How do you know if a cleaning quote is fair, and what should you look for before you book? We used our own job records, 30,099 completed cleaning jobs, to show the real price range for each service, how prices have changed, how they differ by area and the checks worth making before you choose a cleaning company.
What a fair price looks like in 2026
A single “average price” hides a lot. This table shows the range for jobs completed in 2026. The lower figure is what the cheaper quarter of jobs cost, the middle figure is the median, and the upper figure is where the most expensive quarter begins.
| Service | Lower quarter | Median | Upper quarter |
|---|---|---|---|
| End of tenancy cleaning | £215 | £265 | £335 |
| Deep cleaning | £210 | £285 | £398 |
| Carpet cleaning | £239 | £300 | £390 |
| Oven and appliance cleaning | £205 | £280 | £380 |
| Upholstery cleaning | £205 | £284 | £408 |
| After builders cleaning | £210 | £292 | £393 |
Half of all jobs fall between the lower and upper figures. A quote well below the lower figure for a full home is worth questioning. It may leave out ovens, carpets or inside cupboards. A quote above the upper figure is normal for large homes, heavy build-up or several services in one booking.
How cleaning prices have changed
| Year | Median job price |
|---|---|
| 2019 | £205 |
| 2020 | £215 |
| 2021 | £217 |
| 2023 | £235 |
| 2024 | £245 |
| 2025 | £270 |
| 2026 (to 10 Oct) | £265 |
(2016 to 2018 and 2022 are left out because our records for those years hold too few jobs to compare fairly.) A 2019 price is no longer a realistic guide.
How prices differ by area
Location changes the typical price, but perhaps less than you would expect. This table shows the median job price in 2026 for the areas where we complete the most work:
| Area | 2026 jobs | Median price |
|---|---|---|
| London | 781 | £255 |
| West Midlands | 258 | £269 |
| Scotland | 207 | £245 |
| Hampshire | 131 | £262 |
| Cambridgeshire | 131 | £280 |
| Kent | 124 | £265 |
| Surrey | 117 | £272 |
| Hertfordshire | 110 | £290 |
| Berkshire | 93 | £284 |
| Essex | 92 | £296 |
| Greater Manchester | 87 | £259 |
| West Yorkshire | 87 | £254 |
Essex (£296) and Hertfordshire (£290) sit at the top, while Scotland (£245) and West Yorkshire (£254) are the lowest. London’s median of £255 surprises many people. It is pulled down by the large number of smaller flats in the capital, especially one and two bedroom end of tenancy cleans, even though larger London homes cost more than elsewhere. The gap between the cheapest and dearest area is about £50, far smaller than the gap between a small flat and a large house in the same town.
What pushes a price up or down
- Size of the property: the number of bedrooms and bathrooms is the biggest factor.
- Condition: heavy grease, limescale or years of build-up take more work.
- Extra services: carpets, ovens and upholstery added to the same booking.
- Location: London and the South East usually cost more than other regions.
- Empty or furnished: an empty home is easier to clean thoroughly.
Combined bookings matter too. About a third of our jobs include two or more services, so many of the higher figures in the range table are simply several services finished in one visit rather than one expensive clean. Season matters far less than people think. In our records, monthly medians stay between £220 and £235 all year. See when cleaning is busiest.
What to look for in a cleaning company
- A clear, written quote that lists what is included and states whether VAT is included.
- A published checklist so you can compare like with like. Ours is on the checklist page.
- A re-clean guarantee in case anything is missed. For end of tenancy work, ask how quickly issues raised by a landlord or agent are put right.
- Public liability insurance, so accidental damage is covered.
- Checked cleaners, ideally DBS-checked, especially if you will not be at home.
- Real, recent reviews from named platforms. You can read ours on the reviews page.
- Local experience: a company that already works in your area knows local property types and access. Find yours on the locations page.
Red flags to avoid
- A price given before the company knows the size or condition of the home.
- No written list of what is included.
- No guarantee, or a guarantee with no clear way to claim it.
- Cash-only payment with no receipt or invoice.