How much does cleaning cost in London & Surrey? 2026 prices.
Cleaning prices in the UK are quoted three ways: by the hour, as a fixed price by property size, or per item. This guide explains what each costs around Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey and South West London in 2026, what pushes a price up or down, and the questions worth asking before you book. Our own prices are shown alongside so you can compare.
Hourly cleaning rates
Regular domestic cleaning is almost always priced per hour, per cleaner. Across Surrey and outer South West London, independent cleaners typically charge £15–£20 an hour (directory listings for Sunbury-on-Thames show £17–£23), while insured cleaning companies that supply products, equipment and a replacement if your cleaner is ill charge £20–£30 an hour. Inner London rates run a few pounds higher.
| Service | Typical company rate | Urban Gleam |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic cleaning (regular) | £20–£28/hr | £22.50/hr, minimum £45 |
| Office cleaning | £22–£32/hr | £25/hr, minimum £50 |
| Spring / deep clean | £25–£35/hr | £25/hr, minimum 4 hours |
| One-off clean | £25–£35/hr | £25/hr, minimum 4 hours |
| Communal areas (flats) | £22–£30/hr | £25/hr, minimum £50 |
| Emergency / same-day | £30–£45/hr | £30/hr, minimum £120 |
A useful rule of thumb for a regular clean is one hour per bedroom plus one hour: a two-bedroom flat takes about three hours, a four-bedroom house about five. The first visit usually runs longer because it is really a light deep clean.
End of tenancy cleaning prices
End of tenancy cleaning is normally a fixed price by property size, because the job is defined by the letting agent’s checklist rather than by time. Expect to pay roughly £120–£180 for a studio, £150–£220 for a one-bed, £200–£300 for a two-bed and £300–£450 for a three-bed house in Surrey and outer London, with professional carpet cleaning adding £40–£100 depending on the number of rooms.
| Property | Typical range | Urban Gleam (without / with carpets) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio flat | £120–£180 | £130 / £170 |
| One bedroom | £150–£220 | £150 / £190 |
| Two bedroom | £200–£300 | £220 / £280 |
| Three bedroom | £300–£450 | £350 / £450 |
| Four+ bedroom | Quoted individually | Quoted individually |
Cleaning is consistently the most common reason tenancy deposits are disputed in the UK. A fixed-price professional clean with a receipt is the simplest way to protect a deposit that is usually five weeks’ rent. See our end of tenancy cleaning checklist.
After builders cleaning prices
After builders (post-renovation) cleaning is priced like end of tenancy cleaning — by property size — but quotes vary more because the amount of fine dust, paint and adhesive residue differs so much from job to job. In the UK, a full after builders clean typically costs £150–£500 for a house, or around £25–£40 an hour per cleaner where it is quoted hourly. Ask whether the price includes inside cupboards, window frames and light fittings, and whether a second “settle dust” visit a few days later is included or extra.
Our after builders prices are the same fixed prices as end of tenancy cleaning: from £130 for a studio. Full details on our after builders cleaning page.
Oven, carpet and window cleaning prices
Specialist cleans are priced per item rather than by time:
- Oven cleaning: £45–£70 for a single oven, £65–£95 for a double, £85–£130 for a range cooker. Urban Gleam: single £45, double £65, range £85.
- Carpet cleaning: £20–£40 per room with a minimum call-out of £50–£80; a three-piece suite £60–£120. Urban Gleam: £60 for one room, £75 for three, sofas from £40.
- Window cleaning: £10–£20 for a flat or small terraced house outside, £20–£40 for a semi or detached house, with inside glass adding roughly 50%. Urban Gleam: from £15.
What changes the price
- Condition. A home that is cleaned regularly costs less per visit than one that has not been cleaned for months; heavy limescale, grease or mould adds time.
- Products and equipment. Some cleaners expect you to provide them; companies usually include them. Eco-friendly products no longer carry a premium with most firms, including ours.
- Frequency. Weekly and fortnightly cleans are often cheaper per hour than one-offs, and many companies have a longer minimum for one-off and deep cleans.
- Access and parking. Controlled parking zones in London boroughs and no on-site parking can add a parking charge; Spelthorne and most of Surrey rarely do.
- Insurance and vetting. Public liability insurance, DBS checks and a replacement cleaner when yours is ill are what you pay for above the independent-cleaner rate.
- Extras. Inside the oven, inside the fridge, interior windows, ironing and balconies are usually priced as add-ons of £15–£30 each.
How to compare quotes
- Ask whether the price is per cleaner — two cleaners for two hours is four cleaning hours, not two.
- Check that products and equipment are included, and that the vacuum has a HEPA filter if anyone in the house has allergies.
- For end of tenancy, ask for a fixed price and a written list of what is included, and whether they will return free of charge if the agent raises an issue.
- Ask about the minimum charge and whether there is a deposit. (We have no deposit — you pay after the clean.)
- Look for recent Google reviews with photos; the best evidence of a good clean is a before-and-after picture.
Common questions
Independent cleaners typically charge £15–£20 an hour and insured cleaning companies £20–£30 an hour, with London at the top of each range. Urban Gleam charges £22.50 an hour for regular domestic cleaning, with products and equipment included.
Usually a fixed price by property size: roughly £120–£180 for a studio, £150–£220 for a one-bed, £200–£300 for a two-bed and £300–£450 for a three-bed house, plus £40–£100 for carpets. Urban Gleam charges from £130.
For regular cleaning, hourly is cheaper and more flexible. For one-off jobs with a defined finish — end of tenancy, after builders, oven cleaning — a fixed price protects you if the job takes longer than expected.
With most independent cleaners, yes. With cleaning companies, including Urban Gleam, products and equipment are included in the price.