Okay, let's talk numbers. The cost for an end of lease clean in Australia usually lands somewhere between $150 for a small one-bedroom apartment and can go up to $390 or more for a larger four-bedroom house. It all really depends on your property's size and exactly what you need done.
The Real Cost of an End of Lease Clean
You're in the middle of a move. Your to-do list is a mile long. The last thing you need is a surprise bill for the final clean. So, let’s get this sorted out. Think of this as your budget cheat sheet… a clear, no-nonsense look at what you should expect to pay.
This isn’t your average weekly tidy-up. An end of lease clean is a specialised, deep-dive service, designed to meet the incredibly strict standards of property managers. All to help you get that bond back. In full. You can find more detail on what property managers look for in our guide to exit cleaning requirements.
Why Prices Vary So Much
In Australia, the cost can swing quite a bit. It all depends on your home's size and what shape it's in. For instance, a basic clean for a one-bedroom apartment might start around $150. But that's often without carpet cleaning, which could add another $40 or $50.
On the other end of the scale? A four-bedroom house could be anywhere from $340 to $390, especially once you factor in carpets. It feels like a big chunk of money, but when you think about it… in Victoria alone, about 25% of tenants lose some of their bond over disputes. And cleaning is a huge part of that picture.
This chart gives you a quick snapshot of the typical starting prices.
As you can see, the price more than doubles when you go from a one-bedder to a four-bedroom house. That makes sense. There are extra rooms, more bathrooms, and a whole lot more floor space. While the final price tag is important, understanding what you’re actually paying for is the real secret to a smooth, stress-free move.
What Actually Shapes Your Cleaning Quote
Ever wondered why two quotes for what seems like the same job can be worlds apart? It’s definitely not a random number plucked from thin air. A whole lot of factors get stirred into the pot, and understanding them is the key to figuring out your own end of lease clean cost.
It's a bit like getting a quote for a paint job. The painter needs to know the size of the room, sure. But they also need to know if they’re painting over a clean white wall or a dark feature wall that needs three coats of primer. Cleaning works the same way.
The size and layout of your home are the starting point. The basic ingredients of the job.
The Big Three Property Details
The first things any cleaning company will ask about are the most obvious ones, because they set the baseline for how much work is involved.
- Number of Bedrooms: This is the most common yardstick for a property's size. More bedrooms usually mean more floor space to vacuum, more windows to wipe, and more surfaces to dust. Simple.
- Number of Bathrooms: Bathrooms are a mission. They require detailed scrubbing of tiles, grout, showers, toilets, and vanities, so each extra bathroom adds a significant chunk of time to the job.
- Number of Storeys: A two-storey house naturally takes longer than a single-level home. It’s not just the stairs themselves that need cleaning. The simple act of lugging equipment up and down adds time and effort.
These three things form the foundation of your quote. But the details that really fine-tune the price are a bit more personal to how you've lived in the space.
The Condition and Lifestyle Factors
This is where being honest really helps you get an accurate quote. The way you live leaves its mark on a property, and a professional cleaner needs to account for that to do the job properly.
A home that's been regularly maintained, for instance, will require far less work than one that hasn't had a proper deep clean in years. Think about the oven, the shower screens, or the grime on the skirting boards. It all adds up.
The difference between a home being "lived-in" versus "neglected" can easily add a few hours of labour to a job. A cleaner needs to factor in the extra time to tackle tough grime, thick soap scum, or a seriously greasy cooktop.
And what about furry family members? Having pets often means there’s more hair to remove from carpets. Plus potential odours or little accidents that need special treatment. These tasks need special gear and products, which can nudge the cost up.
Knowing these details before you call doesn't just satisfy curiosity. It helps you understand your quotes, ask the right questions, and spot a price that seems just a little too good to be true.
What's Included in a Standard Clean vs. What Costs Extra?
This is where people often get tripped up. You see a fantastic price advertised for a bond clean, but by the time you’ve finished booking, the final end of lease clean cost has mysteriously climbed. What’s the deal? It all comes down to knowing what’s inside a 'standard' clean versus what’s considered an 'add-on' service.
Think of the standard clean as the non-negotiable foundation. It’s the deep, thorough scrubbing of everything that’s a fixed part of the property. The kind of detailed work most of us don't do in our regular weekly clean. It covers wiping down every single surface, cleaning inside all the cupboards and drawers, and getting the bathroom to sparkle from top to bottom.
For a crystal clear picture of what this involves, our detailed end of lease cleaning checklist breaks down every single task. But even with that huge list, there are still some common jobs that usually sit outside the standard price.
What Is a Standard Bond Clean?
A standard clean is the baseline service designed to get a property back to its original move-in condition. And it’s pretty intense.
The team will tackle:
- Kitchen: All cupboards (inside and out), benchtops, sink, tapware, cooktop, and rangehood.
- Bathrooms: Toilets, showers, baths, vanities, mirrors, and exhaust fans.
- General Areas: Wiping down skirting boards, cleaning light switches, removing cobwebs, and cleaning inside windows and their tracks.
- Floors: A thorough vacuum and mop of all hard floors is a must.
This is the stuff that nearly every tenancy agreement will expect as a minimum. It forms the bulk of the work and the price you first see advertised.
The rule of thumb for a standard clean is simple: if you can’t pack it in a box and take it with you, it’s probably covered. It’s all about the fixed surfaces and fittings of the home.
Common Add-Ons That Push Up Your Final Cost
Now for the extras. These are the services that often cost a bit more but are frequently required by property managers to sign off on your full bond refund. They're usually quoted separately because not every property needs them, and they often require specialised equipment or a lot more time.
For instance, your lease might specifically demand professional carpet steam cleaning, especially if you had pets. This isn't just a quick vacuum. It’s a deep, hot-water extraction clean designed to pull out embedded dirt and lingering odours from deep within the carpet fibres.
To help you budget, we've put together a quick comparison table. It shows what's usually covered in a base price and what you'll likely need to add on.
Standard Inclusions vs Common Add-On Services
| Service | Usually Included in Standard Clean? | Common Add-On Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Deep Clean | Yes | – |
| Bathroom Deep Clean | Yes | – |
| Internal Windows | Yes | – |
| Carpet Steam Cleaning | No | $60 – $90 per room |
| External Window Cleaning | No | $80 – $150+ |
| Wall Spot Cleaning | Yes (minor scuffs) | – |
| Full Wall Washing | No | $150 – $400+ |
| Venetian Blind Cleaning | No | $20 – $40 per blind |
| Balcony/Patio Clean | No | $40 – $80 |
This table should give you a clearer idea of how costs are structured. Here are some of the most common add-ons you’ll see:
- Carpet Steam Cleaning: Almost always an extra, with prices based on the number of rooms.
- Exterior Window Cleaning: Standard cleans typically only cover the inside of the windows.
- Blinds and Curtains: These can be very time-consuming, whether it's wiping down dozens of individual venetian slats or washing fabric blinds.
- Wall Washing: For removing more significant scuffs, marks, or fingerprints from walls. A few spot cleans are usually fine, but a full wash is extra.
- Upholstery Cleaning: If you’re renting a furnished place, this is essential.
- Balcony or Patio Cleaning: Sweeping, mopping, and sometimes high-pressure cleaning for outdoor areas.
- Appliance Deep Cleans: While a good wipe-down is standard, a deep clean of a greasy oven or defrosting a neglected fridge often costs more.
Knowing these potential extras ahead of time lets you build a much more realistic budget. You can look at your rental agreement and the condition of your home to decide exactly what you need… before you even start asking for quotes.
Is Professional Cleaning a Worthwhile Investment?
Alright, let's get straight to the big question bouncing around in your head. "Can't I just do it myself and save the money?" It's a tempting thought. Moving is already expensive, and the idea of shaving a few hundred dollars off the bill is pretty appealing.
But there’s a solid reason professional move-out cleaning is such a common part of moving in Australia. This isn't about selling you something you don't need. It’s about being realistic about what’s at stake… especially when your bond is on the line.
The Property Manager's Perspective
First, try to see things from your property manager's point of view. Their job is to make sure the property is handed over to the next tenant in perfect condition. They aren't just giving it a quick once-over. They have a checklist. A very, very detailed one.
And they have eagle eyes trained to spot the little things most of us would miss. They aren't trying to be difficult; they're just following a strict process to protect the property owner's investment. They’re looking for things like:
- Streaks on the inside of windows you were sure were spotless.
- A fine layer of dust sitting on top of the door frames.
- That faint film of grease still inside the rangehood filter.
- Soap scum hiding in the corners of the shower screen track.
Professional cleaners live and breathe this checklist. They don't just "wipe things down". They follow a methodical system designed to tick every single one of those boxes. Plus, they come equipped with the right gear and industrial-strength products to cut through grime you’d spend hours scrubbing with supermarket sprays.
The Value of a Bond Back Guarantee
This is the real game-changer. Most reputable cleaning companies offer a 'bond back guarantee'. Think of it as your safety net. If the agent does the final inspection and finds something that was missed, the cleaners will come back and fix it. Free of charge.
That guarantee transforms the end of lease clean cost from a simple expense into an insurance policy. You’re not just paying for someone’s time; you’re paying for peace of mind that the job will meet the agent’s exacting standards.
When you weigh up the cost of a professional clean against the risk of losing a chunk of your bond, the numbers start to make a lot more sense. Hiring pros is often the key to getting your full bond back, simply because they have the expertise to meet agency standards. You can learn more about what makes a professional service so effective by exploring this end of lease cleaning guide.
And honestly, let's not forget the time and stress you save yourself. Moving is chaotic enough without spending your last weekend on your hands and knees scrubbing floors. Sometimes, paying for a service that lets you focus on settling into your new home is the smartest investment you can make.
How to Choose the Right Cleaner and Avoid Scams
Picking a cleaning company can feel like a bit of a gamble, but it really doesn't have to be. There are some clear signals that separate the true professionals from the rest. It's all about finding a reliable partner for your move, not just grabbing the cheapest option you find on Google.
And it's a big market out there. The Australian cleaning services industry was valued at around AUD 18.05 billion in 2024, and it's still growing. This means you have plenty of choices… but also a few cowboys to watch out for. You can see more insights about the Australian cleaning market on expertmarketresearch.com.au.
Finding the Genuine Professionals
So, how do you sort the good from the bad? Start with the basics. Any professional company worth its salt will have public liability insurance. This isn't just a piece of paper. It's your safety net if something accidentally gets damaged during the clean. Don't be shy about asking to see their certificate of currency.
Next, dive into their online reviews. But don't just glance at the star rating. Actually read what people are saying. Are the comments detailed and specific? Do they mention the names of the cleaners? These are often signs of genuine feedback.
Look for patterns. If multiple reviews mention the team being late or missing spots, that’s a red flag you can't afford to ignore.
Always, and I mean always, get a detailed, itemised quote in writing before you agree to anything. A vague email or a price rattled off over the phone isn't good enough. You need a document that lists exactly what is and isn't included in the end of lease clean cost.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
Now for the things that should make you run the other way. The biggest warning sign is a price that seems ridiculously low compared to other quotes you've received. If it feels too good to be true, it almost certainly is. These operators often lure you in with a cheap base price and then sting you with a heap of "essential" extra charges later on.
Be wary of vague promises, too. Phrases like "we clean everything" are totally meaningless without a detailed checklist to back them up. A lack of a professional website or having only a mobile number for contact can also be warning signs.
Of course, even with the best companies, things can sometimes go wrong, so it pays to know what to do when end of lease cleaning goes wrong. A reputable company will have a clear process for handling any issues that come up.
Your goal is to hire someone who will get the job done right the first time. Taking a little extra time to check these details can save you a world of stress and, most importantly, help secure that all-important bond refund.
Your End of Lease Cleaning Questions Answered
Still have a few questions rattling around? That’s completely normal. Moving is a massive undertaking, so it’s natural for those little ‘what if’ thoughts to pop up right at the end.
We’ve gathered some of the most common things people ask about bond cleaning and put the answers all in one place. Think of this as the final piece of the puzzle, here to clear up any lingering confusion so you can book your clean with total confidence.
How Long Does an End of Lease Clean Usually Take?
This one really comes down to the size and state of your property. It's definitely not a race.
A team of two cleaners might spend 3 to 5 hours on a small, well-kept one-bedroom unit. But for a larger four-bedroom house with a couple of bathrooms, you could easily be looking at 6 to 10 hours of solid work. Sometimes even longer if it needs a bit more love.
Professional cleaners aren't focused on speed; they're focused on being meticulous. They work through a highly detailed checklist to ensure nothing gets missed. When you get a quote for your end of lease clean cost, it’s always a good idea to ask for an estimated timeframe.
What Happens If My Agent Isn’t Happy with the Clean?
This is a brilliant question, and it gets right to the heart of why choosing a reputable company matters so much.
Most professional bond cleaning companies offer a ‘bond back guarantee’ or a ‘re-clean guarantee’. This is your safety net. It usually lasts for a set period, often between 48 and 72 hours after the job is done.
If your property manager does the final inspection and finds something that was missed from the agreed-upon cleaning list, the company should send a team back to fix it at no extra charge. Always, always make sure you have the terms of this guarantee clearly outlined in writing before you lock anything in. It’s your single best protection against bond disputes over cleaning.
Do I Need to Be There During the Clean?
Nope, you usually don’t need to be present at all. Most people use that time to tackle the million other things on their moving to-do list.
As long as the cleaners have easy access to the property, running water, and electricity, they’re good to go. In fact, it’s much, much better if the property is completely empty. It allows the team to work more efficiently without having to move furniture or navigate around boxes.
Just be sure to do your own final walkthrough after they’re finished and before you hand the keys back. It gives you a chance to see the finished job for yourself and feel confident when you close that door for the last time.
Is Carpet Steam Cleaning Always Necessary?
Not always… but it is very common. The first place to check for an answer is your original tenancy agreement.
Many leases now include a clause that specifically requires professional steam cleaning when you vacate, especially if you had pets. Even if it’s not written in the lease, it’s still a smart move if the carpets have any stains or just look more worn than they did when you moved in (beyond what’s considered normal wear and tear, of course).
Carpets are one of the first things agents check during inspections, and they remain one of the most common reasons tenants lose part of their bond. Including it in your clean can be a small price to pay for a much smoother handover.
Ready to take the guesswork out of your move? At That Cleaning Crew, we provide clear, upfront quotes and a reliable service that property managers trust. Get your free on-site quote today and let us handle the hard work so you can focus on your new beginning.
