Price guide · Reviewed November 2026
How Much Does House Cleaning Cost in the UK?
Most domestic cleaners charge by the hour. Here is what published UK price guides show, how weekly and fortnightly cleaning adds up, and why your own quote may differ.
Regular house cleaning is usually priced by the hour rather than per room. A cleaner or cleaning company agrees how long each visit should take for your home – often two to four hours for an average house – and multiplies that by their hourly rate. One-off cleans are sometimes quoted the same way, sometimes as a fixed price.
Published UK price guides we reviewed put most regular domestic cleaning between about £15 and £25 per hour, with London and parts of the South East commonly at the top of that range or above. Independent cleaners often charge less per hour than agencies and larger companies, which typically cover vetting, insurance, holiday cover and admin in their rate.
For context, the National Living Wage for workers aged 21 and over is set by the government each April – any hourly rate also has to cover travel time, supplies, insurance and tax for a self-employed cleaner or a company's overheads.
Domestic cleaner hourly rates
Rates are per cleaner, per hour. A team of two working for two hours is four cleaner-hours.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Regular domestic cleaning (most of the UK) | £15–£25 per hour |
| Regular domestic cleaning (London and South East) | Often £18–£28 per hour |
| One-off or occasional standard clean | Often a little above the regular hourly rate |
| Cleaner supplying products and equipment | May add a small amount per visit or per hour |
Weekly and fortnightly cleaning: worked examples
These are illustrations of how hourly rates add up, not quotes. They use a mid-range rate of £18–£20 per hour.
| Job | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| 1–2 bed flat, 2 hours weekly | Roughly £36–£40 per visit |
| 3 bed house, 3 hours weekly | Roughly £54–£60 per visit |
| 3 bed house, 3.5 hours fortnightly | Roughly £63–£70 per visit |
| 4 bed house, 4 hours weekly | Roughly £72–£80 per visit |
Indicative ranges based on published UK price guides reviewed in November 2026 (see sources). They are not official rates, a price list or our own prices. Many cleaners include VAT and supplies, others don't – always check written quotes for your own property.
How much does a one-off cleaner cost?
A one-off clean – before guests arrive, after a busy period or ahead of a viewing – is often priced at a slightly higher hourly rate than a regular slot, and many cleaners set a minimum booking length. If the home needs more than a surface clean, you may actually be asking for a deep clean, which takes longer and is usually quoted as a fixed price.
When requesting quotes for a one-off visit, say clearly whether you want a standard clean or something more thorough, so that prices are comparable. Our deep cleaning cost guide covers the more intensive option.
What affects the cost
- Size of the property
- More bedrooms and living space mean more hours per visit. Hours matter more than room count.
- Number of bathrooms
- Bathrooms and en suites take longer than bedrooms, so a home with three bathrooms needs more time than one with one.
- Condition and first clean
- The first visit often takes longer while the home is brought up to a standard that can then be maintained.
- Frequency
- Weekly cleans can take less time per visit than fortnightly ones because less dirt builds up in between.
- Location
- Rates tend to be higher in London and the South East, and travel time can affect pricing in rural areas.
- Independent cleaner or company
- Companies usually charge more per hour but may offer vetted staff, insurance, cover for holidays and replacements.
- Supplies and equipment
- Some cleaners use your products and vacuum; others bring their own and build the cost into the price.
- Extra tasks
- Ironing, changing beds, inside the fridge or oven and interior windows add time if they are included.
What a standard domestic clean usually covers
- Dusting reachable surfaces, skirting boards and furniture
- Vacuuming carpets and mopping hard floors
- Cleaning kitchen worktops, the sink, hob and outsides of appliances
- Cleaning bathroom sinks, toilets, baths and showers
- Emptying bins and general tidying
- Making beds or changing linen if agreed
What can push the price up
- A home that hasn't been professionally cleaned for a long time
- Pets, heavy limescale or lots of clutter to work around
- Short-notice or weekend bookings
- Adding ironing, oven cleaning or interior windows
What can bring it down
- Booking a regular weekly or fortnightly slot
- Tidying before the cleaner arrives so time goes on cleaning
- Providing your own products and vacuum, if the cleaner agrees
- Keeping the same agreed task list each visit
Why two quotes can look so different
- One quote is per hour and another is a fixed price per visit
- Different numbers of hours have been allowed for the same home
- Supplies, VAT or travel are included in one price but not the other
- Agency quotes may include insurance, vetting and holiday cover that a sole trader handles differently
Information to give when you ask for a quote
- Number of bedrooms, bathrooms and reception rooms
- How often you want cleaning and on which days
- Any pets, and any rooms you'd rather were left alone
- Whether you'll supply products and a vacuum
- Extra tasks such as ironing, changing beds or inside appliances
- Your postcode and parking arrangements
Get a price for your own property
Published ranges are a starting point. The only way to know what your clean will cost is a quote based on your property, its condition and what you want included.
Get free domestic cleaning quotes
Common questions about prices
How much is a cleaner per hour in the UK?
Published UK price guides we reviewed mostly put regular domestic cleaning at around £15–£25 per hour, with London and the South East often higher. Your own quotes will depend on where you live, the size of your home and whether you hire an independent cleaner or a company.
How many hours does a cleaner need for a three-bedroom house?
For regular maintenance cleaning, many three-bedroom homes are cleaned in about two and a half to four hours, depending on the number of bathrooms, how often the home is cleaned and what's included. The first visit may take longer.
Is fortnightly cleaning cheaper than weekly?
It costs less per month, but each fortnightly visit may take longer than a weekly one because more dirt builds up in between. Ask cleaners to estimate the hours for both options.
Do cleaners bring their own products?
Some do and some use yours. Companies are more likely to bring their own. Ask when you request quotes, as it can affect the price and what products are used in your home.
Do I need to pay a cleaner's holiday or tax?
If you hire a self-employed cleaner or a cleaning company, they are normally responsible for their own tax and insurance. Employing a cleaner directly can bring employer responsibilities, so check GOV.UK guidance if you're unsure which arrangement applies.
Sources
Ranges on this page are summarised from the following published UK price guides, reviewed in November 2026. They describe typical market prices, not the prices of any particular company, and are not our own prices.
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