How Much Should You Pay a Maid for House Cleaning? See Rates
Understanding house cleaning service rates can be confusing with so many variables affecting the final price. From the size of your home to specialized services like carpet cleaning, knowing what influences costs helps you budget effectively. This guide breaks down the factors that determine pricing, average rates across different service types, and what to look for when comparing cleaning providers.
Rates for house cleaning in Canada can look very different from one household to the next, even within the same city. A fair price usually depends on how long the job takes, how many cleaners are sent, whether it’s routine or deep cleaning, and how much detail is expected. Understanding the main pricing drivers helps you compare quotes and set realistic expectations.
What influences house cleaning service pricing?
Pricing is usually shaped by labour time and the complexity of the work. Homes with heavy buildup (soap scum, grease, pet hair, or clutter) take longer, which increases the cost. Frequency also matters: recurring cleans (weekly or biweekly) often cost less per visit than a one-time cleaning because maintenance is faster than catch-up work. Location plays a role too, since wages, parking, and travel time can be higher in larger metro areas.
Typical hourly and flat rate structures
In Canada, you’ll typically see either hourly billing or a flat rate per visit. Hourly pricing can work well for smaller homes or for tasks with uncertain time (for example, a first-time clean). Flat rates are common for standard packages (such as “two-bedroom, two-bathroom maintenance clean”) because they give clearer predictability.
One important detail is whether the “hourly” price is per cleaner or for the full team. Some services send two cleaners; the per-hour figure may reflect two people working at once, which can finish faster but appears higher at first glance. Supplies may be included, or you might pay extra for specialty products.
How home size affects your cleaning costs
Square footage and layout often matter more than the number of bedrooms. A smaller home with two bathrooms can cost more than a larger home with one bathroom because bathrooms are time-intensive. Multiple floors, lots of glass, and high-touch surfaces (stainless steel, glossy cabinets) can also add time.
A practical way to estimate is to think in cleaning “zones”: kitchens and bathrooms tend to be the most detailed; bedrooms are usually faster unless there’s heavy dusting or frequent linen changes. If you want beds made, sheets changed, or extensive tidying, that may move the job from a basic clean to a more time-consuming visit.
Additional services and their costs
Many quotes cover a standard checklist (floors, surfaces, bathrooms, kitchen wipe-down). Extras can change the total meaningfully, so it helps to ask what’s included. Common add-ons include inside-oven cleaning, inside-fridge cleaning, interior window cleaning, baseboard detailing, blind cleaning, and laundry or linen changes.
Some add-ons are priced per item (for example, per appliance), while others are priced by time. If you’re comparing two quotes, confirm whether “deep clean” means detailed attention to edges, fixtures, and buildup removal, or simply more time allocated. The same label can describe different levels of work.
Comparing local cleaning service providers
Real-world pricing in Canada is often quoted as either an hourly rate or a per-visit flat rate. As a broad benchmark, many households see hourly pricing in the range of about 35–60 CAD per cleaner-hour, while team-based pricing may be quoted as roughly 70–120 CAD per hour for a two-cleaner team, depending on the city and scope. Flat-rate visits commonly land around 120–250 CAD for smaller apartments/condos, with larger homes and deeper cleans often ranging from about 250–600+ CAD. Move-in/move-out cleaning can be higher, especially if appliances, cabinets, and heavy buildup are included.
| Product/Service | Provider | Cost Estimation |
|---|---|---|
| Standard recurring house cleaning | Molly Maid (Canada locations) | Often quoted as a per-visit flat rate; many homes fall roughly in the 150–350 CAD range depending on size, condition, and frequency (estimate). |
| House cleaning (recurring or one-time) | Merry Maids (Canada locations) | Commonly quoted per visit; many requests land around 150–400 CAD depending on scope and home size (estimate). |
| House cleaning booked online | Scrubbi (Canada) | Frequently quoted as an upfront price; typical ranges often roughly 140–450 CAD depending on size and add-ons (estimate). |
| Eco-focused house cleaning (selected cities) | AspenClean (Canada) | Often priced per visit; many bookings may fall around 160–500 CAD depending on home size and service level (estimate). |
| Independent cleaners / task-based help | Taskrabbit (available in some Canadian cities) | Often hourly; many tasks are listed around 30–80 CAD per hour plus platform fees where applicable (estimate). |
Prices, rates, or cost estimates mentioned in this article are based on the latest available information but may change over time. Independent research is advised before making financial decisions.
To compare providers fairly, ask for the same scope in writing: number of cleaners, estimated time, whether supplies are included, what “deep clean” covers, and whether taxes, parking, or travel fees apply. That makes it easier to judge value without relying on a single headline rate.
A fair rate is one that matches the actual workload, is transparent about what’s included, and fits your home’s needs—whether you prefer predictable flat fees or flexible hourly billing. By clarifying the scope, confirming add-ons, and comparing like-for-like quotes, you can get a realistic sense of what house cleaning should cost in your area without overpaying or under-scoping the work.
