How Much Does House Cleaning Cost in the UK?
A realistic guide to UK house cleaning prices: hourly rates, typical costs by home size, what pushes quotes up and how to budget for regular visits.
If you have never hired a cleaner, the price range can look confusing. One quote is £14 an hour, another is a flat £90 for the same house. The difference usually comes down to who is doing the work, how long the job takes and what is included. This guide explains how domestic cleaning is priced in the UK so you can budget sensibly and recognise a fair quote.
Typical hourly rates
Most independent cleaners charge by the hour. Typically, rates sit somewhere around £13 to £20 an hour outside London, and £16 to £25 or more in London and parts of the South East. Cleaning companies that send trained staff and cover their own supplies usually charge more per hour than a sole trader, because the price covers management, equipment and cover for sickness.
Rates vary by region, by how experienced the cleaner is and by whether products and equipment are included. A cleaner who brings their own vacuum and supplies will normally charge more per hour than one who uses yours.
Typical cost by home size
For a standard regular clean (dusting, vacuuming, mopping, kitchen and bathroom), these are rough guides only:
| Home | Typical time | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | 2 to 3 hours | £30 to £60 |
| 2-bed home | 3 to 4 hours | £45 to £80 |
| 3-bed house | 3 to 5 hours | £55 to £100 |
| 4+ bed house | 5 to 7 hours | £80 to £150 |
These figures assume the home is reasonably tidy and has been cleaned recently. A first visit often takes longer, and some cleaners charge extra for it.
What changes the price
Several factors move a quote up or down:
- Condition of the home. A property that has not been cleaned for months needs more time, and may be better treated as a deep clean first.
- Number of bathrooms. Bathrooms are the most time-consuming rooms, so a four-bathroom house takes noticeably longer than its floor area suggests.
- Extras. Ironing, inside the oven, inside the fridge, interior windows and cupboards are often priced separately.
- Frequency. Weekly and fortnightly customers often get a slightly lower hourly rate than one-off bookings, because the cleaner values reliable work.
- Pets and clutter. Pet hair adds time, and a cleaner cannot clean surfaces buried under belongings.
- Parking and travel. In busy city areas, some cleaners add a small charge for parking or travel.
Hourly rate or fixed price?
An hourly rate is simple and transparent, but the final bill depends on how long the work takes. A fixed price gives certainty and suits well-defined jobs such as an oven clean. For regular cleaning, many people agree an estimated number of hours and a weekly price, with a conversation if the time needs to change. Our guide on hourly rate versus fixed price goes into the trade-offs.
Budgeting for regular cleaning
A weekly clean of a three-bed house at around £60 comes to roughly £260 a month. A fortnightly visit halves that. If the budget is tight, a shorter visit focused on kitchen and bathrooms, with a deeper clean every few months, is often better value than a long visit that tries to do everything. See how often to have your house cleaned for help choosing.
Getting a fair price
Describe the home accurately: bedrooms, bathrooms, pets, and what you want covered. The more precise your request, the closer the quote will be to the final bill. Compare at least two or three offers, and look at what each includes rather than only the headline number. On Compito you can search by postcode, compare ID-verified local providers and message them to confirm the scope before accepting an offer and paying online.
Be wary of prices that are far below everyone else's. A very low quote can mean rushed visits, a cleaner who is not covering their costs, or extras added later.
Frequently asked questions
Do cleaners charge more for the first visit?
Often, yes. The first clean usually takes longer because the cleaner has to work out your home and tackle built-up dirt. Some charge a higher first-visit rate, others simply allow more hours. Ask about this when you book so the first bill is not a surprise.
Is it cheaper to hire a cleaner directly than through a company?
Independent cleaners usually charge less per hour because they have fewer overheads. Companies charge more but may offer cover if the regular cleaner is ill and a single point of contact. Which is better depends on what you value most.
Should I pay for the cleaner's travel time?
Most cleaners include travel in their hourly rate and do not bill for it separately. If a cleaner has to travel a long way, or pay for parking, they may add a charge. Ask for the total price rather than assuming.