What House Cleaning Actually Costs in Vancouver in 2026
If you've just moved to Greater Vancouver and you're getting quotes for house cleaning, you're probably confused. One company quotes $140 for a two-bedroom apartment. Another quotes $260 for the same apartment. A third says "it depends" and wants to do a walk-through first. None of them explain what's included.
We surveyed over 40 real quotes from house cleaning companies and independent cleaners across Vancouver, Richmond, and Burnaby to build a clear picture of what you should actually expect to pay in 2026.
The short answer
For a standard clean of a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment in Vancouver:
- Low end: $150 (independent cleaner, minimal supplies, 90-minute clean)
- Mid range: $180–$220 (two-person team, eco-friendly supplies, 2–3 hours)
- High end: $250+ (bonded/insured company, deep-clean elements, 3+ hours)
See the full Vancouver house cleaning price table →
What "standard clean" actually means
This is where most newcomers get burned. A "standard clean" has no legal definition in BC. Some companies define it as kitchen, bathrooms, floors, and dusting. Others include inside the fridge. Others don't include baseboards unless you specifically ask.
Always ask these questions before booking:
- Does this include inside the oven and fridge?
- Does this include inside kitchen cabinets?
- Does this include windows (interior)?
- Does this include the balcony?
- How many people are coming, and for how long?
If a cleaner can't answer these clearly, that's your first red flag.
Why prices vary so much
The single biggest factor is who's doing the cleaning. An independent cleaner working alone with their own car charges $30–45/hour and does the entire job themselves. A company with two-person teams, insurance, WorkSafe coverage, supplies, scheduling software, and a dispatcher charges $50–75/hour per cleaner.
The second biggest factor is the building itself. A 700-square-foot condo in Mount Pleasant with hardwood floors takes about 90 minutes. A 1,200-square-foot house in Kerrisdale with carpet, stairs, and a pet takes three hours.
Other factors:
- Frequency: Bi-weekly or monthly clients typically get 10–20% off vs one-time cleans
- Move-in/move-out cleans: 40–60% more expensive than standard
- Eco-friendly products: Add $10–25 per visit
- Weekend or last-minute bookings: 15–30% premium at most companies
How Vancouver compares to other cities
Surrey is genuinely cheaper — about 15–20% less for the same service level. Richmond sits between Vancouver and Surrey. Burnaby is almost identical to Vancouver in pricing.
Compare house cleaning prices across all cities →
Red flags to watch for
- Quotes under $100 for a 2-bedroom. That's a 60-minute job at best. Ask what's included — you'll find it's a surface wipe, not a real clean.
- No written scope of work. If they won't put it in writing, you can't dispute it later.
- Cash-only, no receipt. Legitimate businesses provide invoices. Cash-only usually means no insurance, no WorkSafe, and no recourse if something breaks.
- "We'll see when we get there." A professional cleaner can estimate from photos of the space. If they refuse, they're planning to upsell on-site.
Our advice for newcomers
Get three quotes. Ask all four questions above. Choose the middle quote — it's almost always the best value. And if you're on a budget, an independent cleaner found through a community Facebook group will usually undercut the companies by 20–30% for the same quality of work.