You get two quotes for a deep clean or a move-out clean. One is lower. The other one has more detail. Which is the better deal?
Direct answer: you cannot tell until you put both on the same checklist. A lower price may mean fewer tasks, a shorter visit, or items you assumed were included being billed later. Compare scope first, price second.
Step 1: Use one checklist for both
Take our deep cleaning checklist (or your landlord's move-out checklist) and send the same list to both companies. Ask each to mark every item:
- Included
- Add-on (with the price)
- Not offered
If a company will not answer item by item, that is information.
Step 2: Build a simple comparison table
Copy this into a note or a spreadsheet.
| Item | Company A | Company B |
|---|---|---|
| Oven interior | ||
| Fridge and freezer interior | ||
| Cabinets and drawers | ||
| Behind and under appliances | ||
| Interior windows, sills, tracks | ||
| Blinds | ||
| Baseboards, doors, frames | ||
| Bathrooms, including grout | ||
| Carpet cleaning | ||
| Garage, patio, exterior windows | ||
| Crew size and time on site | ||
| Supplies and equipment included | ||
| Photos or completion report | ||
| Re-clean policy | ||
| Insurance (certificate on request) | ||
| Total price, with add-ons you need |
Step 3: Convert to the same total
A quote that omits the oven and the fridge is not cheaper than a quote that includes them. Add the cost of the add-ons you actually need to each company's price, and then compare the totals.
Also compare time. Two cleaners for three hours is a different job than one cleaner for two hours, even if the price looks close.
Step 4: Check what happens if something goes wrong
Ask both companies:
- What is your re-clean policy, and how long do I have to report a problem?
- What happens if something is damaged or inaccessible?
- Will you provide photos of the finished work?
For the longer list, see our questions to ask before hiring a move-out cleaner.
Step 5: Look at the exclusions
An honest exclusion list is a good sign. A quote that says nothing about what is not included deserves a follow-up question. See what a move-out clean usually does not include.
What not to compare on price alone
- A flat quote with no scope
- A "deep clean" with no list
- A price that "depends on what we find" with no rules for how it changes
- A guarantee of a result that depends on someone else (like a landlord)
We are happy to be compared
Send us your checklist and the other company's quote, and we will answer item by item, in writing. We would rather you choose with the full picture than be surprised later.
Want a written, item-by-item answer? Request a quote and send your checklist.