Why Move-Out Cleans Are a Profit Goldmine
Move-out cleans pay 2–3x a standard clean, require no recurring scheduling, and come with built-in demand: every lease ends, every house sale closes, every tenant moves out. If you can build a steady pipeline through realtors and property managers, it's some of the most profitable work in residential cleaning.
Pricing Move-Out Cleans
Move-outs are deeper than a standard clean and the home is empty, which actually slows things down (no furniture to clean around means cleaning everything). Typical rates:
- Studio / 1-bed: $200–$300
- 2-bed: $300–$450
- 3-bed: $450–$650
- 4+ bed: $650–$1,000+
Add-ons:
- Inside fridge: $30–$50
- Inside oven: $30–$50
- Inside cabinets: $40–$80
- Garage: $50–$100
- Wall washing: $1–$2 per sq ft
- Carpet cleaning (subcontracted): $30–$50/room markup
The Move-Out Checklist
Every move-out should include:
- Kitchen: Inside/outside cabinets, drawers, fridge, oven, microwave, dishwasher, sink, countertops, backsplash, floor
- Bathrooms: Tub/shower (including grout), toilet (inside and behind), vanity, mirrors, cabinets, floor
- Bedrooms: Closet floors and shelves, baseboards, window sills, ceiling fans, light fixtures
- Living areas: Baseboards, windowsills, light switches, door frames, vents
- Throughout: Cobweb removal, dust everything down, floors mopped/vacuumed, blinds wiped
Print the checklist. Cleaners check off as they go. Photograph the finished space. This protects you from "the security deposit was withheld because of cleaning" disputes.
Scope Creep: The Move-Out Killer
The biggest mistake: agreeing to a flat price without seeing the property. Empty homes hide damage. Walls covered in scuffs, fridges that haven't been touched in a year, hidden water damage under sinks. Always:
- Walk through before quoting (in-person or via video call)
- Document condition with photos before you start
- Quote separately for unusual damage (heavy scuffs, mold, hoarding)
- Cap included hours in your contract: "Quote covers up to 8 hours; additional time at $60/hr"
Where the Work Comes From
- Real estate agents: Listing agents need pre-listing cleans; buyer's agents recommend move-in cleans. One realtor can send you 2–5 jobs per month.
- Property managers: They turn over rental units constantly. One PM with 50 units = 50+ turnovers per year.
- Apartment complexes: Large complexes need a reliable turnover crew. Negotiate volume pricing.
- Tenants directly: Many tenants will pay for a move-out clean to recover their deposit. Market on Nextdoor and local Facebook groups.
Building the Realtor Pipeline
Find the top 20 agents in your area on Zillow. Drop off coffee gift cards with a one-page flyer: "I clean houses before they go on market. Sparkling = faster sale = happier client." Follow up monthly. One agent in your corner is worth $20K–$50K/year.
Pitfalls
- Don't undercut: Tenants will lowball you. Hold your price — they're paying with their deposit money anyway.
- Avoid hoarding situations: If a home has obvious hoarding, that's a different (and specialized) service — refer it out or quote 3x.
- Get paid up front for unknown clients: Especially with tenants you've never worked with. Move-outs are one-shots; chasing payment later is painful.