Pricing

Why deep cleaning costs more than regular cleaning

The math behind deep-clean pricing — labour time, supply burn, equipment wear, and the four 'invisible' tasks that make up half the bill. With Edmonton-specific numbers.

By Ukrainian Elite Cleaning

TL;DR

Deep cleans cost 50–60% more than standard cleans in Edmonton because they take roughly twice as long, burn 2–3× more supply per visit, and require specialty tools (grout brushes, fan-cleaning tools, oven degreasers) that wear out faster. The cost-driver isn't surface area; it's the eight 'invisible' tasks.

Customers occasionally push back on deep-clean prices, expecting maybe 20–30% more than a standard. Honest deep-clean pricing is 50–60% more, and the math is straightforward.

The labour multiplier

A 2-bed/1-bath maintenance clean is 2.0–2.5 hours for a two-person team. The same home as a deep clean is 4.0–5.0 hours. That's 2× the labour at the same wage, and most cleaning companies pay their teams hourly. The wage cost alone accounts for ~$95 of the price difference.

Supply burn

Standard cleans use roughly $4 of supplies per visit. Deep cleans use $10–$14: more cloth, more degreaser, more grout cleaner, more glass cleaner, plus single-use items for specific tasks (grout sponges, oven liners). $7–$10 of price difference is just supplies.

Equipment wear

Vacuum motors, mop heads and grout brushes wear measurably faster on deep cleans. Spread across a year of bookings, this adds $4–$6 per deep clean to honest pricing.

The four invisible tasks that make up half the bill

  1. Baseboards — every linear foot. Adds 35–50 minutes alone.
  2. Vents and returns — vacuum and wipe. 15–25 minutes.
  3. Inside cabinets and drawers — empty, wipe, replace. 30–45 minutes.
  4. Light fixtures, ceiling fans, high ledges — 25–40 minutes with ladder time.

Frequently asked

More on this topic

Couldn't a cheap deep clean just skip the four invisible tasks?
It could, and that's how some operators advertise below-market deep-clean prices. The visible 80% is done; the invisible 20% — which is most of why a deep clean exists — gets skipped.
Are deep cleans the same price by season?
Roughly. Post-winter deep cleans (April–May) take 10–15% longer in Edmonton because of accumulated salt residue, but most operators don't seasonally price.
Is there a one-time deep-clean discount for new customers?
We don't run discounts as a rule because they signal a flexible pricing structure. We price fairly the first time, and our recurring rates are lower.
How often do I actually need a deep clean?
Twice a year for most homes; quarterly for households with pets, dust sensitivities, or heavy entertaining.

Related

Book a clean

Read enough? Let’s clean.

Hourly rates from $35 per cleaner. Same team every visit. Licensed and $2M insured. Quote in 2 business hours.

Get a free quote