MoveNaraThe move-out clean that protects your deposit
For renters, the move-out clean is not a chore, it is deposit money. The lease defines what clean means, the landlord decides whether you hit it, and photographs decide any argument after the fact. The sequence below keeps all three on your side.
Start with the lease
Check what your lease actually requires: some name professional carpet cleaning, inside-appliance cleaning, or receipts. In Canada, deposit and damage rules differ by province, so check the rules where you live before assuming what can be charged against you.
Schedule it after the truck is loaded
You cannot clean a room that still has furniture in it. Book the clean, hired or DIY, for after loading, and remember that move-out cleans book up at month-end just like movers do. Keep utilities on at the old place through cleaning day; you will want lights and hot water.
If you hire: what the quote hides
What the price covers
“What is included at this price, and what sits on the add-on list?”
Inside appliances
“Does this cover inside the oven, fridge, and cabinets, or are those extra?”
Flat rate or hourly
“Is this a flat price for the whole job, or an hourly rate with a minimum?”
Condition surcharge
“Do you charge more if the place is dirtier than expected, and who decides that?”
Return visit policy
“If my landlord or agent flags something later, will you come back? Is there a charge for that visit?”
Reschedule terms
“What happens to the price if I have to move the date, since move dates often slip?”
Typical cleaning prices
Checked Aug 2026. Comparing even two quotes commonly saves $50 to $150.
- United States, standard clean: $100 to $300, average around $180.
- United States, deep or move-out clean: $200 to $450.
- Canada, per cleaner: $35 to $65 an hour.
- Canada, move-out clean, most homes: $250 to $450.
- Canada, larger homes: up to $600.
The final sweep and photos
After the place is empty and clean, photograph every room, then hand back the keys. Those photos are your deposit insurance: if a damage claim arrives later, you have the closing state of the home on record with a date.
Questions
How much does a move-out clean cost?
Typically $200 to $450 in the US and $250 to $450 in Canada for most homes, more for larger ones (checked Aug 2026). A basic-clean quote often excludes inside appliances, so ask what is included.
Can my landlord charge me for cleaning?
If the place is not returned as clean as the lease requires, commonly yes, against the deposit. Rules differ by region and by province in Canada. The lease plus dated photos of the cleaned, empty rooms are your protection.
Should I clean the new place before moving in?
Yes, and before the furniture arrives if you possibly can. An empty home is the only time cleaning is easy. See our empty-house window guide.
Your dates change the order. MoveNara puts every step above on your calendar, next to the other services, and tracks what's actually confirmed, not just requested.
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