Cleaning Quotes: What a Professional Quote Should Cover

Cleaning quote checklist for the UK. Learn what a professional cleaning quote should include, typical add-ons, VAT clarity, and red flags before booking.

Cleaning quotes can look simple — until you compare them. One company might include deep cleaning tasks, supplies, and a team. Another might be a single cleaner, time-based, with exclusions that only appear later. If you don’t know what to check, it’s easy to choose a “cheap” quote that doesn’t deliver the result you expected. Browse trusted cleaning businesses near you to compare services, reviews, and availability before you choose.

This guide explains what a professional cleaning quote should include in the UK, the most common extras to watch for, and the red flags that suggest the quote isn’t truly comparable.

What a Cleaning Quote Should Include (Minimum)

A reliable cleaning quote should clearly confirm:

• Type of cleaning (one-off, end of tenancy, deep clean, office cleaning, etc.)

• Scope of work (what areas/tasks are included and excluded)

• Whether supplies/equipment are included

• Number of cleaners (or hours planned)

• VAT clarity

• Timescales and scheduling

• Payment terms

• How add-ons are approved and priced

If you’re using your general quote checklist, the “scope + time + supplies” trio matters most for cleaning.

1) Cleaning Type: “Deep Clean” Means Different Things

Different providers use the same words to describe different levels of cleaning.

A quote should clearly state the service type, such as:

• Regular domestic cleaning

• One-off deep cleaning

• End of tenancy cleaning

• After-builders cleaning

• Commercial/office cleaning

• Carpet or upholstery cleaning (if included)

If it’s end of tenancy, the quote should also explain whether it’s aligned with typical landlord/agent expectations (without making unrealistic promises).

2) Scope of Work: Room-by-Room or Task List

The scope is where cleaning quotes become non-comparable.

A professional quote should specify:

• Rooms included (kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, hallways, etc.)

• Key tasks (surfaces, skirting, appliances, bins, limescale, etc.)

• What’s excluded (windows, ovens, inside cupboards, etc. unless stated)

• Any “priority areas” you request

Tip: The best cleaning quotes list tasks clearly. If it’s vague (“full clean”), ask for a checklist.

3) Time and Team Size: Hours Matter

Cleaning quotes often differ because:

• one provider prices by hours

• another prices by job outcome

• one sends a team, another sends one cleaner

A quote should confirm:

• estimated hours on site

• number of cleaners

• whether the quote is time-capped or results-based

• what happens if the job takes longer than expected

A cheap quote sometimes simply means fewer hours.

4) Cleaning Supplies and Equipment: Included or Extra?

This is a common hidden cost.

Confirm:

• Are cleaning products included?

• Are specialist products included (limescale removers, degreasers)?

• Are equipment and tools included (vacuum, mop, steam cleaner)?

• Are eco-friendly products available and do they cost extra?

If you need premium results (deep clean), supplies matter.

5) Add-Ons and Typical Extras in Cleaning Quotes

Cleaning services often have optional extras that affect pricing.

Common add-ons:

• oven cleaning

• inside fridge/freezer

• inside cupboards

• window cleaning

• carpet cleaning

• upholstery cleaning

• balcony/patio cleaning

• mould treatment (where appropriate)

Best practice: ask what’s included and what’s an optional add-on, so you can compare fairly.

If you want a general guide to spotting “extras”, add a link with natural anchor text like avoiding surprise charges to your hidden-costs post.

6) Access, Parking, and Key Collection

Cleaning is often time-sensitive and logistics matter.

A good quote may ask about:

• parking availability

• building access (entry codes, concierge)

• key collection/return

• lift access (for flats)

• rubbish disposal rules (if relevant)

If access is difficult, quote accuracy improves when you share those details upfront.

7) Standards, Re-Cleans, and “Satisfaction” Terms

Some professional cleaners include a re-clean policy within a timeframe (especially for end of tenancy).

Confirm:

• whether a re-clean is offered

• what conditions apply

• how quickly issues must be reported

• what evidence is needed (photos)

Be cautious with quotes that promise “guaranteed landlord acceptance” — results can depend on the property and the inventory/check-out process.

8) VAT and Payment Terms

Cleaning providers may quote with or without VAT. Always confirm.

Payment terms should clarify:

• when payment is due

• whether deposits apply (usually for large bookings)

• cancellation/rescheduling terms

• invoice/receipt confirmation

Avoid unclear terms that could turn into a disagreement later.

9) Red Flags in Cleaning Quotes

Watch out for:

• no written scope (only a price)

• unclear time allocation (“we’ll see on the day”)

• “deep clean” with no checklist

• very low pricing with missing tasks

• pressure to book immediately

• refusal to confirm inclusions/exclusions in writing

If you’ve already built a “red flags before hiring” post, this is a natural place to link to it with a short anchor inside the paragraph.

Quick Cleaning Quote Checklist (Copy/Paste)

Before accepting a cleaning quote, confirm:

✔ Cleaning type is clearly defined

✔ Rooms/tasks included and excluded are listed

✔ Number of cleaners and estimated hours

✔ Supplies and equipment included or not

✔ Optional add-ons clearly priced

✔ VAT clarity

✔ Access/key/parking arrangements covered

✔ Re-clean policy (if offered)

✔ Payment and cancellation terms clear

Final Thoughts

A professional cleaning quote should read like a plan — not just a number. When the scope is clear, hours/team size are realistic, and add-ons are defined, it becomes much easier to compare quotes and choose best value. If anything is vague, ask for a checklist and written confirmation before you book. If you want accurate pricing, you can request cleaning quotes online and compare what’s included side by side.

FAQ — Cleaning Quotes (UK)

1) Why do cleaning quotes vary so much?
Scope, number of hours, team size, whether supplies are included, and whether add-ons (like ovens or windows) are included can change the price a lot.

2) Should a cleaning quote include a task checklist?
Ideally yes, especially for deep cleans and end of tenancy cleans. A checklist makes quotes comparable and reduces misunderstandings.

3) Are cleaning supplies usually included?
Sometimes. Always confirm whether products and equipment are included, and whether specialist or eco products cost extra.

4) How do I compare cleaning quotes fairly?
Compare scope and time: rooms/tasks included, number of cleaners, estimated hours, supplies included, and which add-ons are extra.

5) What are common add-ons in cleaning quotes?
Oven cleaning, fridge/freezer, inside cupboards, windows, carpets, upholstery, and balcony/patio cleaning are common extras.

6) Is VAT usually included in cleaning quotes?
Not always. Ask whether VAT is included or added, and get confirmation in writing before booking.

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