Short answer
The cost of an end of tenancy clean depends mostly on the size of the property, how many bathrooms and kitchens need attention, whether it is empty or still furnished, and how much grease and limescale has built up during the tenancy. Extras such as the oven, carpets and upholstery, plus access and how close the job is to the check-out date, also shape the quote. A quote based on the actual property is the only reliable guide.
Why move-out cleans vary so much
A move-out clean is measured against the inventory taken when the tenancy began, not against a general idea of tidy. A one-bedroom flat that was kept on top of week to week can be a very different job from a family house where the oven has never been cleaned and the shower screen is white with scale. Two properties with the same number of bedrooms can need very different amounts of work, which is why a figure seen online rarely matches the quote for a specific home.
The factors that change the quote
- Bedrooms: each one adds skirting, doors, wardrobes, radiators, sills and floor to clean, so the bedroom count is usually the starting point.
- Bathrooms and toilets: these take the most detailed work, so a second bathroom or an en suite matters as much as an extra bedroom.
- Furnished or empty: furniture left behind by a landlord has to be cleaned and cleaned around, and belongings still in the property leave gaps that cannot be reached.
- Condition: grease on kitchen walls and cupboard fronts, limescale on taps, screens and tiles, and mould in sealant all add work compared with a home that was cleaned regularly.
- Oven and appliances: the inside of the oven, the extractor hood, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washing machine are a large part of a kitchen clean, and a heavily carbonised oven may need a dedicated oven clean.
- Carpets and upholstery: many tenancy agreements mention carpets, and adding carpet or sofa cleaning to the same visit changes the scope.
- Internal windows: glass, frames and sills inside the property are usually part of the clean; the outside of upstairs windows is a separate service.
- Access, parking and keys: whether there is somewhere to park, which floor the flat is on, whether there is a lift, and how keys are collected and returned.
- Timing: a clean squeezed into the last day before check-out, or booked at short notice, has less flexibility than one planned a little in advance.
What a good quote should include
A clear end of tenancy quote lists what will be cleaned so you can check it against your agreement and inventory. Look for:
- Every room included, with kitchens and bathrooms described in detail rather than as a single line.
- Whether the inside of the oven, hob, extractor and each appliance is included, or priced as an extra.
- Whether cupboards, drawers and built-in wardrobes are cleaned inside as well as out.
- Whether internal windows, sills and frames are included.
- Any carpet, rug or upholstery cleaning, listed separately so you can choose.
- What you need to provide on the day, such as electricity, hot water and an empty property.
- How keys are handled and who the contact is on the day.
How to compare quotes like for like
Line the quotes up against the same list. One company may include the oven and fridge while another treats them as extras, and one may include internal windows while another leaves them out. Check whether the quote assumes an empty property, because a price for an empty flat will not hold if furniture is still there. Ask what happens if something is missed and whether the company will return to put it right before the inspection.
Our end of tenancy cleaning checklist sets out each room in detail, which makes a handy list to compare quotes against and to check the property against afterwards.
Ways to keep the cost down
Move everything out before the clean, defrost the fridge-freezer in advance and leave the power and water on. Sharing a copy of the inventory or check-in report helps the cleaner concentrate on what matters at check-out. Booking the oven and carpets at the same visit avoids arranging separate trips, and clearing rubbish and personal items yourself means the time goes on cleaning rather than tidying.
When to call a professional
If you are short of time before handing back the keys, or the kitchen and bathrooms have built up more grease and limescale than you can tackle, a professional move-out clean takes the pressure off. It is also worth booking one if carpets are named in your tenancy agreement, since they can be cleaned at the same visit.
We provide end of tenancy cleaning across south Essex for tenants, landlords and letting agents, room by room, with ovens, carpets and upholstery available as additions. Tell us the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, whether the property will be empty and your check-out date, and we will give you a clear quote. Call Jason on 07774 252535 or ask for a free quote.
Rather have it done for you?
A thorough move-out clean of an empty property, room by room, for tenants, landlords and letting agents. Family-run by Jason and Lucas Prior, covering south Essex.
- Oven cleaning: a dedicated clean for heavily carbonised ovens.
- Carpet cleaning: carpets cleaned at the same visit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does end of tenancy cleaning cost?
It depends on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, whether the property is empty, how much grease and limescale has built up, and extras such as the oven, carpets and upholstery. A quote for your property is the only reliable figure.
Does an end of tenancy clean include the oven?
Often, but check the quote. Some include a standard oven clean while others price it separately, and a badly carbonised oven may need a dedicated oven clean.
Is carpet cleaning included in an end of tenancy clean?
Usually not as standard. Carpets are normally vacuumed as part of the clean, with carpet cleaning added if your agreement or the condition of the carpets calls for it.
Related guides
- End of tenancy cleaning checklist: a room-by-room move-out cleaning checklist, what end of tenancy cleaning includes and what sets the standard at check-out.