring.

Live-in maid cost

A live-in maid costs $20,000 to $55,000 per year or $1,900 to $4,300 per month, plus room and board. Live-in maids provide services like cleaning, cooking, doing laundry, changing bed linens, babysitting and child care, driving, grocery shopping, and running errands.

Maid cost per hour

Maid services charge $25 to $70 per hour per cleaner. Rates on the lower-end may apply if a team of maids clean the house together. Independent maids charge $15 to $40 per hour but typically are not licensed or insured. Most standard cleaning jobs take 3 to 5 hours.

Maid service cost per square foot

Maid services cost $0.06 to $0.15 per square foot for standard cleaning and $0.20 per square foot or more for one-time cleanings, deep cleaning, or move in/move out cleaning. The average cost to clean a 2,000 square foot house is $110 to $320.

*Minimum fees may apply.

Maid prices per room

Maids charge $130 to $320 to clean a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. Maid services for a one-bedroom apartment cost $100 to $200. Standard cleaning services include the kitchen, living room, dining room, hallway, and stairs. Additional rooms cost $20 to $25 each.

• Home offices, dens, family rooms, and sunrooms count as extra bedrooms.
• Half baths count as full bathrooms.

Airbnb cleaning service cost

Airbnb cleaning services cost $100 to $200 on average for a 1- to 3-bedroom house and $200 to $350 for homes with four or more bedrooms or bathrooms. Vacation rental cleaning services include standard cleaning plus emptying trash, changing bed linens, and restocking toiletries.

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Maid cleaning service price list

Standard maid cleaning services include:

• Sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming floors
• Cleaning kitchen and bathroom counters
• Scrubbing sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets
• Cleaning appliances' and cabinets' faces
• Dusting furniture, ceiling fans, and windowsills
• Cleaning the stovetop, range hood, and inside the microwave
• Wiping mirrors and fixtures

Add-on services like doing the laundry, washing dishes, cleaning inside the oven or refrigerator, and dusting blinds are priced separately.

• Most maid service companies offer interior window washing as an add-on service. Exterior window cleaning costs $151 to $366 on average or $10 to $15 per window.
• Professional carpet cleaning costs $25 to $70 per room without maid services.

How much do maids charge to deep clean a house?

Deep cleaning a house costs $200 to $550 on average, depending on the home’s size. Deep cleaning is more thorough and includes all standard maid services plus:

• Scrubbing tile grout
• Cleaning inside the oven, range hood, and refrigerator
• Cleaning behind appliances
• Wiping down walls and baseboards
• Sanitizing wastebaskets
• Wiping doors/frames to remove fingerprints and smudges
• Cleaning interior windows and blinds
• Vacuuming underneath and behind furniture
• Wiping ceiling fan blades, lighting fixtures, and HVAC vent covers

Maid service price factors

• Number and type of rooms – Maid prices depend on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Additional rooms like home offices, dens, and sunrooms increase the price.
• Pets – Most maids charge $15 to $40 more for homes with pets due to the additional dirt and hair.
• Providing the cleaning products – Some companies offer a $5 to $10 discount to customers who provide the cleaning supplies.
• Valuable or delicate items – Maids may charge more to dust or wipe down breakable items that require special handling. Confirm the company has insurance to protect from damage.
• Tall ceiling fans and multiple stories – Hard-to-access areas or several stories may cost more. Most companies don't allow their maids to climb higher than a 2-step stool for safety reasons. Instead, maids use an extension duster for higher areas.
• Cancellation and no-access fees – Most maids charge a $50 to $125 fee or 20% to 50% of the cleaning price if less than 48 hours notice is provided before the cancellation or if they can't get into the home.
• Allergies and chemical sensitivity – Companies often charge more to use cleaning products designed for customers with allergies or chemical sensitivities.
• Eco-friendly cleaning products – Environmentally friendly cleaning supplies cost more than standard products, which may add $5 to $10 per visit.

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Independent cleaning lady vs. professional cleaning service cost

Independent maids and cleaning service companies both offer benefits and disadvantages:

• Professional cleaning services cost $25 to $70 per hour per cleaner, but employees are vetted and formally trained. Most cleaning companies send a team of two or three maids to clean the house faster. Although, they may send different maids for each visit.
• An independent cleaning lady costs $15 to $40 per hour but may not be licensed or insured. An independent housecleaner takes longer to clean a home but may be more flexible about personalizing services or handling additional cleaning requests.

How much does Merry Maids cost?

Merry Maids costs $120 to $280 per cleaning on average, depending on the home's size. Merry Maids doesn't charge per hour and instead customizes their price based on your home's specific needs.

How much does Molly Maid cost?

Molly Maid costs $95 per hour per team of two to three maids for monthly, one-time, and initial cleanings. Molly Maid's weekly or biweekly service prices are $120 to $220, depending on the number of rooms. Molly Maid service includes standard house cleaning plus changing bed linens and wiping down doors.

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Maid service prices near me

House cleaning services typically cost slightly more in major cities and areas with a high cost of living.

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Is hiring a maid worth the cost?

Hiring a maid service frees up your valuable time and ensures the house is thoroughly cleaned regularly. If your time is worth $50 per hour and the maid charges $25 an hour, it's worth hiring them. If you earn less than $25 per hour, it's more cost-effective to clean the home yourself.

DIY cleaning requires tools and supplies, including a broom, mop, bucket, vacuum, duster or cloth wipes, and household cleaning products. Cleaning tools cost $10 to $20 each, and cleaning products run $5 to $15 per bottle.

What does a maid do?

Maid services typically include dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, cleaning bathroom and kitchen surfaces, emptying trash, making the beds, polishing mirrors, and light organizing. Add-on services include washing windows, doing dishes or laundry, and cleaning the refrigerator or oven.

What can a cleaner do in two hours?

A maid can complete a standard cleaning of an apartment or family home in two hours. Deep cleaning, move in/move out cleaning, or standard cleaning for houses with more than four bedrooms takes 5 to 12 hours on average.

What is the difference between a maid and a housekeeper?

Housekeepers cost $25 to $70 per hour or about the same as maids. A housekeeper's duties typically include tidying up, washing dishes, doing laundry, or cooking. Maids clean all kitchen and bathroom surfaces, dust furniture and window ledges, and sweep, mop, and vacuum floors.

How often to get maid service?

Most customers schedule a professional cleaning every four weeks or occasionally throughout the year. Homeowners with allergies may benefit from weekly or biweekly cleanings that reduce dust buildup. Plus, weekly maid service costs less per visit than monthly or one-time cleanings.

How to prepare for maid service

1. Put away the pets.
2. Put away delicate or sentimental items.
3. Secure valuables such as jewelry, electronics, and cash.
4. Hide important documents, bills, and other papers.
5. Make sure the maid can get in. Consider installing electronic locks with one-time security codes.
6. Conduct a walkthrough of your home with the maid to confirm which cleaning services are included in the estimate.

How much should I tip a maid service?

Standard tipping rates for maids are 10% to 20% or $10 to $20 per cleaning if the quality of service meets or exceeds your expectations. If there are multiple cleaners, split the tip among them. Tipping your maid isn't required, but they always appreciate the gesture.

If you have a recurring service with the same maid throughout the year, it's unnecessary to tip for every cleaning. Instead, consider giving your maid a bonus at the end of the year.

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How to hire a maid

Start by searching online to find professional maids in your area. When researching and finding potential candidates be sure to:

• Get at least three estimates to compare.
• Read reviews and check out their previous work on HomeGuide, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Select companies that are insured, bonded, and have been in business for longer than five years.
• Discuss any add-on services you need.
• Request a written contract listing all services included in each cleaning visit.

Questions to ask

• How long have you been in business?
• Do you offer package deals for weekly, biweekly, or monthly services?
• Do you bring your own cleaning supplies and equipment, or will I need to provide them?
• Do you use eco-friendly cleaning products?
• How will you gain access to my home?
• Do you conduct a background check on all employees?
• Will you always send the same cleaning team?
• What kind of training do your employees receive?
• Are you insured and bonded, and do you carry worker's compensation insurance?
• How do you handle theft or breakage?
• What should I do with my pet while you're in the home?
• Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee?

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