Cleaning time explained
Eight Photos. Four Conditions. One Honest Answer.
How long should your house cleaning take? It depends on two things: the condition of your home and its square footage. The eight photos below show what each condition looks like, how long that kind of work takes, and what it adds up to for a home your size. These are the same four conditions you choose on our instant estimate, so what you read here is what the calculator figures.
Start here
First, What a Labor Hour Is
We price every cleaning by the labor hour: one hour of one technician’s work. Your crew shares those hours, so the time the crew spends in your home is the labor hours divided by the number of technicians. The rate is $58.85 per labor hour ($62.50 per labor hour on visits of 3 labor hours or fewer), plus applicable tax. Our minimum visit is 2 labor hours ($125 plus tax). A 2-labor-hour visit covers only what can be completed in that time; we will help you prioritize what matters most and let you know up front if your home needs more time.
8.5 hrs
One technician working 8.5 hours is 8.5 labor hours. Deep cleanings are usually done by a crew of two or three; this is just the math.
4 hrs 15 min
Two technicians finish those same 8.5 labor hours in about 4 hours 15 minutes in your home.
2 hrs 50 min
Three technicians finish 8.5 labor hours in about 2 hours 50 minutes. Same work, same price, less of your day.
Every figure on this page is a starting point. The condition of your home, the number of bathrooms, pet hair, clutter and the priorities you give us can all add labor. Our office confirms the service and the hours with you before any work begins, and nothing is added without your approval.
Home size
How We Size Your Home
Square footage is the fairest measure of a cleaning, because every room has floors, surfaces and corners that take time. If you are not sure of yours, it is on your county assessor record, your lease or the listing from when you bought the home. Here is what the sizes typically mean and the labor hours our calculator predicts for each, in average condition, within 15 miles of our office.
| Square footage | Typical home | Standard cleaning | Deep or move-out cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 700 | Studio, casita or 1-bedroom apartment | 3+ labor hours | 6+ labor hours |
| 701 – 1,000 | 1–2 bedroom apartment or small house | 4+ labor hours | 8.5+ labor hours |
| 1,001 – 1,500 | 2–3 bedroom house | 4 – 4.5+ labor hours | 8.5+ labor hours |
| 1,501 – 2,000 | 3-bedroom house | 4.5 – 6+ labor hours | 8.5+ labor hours |
| 2,001 – 2,500 | 3–4 bedroom house | 6 – 7.5+ labor hours | 8.5 – 10+ labor hours |
| 2,501 – 3,000 | 4-bedroom house | 7.5 – 9+ labor hours | 10 – 12+ labor hours |
| 3,001 – 3,500 | 4–5 bedroom or two-story | 9 – 10.5+ labor hours | 12 – 14+ labor hours |
| 3,501 – 4,000 | Large two-story | 10.5 – 12+ labor hours | 14 – 16+ labor hours |
| Over 4,000 | Large or multi-level | 12+ labor hours | 16+ labor hours |
The plus sign means the hours can be more depending on the condition of the home; the four conditions below show how much. The calculator figures about 3 labor hours per 1,000 sq ft for a standard cleaning and about 4 labor hours per 1,000 sq ft for a deep, initial or move-out cleaning, before the condition adjustment below. Minimums apply whenever the calculation comes in lower: 3, 4 or 5 labor hours for a standard cleaning by size, and 8.5 labor hours (6 for 700 sq ft and under) for deep and move-out cleanings.
The ranges above are estimates by square footage. We set the actual labor hours from your home’s layout, condition, number of bathrooms, flooring, stairs, pets, furnishings and how often it is cleaned, not from square footage alone, and we confirm those hours with you before any work begins.
Home condition
The Four Conditions We Price
Condition is the other half of the answer. These are the four choices on our instant estimate, and each one adjusts the calculated labor. The photos in the next sections show you exactly what each looks like.
Please note: we cannot do a regular or lightly soiled cleaning in a home that is neglected and needs a deep cleaning. The hours in a maintenance visit cannot restore months of buildup, so you would not be happy with the result, and neither would we. If a full deep cleaning is more than you want to spend right now, we can narrow the scope instead, for example two bathrooms only, as long as the visit is at least 2 labor hours at our 2-labor-hour price ($125 plus tax).
Lightly soiled
Kept up between visits. Light dust, a few fingerprints, nothing built up.
Labor −5%Average condition
Normal everyday living: water spots, cooking splatter, crumbs, pet hair, a few weeks since the last good cleaning.
Standard laborHeavy buildup
Months of buildup: soap scum and scale, mildew, grease film, grime in corners and grout.
Labor +50% · deep clean firstExtremely heavy / neglected
A year or more without cleaning, baked-on grease, heavy grime on every surface, or a home that needs a clean-out.
Labor +100% · deep clean firstCondition 1 of 4
Lightly Soiled: A Home That Is Kept Up
This is a home that gets cleaned regularly, usually by us every week or every two weeks. Surfaces are clear, nothing has had time to build up, and the work is maintenance: dust, wipe, sanitize, polish, floors. It is the fastest condition to clean, and the calculator takes 5% off the standard labor for it.
Kitchen · lightly soiled
A Kitchen Sink That Is Kept Up
What you’re seeing. A polished stainless sink, clear granite counters, a tidy knife block and clean cabinet fronts. Nothing is built up; this kitchen just needs its regular maintenance.
How long it takes. On a recurring visit a kitchen like this takes one technician about 25 to 35 minutes: counters and backsplash wiped, sink and faucet scrubbed and polished, cabinet fronts spot-cleaned, small appliances wiped, floor vacuumed and mopped.
The right service: Standard cleaning on a weekly or every-two-weeks schedule. The table below shows the labor hours for the whole home.
Kitchen · lightly soiled
A Lived-In Kitchen Island
What you’re seeing. Granite counters with a few everyday items on them, dark cabinets, stainless appliances, barstools. Lived in, but kept up. There is a lot of surface here, and every bit of it gets wiped.
How long it takes. A larger kitchen with an island takes one technician about 35 to 45 minutes on a recurring visit. The island adds counter space, stool legs and more floor to work around, so a bigger kitchen is why bigger homes carry more labor hours even when they are spotless.
The right service: Standard cleaning. Once your home is on a recurring schedule it qualifies for 15% off weekly or 10% off every two weeks.
| Home size (sq ft) | Labor hours | Starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 700Studio, casita or 1-bedroom apartment | 3 | $187.50 |
| 701 – 1,0001–2 bedroom apartment or small house | 4 | $235.40 |
| 1,001 – 1,5002–3 bedroom house | 4 – 4.5 | $235.40 |
| 1,501 – 2,0003-bedroom house | 4.5 – 5.75 | $264.83 |
| 2,001 – 2,5003–4 bedroom house | 5.75 – 7.25 | $338.39 |
| 2,501 – 3,0004-bedroom house | 7.25 – 8.75 | $426.66 |
| 3,001 – 3,5004–5 bedroom or two-story | 8.75 – 10 | $514.94 |
| 3,501 – 4,000Large two-story | 10 – 11.5 | $588.50 |
| Over 4,000Large or multi-level | Use the instant estimate for a starting figure; the office confirms the hours after a walk-through. | |
Prices are starting points at the low end of each size range, plus applicable tax. Cleaning products are optional for an additional $15 plus tax; professional equipment is always provided.
Condition 2 of 4
Average Condition: Normal Everyday Living
Most Albuquerque homes are here. Water spots on the faucet, toothpaste specks in the sink, cooking splatter on the stove, crumbs, dust and pet hair: a few weeks of real life since the last good cleaning. It still cleans at standard labor, with a little more scrubbing than a lightly soiled home.
Bathroom · average condition
A Bathroom Sink With Water Spots
What you’re seeing. Spots and specks on the faucet and basin, a hazy mirror, a little dust on the counter. Nothing is stained or scaled; it just has not been cleaned in a few weeks.
How long it takes. A bathroom in average condition takes one technician about 25 to 45 minutes depending on its size: mirror and light fixture, sink, faucet and counter, toilet inside and out, shower or tub, then the floor last.
The right service: Standard cleaning. If you would like the first visit hand-detailed top to bottom, book it as an Initial Cleaning (starts at 8.5 labor hours, or 6 labor hours for units 700 sq ft and under) and then move to recurring service.
Kitchen · average condition
A Glass Cooktop With Cooking Splatter
What you’re seeing. Sauce splatter and crumbs across a glass cooktop and a stainless range. Everyday cooking, not baked-on grease; it comes off with cooktop cleaner and a scraper.
How long it takes. The cooktop itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes; the whole kitchen about 35 to 45 minutes for one technician on a recurring visit. The inside of the oven is a separate priority that we schedule by the labor hour, so let us know when you book.
The right service: Standard cleaning at standard labor. The table below shows the labor hours for a whole home in average condition.
| Home size (sq ft) | Labor hours | Starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 700Studio, casita or 1-bedroom apartment | 3 | $187.50 |
| 701 – 1,0001–2 bedroom apartment or small house | 4 | $235.40 |
| 1,001 – 1,5002–3 bedroom house | 4 – 4.5 | $235.40 |
| 1,501 – 2,0003-bedroom house | 4.5 – 6 | $264.83 |
| 2,001 – 2,5003–4 bedroom house | 6 – 7.5 | $353.10 |
| 2,501 – 3,0004-bedroom house | 7.5 – 9 | $441.38 |
| 3,001 – 3,5004–5 bedroom or two-story | 9 – 10.5 | $529.65 |
| 3,501 – 4,000Large two-story | 10.5 – 12 | $617.93 |
| Over 4,000Large or multi-level | Use the instant estimate for a starting figure; the office confirms the hours after a walk-through. | |
Prices are starting points at the low end of each size range, plus applicable tax. Cleaning products are optional for an additional $15 plus tax; professional equipment is always provided.
Condition 3 of 4
Heavy Buildup: Months Without a Deep Cleaning
Soap scum and hard-water scale on glass, mildew in the tub, a grease film on cabinet fronts, grime in grout and corners. This is not a maintenance visit; it is restorative work that takes descalers, degreasers, dwell time and hand-scrubbing. The first cleaning is booked as a deep cleaning, and the calculator adds 50% to the labor. After that, the home is at maintenance level and recurring visits are priced as standard cleanings.
Bathroom · heavy buildup
A Shower Door Hazed With Scale and Soap Scum
What you’re seeing. The glass has gone cloudy with hard-water scale and soap scum; the track and fixtures are coated too. Albuquerque water is hard, and this is what a few months without descaling looks like.
How long it takes. Scale on glass needs a descaler, time to work and real scrubbing, usually in several passes: up to 2 hours for the glass alone to get it perfect, and 2 to 3 hours for a bathroom in this condition. That is why it belongs in a deep cleaning, not a maintenance visit.
The right service: Deep cleaning first (starts at 8.5 labor hours, 6 for units 700 sq ft and under). Then standard cleanings keep it this way.
Bathroom · heavy buildup
A Bathtub With Mildew and Grime
What you’re seeing. Brown and orange streaks of mildew and soap residue down the tile, a grimy soap dish, buildup around the fixtures and along the tub edge. Months of showers with no scrubbing.
How long it takes. The tub and tile surround take about 45 to 60 minutes on their own, and the bathroom 60 to 90 minutes or more. Grout that has been stained this long will lighten but may not come all the way back; we will tell you honestly what to expect before we start.
The right service: Deep cleaning first, then recurring standard cleanings. The table below shows the deep-cleaning labor hours for a whole home with heavy buildup.
| Home size (sq ft) | Labor hours | Starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 700Studio, casita or 1-bedroom apartment | 9 | $529.65 |
| 701 – 1,0001–2 bedroom apartment or small house | 12.75 | $750.34 |
| 1,001 – 1,5002–3 bedroom house | 12.75 | $750.34 |
| 1,501 – 2,0003-bedroom house | 12.75 | $750.34 |
| 2,001 – 2,5003–4 bedroom house | 12.75 – 15 | $750.34 |
| 2,501 – 3,0004-bedroom house | 15 – 18 | $882.75 |
| 3,001 – 3,5004–5 bedroom or two-story | 18 – 21 | $1,059.30 |
| 3,501 – 4,000Large two-story | 21 – 24 | $1,235.85 |
| Over 4,000Large or multi-level | Use the instant estimate for a starting figure; the office confirms the hours after a walk-through. | |
Prices are starting points at the low end of each size range, plus applicable tax. Cleaning products are optional for an additional $15 plus tax; professional equipment is always provided.
Condition 4 of 4
Extremely Heavy or Neglected
A year or more without cleaning, baked-on grease, grime on every surface, or so much clutter that the floors and counters cannot be reached. The calculator doubles the labor for this condition and books it as a deep cleaning. For the most extreme homes we confirm the hours in person, because a photo cannot show everything.
Kitchen · extremely heavy
A Range Coated in Baked-On Grease
What you’re seeing. Grease has cooked onto the range top, the hood, the backsplash and the cabinet fronts, and it has dripped down the oven door. This is degreaser-and-scraper work, surface by surface, with several passes.
How long it takes. The range, hood, backsplash and the cabinets around them take 60 to 90 minutes or more on their own, and a kitchen in this condition is 2 to 3 labor hours. The inside of the oven is a separate priority we schedule by the labor hour.
The right service: Deep cleaning at the extremely-heavy adjustment (labor doubled). Tell us about it when you book so the right crew and hours are scheduled.
Whole home · needs a clean-out
A Living Room That Needs a Clean-Out First
What you’re seeing. Bags, baskets, laundry and loose items fill the room past the furniture. There is no floor or surface to clean until the clutter is out. We see this in estate situations, after an illness, or when someone has simply been overwhelmed, and we treat every one with respect.
How long it takes. A home at this level can take 30 to 50 labor hours or more between the clean-out and the cleaning. The first step is a clean-out: hauling away what you decide goes, which is a separate service we schedule through the office (we do haul dump loads). Then the home is cleaned as a deep cleaning at the extremely-heavy adjustment, usually with a full crew over more than one day. We confirm the hours in person, not from a photo.
The right service: An in-person assessment by our office, then a clean-out, then a deep cleaning. Biohazards such as animal waste, mold, needles or sewage are outside what a cleaning crew handles; if a home needs a specialist first, we will tell you.
| Home size (sq ft) | Labor hours | Starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 700Studio, casita or 1-bedroom apartment | 12 | $706.20 |
| 701 – 1,0001–2 bedroom apartment or small house | 17 | $1,000.45 |
| 1,001 – 1,5002–3 bedroom house | 17 | $1,000.45 |
| 1,501 – 2,0003-bedroom house | 17 | $1,000.45 |
| 2,001 – 2,5003–4 bedroom house | 17 – 20 | $1,000.45 |
| 2,501 – 3,0004-bedroom house | 20 – 24 | $1,177.00 |
| 3,001 – 3,5004–5 bedroom or two-story | 24 – 28 | $1,412.40 |
| 3,501 – 4,000Large two-story | 28 – 32 | $1,647.80 |
| Over 4,000Large or multi-level | Use the instant estimate for a starting figure; the office confirms the hours after a walk-through. | |
Prices are starting points at the low end of each size range, plus applicable tax. Cleaning products are optional for an additional $15 plus tax; professional equipment is always provided.
Time in your home
How Long Will the Crew Actually Be Here?
Labor hours are shared by the crew. Here is what the common labor-hour amounts look like on your clock. We confirm the crew size when we schedule.
| Labor hours booked | With 2 technicians | With 3 technicians |
|---|---|---|
| 3 labor hoursStandard clean, 700 sq ft and under | 1 hr 30 min | 1 hr |
| 4 labor hoursStandard clean, 701–1,300 sq ft | 2 hrs | 1 hr 20 min |
| 6 labor hoursStandard clean, about 2,000 sq ft; deep clean, 700 sq ft and under | 3 hrs | 2 hrs |
| 8.5 labor hoursDeep, initial or move-out clean, over 700 sq ft (starting point) | 4 hrs 15 min | 2 hrs 50 min |
| 9 labor hoursStandard clean, about 3,000 sq ft | 4 hrs 30 min | 3 hrs |
| 12 labor hoursStandard clean, about 4,000 sq ft; deep clean of a larger or heavier home | 6 hrs | 4 hrs |
| 17 labor hoursExtremely heavy, 701–2,000 sq ft | 8 hrs 30 min | 5 hrs 40 min |
Very large jobs are scheduled with a bigger crew or over two days, so no one is in your home longer than a working day.
No surprises
What Happens If the Hours Run Out
Sometimes a home needs more than the photos or the phone call suggested. Here is exactly how we handle it, every time.
We would rather give you the real number up front than quote a low price and surprise you later. Every figure on this page and on our instant estimate reflects approximately how long the work really takes, and that is the work you are billed for. An empty home is a good example: a move-out cleaning does not take less time because the furniture is gone. With nothing in the way, every cabinet, drawer, shelf, appliance, baseboard, window sill, closet and floor is cleaned completely, and that is more hand work, not less. That is why move-out cleanings start at 8.5 labor hours (6 labor hours for units 700 sq ft and under), and why we hold to those hours so you, your landlord or your buyer get the result that was quoted.
- You hear about it early. Your Team Leader keeps track of the time and tells you before the authorized labor hours run out, not after.
- Time is added in 2-labor-hour blocks, and only if you say yes. If we get on site and the home needs more time than was sold, your Team Leader asks you first, in 2-labor-hour blocks at the same rate on your work order. You are never obligated to say yes.
- You pay only for the extra time used. The minimum hours you booked are charged in full; additional time is charged only as used. Your Team Leader asks in 2-labor-hour blocks, but if the extra work takes 1 labor hour, 1 labor hour is all you are charged for in addition to the minimum.
- Or you keep the hours you booked. Tell us the areas that matter most and the crew focuses there.
- You always know what was done. Before the crew leaves you get a clear list of what was completed and what was not. Nobody keeps working for free, and nobody charges you for time you did not approve.
Outside Albuquerque
More Than 15 Miles From Our Office?
Our Albuquerque pricing covers homes within 15 driving miles of 2901 Juan Tabo Blvd NE, 87112. Beyond that, in Rio Rancho, Corrales, Placitas, Bernalillo, Sandia Park and Cedar Crest, every clean is a deep, reset or move-out cleaning and starts at 8.5 labor hours ($500.23 plus tax) in any condition. Tijeras homes within about 10 miles of I-40 and Tramway get Albuquerque pricing. We do not service Los Lunas or Edgewood.
Common questions
What is a labor hour?
A labor hour is one hour of one cleaning technician’s work. Maid O’ Matic prices every cleaning by the labor hour, and your crew shares those hours. An 8.5-labor-hour cleaning is about 4 hours 15 minutes in your home with two technicians, or about 2 hours 50 minutes with three.
How long does a standard house cleaning take?
Within 15 miles of our Albuquerque office, the calculator figures about 3 labor hours per 1,000 sq ft for a standard cleaning in average condition (5% less when the home is lightly soiled): about 4 labor hours for a 1,300 sq ft home, 6 for 2,000 sq ft, 9 for 3,000 sq ft and 12 for 4,000 sq ft. Minimums of 3 labor hours (700 sq ft and under), 4 labor hours (701–2,000 sq ft) and 5 labor hours (over 2,000 sq ft) apply whenever the calculation comes in lower. The crew shares those hours, so two technicians finish a 6-labor-hour cleaning in about 3 hours.
How long does a deep cleaning take?
Deep, initial and move-in/move-out cleanings start at 8.5 labor hours ($500.23 plus tax), or 6 labor hours ($353.10 plus tax) for units 700 sq ft and under within Albuquerque. The calculated labor is about 4 labor hours per 1,000 sq ft, increased by 50% for heavy buildup and 100% for extremely heavy or neglected homes.
Why can’t a home with heavy buildup book a standard cleaning?
A standard cleaning maintains a home that is already at maintenance level. Months of buildup take hand-washing, descaling and degreasing that do not fit in a maintenance visit, so the first cleaning is booked as a deep cleaning. Once the home is at maintenance level, recurring visits are priced as standard cleanings with our weekly or every-two-weeks discount.
We do not book a standard or lightly soiled cleaning for a home that is neglected and needs a deep cleaning, because the result would not meet anyone’s expectations and you would be paying for a cleaning you would not be happy with. If the full deep cleaning is more than you want to spend right now, we can narrow the scope to fit, for example a deep cleaning of two bathrooms only, as long as the visit is at least 2 labor hours at our 2-labor-hour price ($125 plus tax).
What happens if my home needs more time than I booked?
Your Team Leader tells you before the authorized time runs out. Your Team Leader asks you first, in 2-labor-hour blocks at the same rate, and you are never obligated to say yes. If you do, the minimum hours you booked are charged in full and the additional time only as used: if the extra work takes 1 labor hour, 1 labor hour is all you are charged for in addition to the minimum. Or keep the hours you booked and tell us which areas matter most; either way you hear exactly what will and will not be completed before the crew leaves.
Ready for a Number for Your Home?
Pick your square footage and your condition on the instant estimate and you will see the starting labor hours and price for your home in seconds. Prefer to talk it through? Call us, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
Get an Instant EstimateCall (505) 379-3154Our 50-Point Quality Inspection