How Much Does a Cleaner Cost in the UK?

8 September 20268 min read

If you are weighing up hiring a cleaner, the first question is almost always the same: what will it cost? The honest answer is that it depends on where you live, the size and state of your home, and whether you want a regular visit or a one-off job. This guide sets out the going rates in 2026 so you can judge a quote before you accept it.

The short answer

For a regular domestic clean, most UK households pay £18 to £22 per hour. London and the South East run higher, typically £22 to £28, and a vetted independent cleaner working without an agency often charges £14 to £18. One-off jobs — end of tenancy, a deep clean, an after-builders clean — are usually quoted per job rather than per hour, and start at around £150 for a small flat.

Those are the numbers to hold in your head. The rest of this page explains what sits behind them.

Hourly rates for domestic cleaning

A standard weekly or fortnightly clean is priced by the hour. The rate covers the cleaner's time, travel, insurance and wear on their equipment. Across the UK the typical band is:

£18–£22/hr — most of the country, for a regular booked visit
£22–£28/hr — London and the South East, and premium agencies in central postcodes
£14–£18/hr — an established independent cleaner you book directly, without an agency in the middle

The gap between an independent and an agency is not pure profit. An agency rate usually includes vetting, public liability cover, a replacement cleaner when yours is ill or on holiday, and someone to call if something goes wrong. Booking an independent directly is cheaper, but you are taking on those checks yourself.

What "per hour" includes — and what it doesn't

A standard clean is the routine upkeep of a home: hoovering and mopping floors, wiping kitchen surfaces and the outside of appliances, cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms, dusting, emptying bins, and tidying as they go. What it does not automatically include:

Inside the oven, inside the fridge, inside the freezer
Interior windows (and never exterior — that is a separate trade)
Ironing and laundry
Walls, skirting boards, and light fittings beyond a quick dust
Clearing heavy clutter before the actual cleaning can start

None of these are unreasonable to ask for — just agree them up front so they are in the quote, not a surprise on the day. Many cleaners will do an oven or a set of windows as a bolt-on for an extra £15–£30.

One-off jobs are priced differently

A deep clean or a move-related clean is quoted per job, because the work is defined by the property rather than by an hour on the clock. As a rough guide for 2026:

End of tenancy clean: £150–£200 for a one-bed flat, £200–£280 for two beds, £280–£400 for a three-bed house, more above that
Deep clean of an occupied home: usually £150–£300 depending on size and how long since the last one
After-builders clean: priced on inspection — dust gets everywhere and it takes longer than people expect

Carpet cleaning, oven cleaning and upholstery are normally charged on top of any of these.

Commercial and office cleaning

Business cleaning is a different market. Standard commercial cleaning runs £15–£30 per hour, with £18–£25 the usual core band and London higher at £25–£40. Larger contracts are often priced by floor area instead — roughly £0.10–£0.30 per square foot per visit. Out-of-hours work (early mornings, evenings, weekends) carries a premium, and a monthly contract for a small office on a light schedule can start under £150.

What changes your price

Two quotes for what looks like the same house can differ by a third. The usual reasons:

Frequency. A weekly slot is cheaper per visit than fortnightly, which is cheaper than a one-off, because the home stays on top of and the cleaner can plan their round.
Size and condition. Bedrooms and bathrooms are the main drivers. A home that has been let go takes longer to bring back and the first clean often costs more.
Products and equipment. Most cleaners bring their own; if you want specific eco or fragrance-free products, say so.
Access and parking. A third-floor flat with no lift, or a permit-only street with nowhere to stop, adds time.
Where you are. Rates track local wages and cost of living, which is why London and the South East sit above the rest of the country.

How to get an accurate quote

Rates online are a sanity check, not a quote. To get a real figure:

1Decide what you want done — regular upkeep, or a specific one-off job — and note anything outside a standard clean.
2Get quotes from two or three cleaners covering your area so you can compare like for like.
3Ask what is included, what counts as an extra, and whether the first visit costs more.

You can browse verified cleaners by county to find companies that cover your area, or post what you need and let local cleaners send you quotes.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to hire a cleaner directly or through an agency?

Directly is usually cheaper — an independent cleaner often charges £14–£18 per hour against an agency's £18–£25. The agency price buys vetting, insurance, holiday and sickness cover, and a point of contact if there is a problem. If you book directly you take on those checks yourself.

How much should I pay a cleaner per hour in London?

In 2026, £22–£28 per hour through an agency is normal for central and inner London, with premium services charging £30 or more. A vetted independent cleaner in London typically charges £16–£20 per hour.

Do I need to provide cleaning products and equipment?

Usually not — most cleaners bring their own hoover, mop and products, and the hourly rate reflects that. If you would rather they used your products, or you have specific requirements, agree it before the first visit.

Should I tip my cleaner?

Tipping is not expected for a regular booked clean in the UK, though many people give something at Christmas or for a particularly good job. A one-off end-of-tenancy or deep clean is priced as a complete service and does not need a tip.