How much does a domestic cleaner cost in the UK?
Working out a fair price for a domestic cleaner is harder than it sounds, because the market covers everything from an independent cleaner doing a couple of hours a week to a fully insured agency sending a vetted team for a one-off deep clean. As a general benchmark, a domestic cleaner typically costs around £13-£25 per hour across most of the UK, with many households settling around £18-£22 per hour for a regular weekly or fortnightly clean. London and the South East commonly sit higher, often £20-£28 an hour or more in central areas, reflecting both the higher cost of living for cleaners and stronger demand.
The single biggest factor in the rate is whether you're booking an independent cleaner or going through an agency. Independent cleaners generally charge less per hour, since there's no overhead for vetting, insurance or covering holiday and sickness. Agencies charge more, but that premium buys things worth having: a replacement cleaner if yours is off sick, some form of vetting before someone is sent to your home, and usually public liability cover in case something is damaged during the clean. Neither option is automatically the "right" choice — it depends how much you value that extra layer of cover and continuity versus paying less per hour.
Frequency and booking pattern also move the price. A regular weekly or fortnightly slot is usually cheaper per hour than an occasional one-off booking, partly because a regular clean is quicker to do once a routine is established (there's less build-up of mess to tackle each time) and partly because cleaners and agencies generally prefer the reliability of a standing booking over a single visit. A one-off deep clean, or a first visit to a home that hasn't had a professional clean in a while, will usually take longer and may be priced at a modest premium over the standard hourly rate to reflect that.
Property size and condition are the other obvious variables. A one-bedroom flat with light, regular upkeep takes far less time than a large family house with pets, and most cleaners or agencies will ask about bedrooms, bathrooms, pets and general condition before quoting, rather than working purely off a flat hourly rate with no context. Extras like inside-oven cleaning, ironing, or moving furniture to clean underneath are commonly quoted separately from a standard visit, so it's worth checking exactly what's included in any quoted rate before comparing two providers.
Because rates vary so much by region, provider type and the specifics of a job, it's not realistic to quote a single "right" price for domestic cleaning in the UK — rates vary by region and by exactly what's being asked for. The most reliable way to get a fair price is to describe the job clearly (property size, frequency, any pets, any extras) to two or three local providers and compare like-for-like quotes, rather than anchoring on a single average figure found online.
A few practical questions are worth asking before booking, regardless of price. Is the cleaner or agency insured, and for what — public liability cover matters if something gets broken during a clean. Is the same person sent each time, or does it vary? What happens if a scheduled visit is missed — is there a replacement or a refund? And is the quoted rate inclusive of cleaning products and equipment, or do you need to supply your own? Getting clear answers to these questions upfront avoids most of the disputes that come up later with domestic cleaning arrangements.
It's also worth asking about cancellation policies and minimum booking lengths before committing. Some agencies ask for a minimum number of hours per visit, or a minimum contract length before you can cancel without a fee, while independent cleaners are often more flexible but may have less capacity to cover a missed week at short notice. If parking is difficult near your property, checking whether that's factored into the quote, or whether it's an extra the cleaner expects you to cover, avoids an awkward conversation on the first visit. None of these points should be dealbreakers on their own, but knowing the answers before the first visit makes it much easier to compare providers fairly and to know what to expect if your circumstances change.
Finally, it's worth remembering that the cheapest quote isn't always the best value once these factors are weighed up. A slightly higher hourly rate that comes with clear insurance cover, a reliable replacement policy, and a provider who answers questions properly upfront is often a better long-term choice than the lowest price with no real answers to any of the above. As with most services bought on price alone, a domestic clean that goes wrong — through damage, a no-show, or a dispute over what was actually agreed — usually ends up costing more time and hassle than the saving was worth.
Frequently asked questions
Domestic cleaners typically charge around £13-£25 per hour across most of the UK, with many households paying around £18-£22 per hour for a regular weekly or fortnightly clean; London and the South East commonly run higher, often £20-£28 or more per hour.
Independent cleaners generally charge less per hour since there is no overhead for vetting, insurance or cover, while agencies charge more but typically provide a replacement if your regular cleaner is unavailable, some form of vetting, and often public liability insurance.
Usually yes — a regular weekly or fortnightly booking is typically cheaper per hour than an occasional one-off visit, partly because an established routine is quicker to maintain and partly because providers generally price a first or infrequent deep clean at a premium to reflect the extra time involved.
Worth checking upfront: whether the cleaner or agency is insured and for what, whether the same person is sent each visit, what happens if a booking is missed, and whether the quoted rate includes cleaning products and equipment or you need to supply your own.