How Much Does Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning Cost in Denver?
What renters, buyers, and landlords across Aurora and the Denver metro pay for move-in/move-out cleaning in 2026 — by home size, square footage, and what it actually takes to get a deposit back.
Moving is already the most stressful part of the process — the last thing anyone wants is to spend a Saturday scrubbing an empty apartment, or lose part of a security deposit over baseboards nobody thinks to clean. Nationally, move-out cleaning averages around $360, with most jobs landing between $120 and $500 depending on home size and condition (HomeAdvisor, 2026; Angi, 2026). Here's how those national numbers translate for a Denver-metro apartment or house, and what L&G actually charges for the same job.
Why Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning Costs More Than a Regular Clean
A move-out clean isn't the same job as a recurring tidy-up, even though people often expect the same price. When a home is empty of furniture, every surface that's normally blocked becomes fair game — and usually hasn't been touched in months or years:
- Inside cabinets and drawers — every kitchen and bathroom cabinet gets wiped down inside and out, not just the fronts.
- Inside appliances — the oven, fridge, and microwave get a full detail pass since a new tenant or buyer will open them on day one.
- Baseboards, vents, and light fixtures — dust that's built up behind furniture for years finally gets addressed.
- Full floor treatment — with no furniture in the way, floors get vacuumed, mopped, and (for tile) scrubbed edge to edge.
That extra scope is why a move-out clean typically costs more per visit than a standard recurring service, even on the same square footage.
Move-In Cleaning vs. Move-Out Cleaning: Is There a Difference?
The two are priced the same way and cover mostly the same checklist — the difference is timing and who's on the other end of the job. Move-out cleaning happens after the previous occupant leaves, so a landlord can show the unit or a tenant can get a full deposit back. Move-in cleaning happens before a new occupant's belongings arrive, giving buyers and renters a truly clean slate in a home that may have sat vacant, or that a previous cleaning crew rushed through. Some jobs need both — a move-out clean for the departing tenant, then a light move-in touch-up once the new resident's date is confirmed — and L&G quotes each visit separately since the access and timeline are usually different.
Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning Costs by Home Size (2026)
| Home Size | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Studio apartment | $80–$200 |
| 1-bedroom apartment | $100–$250 |
| 2-bedroom apartment/townhouse | $140–$380 |
| 3-bedroom house | $180–$630 |
| 4-bedroom house or larger | $380–$750 |
Benchmarks from Angi and HomeGuide, 2026.
L&G's own move in/out jobs across the Denver south metro typically run $260-$550 per visit — right in the middle of the national range for a full house, and confirmed with a free firm quote before we ever pick up a mop.
Cost by Square Footage
If you'd rather think in square feet than bedroom count, the math works out similarly:
| Home Size | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $80–$130 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $150–$250 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $230–$380 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $300–$500 |
| 2,500+ sq ft | $380–$750 |
Cost-per-square-foot data ($0.15-$0.25/sq ft) from HomeGuide, 2026.
Most cleaning companies charge $25-$50 per cleaner per hour and send a team of two or three, so a 2,000 sq ft home that takes a two-person crew about 5-6 hours lands right around that $300-$500 range (HomeGuide, 2026).
What Affects Your Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning Price
- Home size — more square footage and more bedrooms/bathrooms means more time on the clock, which is why a studio and a 4-bedroom house land at opposite ends of the pricing table above.
- Current condition — a home that's been kept up costs less to finish than one with months of buildup in the kitchen and bathrooms, or pet hair throughout the carpet and vents.
- Standard vs. deep clean — a basic move-out clean covers surfaces and floors; a deep clean adds inside-appliance detailing, grout scrubbing, and wall spot-cleaning for homes that need more than a light pass.
- Add-ons — carpet cleaning ($120-$240), interior window washing ($80-$300), and garage cleaning ($70-$200) are typically quoted separately from the base move-out clean (Angi, 2026).
- Number of cleaners — most companies price by the hour per cleaner ($25-$50 each), so a two-person crew working half the time usually costs about the same as one cleaner working twice as long.
- Timing — booking right after movers finish (not weeks later) usually keeps the job in scope and avoids re-cleaning dust that settles once a home sits empty.
When to Book Your Move-In/Move-Out Clean
Timing the clean matters almost as much as picking a company. For a move-out clean, book it for the same day the last box leaves or the day after — an empty home collects dust fast, and landlords typically walk through within a day or two of the lease ending. For a move-in clean, schedule it after the previous occupant is fully out but before your movers arrive, so the crew has clear access to every room without navigating boxes or furniture. Most Denver-metro moves happen on weekends and month-end, so booking a week or two ahead helps lock in the date you actually need.
Getting Your Deposit Back: What Should Be Included
Most landlord move-out checklists focus on the same handful of areas, so a move-out clean should cover:
- Kitchen: inside/outside of oven, fridge, microwave, and all cabinets and drawers
- Bathrooms: tub, shower, tile, grout lines, toilet, mirrors, and cabinets
- All floors: vacuumed and mopped, including closets
- Baseboards, window sills, light fixtures, and switch plates
- Interior windows and glass doors
A thorough clean addresses the cleanliness line-items on most lease walkthroughs, though deposit deductions can also come from damage or unpaid rent unrelated to cleaning — those are separate from what a move-out service covers.
What L&G's Move In/Out Cleaning Includes
L&G handles move-in and move-out cleaning for apartments, rental homes, condos, and single-family houses across Aurora and the Denver south metro:
- Full kitchen detail, including inside oven, fridge, and all cabinets
- Bathroom deep clean, including tile, grout, and fixtures
- Baseboards, vents, light fixtures, and window sills throughout
- Interior window and glass cleaning
- Complete floor cleaning — vacuumed, mopped, and detailed edge to edge
Renters book us for deposit-back cleans, buyers book us for a fresh start in a new home, and landlords book us between tenants — often pairing the one-time clean with an ongoing deep cleaning or recurring schedule once a new resident moves in. If the unit has heavily soiled tile or grout, we can quote that as an add-on alongside our tile & grout cleaning service.
Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning FAQs
How much does move-in/move-out cleaning cost in Denver?
Nationally, move-out cleaning averages around $360, with most jobs falling between $120 and $500 depending on home size and condition. L&G's own move in/out cleans in the Denver south metro typically run $260-$550 per visit, confirmed with a free estimate before any work starts.
Is move-out cleaning more expensive than a regular house cleaning?
Yes, usually. A standard recurring clean runs about $120-$280 per visit, while a full move-out clean runs $150-$500 because it covers empty cabinets, inside appliances, baseboards, and every corner a regular clean skips since furniture is normally in the way.
Will move-out cleaning guarantee I get my security deposit back?
A thorough move-out clean covers the cleanliness items on most landlord checklists, but deposit deductions can also come from damage, unpaid rent, or lease terms unrelated to cleaning. A professional clean removes the most common cleanliness-related deduction reason.
How long does a move-in/move-out clean take?
Most apartments take 2-4 hours with a two-person crew, while a full-size empty house typically runs 4-8 hours depending on square footage and condition. Booking the clean for after the movers leave but before final walkthrough works best.
Does L&G clean apartments and rental units, not just houses?
Yes. L&G handles move-in and move-out cleaning for apartments, rental homes, condos, and single-family houses across Aurora and the Denver south metro, with a free firm quote before booking.
Ready to Book Your Move-In/Out Clean?
Whether you're handing back the keys on a rental or getting a new place ready before the boxes arrive, get a free estimate for move-in/move-out cleaning — online in 60 seconds or over the phone at (303) 944-4318. No deposit, no obligation, and your quote is confirmed before any work starts. Se habla español.
L&G Cleaning Services is family-owned and operated in Aurora, CO, serving homes and businesses across the Denver south metro.