How Much Does Home Cleaning Cost

Whether you’re a homeowner deciding to hire help or a cleaning business owner setting your rates, understanding home cleaning costs in Redwood City, California is essential. Costs are affected by many variables — from local market conditions and home size to service type and frequency.

In this guide, we’ll break down all the factors that affect pricing, share regional averages, and explain how services have trended in California over the last few years. This gives you a realistic, professional view of what it costs to keep a home clean in 2026.

Typical Cleaning Rates in Redwood City & California

Hourly Rates

For Redwood City specifically, professional cleaners typically charge around $30.63 per hour as a starting rate — often rising toward $39+ per hour depending on experience, company, and scope of work. This is about 29% higher than California’s average starting rate of $23.82 per hour, and significantly above the national average of $21.13 per hour.

In nearby cities like San Jose and Los Angeles, hourly rates are also elevated:

• San Jose: ~$26.74/hr average
• Los Angeles: ~$24.27/hr average

The Bay Area’s higher cost of living and labor demand drive these rates upward compared to many other parts of the U.S.

Flat or Per-Visit Pricing

Many cleaning companies also offer flat fee pricing per visit, especially for standard cleans. Estimates in the Redwood City area commonly range between $200 and $250 per visit for a typical home, with some jobs going as low as $132 or as high as $415+ depending on size and services included.

For comparison across the broader Bay Area:

• San Francisco: Standard cleans often average around $150–$250, while deep cleans can reach $250–$400+.
• San Mateo: Standard 1–2 bedroom homes often fall in the $140–$240 range, while larger 3–4 bedroom homes can be $280–$380+ per visit.

How Home Size & Layout Affect Costs

Small Homes & Apartments

Smaller spaces — like condos or 1–2 bedroom homes — typically cost less because they require less time and fewer resources. In the Bay Area, these jobs are often priced around $140–$240 per visit for standard cleaning.

Medium to Large Homes

For 3–4 bedroom homes and above, prices usually climb. Larger homes mean more floorspace, bathrooms, and surfaces — which increases labor time. Expect costs of $280–$380+ for standard visits, and significantly more if deep cleaning or add-ons are included.

Hourly vs Flat Fee

Cleaning companies may choose either model:

• Hourly: Good for deep or customized jobs — rates in Redwood City often start around $30/hr and go up.
• Flat fee: Common for recurring or standard maintenance cleaning — provides upfront pricing and convenience.

Types of Cleaning Services and Price Differences

Standard Cleaning

This is the most common service — focusing on general tidying, dusting, vacuuming, bathrooms, kitchens, and living areas. Standard cleaning typically costs:

• $150–$280 per visit nationally (varies by region).

In California, the Bay Area trend for standard cleaning is $150–$250+ depending on home size and service provider.

Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning includes detailed work — scrubbing baseboards, behind appliances, inside cabinets, and areas neglected over time. Because of the added labor:

• Costs typically range from $250–$400+ per visit in the Bay Area.

For larger homes or deep cleaning add-ons (like appliance interiors or high-touch disinfecting), you can expect costs to exceed standard visit prices.

Move-In / Move-Out Cleaning

These services prepare a home for new occupants or after a tenant leaves. Move-in or Move-out are often the most expensive standard job type because they require extra detail and time. Typical prices across California often reach:

• $300–$500+ per visit nationwide.

How Frequency Affects Cost

Cleaning companies frequently reward recurring customers with lower per-visit pricing because regular maintenance reduces total labor per visit:

• Weekly or bi-weekly services: Often cheaper per visit than one-time jobs.
• Monthly services: Priced higher than weekly due to more grime accumulation.
• One-time services: Usually priced higher because they require more setup and often deep cleaning.

Some cleaning providers in the Redwood City market offer discounts or package pricing for regular customers.

Key Cost Drivers: What Makes Cleaning More Expensive

Understanding why prices vary helps you plan your budget. Key factors include:

• Location & Labor Costs: Redwood City’s living costs are higher than average — and that impacts cleaning rates. Starting hourly rates here are about 29% above the California average.
• Home Size and Complexity: Square footage, number of rooms, and number of bathrooms are among the biggest cost factors. More rooms = more time = higher price.
• Type of Cleaning Needed: Standard jobs are less expensive than deep or move-out cleaning. Specialized services like inside appliances add to the total cost.
• Frequency of Cleanings: Regular customers often get lower rates, while one-time or sporadic cleanings cost more per visit.
• Company vs Independent Cleaner: Full-service companies often charge more than individual cleaners because they provide:
  • Insured and background-checked staff
  • Quality guarantees
  • Professional equipment and products

These added layers of protection and reliability can justify slightly higher prices.

How Costs Have Trended in California (Past 5 Years)

While we don’t have a single dataset covering every year, pricing trends from multiple cost guides indicate gradual increases over time:

• Pre-2020 average rates nationally were typically $25–$50 per hour for professional house cleaning.
• By 2024–2025, California’s Bay Area markets — including Redwood City — saw average starting hourly rates rise into the $30+ per hour range due to labor market tightening and inflation.
• Flat per-visit pricing for standard cleans has generally increased in the region to the $200–$250+ range.

This reflects broader service-industry trends where labor costs, supplies, fuel, and business overhead influence pricing year over year.

Additional Services That Add to Cost

Professional cleaning companies often offer add-ons that can increase your total bill:

• Inside refrigerator or oven cleaning: $10–$40 extra per appliance (varies).
• Window interior cleaning: Additional fees beyond standard clean.
• Pet hair treatments: Extra if specialized tools or effort are required.

These optional services are useful but can raise the total price depending on your needs.

Real Redwood City Pricing Examples

To give you context from local guides:

• Many Redwood City jobs fall into the $200–$250 per visit range for typical standard cleaning, with variation from ~$124 up to $415+ depending on service complexity.
• Starting hourly rates for cleaners remain around $30.63/hr locally.

Tips for Selecting a Cleaning Service in Redwood City

When comparing providers, consider:

• What’s included: Check if supplies, equipment, and specific rooms/bathrooms are covered.
• Frequency discounts: Ask if regular appointments lower your per-visit price.
• Insurance & background checks: Professional companies often include this for peace of mind.
• Written estimates: Get a clear cost estimate before booking.

Example Cost Scenarios (Estimated)

(These ranges are regional estimates, not exact quotes.)

Conclusion

Home cleaning in Redwood City, California costs vary widely — but you can expect:

• Hourly rates: Around $30–$40/hr locally — higher than many other areas.
• Standard clean: Generally $200–$250+ per visit for typical homes.
• Deep or specialized cleaning: Significantly higher because of extra labor and detail.

These prices reflect higher Bay Area living costs, labor market trends, and the more competitive service environment in California.

Understanding what drives these costs helps you make informed decisions — whether you’re budgeting for home cleaning or setting rates if you run a professional cleaning business.