How much does it cost to hire a housekeeper?

Reviewed by Cristina Miguelez remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

With everyday obligations piling up, finding the time to keep your home clean and tidy can be difficult. Housekeeping services can take care of the cleaning for you, giving you more time to relax or focus on other important tasks. In addition, housekeeping services improve the quality of your life. A clean and orderly home reduces stress and creates a more pleasant and healthy living environment. Regardless of the cause, those struggling to keep up with the day-to-day tasks of running a household may want to consider hiring some help.

The national average housekeeping cost is between $140 and $650. Most homeowners spend $440 per month to clean a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home once every week. At the low end of the spectrum, a monthly housekeeping service for a small, 1,000 sq.ft. home would be $70. At the high end, you can pay up to $4,500 per month to hire a professional live-in maid to perform multiple household chores in a big home.

Housekeeping Prices

Housekeeping vs House Cleaning

Most people use the terms "housekeeping" and "house cleaning" interchangeably. However, there are some significant differences between the two services. Housekeeping generally refers to the regular upkeep of a home, such as dusting, vacuuming, and doing laundry. It may also include other services like personal assistance, house organization, pet care, child care, cooking, and shopping, which are not offered with house cleaning. House cleaning, on the other hand, is usually a more thorough service that includes deep cleaning all areas in a home. While housekeepers typically visit a home on a recurring schedule, house cleaners are usually only called in for special occasions like moving out of a property or after a major house upgrade. Housekeeping services rates are also different for the two, so hiring the type of service you need is important to avoid overspending.

Average Price for a Housekeeper by Type

The average price for a housekeeper is $1,500 to $4,500 per month, depending on what type of housekeeper you hire. There are two types of housekeepers: full-time and live-in. The cost of hiring a full-time or live-in housekeeper varies depending on several factors, such as the size of your home, its condition, how frequently it needs to be cleaned, and what cleaning services are expected from the professional. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to keeping the house organized and clean. Every household requires a different type of housekeeper. The table below shows how much you can expect to spend per month on each type of housekeeper.

Full-Time Housekeeper

A full-time housekeeper costs $1,500 to $2,500 per month. A full-time housekeeping service provides a wide range of services to keep your home clean and clutter-free. Most full-time housekeepers come to your home five times per week and perform tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and cleaning bathrooms. They usually work on a schedule you agree on upfront and return to their home after completing their task. The cost of a full-time housekeeper includes the visit and sometimes a meal and cleaning supplies, depending on your arrangement.

Live-In Housekeeper

The live-in housekeeper costs $2,000 to $4,500 per month. This is the most common type of housekeeper, typically living in a separate part of the house, such as an apartment, suite, or maid’s quarters. This gives homeowners more flexibility and includes more comprehensive care of the home. However, aside from the cost of hiring the live-in housekeeper, consider the cost of their food, utilities, and room and board. Hiring a live-in housekeeper is a great option for people who often have clutter in their homes, have bigger homes, or have multiple children but cannot upkeep the home due to personal or health concerns.

Housekeeping Services Cost by Frequency

Depending on the frequency of visits, monthly housekeeping prices range from $120 to $2,000. Housekeepers typically charge $120 to $300 for the first visit, and then the price per visit from your arrangement. Housekeeping services are typically performed on a rotating basis, usually daily, weekly, or monthly. The frequency of visits depends on the individual agreement between the homeowner and the service provider. As a result, homeowners can expect their homes to be clean and tidy regularly. The table below shows the price per visit for each housekeeping cleaning frequency.

Daily Housekeeper

When you hire daily housekeeping services, you can expect to pay $50 to $100 per visit. They come to your home daily to do general cleaning and household chores. Some of the most common tasks performed during daily housekeeping services include dusting, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning bathrooms, and taking out the trash. Many companies offer additional services such as laundry and cleaning the oven.

Weekly Housekeeper

The average cost of a weekly housekeeper is $75 to $200 per visit, which includes regular weekly visits on the day and time you agree with the service provider. Weekly housekeeping services typically include cleaning, sweeping and mopping the floors, and general cleaning of the kitchen and bathroom. In addition, many companies also offer additional services such as laundry, ironing, oven cleaning, and window washing.

Monthly Housekeeping

Monthly housekeeping costs $120 to $400 per visit. Monthly cleaners come to your home once a month and take care of all cleaning tasks that are difficult to keep up with on your own. This usually includes dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and cleaning the bathrooms and kitchen. In addition, monthly housekeeping services often include laundry and ironing and additional services such as window washing and organization.

Average Housekeeping Rates by Charging Method

Average housekeeping rates are $0.07 to $20 per sq.ft., $20 to $80 per room, or $20 to $80 per hour, depending on the charging method. The most common charging method is by the number of rooms or square footage of the home when you hire a company and by the hour when you hire an independent contractor. When hiring a housekeeper, discuss all expectations and desired services upfront so you can agree on a fair rate for both parties.

Many factors affect the cost of housekeeping services. The size of the home, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the level of cleanliness required all play a role in determining the price. In addition, special cleaning requirements such as carpet cleaning or window washing may incur additional charges. Perhaps the most important factor in setting the price is the time needed to complete the job. This table shows the average housekeeping service prices based on the charging method.

Housekeeping Cost per Square Foot

When hiring a housekeeping service that is charged per square foot, you can expect a rate of $0.07 to $0.20 per sq.ft. Typically, the larger the home, the higher the cost per square foot. This is because cleaning a larger space takes more time and effort. In addition, homes with more bedrooms and bathrooms tend to be more expensive to clean than smaller homes because the square footage is higher.

Housekeeping Cost per Room

The average housekeeping cost per room ranges between $20 and $80. The exact cost depends on several factors like the size of the room, the condition it’s in, and the cleaning service you need. Some rooms are also faster and cheaper to clean. Cleaning a laundry room, mudroom, or a half bath costs less than cleaning a full bathroom or kitchen. Each room takes between an hour and three hours to clean. Dirtier rooms take more time to clean. If you want to include your basement, garage, or attic in the housekeeping service, expect the rates to be higher. However, these rooms are also cleaned through one-time cleaning services rather than housekeeping, so the housekeeping rates per room you get will mostly include the common house rooms.

Housekeeping Rates per Hour

Housekeeping costs per hour range from $20 to $80 per hour. Rates vary depending on the type of services requested, the size of the home, and the location. For example, basic cleaning services such as vacuuming and dusting may cost less than more intensive services such as deep-cleaning a kitchen or scrubbing a bathroom. Individual housekeepers may also charge less than companies.

Housekeeping Fees by Type of Service

The average cost of housekeeping services depends on what you need, with most services being charged per hour at a rate of $20 to $80. Some services like laundry are charged $5 to $20 per load. Childcare services are usually negotiated as a full-time service for $1,500 to $2,500 per month. Some housekeepers can be hired for light housekeeping tasks like doing the laundry and cooking. Others may be hired for more personal things like shopping or personal assistance around the home. Individuals and companies may offer these services as part of a package or offer each individually. When charged individually, here is how much you can expect to spend on each.

Pros and Cons

Housekeeping services can be a great way to free up time and energy, but weighing the pros and cons before deciding is important. They can greatly help busy families, providing much-needed assistance with cleaning, laundry, and other household chores. One of the biggest upsides of housekeeping is that your home will be clean and bacteria-free, which benefits the health of everyone living in it. Since the home will be clean at all times, families can relax and spend time together more often and entertain guests more often. In addition, having a clean home gives you more time to focus on other tasks and enjoy your hobbies and leisure time. Finally, a clean home has many psychological benefits.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider. One concern is the cost. The price of housekeeping services can be expensive. Also, it may not be possible to find a service that fits within your budget. Another concern is privacy. It can be difficult to maintain a sense of privacy and personal space when strangers come into your home regularly. Finally, entrusting your home and belongings to strangers can be stressful. It is important to do your research to make sure you are working with a trustworthy company.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Deep Cleaning

The cost of deep cleaning ranges from $200 to $400. The housekeeping service provider may recommend deep cleaning before starting the regular housekeeping schedule to ensure everything is clean. Deep cleaning ensures the health of your family and the longevity of your home. Removing dirt, dust, and other allergens from your home prevents pests and extends the life of your furniture and flooring by removing built-up grime that damages surfaces.

Carpet Cleaning

Hiring carpet cleaning services costs $75 to $300. It is usually done before starting the regular housekeeping visits to ensure everything in the home is clean and well maintained. Carpets can be a magnet for dirt, dust, and pet hair, leading to strong odors and stained carpets. Carpet cleaning removes dirt and grime and extends your carpets' life. Regular carpet cleaning removes harmful allergens from your home, improving indoor air quality.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Insurance. Some companies offer insurance for housekeeping services, which typically covers damages that occur during the performance of the services but may also extend to injuries that occurred while the housekeeper was on the job.
• Guarantees. Some cleaning companies offer a satisfaction guarantee that you will be happy with the results after they complete the cleaning. If you are not, they will revisit your home and clean it again.
• Saving tips. Ask if your company has discount offers. You may be able to pay a lower than average cost for cost housekeeping services if you are a new customer, bring a referral, or hire recurring services.
• Insured professionals. Make sure to hire a verified, insured professional with a clean background. This ensures your personal belongings and the safety of your home are always protected.
• Cleaning supplies. The provider of cleaning supplies should also be discussed upfront. Some professionals require the homeowner to provide basic cleaning supplies like sponges, rags, a mop, and a vacuum. Others may bring everything they need to clean the house.
• Pets. Some companies charge a fee of $20 to $50 for households with pets. This is mainly due to the extra work required to clean the furniture, floors, carpets, and other items in the house from pet residue.
• Natural cleaning supplies. If you want eco-friendly cleaning supplies, expect the cost to increase to about $5 to $15 per visit.