A tenant returning the keys in three days, an Airbnb owner between two bookings, an apartment that has been empty for several months with dust embedded in the tile joints: the cleaning fee will not be the same in these three cases. Yet, the same questions arise each time. How much for a complete clean, per square meter or per hour, and what causes the bill to rise beyond the initial estimate?
Cleaning before the exit inventory: a often underestimated item
The exit cleaning carries a particular pressure. The property must be returned in a condition close to when it was entered, or risk deductions from the security deposit. This involves a cleaning that goes beyond just vacuuming: descaling the faucets, degreasing the hobs and oven, cleaning the insides of empty cupboards, washing the windows.
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For a standard-sized apartment (two or three rooms), providers generally charge between 80 and 300 euros for a package. This price varies according to the actual level of dirtiness and the requested finishes. A property occupied for five years without deep cleaning will cost significantly more than one that has been regularly maintained.
You can find the price of apartment cleaning on Pôle Conseil Habitat with detailed ranges according to the types of services and the surfaces involved.
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The classic trap: booking an “exit cleaning” package without specifying the condition of the oven or bathroom joints. These areas with high dirt accumulation generate almost systematic surcharges if they are not included in the initial estimate.
Hourly rate or price per square meter: two billing logics
Cleaning companies and freelancers do not apply the same pricing structure. An independent provider often charges between 15 and 30 euros per hour. A specialized company typically charges between 25 and 50 euros per hour, including charges, insurance, and VAT.
Billing per square meter also exists, ranging from 3 to 10 euros per square meter depending on the nature of the cleaning. It is better suited for large areas or well-defined one-off services (restoration after work, for example).
The choice between the two depends on the context. For regular weekly cleaning, the hourly rate remains the norm because we have a good idea of how long the intervention will take. For one-off cleaning in a property whose exact condition is unknown, the package per square meter protects against unpleasant surprises, provided that the estimate lists the included services precisely.
How the provider’s status affects the price
A service provider or personal services organization charges more than a self-employed individual, but entitles you to a 50% tax credit on the amounts spent for home cleaning. Over a full year of regular maintenance, this reduction can largely offset the hourly rate difference.
Feedback varies on this point depending on tax situations, but for a taxable individual who uses a declared service every week, the net cost after tax credit often drops to the level of an undeclared freelancer.
Cleaning after renovation: why prices go up a notch
An apartment after renovation accumulates plaster dust, paint residue, glue marks, and cement chips on the windows. This is not regular cleaning. Providers apply specific rates, generally between 25 and 45 euros per hour, or packages that can range from 250 to 700 euros depending on the area and the extent of the work done.
The difference in cost is explained by the equipment used. Post-renovation cleaning often requires professional scrapers, suitable stripping products, and sometimes a floor scrubber. The intervention time is also longer: expect at least double the time of a standard cleaning for an equivalent area.
- Fine dust from sanding or plaster: it infiltrates everywhere, including electrical outlets and ventilation grilles, which extends cleaning time
- Glue or silicone joint residue on tiles and windows: their removal requires specific products and meticulous scraping
- Paint marks on frames and floors: depending on the type of paint (acrylic or oil-based), the cleaning protocol changes completely
Factors that affect the apartment cleaning estimate
Beyond the type of service, several concrete parameters weigh on the final bill. Ignoring them when requesting an estimate exposes you to a gap between the estimate and the actual amount.
Location and accessibility
An apartment located in the city center of a large urban area costs more to clean than a property in a suburban area. Parisian rates are significantly above the national average. The absence of an elevator or difficult parking for the provider’s vehicle can also lead to surcharges.
Actual level of dirtiness
A “very dirty” property (stained walls, sticky floors, deeply scaled sanitary facilities) is billed between 35 and 50 euros per hour by most providers. This is a step above regular cleaning. Some extreme cases, such as properties that have been unoccupied for a long time or situations of waste accumulation, fall under specialized services with enhanced protection protocols.
Specific services included or not
- Window cleaning is rarely included in a standard package and is charged extra
- Ironing or tidying, sometimes requested as a supplement, are distinct items with their own hourly rates
- Disinfection (sanitary facilities, handles, switches) may be charged separately if it requires professional virucidal products
Requesting a detailed estimate with the exact list of included services remains the only reliable way to avoid discrepancies between the quoted price and the final bill. An estimate that simply mentions “complete cleaning” without specifying the scope leaves the door open for misunderstandings on both sides.