How Much Does a Move-In Clean Cost?
Wondering about move-in cleaning costs? Discover average prices, key factors, and expert tips with Ziva Cleaning Services for a spotless, stress-free start.
Published on
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Moving into a new home should feel exciting, and stress-free. But before you unpack your boxes and settle in, a thorough move-in clean is the key step to making your new space truly ready to live in. According to the CDC, sanitizing and cleaning before moving into new living spaces helps remove allergens and germs, supporting better respiratory health and overall well-being. Whether you’re moving into your first apartment, upscaling to a family home, or downsizing, hiring a professional move-in cleaning service saves time, protects your health, and delivers the spotless environment you deserve.
Average Move-In Cleaning Costs
For most homes, professional move-in cleaning services range from $120 to $280 for a standard clean, with deep cleaning for larger or neglected properties reaching $400–$500 or more. Pricing depends on home size, age, amount of needed detail work, and your location.
Here’s a general cost breakdown:
Home Size | Standard Clean | Deep Clean |
|---|---|---|
Studio | $60 – $90 | $100 – $120 |
2-Bedroom Apartment | $95 – $130 | $135 – $195 |
3-Bedroom House | $135 – $180 | $180 – $280 |
Cleaning companies may also offer hourly rates ($25–$75 per hour) but flat-rate pricing for move-in cleans helps customers better budget. For full-service properties, post-construction, or more specialized needs, check out commercial post-construction cleaning services.
Factors That Affect Move-In Cleaning Costs

Several key elements can influence what you’ll pay for a move-in clean:
Home Size and Layout:
Larger homes require more hours, labor, and supplies. Multiple bathrooms, open layouts, and tight spaces add to the total. See apartment cleaning guide for property managers for tips on cleaning larger footprints.
Property Condition:
Long-vacant or recently renovated homes typically need deep cleaning, increasing costs. For homes with significant grime or post-construction dust, specialized deep cleaning services may be necessary.
Cleaning Scope:
Standard move-in cleans include dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and sanitizing kitchens and bathrooms. Deep cleaning adds grout scrubbing, baseboards, appliance polishing, and stain removal from hard-to-reach areas. For extreme cases, consider janitorial services for maintenance-level upkeep.
Additional Services:
Optional add-ons such as window cleaning, appliance detailing, or carpet cleaning increase your bill, especially for homes with extensive glasswork or premium flooring.
What's Included in a Move-In Clean?

While companies differ, a typical move-in clean covers:
Wiping down surfaces, shelves, and countertops
Cleaning inside cabinets and drawers
Sanitizing sinks, toilets, bathtubs, and showers
Dusting baseboards, vents, and fixtures
Vacuuming carpets, mopping floors
Cleaning interior windows and glass doors
Deep cleans may also involve:
Scrubbing grout, removing hard water stains
Cleaning behind/under appliances
Polishing stainless steel
Dusting blinds and ceiling fans
Washing walls or removing scuff marks
Move-In vs. Move-Out Cleaning
Move-in and move-out cleaning overlap, but move-out cleaning ensures lease or sale requirements are met and prepares a property for the next resident. Move-in cleaning focuses on disinfecting and personalizing the space for its new occupants. For more on the distinctions, review Janitorial vs. Maintenance Cleaning.
Why Hire Professionals for a Move-In Clean?
Moving is stressful. Using a professional move-in cleaning service offers:
Time Savings: Let experts handle the dirt while you organize and set up.
Health Protection: Reduced allergens and germs mean safer air and surfaces.
Better Results: Trained cleaners use specialized tools and products for efficient cleaning.
Stress Reduction: A clean home lets you settle in with confidence.
Early Issue Detection: Professionals spot minor maintenance problems before they become major repairs.
For tips on preparing for a deep clean, see How to Prepare for a Professional Cleaning Service.
The Ziva Cleaning Services Advantage
At Ziva Cleaning Services, we know that your move marks the start of a new chapter, so we customize every move-in cleaning plan to your home’s size, needs, and condition. Whether you’re moving into an apartment, a house, or a newly renovated property, our team uses eco-friendly products and advanced cleaning equipment for exceptional results. From scrubbing kitchen grout to restoring baseboard shine, we deliver a level of cleanliness that feels genuinely new.
If you’re preparing to leave a property as well, we also offer move-out cleaning services for a smooth transition.
Final Takeaway
Expect to pay $120 to $280 for a standard move-in clean, with deep cleans reaching $400 or more. Your actual price varies by property size, location, and the cleaning options selected. Investing in a professional move-in clean means starting your next chapter in a healthy, sparkling, and welcoming home.
Ready to get your new home move-in ready? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote tailored to your property and cleaning requirements.
Updated on
Friday, November 28, 2025 at 12:00 AM
FAQ
How much does a move-in cleaning usually cost?
A move-in cleaning usually costs around $120 to $280 for a standard clean, with deep cleaning for larger or heavily soiled homes reaching $400–$500 or more. Actual pricing depends on factors like square footage, number of bathrooms, and how much detailed scrubbing or sanitizing is required. Some companies charge hourly (often $25–$75 per hour), while others use flat-rate packages that make budgeting easier.
What factors affect move-in cleaning prices?
Move-in cleaning prices are mainly affected by home size, layout, condition, and the scope of services you choose. Larger homes, multiple bathrooms, and long-vacant or renovated properties usually require more time and deep cleaning, which increases the total cost. Add-ons like interior window washing, appliance detailing, or carpet cleaning can further raise the price, especially in high-cost areas.
What is included in a standard move-in cleaning service?
A standard move-in cleaning typically includes dusting, vacuuming, and mopping, plus cleaning and sanitizing kitchens, bathrooms, and high-touch surfaces. Many services also wipe shelves and countertops, clean inside cabinets and drawers, dust baseboards and vents, and clean interior windows and glass doors. Deep move-in cleans go further with grout scrubbing, appliance interiors, baseboard detailing, and extra attention to buildup and stains.
What is the difference between move-in and move-out cleaning?
Move-in cleaning focuses on sanitizing and personalizing a home so it feels fresh and ready for new occupants, while move-out cleaning is designed to meet lease or sale requirements for the next resident. Move-out services often emphasize removing all traces of the previous tenant and meeting inspection standards, whereas move-in cleaning prioritizes disinfection, odor removal, and preparing surfaces for your belongings. Both can include similar tasks like floor cleaning and dusting, but the goals and checklists are slightly different.
Is move-in cleaning worth the cost if the home already looks clean?
Move-in cleaning is usually worth it even if a home appears clean because professional cleaners remove hidden dust, allergens, and germs that basic surface cleaning can miss. A thorough pre-move sanitizing session supports better respiratory health, helps protect your belongings, and lets you spot minor maintenance issues before you settle in. For many people, the time savings and reduced stress of starting in a deeply cleaned home justify the additional cost.











