Moving into a new home in Toronto is a monumental task. The last thing you want to inherit is someone else’s dust, dirt, or lingering odors. Most professional cleaning companies in Toronto guarantee a fresh, sanitary start—but what should you expect to pay for this essential service?
Pricing for this specialty service isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s determined by a blend of logistics, property characteristics, and the level of deep-cleaning required.
This guide provides a clear breakdown of typical costs, the factors that influence the final quote, and how to assess the value of a professional clean, drawing on the industry expertise of Now It’s Clean.
The Core Cost Range for Move-In Cleaning in the GTA
Across Toronto, Mississauga, and the surrounding areas, professional move-in cleaning typically follows a project-based rate structure. Unlike standard weekly housekeeping, move-in cleaning involves specialized deep cleaning and therefore carries a higher baseline rate.
| Property Type | Estimated Time Required | Typical GTA Price Range (Flat Rate) |
| Small Condo (600 – 800 sq ft) | 3 – 5 hours | $250 – $400 |
| Standard 2-Bed Home/Apartment | 4 – 7 hours | $380 – $650 |
| Large 3+ Bed Home/Townhouse | 6 – 9 hours | $600 – $950+ |
Note: These figures represent a full, intensive top-to-bottom clean. The actual cleaning company cost will always depend on the specific factors detailed below. Hourly rates, while less common for this service, typically fall between $45 and $65 per cleaner, per hour in the GTA market.
5 Key Factors That Determine Your Final Cleaning Price
Service providers like Now It’s Clean base their quotes on transparent, verifiable criteria to ensure accuracy and fairness. Understanding these factors helps you budget effectively and avoid surprises.
Factor 1: The Size and Layout of the Property
This is the most significant cost driver. Cleaners calculate time based on square footage and the number of specific rooms that require deep attention:
- Bedroom/Bathroom Count: A 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom house will take considerably longer than a 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom house, simply due to the intense sanitization needed in wet areas.
Check more at How Much Does Bathroom Cleaning Cost in Toronto?
- Unique Spaces: Basements, lofts, sunrooms, and large entryways add time and square footage to the total calculation.
Factor 2: The Condition of the Unit (Dirt Level)
A unit left in average condition is cheaper to clean than one requiring significant remediation. If the previous tenants were smokers, had pets, or rarely cleaned, the service transitions from a standard deep clean to a restorative clean:
- Excessive Grease & Grime: Kitchens that require heavy degreasing, especially inside the oven, add significant labour time.
- Wall Washing: Scuff marks, fingerprints, and residue on walls require specialized time and may be an add-on service.
Factor 3: Specialized Add-On Services
Move-in cleanings often require attention to areas not covered in a basic package. These are typically priced separately:
- Interior Window Cleaning: Wiping down the inside of window panes, tracks, and sills (crucial for older Toronto homes).
- Appliance Interiors: Cleaning the inside of the refrigerator, freezer, oven, or washing machine.
- Carpet Steam Cleaning: Deep extraction cleaning for carpets or area rugs to remove deep-seated odors and stains.
- Blind/Shutter Cleaning: Detailed work that requires cleaning individual slats.
Factor 4: Geographical Location and Accessibility
The competitive landscape and labour costs vary slightly even within the GTA. Travel time, parking, and building access influence the final quote:
- Downtown Toronto vs. Suburbs: Downtown locations often include fees for paid parking and necessitate time navigating large condo buildings (elevator usage, key protocols). Suburbs like Mississauga may have slightly lower overheads but require more driving time.
- Accessibility: Is the home empty? If the cleaners have to work around boxes or furniture, the work takes longer and the cost may increase.
Factor 5: Timing and Urgency
If you require the cleaning done within a 24-hour window, or on a weekend or statutory holiday, a premium (often 10% to 20%) will apply to accommodate the scheduling demands.
Read More – How Much Does Apartment Cleaning Cost in Toronto?
Understanding the Move-In Cleaning Scope
To avoid disputes and ensure a successful clean, it is vital to know exactly what is included in a professional move-in package (the “Scope of Work”).
| Standard Inclusion | Specialized Deep-Clean Focus |
| Kitchen: Cleaning and sanitizing all countertops, sink, exterior of cabinets, and stovetop. | Sanitization: Cleaning inside drawers and cabinets (empty only), intensive degreasing of the range hood filter, and detail-cleaning fridge door seals. |
| Bathrooms: Full deep-sanitization of toilets, tubs, showers, and vanity, including grout lines. | Infection Control: Extended chemical dwell time on high-touch fixtures (faucets, flush levers) to ensure 99.99% kill rate. |
| All Rooms: Dry dusting using the Top-Down Protocol, baseboard wiping, switch/outlet plate disinfection, and floor vacuuming/mopping. | Baseboard Detail: Hand-wiping baseboards to remove all scuff marks and dust buildup, often done by hand. |
What is usually excluded (unless requested as an add-on): Garage cleaning, exterior window cleaning, pressure washing, or removing paint/adhesive residue.
The Value of Investing in Professional Move-In Cleaning by Now It’s Clean
For a modest investment, you purchase something priceless: peace of mind and time, guaranteed by a trusted local provider. When you choose Now It’s Clean, you’re investing in verified quality, not just hours of labor.
- Health and Hygiene Guarantee: Now It’s Clean uses commercial-grade equipment (like HEPA filtration vacuums and steam cleaners) that amateur cleaning simply cannot match, eliminating pet dander, allergens, and pathogens left behind. Our trained technicians follow strict sanitization protocols that meet the highest standards for hygienic property turnover.
- Time Savings and Efficiency: An individual trying to perform a full move-in clean might take 8-10 hours, significantly cutting into the valuable time needed for packing and unpacking. We deploy efficient teams using optimized workflows to complete the job faster and to a higher standard.
- Worry-Free Transition: Knowing a space is fully certified clean allows you to immediately begin setting up your new life without concern for the cleanliness standards of the previous occupants. Our transparency and flat-rate quoting eliminate billing surprises, ensuring a stress-free experience.
If you are moving within Toronto, Mississauga, or the wider GTA, trust the experts at Now It’s Clean to deliver a verifiable, five-star clean that meets the highest standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is move-in cleaning priced higher than move-out cleaning?
No, they are usually priced identically. The scope of work (empty, intensive deep clean) is the same, regardless of whether you are leaving or arriving.
Q2: Should I hire a company that quotes an hourly rate?
Be cautious with hourly rates. They can lead to unpredictable final bills. A flat rate, based on square footage and condition, which Now It’s Clean provides, offers much greater cost certainty.
Q3: How far in advance should I book my move-in cleaning?
In the busy GTA market, you should book at least 1-2 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date, especially during peak moving seasons (spring and fall).
Q4: Do I need to be present for the cleaning?
Ideally, no. The best cleaning is performed when the unit is empty. You only need to arrange key access (lockbox, concierge, or drop-off).