You have just signed a lease, you are preparing a move-out inspection, or you simply want to delegate the weekly cleaning. In each case, the first question remains the same: how much should you budget for cleaning an apartment? The price depends on concrete parameters that you can anticipate even before requesting a quote.
Hourly rate or flat rate per square meter: two pricing logics to distinguish
Cleaning service providers charge according to two models. The hourly rate is suitable for regular maintenance with a predictable duration. The flat rate per square meter is more applicable to one-off interventions, where the area directly affects the working time.
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In 2026, the regular maintenance of an apartment is around 28.90 to 36.10 euros including tax per hour. For a one-off service (deep cleaning, end of lease, after moving), the range tends to rise to 32.90 to 37.90 euros including tax per hour. Per square meter, the common rates range from 3 to 10 euros depending on the level of service.
Why this discrepancy between regular and one-off cleaning? Regular cleaning involves a property that is already maintained. The provider schedules their rounds, optimizing their time. A one-off cleaning requires more products, sometimes specific equipment, and the workload is less predictable. This distinction weighs as much on the bill as the area itself, yet few guides highlight it.
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To consult the cleaning rates for apartments on Pôle Conseil Habitat, you will find a detailed comparison that complements these benchmarks.
Tax credit and immediate advance: the real cost for the individual
The rate displayed by a company or platform is not what you actually pay. In France, the 50% tax credit on personal services applies to home cleaning. In 2026, this system largely operates on an immediate advance basis: you only pay half the rate upon invoicing, without waiting for your income tax declaration.
Specifically, a displayed rate of 28.90 euros per hour costs about 14.45 euros for the final client. Some platforms like Club Tidy directly communicate a price after credit, for example, 11.50 euros per hour (i.e., 23 euros before deduction).
This mechanism radically changes the calculation. An individual comparing a declared provider at 30 euros per hour with an undeclared helper at 15 euros per hour often ends up with the same net cost, with the added benefit of social coverage and insurance in case of damage. Comparing prices without factoring in the tax credit skews any estimate.
Apartment cleaning after renovations or end of lease: more technical services
Not all cleanings are equal. Regular maintenance includes vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and cleaning the bathroom. Restoring a property after renovations or before a move-out inspection falls into a different category.
What drives up the bill after renovation work
Construction dust (plaster, cement, coating) infiltrates everywhere: tile joints, ventilation grilles, inside closets. Cleaning after renovations often requires multiple passes and suitable equipment (industrial vacuum, cement film remover). Rates can rise to 25 to 45 euros per hour, or even more if the property is large or if the renovation was extensive.
End-of-lease cleaning: a budget to compare with the security deposit deduction
A dirty oven, blackened bathroom joints, or windows covered in streaks are enough to justify a deduction of several dozen, or even hundreds of euros from your security deposit. The cost of professional cleaning for a move-out inspection generally ranges between 80 and 300 euros depending on the size of the property. Having it cleaned almost always costs less than the deduction from the deposit.
Apartment cleaning budget: factors that influence the price
Beyond the type of service, several concrete parameters influence your budget. Here are the ones that weigh most on the final quote:
- The size of the property: a 25-square-meter studio requires one to two hours of intervention, while a 100-square-meter T4 requires three to four. The working time remains the main multiplier.
- The level of dirtiness: a regularly maintained apartment cleans much faster than a property left without cleaning for several weeks. Rates for a very dirty property can reach 35 to 50 euros per hour.
- The geographical location: in Paris and large metropolitan areas, prices are structurally higher than in the provinces, due to the cost of living and the expenses of service providers.
- The status of the provider: a freelancer typically charges between 15 and 30 euros per hour, a certified organization between 20 and 40 euros, and a specialized company between 25 and 50 euros. The gap reflects social charges, insurance, and oversight.
Regular or one-off cleaning: which choice for which tenant profile
You may have noticed that the regular rate is significantly lower than the one-off rate? This is no coincidence. Providers offer discounted prices to clients who commit to a weekly or bi-weekly frequency because the workload per visit decreases.
For an average-sized apartment, regular maintenance costs a few dozen euros per week after the tax credit. A one-off deep clean can range from 150 to 500 euros depending on the size and condition of the property. Regular cleaning reduces the overall cost over the year compared to spaced-out but heavier interventions.
The other often overlooked variable: the frequency of maintenance also protects the property. Regularly washed floors wear out less quickly, joints remain clear, and end-of-lease cleaning becomes a formality rather than a project.
The budget to allocate for cleaning an apartment thus depends less on a single rate than on a trade-off between frequency, type of service, and use of the tax credit. Setting these three parameters before requesting a quote helps avoid unpleasant surprises and compare offers on a realistic basis.