Most apartment cleaning services offer tiered plans that vary wildly in scope—what's "standard" at one company might cost 50% more elsewhere or skip your kitchen entirely. Understanding exactly what fits into a baseline package helps you avoid overpaying for services you don't need or discovering mid-appointment that your bathroom wasn't actually included.
What Standard Apartment Cleaning Plans Typically Cover
A standard cleaning package for apartments usually runs $150–$300 per visit depending on size, layout, and your location. This baseline typically assumes a one-to-three-bedroom unit between 800–1,200 square feet. Larger luxury buildings or penthouses operate on custom quotes.
In most cases, a standard plan includes:
- Kitchen: stovetop, sink, counters, and cabinet exteriors (not deep interior shelving or appliance backs)
- Bathrooms: toilet, sink, mirror, shower/tub walls, and floor; excludes grout sealing or tile restoration
- Bedrooms and living areas: vacuuming, dusting surfaces, and mopping hard floors
- General: trash removal, sweeping, and basic dusting of ceiling fans and light fixtures
What Gets Left Out of Standard Plans
This is where surprises happen. Most standard packages do not include:
- Inside refrigerators, ovens, or appliance interiors
- Window washing (interior or exterior)
- Carpet steam cleaning or stain removal
- Baseboards, crown molding, or wall spot-cleaning
- Balconies, patios, or outdoor spaces
- Laundry or ironing services
- Organizing closets or decluttering
If your lease move-out requires a "move-out clean," expect to pay $200–$500 extra because it typically demands oven cleaning, interior fridge scrubbing, and window detail work. Always ask upfront whether your service includes these or bundles them as add-ons.
Frequency and Scheduling Flexibility
Most apartment cleaning companies offer weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly service. Weekly appointments often qualify for a discount—around 10–15% off the per-visit rate. For apartments in building complexes with shared hallways or lobbies, confirm whether the cleaner can access your unit without a key card or building manager check-in; this affects scheduling reliability.
Many services now offer same-week booking through apps or online platforms. If you're comparing options, Mercoly lets you view available apartment and condo cleaning providers in your area side-by-side, check their specific plan breakdowns, and read reviews from other residents in similar buildings.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Does the price change based on clutter levels? Some cleaners charge extra if they need to move items around to dust, or if there's significant tidying first. This is rare but worth confirming.
Are cleaning supplies included or BYOB? Budget cleaners sometimes ask you to provide vacuum bags, paper towels, or specific disinfectants—this can add $20–$50 monthly to your actual cost.
What happens if something breaks? Reputable services carry liability insurance. Ask if they cover accidental damage, and request proof of coverage.
Is there a contract or cancellation fee? Month-to-month is increasingly standard, but some companies lock you into 3–6 month minimums. Avoid this unless you're getting a notable discount.
Red Flags in Standard Plans
If a company quotes significantly below market rate ($80–$120 for a two-bedroom), investigate whether they're cutting corners on quality, rushing appointments, or if their "standard" plan is actually stripped down (one cleaner for 90 minutes instead of two for two hours, for example).
Avoid services that refuse a walk-through or photo documentation before the first appointment. A legitimate cleaner wants to set expectations and identify any challenges unique to your building or unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If I live in a condo with a doorman, does that affect pricing? Most cleaners charge the same rate; doorman access is usually seamless. However, confirm with your service that they can coordinate entry on schedule—some buildings have specific check-in procedures that add 10–15 minutes.
Q: Can I request specific cleaning products (hypoallergenic, eco-friendly)? Yes, but expect to pay for the products themselves plus potentially a small upcharge ($10–$25) for non-standard supplies; always discuss this during booking to avoid surprises.
Q: Do standard plans include cleaning inside the bathroom exhaust fan or washing walls? No—those fall into deep or specialized cleaning and typically cost $50–$100 extra. Standard plans usually only include surface cleaning on visible bathroom fixtures.
Start comparing local apartment cleaning services today to find transparent pricing that matches your actual needs.