Quick answer
Expect $120–$360 per visit anywhere in our service area. The same rates apply in Virginia, Washington DC, and Bethesda, with no travel surcharge. Recurring standard cleans are cheapest per visit; deep cleans start at $179; move-out cleans run $200–$250. The four levers that move your price are home size, service type, how often you book, and current condition.
Is this right for you?
If your home is already maintained, budget $120–$180 for a standard recurring visit. If it has not been professionally cleaned in six months or more, plan on a deep clean at $179 and up. A standard clean cannot reach that level of buildup, and paying for one first usually means paying twice.
Choose this when
- You want a predictable per-visit number before booking
- You are comparing recurring plans against one-time cleans
- You need to know what pushes a quote into a higher tier
Prices reflect our published 2026 rates across the whole service area, quoted flat by home size and scope rather than by the hour. We do not price differently by city or charge a travel fee.
Cleaning prices at a glance
| Service | Price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard recurring clean | $120–$180 | Lower per-visit rate on weekly/biweekly plans |
| Deep clean (up to 2,000 sq ft) | $179 | First-visit or seasonal reset |
| Deep clean (2,000–3,500 sq ft) | $239 | Larger homes and townhouses |
| Thorough (heavy buildup) | $300–$360 | Not cleaned professionally in 6+ months |
| Move in / move out | $200–$250 | Empty-home deep clean, 4–5 hours |
| Carpet cleaning | $159–$199 | Three to five areas |
What changes the price
Home size
Square footage and bathroom count drive time. More bathrooms add more than extra bedrooms.
Service type
Standard upkeep costs less than a deep clean; move-out and post-construction cost more.
Frequency
Weekly carries the lowest per-visit rate, then biweekly, then monthly, then one-time.
Condition
Pets, heavy buildup, and clutter add time and can shift a job into the Thorough tier.
Tips from our cleaning crews
Frequency beats a big one-time clean for value
A single one-time clean of a busy home often lands in the Thorough tier. Booking biweekly keeps each visit in the standard range and costs less over a year.
Get a firm quote, not an hourly guess
Hourly-only pricing hides the total. Ask for a flat quote based on size and condition so there is no surprise when the crew runs long on a first visit.
Related questions people ask
- Why is my first clean more expensive?
- A first visit clears backlog the routine never touched: grout, baseboards, inside appliances. That is why it is priced as a deep clean. Later visits maintain that baseline and drop to the standard rate. compare the two service levels.
- Is a cleaning service worth it versus doing it myself?
- A weekly clean of an average home takes 60–90 minutes of your own time, plus supplies. The trade is money for those hours and for consistency, since a crew works from a checklist rather than whatever energy is left after work. see the full task list.
- Do I pay more for pets?
- Not as a separate fee. Shedding and dander add time, so heavy pet homes can land in a higher tier or need more frequent visits, but the quote is still flat and given up front.
- Should I tip on top of the price?
- Tipping is optional. Many customers add 10–20% on a one-time or deep clean, or $10–$20 per recurring visit. see typical tipping amounts.
FAQ
House Cleaning Cost Guide: common questions
How much does house cleaning cost in Fairfax County?
Most visits run $120–$360. Standard recurring cleans are $120–$180, deep cleans start at $179 and rise with size, and move-out cleaning is $200–$250. Your exact price depends on size, type, frequency, and condition.
Is it cheaper to clean weekly or monthly?
Per visit, weekly is cheapest because the home never falls out of maintenance. Monthly has a higher per-visit rate and often needs an occasional deep clean, which raises the yearly total.
Do cleaners charge by the hour or a flat rate?
Cardinal Home Cleaning quotes flat rates by home size and cleaning type, so you know the price before we start. Flat pricing avoids the uncertainty of open-ended hourly billing.
Should I tip house cleaners in Northern Virginia?
Tipping is optional and always appreciated. Many customers tip 10–20% on a one-time or deep clean, or a flat $10–$20 per recurring visit. It is never required.