How Much Does a Maid Service Cost to Hire?

If you’ve ever assumed that a maid service is too expensive for you to justify, think again. Today, more busy and hard-working people than ever are turning to professional maids to have their homes cleaned from top to bottom. Hiring a cleaning service allows you the satisfaction of coming home to a clean space while also freeing up more of your valuable time.

So, how much does it cost to hire a maid, anyway? Costs can fluctuate based on a number of factors, including the region where you live. In general, however, Maid Sailors estimates that most homeowners spend between $100 and $300 for a professional cleaning service.

Factors Affecting the Cost of a Maid Service

Aside from your location, there are a few other factors that come into play when determining the cost of hiring a maid. BY having a better understanding of what these factors are, you can make an informed decision regarding whether hiring a cleaning service is right for you—and how you can possibly save some money in the process.

Number of Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Bedrooms and bathrooms tend to be some of the more time-consuming areas when it comes to house cleaning. Bathrooms often have nooks and crannies, such as showers and areas behind toilets, that take extra time and care to clean. Scrubbing toilets, disinfecting bathroom countertops, emptying trash cans, and cleaning baths and/or showers can also take a bit more time. This is why when you book a house-cleaning service, there’s a good chance the company will want to know how many bathrooms you have in your home.

The number of bedrooms typically isn’t as important, but it’s still something your cleaning company may ask about. This is especially true if you’re booking a cleaning service that includes making up beds and dusting.

Total Square Footage of Your Home

The overall square footage of your house may also come into play when it comes to quoting you a fair price on cleaning services. The more square footage your maid needs to clean, the longer the job will take. This is especially true when it comes to mopping, vacuuming, and sweeping floor space.

If you own a home and have an unfinished basement that doesn’t need to be cleaned as part of your services, be sure to let the company know so that this square footage isn’t taken into account when calculating your price.

Special Needs and Requests

If you have special requests for your cleaner that are not covered by the “typical” scope of service, you may be charged extra for these as well. For example, if you want your ceiling fans dusted but you have 12-foot ceilings in your home, you should expect to pay more because the maid will need to obtain, set up, and climb a ladder to dust your ceiling fans. Keep in mind that there are some requests your cleaner may not be able to fulfill, such as cleaning exterior windows on the second-floor to handling antiques.

Some cleaning services may also charge a little extra for homes that have pets. This is most common for homes with dogs, as dogs can be a safety concern for maids. Even a dog that is normally friendly can pose a threat and become territorial when an unfamiliar maid comes in to clean the home. Keep in mind that cleaning companies reserve the right to request that you keep pets (such as dogs and cats) crated or otherwise contained inside a room that does not need to be cleaned during service.

Cleaning Products Provided

The cost of your cleaning service may also depend on whether you’ll be providing your own cleaning products or requesting your cleaning company to provide them for you. Some companies may provide their own products at no additional cost to you, whereas others may charge you a flat fee. If you prefer your maid to use “green” cleaning products, you may need to provide these yourself or be prepared to pay more (though some companies will supply eco-friendly products at no additional fee).

In general, you should not expect to provide your own cleaning tools (such as vacuums and brooms). However, it’s always a good idea to check your service agreement before you sign it to be sure that your maid will be bringing these items.

Independent Maid vs. Cleaning Company

Another key factor that will influence the cost of your cleaning services is whether you’re hiring an independent contractor or booking through a reputable and established cleaning company. Generally, you’ll save money by hiring an independent contractor because these workers are usually more open to negotiating their fees. Independent maids can also be more flexible when it comes to their scheduling and their ability to accommodate special requests.

On the other hand, while you may spend more money to book through a cleaning company, you may be able to enjoy more peace of mind by doing so. That’s because cleaning companies will be licensed, bonded, and insured. They will also have multiple maids on their staff, so if the maid who was scheduled to clean your home falls ill or otherwise cannot make it, there should be no issues finding somebody to fill on their behalf.

Specific Services Included

Cleaning companies typically offer a selection of services to suit your needs, and pricing can vary depending on what you want to be done. For example, if you only need lighting cleaning and dusting done, you’ll certainly pay less than you would for a whole-house deep cleaning.

Some cleaning companies will have a few different packages that they offer, whereas others may essentially allow you to build your own cleaning package by hand-selecting the services you want to be done. Either way, you should expect to pay more as the number of services you request increases. Keep in mind that there are some cleaning services a maid may not be able to perform, such as washing your dishes or doing your laundry. This will all vary from one cleaning company to the next.

One-Time or Recurring Service?

In some cases, you may have the option to select your cleaning as a one-time service or a recurring one. Usually, if you enroll in a regular cleaning schedule/program, you’ll enjoy a modest discount on the company’s fees. If you do choose to enroll in a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cleaning service, keep in mind that you may be required to schedule a deep cleaning for your first appointment. This may cost you more money up-front but will make for quicker and cheaper cleaning appointments moving forward.

Hourly or Flat-Rate Fee?

Cleaning companies and maids may also vary with regards to how they charge for their services. Some cleaning companies may charge an hourly rate, whereas others may propose a flat fee for the specific cleaning tasks you want done. It is more common that independent contractor maids will charge by-the-hour and larger companies will offer flat fees.

Flat-fee pricing is generally preferred by those who want to know exactly how much they’re going to spend before they hire their maid, but you should do whatever you’re most comfortable with.

How to Save Money on Your Cleaning Services

These are just some of the most influential factors to the cost of a basic home cleaning service. If you’re thinking about trying out a cleaning service for the first time, of course you want to get the best value for your money. One thing to keep in mind is that many cleaning companies offer special discounts and other promotions for first-time customers. You may be able to save a percentage off your service or a flat dollar amount when you redeem a promotional code or discount offer. This is most commonly offered with a larger cleaning company than with an independent maid who charges by the hour.

Another way to potentially save money on your cleaning service is to enroll in a recurring plan. You can usually save a pretty penny on your cleaning services by committing to a few months’ worth at a time as opposed to only booking once. This may be a practical option if you’ll need your place professionally cleaned on a regular basis. Most cleaning companies offer weekly, bi-weekly, and even monthly plans to suit your needs and budget.

Last but not least, picking up a little before your maid arrives could also save you money. It may seem counterintuitive, but it’s true! Maids, especially those who are paid-by-the-hour, may need to spend a lot of time picking up clothes and other items off your floors and surfaces in order to vacuum, mop, dust, and clean. By simply taking a couple of minutes of your time to pick up before your maid arrives, you can help him or her optimize the job. Keep in mind that maid services charging a flat-rate fee may not pick up items that are impeding them from doing their job.

The Bottom Line on Cleaning Services

Yes, it will always be cheaper to handle your own household cleaning. However, when you factor in the actual value of your precious time, it’s easy to see why so many people turn to professional cleaning services instead. The small amount you’ll pay to have a maid take care of those tedious cleaning tasks can quickly pay off, allowing you to spend more time with loved ones and doing the things you truly enjoy.

Looking for a competitively priced maid service? Check out Maid Sailors! Contact us today at (212) 299-5170 to learn more or to schedule your first service with us.