Move Out Cleaning & Move-In Cleaning in San Francisco, CA
Move-In & Move-Out Cleaning from $429 per visit. Free itemized quote before anyone arrives.
A move-out or move-in cleaning in San Francisco is a top-to-bottom clean of an empty home, inside the oven, refrigerator, cabinets and closets included, priced flat per visit by home size. Tenants handing back the keys and wanting the security deposit back book it here, as do buyers and renters cleaning before they unpack, and sellers getting a home ready for showings. Home Glow Cleaning Services uses the same landlord-style checklist on every visit, provides a free itemized quote, and covers the entire city and surrounding areas.
How much does a move out cleaning service cost in San Francisco?
A move-out and move-in cleaning in San Francisco starts from $429 per visit. For comparison, a standard clean starts from $269. The higher cost reflects the thorough work needed when a home is completely empty, including the inside of every cabinet, closet, and appliance, along with baseboards and scrubbed grout, ensuring nothing is missed for a landlord or buyer walkthrough. We quote a flat rate per visit based on the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the overall condition of the home, so the total is known before anyone arrives, while an hourly quote can grow when the job runs long. Rather than charging extra per item, our flat rate includes deep house cleaning inside the oven, inside the refrigerator, emptied cabinets, closets, and baseboards. Every quote is free and itemized so you know what is covered.
What move out cleaning in San Francisco involves that a generic one does not
In San Francisco, only 18% of homes are single-family detached houses, while 20% are in large apartment buildings with 20 or more units, and 38% are owner-occupied. By contrast, in nearby Daly City, 49% of homes are single-family houses. Multi-unit buildings often require detailed coordination with leasing offices for move-out inspections, where managers check every corner of the kitchen and bathrooms. Wildfire smoke can also affect the area during certain seasons, leaving fine ash that settles on window sills and inside vent covers. It is wise to inspect window tracks and vent openings before handing back your keys, as dust and ash build up quickly in coastal air.
Getting the security deposit back in San Francisco
For a tenant in San Francisco, California law requires a landlord to return the security deposit or send an itemized list of deductions no later than 21 calendar days after you have vacated the premises. The clock starts the day you fully move out and hand over the keys. You can read our California move-out and move-in cleaning page for details on deposit rules, normal wear and tear, and what to document. Having dated photos of every room after the clean, along with an itemized receipt, helps resolve most landlord disputes quickly.
How long it takes, and when to book cleaning services in San Francisco
A move-out cleaning or move-in cleaning for a studio or one-bedroom home usually takes 2 to 4 labor hours. A two-bedroom home requires 4 to 6 labor hours, while a three-bedroom house of 1,500 to 2,000 square feet takes 5 to 8 labor hours. Larger homes with four or more bedrooms and 3,000 square feet or more can require 8 to 14 or more labor hours, and heavy appliance cleaning alone can add 2 to 3 labor hours. A two-person crew roughly halves the time spent on site. Booking a few days ahead is usually enough. Schedule the clean for the day after the movers finish, ensuring water and power remain on.
Cleaning services in San Francisco and nearby cities
Home Glow Cleaning Services covers every neighborhood across San Francisco County and adjacent communities. If you are moving from one local home to another, a move out cleaning at your old place and a move-in cleaning at your new place can be scheduled together on a single quote. Any ZIP code outside our standard area is verified when you request your estimate.
Move out cleaning in San Francisco: FAQ
What is the starting price for a move-out cleaning in San Francisco?
A move-out clean starts from $429 per visit. The final rate depends on the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the overall state of the home, never on square footage alone.
Is it worth cleaning an apartment before moving out?
Yes, hiring a cleaner is worth it when the security deposit at stake is larger than the cost of the service or when your lease requires a clear move-out clean. It is not necessary if your lease already charges a fixed cleaning fee regardless of condition, so check your lease terms first.
What does a move-out cleaning include?
The visit covers deep house cleaning inside the oven, refrigerator, cabinets, and closets. It also includes top-to-bottom scrubbed bathrooms, baseboards, entryways, and all floor surfaces throughout the empty property.
Do you charge by the hour for a move-out cleaning?
No, we provide a fixed price per visit based on your home's bedrooms, bathrooms, and general condition. Hourly quotes are difficult to compare because the final cost depends entirely on how many hours the house cleaning takes.
How long does a landlord in California have to return a security deposit?
The landlord has 21 calendar days to send your full deposit or an itemized accounting of any deductions. That timeframe begins once the tenant has completely vacated the property. Visit our California page for more complete information on state deposit guidelines.