Maid service in the US typically costs between $100 and $300 per visit for a standard recurring clean, or roughly $200 to $600 per month depending on frequency, according to HomeAdvisor / Angi cost survey data. The range is wide because home size, your region, whether you book through an agency or an independent housekeeper, and how often cleaners come all move the number substantially.
What Drives Maid Service Cost
Price varies more than most people expect when they first start shopping. Five factors do most of the work.
Home size is the biggest lever. A 900-square-foot apartment takes far less time than a 2,800-square-foot house, and most services price accordingly -- either by square footage directly or by estimated hours. HomeAdvisor / Angi data consistently shows that home size explains more price variation than any other single factor.
Number of cleaners affects both total cost and visit length. Some agencies send a team of two or three; others send one cleaner and charge by the hour. A two-person team finishes faster, which may suit your schedule better, but the hourly rate is still being applied to the combined labor hours.
Frequency changes the per-visit rate. A one-time or infrequent clean costs more per visit than a recurring weekly or biweekly plan because recurring clients give the service predictable revenue and shorter visits over time as the home stays on top of upkeep. See the Recurring Cleaning Service Cost guide for a deeper breakdown.
Region and local labor costs matter considerably. A standard clean in San Francisco or New York City costs more than the same service in a mid-size city in the Midwest or South, partly because wages are higher and partly because operating costs for the agency are higher. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics shows that median hourly wages for maids and housekeeping cleaners vary by roughly 35-40% between the lowest- and highest-wage states, which flows directly into what you pay.
Agency versus independent housekeeper affects price structure as well as protections. That distinction gets its own section below.
Typical Cost Ranges by Home Size and Frequency
The table below reflects typical per-visit ranges for a standard maid service visit (not a deep clean) based on HomeAdvisor / Angi aggregated homeowner cost data. Actual quotes in your area may fall outside these ranges.
| Home Size / Frequency | Typical Per-Visit Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio or 1-bed apartment, recurring | $80 -- $150 | Lower end for biweekly clients in mid-cost markets |
| 2-bed home, recurring | $120 -- $200 | Most common booking profile nationally |
| 3-bed home, recurring | $150 -- $260 | Varies significantly by region |
| 4+ bed home, recurring | $200 -- $350+ | Teams of 2-3 are common at this size |
| Any size, one-time or first visit | Add $50 -- $100 | First visits take longer; initial clean surcharge is standard |
One-time visits cost more because cleaners are starting from scratch. Most services apply an initial-clean surcharge ranging from $50 to $100 or more on top of their recurring rate, according to HomeAdvisor / Angi survey respondents. That surcharge reflects the extra time required to bring an unmaintained home up to a baseline.
For a broader look at what homeowners pay across all clean types, see How Much Does House Cleaning Cost.
Agency vs. Independent Affects Both Price and Protections
Maid-service agencies generally cost more per visit than an independent housekeeper -- but that premium buys concrete protections: liability insurance covers accidental damage to your home, bonding protects against theft claims, and background checks reduce the risk of hiring someone with a disqualifying history. Ask any service for proof of all three before you book. An independent housekeeper may offer none of these by default.
Agency vs. Independent Housekeeper: What You Are Actually Comparing
Choosing between a maid-service agency and an independent housekeeper is one of the first decisions most people face, and it is not purely a price question.
A maid-service agency employs or contracts cleaners, manages scheduling, handles payroll taxes, carries general liability insurance, and typically bonds its employees. When your regular cleaner is sick, the agency sends someone else. Rates are usually set by the agency rather than negotiated directly. Per HomeAdvisor / Angi data, agency visits for a mid-size home typically run $120 to $250 or more.
An independent housekeeper works for themselves. They often charge $25 to $45 per hour, which can add up to less per visit for a small home. The relationship tends to be more personal -- the same person, every time, who learns your preferences. The trade-offs: most independents do not carry liability insurance or bonding, backup is rarely available if they are sick, and you may become responsible for payroll tax compliance if you pay them regularly above IRS thresholds.
The Independent Cleaner vs Cleaning Agency guide covers this comparison in detail, including the insurance and tax questions. For most first-time buyers of cleaning services, the agency route carries less financial and logistical risk even at a higher per-visit price.
The price gap narrows on larger homes because an agency's team finishes faster and more consistently. On smaller homes -- a one-bedroom apartment, for instance -- an experienced independent housekeeper may be meaningfully cheaper per visit while delivering comparable results.
Pricing Models: Per-Visit, Hourly, and Per-Room
Maid services use a few different structures to calculate what they charge. Understanding the model helps you compare quotes that may look like apples and oranges.
Flat per-visit rate is the most common structure for agencies. They assess your home, estimate the time required, and quote a fixed price for each standard visit. You know what you are paying before the cleaner arrives, which makes budgeting straightforward. Most recurring clients prefer this model.
Hourly rate is more common with independent housekeepers and some smaller agencies. HomeAdvisor / Angi reports that hourly rates for maid services nationally range from roughly $25 to $60 per hour depending on region, with the higher end reflecting agency overhead and high-cost markets. The downside of hourly pricing is that your total cost depends on how long the job takes, which can vary. Ask for an estimated time range before booking.
Per-room rate is less common but does exist. Some agencies charge a base rate for a certain number of rooms and add a per-room fee beyond that. This model is easy to understand but can obscure the real cost when rooms vary widely in size and complexity -- a kitchen and a bathroom take much longer than a bedroom.
For a detailed comparison of these models and when each benefits the client, see Hourly vs Flat Rate Cleaning.
Recurring Plans Lower Your Per-Visit Rate
If you are considering a one-time clean but think you may want regular service, ask about the recurring rate before you book. Many agencies charge $50 to $100 more for a one-time or infrequent clean. Booking as a recurring client from the start -- even monthly -- often saves money per visit and gets you a preferred time slot.
What a Standard Maid Service Visit Includes
Knowing what is and is not covered on a standard visit helps you avoid disappointment and lets you ask the right questions before you book.
A standard maid service visit typically covers the main living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen. Specific tasks usually include vacuuming and mopping all floors, wiping down counters and surface areas, cleaning sinks, toilets, and tub or shower surrounds, dusting reachable surfaces and light fixtures, making beds (if linens are left out), emptying trash cans, and spot-cleaning mirrors and glass doors.
What is generally not included in a standard visit: cleaning inside the oven or refrigerator, washing dishes, doing laundry, interior window washing, organizing or decluttering, moving furniture, scrubbing grout lines, or treating mold and mildew. These are typically extras or part of a separately priced deep clean.
ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, notes that scope clarity is one of the most important factors in customer satisfaction with residential cleaning services. The most common source of complaints is a mismatch between what the client expected and what the cleaner understood the job to be. Ask your service for a written checklist before the first visit -- or at minimum, a clear verbal scope -- so both sides are working from the same definition of "done."
Confirm Scope in Writing Before the First Visit
Vague expectations cause the majority of cleaning-service disputes. Before the first cleaner arrives, get a written checklist or a clear written scope of work that specifies which rooms are included, which tasks are in and which are out, and how the service handles re-clean requests if something is missed. A service that resists putting scope in writing is a service to approach with caution.
How Frequency Affects Monthly Cost
Your monthly outlay depends on how often the service visits and whether you qualify for a recurring-client rate. Based on HomeAdvisor / Angi data and published rate ranges from residential cleaning companies, here is how frequency typically plays out for a 3-bedroom home.
Weekly service generally runs $120 to $220 per visit at the recurring rate. That adds up to roughly $480 to $900 per month. Weekly cleaning suits households with children or pets, people with allergies or asthma, or homes that see high daily use.
Biweekly service is the most popular frequency nationally, according to ISSA industry research. Per-visit rates for biweekly clients are often 10-20% lower than one-time rates at the same agency. Monthly cost typically lands between $240 and $480 for a 3-bedroom home, depending on region and provider.
Monthly service is the most affordable entry point for professional cleaning. At $150 to $260 per month for a 3-bedroom home, it gives you a professional-grade reset once a month while keeping costs manageable. Monthly clients typically receive a higher per-visit rate than weekly or biweekly clients because visits take longer -- the home has had more time to accumulate dust, grime, and clutter between cleanings.
First Visit Is Priced Separately
Expect the first visit to cost more regardless of the frequency you choose. Most agencies apply an initial-clean surcharge or simply charge the one-time rate for the first visit before moving you to the recurring rate. Ask explicitly what the first-visit price will be before you commit.
Getting an Accurate Quote
National averages give you a starting reference, but the only number that matters for your budget is a quote for your specific home in your specific city. Here is how to get one that is reliable.
Provide accurate square footage and bedroom and bathroom counts upfront. Misrepresenting the size of your home -- even accidentally -- leads to quotes that bear no resemblance to what you will actually pay. Most agencies will adjust the rate after the first visit if the home is substantially larger or messier than described.
Ask whether the quote is for the recurring rate or the first-visit rate. These are often different numbers, and the first-visit rate is the one that will appear on your first invoice.
Confirm whether the agency supplies all cleaning products and equipment or whether you are expected to provide anything. Some services require you to supply a vacuum. If you have a preference for non-toxic or fragrance-free products, say so before booking -- some agencies accommodate this, others do not.
Ask about add-ons and their pricing. Inside oven cleaning, inside refrigerator cleaning, laundry, and interior window washing are common extras. Knowing the a la carte price in advance prevents surprises.
For guidance on what else to evaluate when choosing a service, see How to Choose a Cleaning Service.
What to Watch For
A few patterns reliably signal that a quote or a service relationship is worth approaching carefully.
An unusually low flat-rate quote -- say, $60 for a 2,000-square-foot home -- may indicate that the cleaner is not insured, that the scope is stripped down, or that the rate will increase sharply after the first visit. Ask what is excluded before you assume the quote covers what you expect.
A service that cannot or will not provide proof of liability insurance and bonding when asked is worth skipping. This is not a minor administrative detail -- if a cleaner is injured in your home and the service lacks workers' compensation coverage, you may face exposure. If something is broken or damaged, uninsured services offer no real recourse.
A housekeeper paid as a regular employee of your household -- same person, same schedule, significant weekly hours -- may trigger domestic employer obligations under IRS and state law. This is one of the administrative advantages of going through an agency: they handle payroll taxes for their employees, not you.
Marvin used to say that cleaning prices are "local first." That is accurate. Use national ranges like the ones in this guide to understand whether a quote sounds reasonable, but always collect at least two or three local quotes before booking. Prices in your city may sit well above or well below the national midpoint.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a maid service cost per visit?
Most homeowners pay between $100 and $300 per visit for a standard maid service, according to HomeAdvisor / Angi cost survey data. The exact figure depends on home size, the number of cleaners sent, your region, and whether you use a maid-service agency or an independent housekeeper. Larger homes and first-time cleans run higher.
Is it cheaper to hire an independent housekeeper or a maid service agency?
Independent housekeepers typically charge $25-$45 per hour, which often comes out less per visit than a maid-service agency charging $100-$200 or more for the same home. The trade-off is that agencies carry liability insurance, vet their employees, and send backup cleaners when someone calls in sick. Independents rarely carry that coverage.
How often should I have a maid service come?
Weekly or biweekly service is most common for occupied homes, according to ISSA industry data. Weekly visits suit households with children, pets, or high foot traffic. Biweekly is the most popular frequency overall. Monthly is workable for smaller, lightly used homes or as a supplement to your own cleaning between visits.
What is included in a standard maid service visit?
A standard visit typically includes vacuuming and mopping floors, wiping counters and surfaces, cleaning bathroom fixtures and toilets, making beds, emptying trash, and spot-cleaning glass and mirrors. It does not usually include inside ovens, inside refrigerators, laundry, organization, or deep grout scrubbing -- those are extras or part of a deep clean.
Do maid service prices vary by region?
Yes, significantly. Labor costs and cost of living drive most of the variation. HomeAdvisor / Angi data shows that homeowners in high-cost metros such as New York City, San Francisco, and Seattle pay noticeably more than those in mid-size Midwest or Southern cities for comparable service. Always get local quotes rather than relying on national averages alone.