How to write a move-out cleaning estimate

Confirm the property and condition

Record the room and bathroom count, floor types, whether the property is vacant and when access is available. Ask about buildup, belongings and inaccessible areas. Inspect the property or review current photos with permission before committing to a fixed scope.

Square footage describes size, but not condition. Two homes of equal size may need different amounts of labor. A move-out clean should not automatically inherit the scope of a regular maintenance clean.

Write a room-by-room checklist

• Kitchen: identify counters, sink, cabinet exteriors and accessible appliance exteriors. State separately whether interiors are included.
• Bathrooms: list fixtures, mirrors, accessible surfaces and floors.
• Bedrooms and living areas: specify surface cleaning, floors and agreed detail work.
• Throughout: clarify doors, baseboards and interior windows.

“Deep clean” can mean different things to different customers. A short task list makes expectations easier to check.

Count labor-hours and extras accurately

Two cleaners working three hours represent six labor-hours. Use that total when estimating internal cost, then account for supplies, travel and overhead where appropriate. If you quote a fixed price, tie it to the agreed scope.

Oven interiors, refrigerator interiors and carpet extraction can change the work substantially. List only the extras that are included. Use the profit calculator with your own costs; it does not recommend market prices.

Agree access and the next step

Confirm keys or entry arrangements, utilities and whether the property will be empty. Describe what happens if the condition or scope differs from what was agreed. Do not include specialist contamination treatment in an ordinary cleaning quote without an appropriate service arrangement.

Ask the customer to confirm the checklist before you finalize the document. The sample below shows a way to make rooms and extras visible, using fictional amounts.