Carpet
A basic move-out cleaning usually includes vacuuming your carpet, but not a deep cleaning. You need to deep clean your carpet once or twice per year, so ask whether your move-out cleaning company offers carpet steam and shampoo services. Carpet cleaning costs around $120 to $240 for an entire house or about $0.25 to $0.50 per square foot.
WindowsÂ
Proper window cleaning should include wiping down both sides of each window and the sills, which tends to cost around $11 to $13 per window or $80 to $300 for the whole house. Expect window cleaning costs to increase if your windows are large or difficult to reach.
Appliances
Don’t expect a basic move-out cleaning service to include the inside of your fridge or oven. If you want your cleaning company to scrub inside your kitchen appliances, expect to pay about $10 to $40 each.
Blinds
Blinds tend to collect dust and often aren't included as part of a basic move-out cleaning package. Professional blind cleaning costs an additional $5 to $10 per set.
Hardwood Floor
Your typical move-out cleaning service will only dust mop your hardwood floors. If you really want your floors to shine, polishing hardwood floors typically costs $100 to $300.
Tile and Grout
You can mop tile and grout floors, but that won't remove stains or protect them in the long run. If you want proper tile and grout cleaning as part of your move-out cleaning service, expect to pay an additional $100 to $200.
Garage
The garage is one room that won’t be included in most standard move-out cleaning services. However, clearing out the garage can be an important part of preparing a home for new tenants, so plan to pay an extra $70 to $200 if your cleaning company offers garage cleaning.
Junk Removal
A junk removal service can come in handy, whether it's for a broken appliance, unwanted old furniture, or other items you don't think are worth trying to salvage. Junk removal costs anywhere from $60 to $370, depending on the size and quantity of the items involved.
DIY Move-Out Cleaning vs. Hiring a Cleaning Service
Many people tackle move-out cleaning on their own, but hiring a service is a major convenience. This is especially true if you're short on time, have young kids who need supervision, or can't do a thorough job while balancing all the other aspects of moving.
Hiring a professional service is not only helpful, but it could also legally protect you. You could breach the contract if you don't sell your house as-is and things aren't clean enough for the next homeowners. Buyers could back out of closing or sue you for non-performance of the contract. Thorough, professional cleaning eliminates this risk—and helps your house look great, too.
If you're unable to find a pro in your area, consult with your real estate agent. Many agents build relationships with local house cleaning companies and may be able to offer discounted or specified services.