As your lease end date gets closer, you’re busy packing up and planning the move. You’ve loaded the boxes, booked the moving van, and are about to say goodbye to the space you’ve called home.
Every tenant wonders at this point whether to perform the cleaning themselves or to seek professional help.
End-of-tenancy cleaning goes beyond mere dusting and vacuuming. The quality of your end-of-tenancy cleaning determines how much of your deposit your landlord returns.
This guide will help you decide whether to clean the place yourself or hire end-of-tenancy cleaners. We’ll compare both options and share real-life examples to make the choice easier.
DIY End of Tenancy Cleaning: The Hands-On Option
I found myself in a tight financial situation after moving out of my first studio apartment. Since I couldn’t afford professional cleaning services, I decided to clean the place myself.
I spent two days thoroughly cleaning my property, straining my back and leaving my hands sore from all the scrubbing. My hard work paid off- I got my full security deposit back.
Pros of DIY Cleaning
Cost-Effective: Handling the cleaning of your home results in substantial savings compared to the costs of professional cleaning services.
- Control: You will understand which areas received more cleaning treatment and to what degree.
- Flexibility: The timing of your cleaning activities depends entirely on your personal needs.
Cons of DIY Cleaning
- Time Commitment: The cleaning process requires enough time that it can easily occupy an entire weekend or even extend beyond that.
- Physical Effort: The task becomes challenging because of the property size and damaged condition.
- Risk of Missing Details: Lack of experience could cause you to miss essential details, resulting in a reduced deposit amount.
What You’ll Need
To make DIY work, you’ll need:
- All-purpose cleaners
- Oven degreaser
- Glass and mirror spray
- Microfiber cloths, sponges, and brushes
- Mop, bucket, and vacuum cleaner (preferably with attachments)
Optional: carpet steam cleaner rental
Tips for DIY Success
- Use a move-out cleaning checklist to stay on track.
- Start with the kitchen and bathrooms—they take the most effort.
- Don’t forget easy-to-miss spots like baseboards, behind radiators, and light fixtures.
Professional Cleaning Services: The Stress-Free Option
Before moving out of my two-bedroom flat, I hired professional cleaning services because I had fewer free hours to handle it myself.
I went with a Manchester-based cleaning team that had great reviews, not just locally but from clients in other cities. They cleaned the entire flat in under three hours, and even though I wasn’t personally there during the process, the property management had no complaints, and I got my full deposit back.
Pros of Hiring End-of-Tenancy Cleaners
- Saves Time & Effort: You need not dedicate your entire weekend to the task.
- Professional Standard: The cleaners understand exactly what landlords want to see in their property.
- Deposit Guarantee: A “re-clean” guarantee exists as a standard feature in many cleaning services that will redo the cleaning if the landlord remains dissatisfied.
- Includes Equipment: The professional cleaning equipment includes industrial vacuums, steam cleaners, and speciality tools that you don’t own.
Cons of Hiring Cleaners
- Higher Upfront Cost: The cost of hiring end-of-tenancy cleaning services remains high, particularly for bigger properties.
- Scheduling Issues: Last-minute booking requests become challenging during peak usage times.
- Less Control: You’re trusting someone else to get it right.
When It’s Worth Going Pro
- You’re short on time or energy
- You have a big or dirty property.
- Your lease requires professional cleaning.
- You’re working with tight deadlines.
Cost Breakdown: DIY vs. Professional
DIY Cleaning Costs
- Cleaning supplies: $30–$60
- Carpet steam cleaner rental: $40–$70
- Total: $70–$130
- Your time: Priceless (or painful, depending on your energy)
Professional Cleaning Costs
Move-out cleaning prices vary depending on size and location:
- Studio or 1-bedroom: $150–$250
- 2-bedroom: $200–$350
- 3+ bedrooms: $300–$500+
It may sound like a lot, but if your deposit is around $1,000, investing a few hundred to secure it isn’t a bad trade. That’s the cost-benefit of professional cleaning in action.
Making the Right Choice: DIY or Pro?
Ask yourself:
- How much time do I have?
- Do I know what areas need extra attention?
- Is my property heavily used or already clean?
- Can I afford professional help?
If you’re confident and motivated, go DIY. But if you’re short on time or dealing with a strict landlord, it’s worth calling in the pros.
Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
Tenants handle basic cleaning duties and garbage disposal, but refer challenging tasks such as oven cleaning and carpet maintenance to professional services. A combination of self-help and professional assistance enables cost-effective coverage of all necessary tasks.
Conclusion
End-of-tenancy cleaning represents an essential responsibility for moving out that numerous tenants tend to ignore. Whether you clean by yourself or hire professionals, your objective is to achieve a clean and secure deposit.
So, DIY or hire? Your decision depends on your particular circumstances. Each approach has unique benefits, so choosing between them should be based on your availability, time, financial capacity and stress tolerance.
Your choice between DIY or professional cleaning matters because both paths lead to satisfied landlords who reward you with your full deposit.
