Between a full-time career, household chores, and family duties, it’s almost impossible to find time for yourself sometimes. When you’re running yourself ragged, you deserve a few moments to spend your way, so why not start by cutting out the six hours you spend cleaning each week?
House cleaning services can be your ticket to freedom when the stress is becoming too much to tolerate. And fortunately, finding help at an affordable price doesn’t have to be a distant dream. If you’re ready to turn free time and a sparkling clean home into a reality, we’ll discuss the cost of house cleaning services in Orange County.
How Much Do Cleaning Services in Orange County Cost?
Maid services cost $30–$60 per hour in Orange County, though many businesses typically charge a flat upfront rate after assessing your needs. House size, number of rooms, and cleanliness level will determine your final cleaning costs. Cleaning a one-bedroom apartment, which may only take one person 1–2 hours, will often cost under $100, while a 3-bedroom home cleaning can take 3–4 hours and cost $120–$250.
How Do Maids Set Their Prices?
Maids typically set a flat rate for recurring services after assessing your home’s size, layout, and cleanliness. The first visit commonly costs more, as cleaners take longer and usually perform a deep clean to refresh the space. If you are starting service with a new company, or if it has been several months since your last cleaning, many companies require a deep cleaning.
Pricing By Size
Some house cleaners charge a flat rate per square foot of space or per room. Standard house cleaning services typically cost about $0.07–$0.15 per square foot. If your cleaner charges by the number of rooms, each additional bedroom or bathroom adds 30–60 minutes to the cleaning time, so you can expect to pay an extra $25–$50 per room.
Project Costs: Factors that Affect Cleaner Pricing
It’s tempting to choose the cheapest possible option for many luxury services like cleaning. But in most cases, you’re better off finding the best professional cleaning service that fits your budget at the cleaning frequency you need. House cleaning services factor various project and operating costs into their pricing, such as:
- Equipment and material costs
- Travel costs
- Insurance
- Employee training and certification
You usually get some value out of any extra amount you pay. For instance, cleaners may charge more if they have better insurance, which offers you peace of mind, or if they use higher quality cleaning products that keep you safe and create a cleaner home.
What Is Included in a House Cleaning Service?
Recurring house cleaning services cover general cleaning duties to refresh the look and feel of your home. Some of the work you can expect during a standard cleaning includes:
- Wiping down counters, tables, and sinks
- Cleaning cabinet and appliance exterior surfaces
- Sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping floors
- Dusting shelves and other surfaces
- Removing trash and recycling
- Washing mirrors and interior windows
Specialty House Cleaning Services
Independent contractors are more likely to let you pick the exact services you want, but some house cleaning companies also allow a certain level of customization. Instead of doing a deep clean on the entire house, you may want to choose one or two specialty services to go along with your standard house cleaning, such as:
- Carpet steaming and shampooing
- Vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping floors
- Dishwashing and laundry services
- Grout and tile scrubbing
- Exterior window washing
- Baseboard cleaning
With the rising popularity of green cleaning supplies, many services also offer eco-friendly products as alternatives to their usual cleaners. These usually come with an additional charge due to the material cost, but it may be worthwhile to pay the extra expense if you have health concerns in the household.
How Long Does a House Cleaning Take?
Project time can vary a lot based on the size of your home and the particulars of your job, but it typically takes 3–4 hours for one house cleaner to finish a multi-bedroom home. A deep clean generally takes twice as long, with an average cost of $250–$500.
How Often Should I Have a Maid Service?
The perfect professional cleaner will fit your budget and work on a practical cleaning schedule. As much as we may love the idea of having a cleaner take care of every little chore, it just isn’t financially feasible. Fortunately, most independent contractors and many house cleaning companies allow you to change the frequency of your recurring visits.
Daily Cleaning Services and Live-In Maids
Live-in maids typically command an annual salary of $30,000–$60,000 while also getting room and board. Daily house cleaning services, by contrast, arrive at your home to clean and perform housekeeping duties for a few hours each day. These cleaners usually charge more per hour than a live-in maid, but the total cost is much less because you only pay their wages and don’t employ them full time. A daily cleaner can cost $50–$200 a day, depending on the hours and services.
Weekly and Bi-Weekly House Cleaning Services
Many people book weekly or bi-weekly house cleaning services as a middle ground where affordable prices meet regular help. Weekly service will tend to cost less per visit because there will usually be less mess to clean. Plus, maids are more likely to give better rates with more frequent cleaning services. Still, cleaning your house every two weeks will cost much less each year than having a once-a-week service.
Monthly Cleaning Services
Weekly house cleaning services make the most sense for individuals with large houses and even larger families, but if you live in a smaller abode by yourself, you may only need a standard cleaning once a month to refresh your space. Monthly house cleaning services are usually pricier than weekly visits by about $50–$100, but many cleaners will give you a better price if you sign up for recurring services.
One-Time Cleaning Services
One-time cleanings are the most expensive options and are generally reserved for unique and infrequent occasions. A typical one-time project might be a move-out cleaning to redeem a security deposit, a pre-party cleanup to prepare for hosting, or a vacation rental cleaning in between guests.
Hiring an Independent Contractor
Independent contractors often charge less than professional house cleaning companies, but you have to be more discerning with the quality. Some house cleaners depend on you to provide cleaning supplies, and unless you book with a service like Anita’s, there isn’t always a guarantee that they have undergone background checks.
Customization is an essential benefit of working with many independent maids. If you need help with housekeeping duties or running errands, they will often gladly take on the extra responsibilities. Along with keeping your home cleaned, many cleaners can take care of laundry services, grocery shopping, or meal preparation as additional services.
Working with a Professional House Cleaning Service
Professional cleaning services have a higher average cost than most independent contractors, but they tend to justify their prices with more assurances. A typical cleaning business provides liability insurance, employee training, and satisfaction guarantees to ensure quality service and prompt remediation if anything goes wrong when they clean your home.
Unfortunately, rigid business practices also make it less likely that professional cleaning businesses will accommodate unique requests. If you need any “above and beyond” help, such as running errands or doing laundry, it’s best to look for an independent maid.
How to Hire a House Cleaner
Costs and quality often have a direct relationship when it comes to choosing a house cleaner, but that doesn’t mean that some aren’t a better value than others. Before you book a service, follow these simple tips to get the best bang for your buck.
Check Reviews and Get References
Read online reviews to get an accurate idea of how your cleaning experience will play out, and look for individuals with consistently positive track records. References are even better. Friends and family members know your life, so they are likely to recommend excellent fits for your needs.
Pay Attention to the Location
Cleaning services in Orange are widespread, and you stand to get a better value if you find a cleaner close to your home. You’ll reduce any potential travel costs and avoid missed appointment times by working with nearby cleaners.
Confirm the Service and Supplies
Clarity is essential to avoid disappointment in your service. Part of that entails a walkthrough detailing the specifics of the cleaning job so you can get a realistic cost estimate. It also involves confirming the equipment quality and who will provide the supplies, which is crucial when you work with an independent cleaner.
Book an Expert House Cleaner
Getting some help around the house can change your life, but finding reliable cleaning services in Orange County isn’t always easy. If you want to skip the stress of searching and take the shortcut to top-rated cleaning professionals near you, it’s time to book with Anita’s! Our simple system lets you customize your service and connect with vetted, experienced, and available experts based on your unique needs. Take a few minutes to request a booking today, and see how easy and affordable it can be to reclaim your free time!
