Estimate the cost to prepare a new home or apartment before unpacking. Use the empty space to reach floors, cabinets, closets, appliances, kitchens, and bathrooms, then adjust the calculator for the home's size, condition, and the add-ons you want.
Estimated Move-In Cleaning Cost
Most likely estimateAverage Estimate$468.50
Low Estimate$398.22
High Estimate$538.78
This planning range reflects the home size, bedrooms, bathrooms, cleaning type, condition, frequency, and move-in add-ons selected above.
This is an educational estimate, not a guaranteed quote. Ask the cleaner which cabinet, closet, appliance, and sanitizing tasks are included before booking.
What affects move-in cleaning cost?
Cost factor
Why it matters before unpacking
Home or apartment size
Larger empty homes have more floors, rooms, fixtures, shelves, and surfaces to prepare.
Kitchens and bathrooms
Sanitizing counters, sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, and appliance surfaces can take detailed work.
Dust and prior use
Construction dust, vacancy dust, grease, pet hair, or residue left by prior occupants can increase the effort.
Cabinets and closets
Empty storage spaces are accessible before unpacking, but interior wiping may be outside a provider's base package.
Selected add-ons
Appliance interiors, windows, baseboards, and pet-hair cleanup expand the requested scope.
Common move-in cleaning add-ons
Cleaning inside an oven or refrigerator
Wiping detailed baseboards and trim
Cleaning interior windows and reachable tracks
Removing pet hair left in floor edges
Wiping inside empty kitchen cabinets
Dusting closet shelves before clothes are unpacked
Use the available calculator add-ons for appliance, baseboard, window, and pet-hair work. Confirm cabinet and closet interiors separately because providers define move-in packages differently.
Move-in cleaning cost example
For a vacant 1,500–2,000 square foot home with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, average condition, one-time move-in cleaning, and inside oven cleaning, the calculator shows:
Low estimate: $398.22
Average estimate: $468.50
High estimate: $538.78
The quote may change if the home has renovation dust, residue inside cabinets, heavily used appliances, or several closets that need detailed wiping before boxes arrive.
Plan the clean before unpacking
Schedule the clean after repairs or painting are finished but before movers bring in furniture and boxes. Empty rooms make it easier to reach floor edges, closet shelves, cabinet interiors, and the spaces around appliances.
List the kitchen and bathroom surfaces you want sanitized, note any dust or residue, and photograph condition concerns. Give each cleaner the same checklist so price comparisons reflect the same work.
Move-in cleaning cost FAQ
When should move-in cleaning be scheduled?
The easiest window is after repairs, painting, and contractor work are complete but before movers deliver furniture and boxes. This keeps rooms accessible and prevents new dust from settling after the clean.
Is move-in cleaning different from standard cleaning?
It can be more detailed because the home is empty and storage areas or appliance interiors may be accessible. Always compare the provider's actual checklist instead of relying only on the service name.
Can cleaners sanitize kitchens and bathrooms?
Many providers clean and sanitize common kitchen and bathroom surfaces, but methods and included areas differ. Ask about counters, sinks, toilets, tubs, showers, handles, and product preferences.
Are cabinets and closets included in move-in cleaning?
Not always. Empty cabinet and closet interiors may be included in a move-in package or quoted as detail work. Confirm shelves, drawers, doors, and closet rods before booking.
What if the new home has construction dust?
Tell the provider before the appointment. Fine renovation or construction dust can require different tools, repeated passes, and a post-construction scope rather than a routine move-in clean.
Can I choose another cleaning type?
Yes. Move-in cleaning is the default on this page, but the dropdown remains open so you can compare standard, deep, and move-out cleaning with the same home details.
