Are End of Lease Cleaners Worth the Money?
End of lease cleans can be seriously stressful. I know this from personal experience. Over the years, I’ve done plenty of vacate cleans myself — and one in particular still sticks with me.
It was the middle of the school holidays. I had two kids under the age of seven, no one available to help, and five days to clean a three-bedroom house from top to bottom. That meant scrubbing the oven, kitchen, bathrooms, walls, skirting boards, carpets, curtains, windows — the works.
And to top it off, I was also in the process of moving into a new home with my two little ones.
By the end of that week, I was physically exhausted, mentally done, and emotionally wrung out. Even though I got my full bond back, I couldn’t even celebrate. I was just relieved it was over.
That experience made something really clear: professional end of lease cleaners are worth the money — not just for the sake of your bond, but for your own wellbeing.
What’s Actually Included in a Proper Vacate Clean?
A thorough end of lease clean is very different from your weekly tidy-up. It often includes:
Full kitchen clean – cupboards (inside & out), benches, stovetop, oven, rangehood
Bathroom detail – toilet, shower, tiles, grout, mirrors, sinks
Walls – spot cleaning for scuffs, marks, and handprints
Windows – inside (and sometimes outside), including tracks and sills
Skirting boards, doors, light switches, and power points
Blinds and fans – dusting and wiping
Floors – vacuumed and mopped throughout
Carpet steam cleaning (where required or requested)
Curtain cleaning or dusting, especially if they've gathered dust or pet hair
Garage or balcony sweep-outs (if included in your lease)
Real estate agents tend to check these areas thoroughly, and missing just one or two can mean money deducted from your bond — or being asked to redo it.
So, How Much Does End of Lease Cleaning Cost?
Pricing will vary depending on the size and condition of your home, but in most areas of Australia:
A 1-bedroom apartment might range from $250–$400
A 2- to 3-bedroom house typically ranges from $350–$650
Larger homes or homes with extras (like carpet steam cleaning, walls, windows, or outdoor areas) can go $700+
It sounds like a lot — and it is an upfront cost — but when you compare it to the time, energy, and potential bond deductions, it often pays for itself. Some cleaners even offer bond-back guarantees.
And personally? After doing it all myself, with two kids and no help — I can confidently say the cost would have been well worth it.
The Real Cost of DIY Cleaning
Yes, you can do it yourself — I did. But consider what it really costs:
10–15+ hours of deep, detailed cleaning
The mental load of getting it all perfect
Buying or hiring the right products and equipment
Balancing cleaning with moving, parenting, and life
The risk of losing hundreds off your bond if it’s not done right
When you're already stretched thin, it's not always about saving money — it's about saving your sanity.
Especially Helpful If You’re…
A parent of young children
Working full-time or shift work
Moving without support nearby
Managing health issues or burnout
Already juggling a busy or emotional move
Final Thoughts
Looking back, I genuinely wish I’d hired someone to do that clean. It would’ve saved me days of physical work and allowed me to focus on settling into our new place — which is where my energy was really needed.
So, are end of lease cleaners worth it?
Yes. In the right circumstances, absolutely. Sometimes the real value isn’t just in getting your bond back — it’s in protecting your time, energy, and peace of mind during one of life’s most demanding transitions.
