If you’ve ever googled “how much should I pay for house cleaning,” you’re not alone. Pricing for cleaning services can feel like a mystery—some companies charge by the hour, others by the square foot, and the rates seem to be all over the place.
We get these questions every single day at MJM Cleaning Service, so we decided to break it all down for you. Whether you’re in Wayzata, Minnetonka, or anywhere in the Lake Minnetonka area, this guide will help you understand what fair pricing looks like and what factors actually affect the cost.
How Much Should I Pay a Cleaner Per Hour?
Let’s start with the most common question. In Minnesota, particularly around the Twin Cities metro area, professional house cleaners typically charge between $25-$50 per hour per cleaner.
Here’s the breakdown:
Solo Independent Cleaners: $25-$35/hour
- Usually one person working alone
- May take longer to complete jobs
- Less overhead, so lower rates
- Less insurance coverage and accountability
Professional Cleaning Companies: $35-$50/hour per cleaner
- Trained, background-checked teams
- Fully insured and bonded
- Consistent quality standards
- Supervision and quality control
- Professional-grade equipment and supplies
What Affects Hourly Rates?
Several factors push rates higher or lower:
- Location: Wayzata, Minnetonka, and lakeside communities typically see rates on the higher end due to cost of living and property values.
- Experience Level: A company with 10+ years of experience (like MJM) charges more than someone just starting out—but you’re paying for expertise and reliability.
- Services Included: Basic tidying costs less than deep cleaning. If they’re scrubbing baseboards and inside appliances, expect higher rates.
- Supply Costs: Companies that provide eco-friendly or specialized cleaning products factor that into pricing.
- Insurance and Bonding: Fully insured companies charge more, but you’re protected if anything gets damaged.
Should You Always Go with the Cheapest Option?
We’ve seen it happen too many times. Someone hires the cheapest cleaner they can find, only to deal with missed appointments, inconsistent quality, or worse—damage to their home with no insurance to cover it.
You’re inviting someone into your home and trusting them with your keys. That’s worth paying a fair rate for peace of mind.
What is the 20 Minute Rule in Cleaning?
You might have heard cleaning experts talk about the “20-minute rule” and wondered if it’s some industry secret. It’s actually much simpler than that.
The 20-minute rule is a time management strategy, not a pricing structure. Here’s how it works:
For Homeowners:
Set a timer for 20 minutes and focus intensely on one cleaning task without distractions. You’d be amazed what you can accomplish in a focused 20-minute burst—a bathroom can go from messy to sparkling, or a cluttered kitchen can be completely reset.
The idea is that 20 minutes feels manageable (not overwhelming like “I need to clean the whole house”), but it’s long enough to make real progress.
For Professional Cleaners:
Some cleaning pros use 20-minute intervals to estimate job time and stay on schedule. They might allocate 20 minutes for a standard bathroom, 20 minutes for a kitchen, etc.
At MJM, we don’t strictly follow the 20-minute rule because every home is different. A master bathroom with a giant soaking tub and separate shower needs more time than a small powder room. We estimate based on your actual space and needs, not arbitrary time limits.
Does the 20-Minute Rule Save Money?
Not really. Whether a company uses 20-minute blocks or another system, the total job time is what determines your cost. A 2,000 square foot home takes roughly the same amount of time to clean properly, regardless of how the cleaner mentally breaks it down.
What actually saves you money is maintaining regular cleaning service. When we clean your home every week or two, each visit takes less time because dirt doesn’t build up. That’s the real money-saving trick.
What is the Average Price to Have Someone Clean Your House?
Now we’re getting to the question everyone really wants answered. The truth is, “average price” varies wildly based on what you need done.
Standard House Cleaning (Regular Maintenance)
For a typical home in the Wayzata/Minnetonka area:
1,000-1,500 sq ft (2-3 bedrooms): $120-$180 per visit 1,500-2,500 sq ft (3-4 bedrooms): $150-$250 per visit 2,500-4,000 sq ft (4-5 bedrooms): $200-$350 per visit 4,000+ sq ft (Large homes): $300-$500+ per visit
These prices assume:
- General cleaning (vacuuming, mopping, dusting, bathrooms, kitchen)
- Home in reasonably good condition
- Regular service (weekly or bi-weekly)
- Company provides all supplies
Deep Cleaning (Intensive One-Time Service)
Deep cleaning costs 50-100% more than standard cleaning because it takes significantly longer:
1,000-1,500 sq ft: $250-$350 1,500-2,500 sq ft: $300-$450 2,500-4,000 sq ft: $400-$600 4,000+ sq ft: $500-$800+
Deep cleaning includes everything in standard cleaning PLUS:
- Inside appliances (oven, refrigerator, microwave)
- Baseboard scrubbing
- Detailed tile and grout cleaning
- Inside cabinets and drawers
- Window tracks and sills
- Ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Behind and under movable furniture
Specialty Services
Move In/Move Out Cleaning: $200-$500 (depending on size and condition) Post-Construction Cleaning: $300-$700 (construction dust gets everywhere) Airbnb Turnover Cleaning: $80-$200 (typically smaller spaces, quicker turnarounds)
Why the Price Range?
You might be wondering why there’s such a big range in pricing. Here’s what affects the final cost:
1. Home Condition A home that hasn’t been professionally cleaned in years takes much longer than one that’s maintained regularly. If we’re removing months of buildup, expect to pay more for that first cleaning.
2. Clutter Level We’re cleaners, not organizers. If we have to move piles of stuff just to vacuum or dust, it adds significant time. Decluttering before we arrive helps keep costs down.
3. Pet Hair and Allergens We love your furry friends! But multiple pets mean more vacuuming, more hair on furniture, and more time spent on each room. It’s not a huge upcharge, but it’s a factor.
4. Special Requests Want us to change your bed linens? Clean inside the refrigerator every visit? Do interior windows? These extras add time and cost.
5. Home Layout A 2,000 sq ft single-story home cleans faster than a 2,000 sq ft three-story home with multiple staircases. Layout matters.
What is the Going Rate for House Cleaning in Minnesota?
Minnesota cleaning rates are pretty consistent with national averages, with some local variations. Here’s what you can expect specifically in our state:
Twin Cities Metro Area (Including Wayzata, Minnetonka, Orono)
Hourly Rate: $35-$50 per cleaner Average Standard Cleaning: $150-$250 Deep Cleaning: $300-$500
The lakeside communities around Lake Minnetonka (Wayzata, Deephaven, Orono, Excelsior) tend toward the higher end of these ranges due to:
- Larger average home sizes
- Higher cost of living
- Premium service expectations
- Travel time for cleaning companies
Greater Minnesota (Outstate Areas)
Hourly Rate: $25-$40 per cleaner Average Standard Cleaning: $100-$200 Deep Cleaning: $200-$400
Rates in places like Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud, and smaller towns run slightly lower due to lower overhead costs and cost of living.
What’s Included in Minnesota Cleaning Services?
Most professional cleaning companies in Minnesota offer similar standard packages:
Standard Cleaning Includes:
- Vacuum all floors and carpets
- Mop hard surface floors
- Dust all surfaces, furniture, and decor
- Clean and sanitize bathrooms (toilet, sink, tub/shower, mirrors)
- Clean kitchen (counters, sink, outside of appliances, table)
- Take out trash
- Make beds (if linens are on the bed)
- General tidying
Usually NOT Included (Unless Requested):
- Inside windows
- Inside refrigerator or oven
- Laundry
- Dishes in the sink
- Organization services
- Exterior cleaning
- Carpet shampooing
Always clarify what’s included before booking. At MJM, we create a custom checklist with each client so there’s never any confusion.
How to Get the Best Value for Your Cleaning Service
Now that you know the going rates, here’s how to make sure you’re getting good value:
1. Book Recurring Service
Weekly or bi-weekly cleaning is cheaper per visit than one-time cleans because:
- Each visit takes less time (dirt doesn’t build up)
- Companies offer discounts for loyal clients
- You build a relationship with your cleaner
At MJM, our recurring clients save 10-15% compared to one-time service rates.
2. Declutter Before We Arrive
We can’t clean surfaces that are covered in stuff. Spending 15 minutes clearing counters and putting away toys helps us work more efficiently, which saves you money.
3. Be Specific About Your Priorities
Not every room needs the same level of attention every visit. Maybe your guest bathroom barely gets used, but your master bath needs extra care. Tell us! We’ll spend time where it matters most to you.
4. Communicate Issues Right Away
If something doesn’t meet your expectations, let us know within 24 hours. Good companies (like MJM) will come back and fix it at no charge. Don’t suffer in silence for months and then cancel—give us a chance to make it right.
5. Compare Total Value, Not Just Price
The cheapest option often costs more in the long run through:
- Inconsistent quality (you end up re-cleaning)
- Missed appointments (your schedule gets disrupted)
- Damage without insurance coverage
- High turnover (constantly meeting new cleaners)
Look for companies with:
- Insurance and bonding
- Background-checked employees
- Good online reviews
- Years in business
- Satisfaction guarantees
What You Should Actually Expect to Pay (MJM’s Honest Take)
After 10+ years serving the Wayzata and Lake Minnetonka area, here’s our straight-forward pricing philosophy:
For Standard Bi-Weekly Cleaning: Most of our clients in 2,000-3,000 sq ft homes pay $180-$250 per visit. That’s for a thorough, consistent clean by the same trusted team member every time.
For Deep Cleaning: Expect to invest $350-$500 for a proper deep clean of a typical home. Yes, you can find cheaper, but you’ll likely be disappointed with the results.
For Move In/Out or Post-Construction: Budget $300-$500 depending on the home’s size and condition.
Red Flags in Pricing
Too Cheap: If someone quotes significantly below market rate, ask yourself why. Are they cutting corners? Uninsured? Using untrained workers? Not paying fair wages?
No Written Estimate: Professional companies provide clear, written quotes. Avoid anyone who just throws out a vague number.
Large Upfront Deposits: Most reputable companies don’t require big deposits. We typically charge after service is completed.
Unclear What’s Included: If they can’t tell you exactly what they’ll clean, that’s a problem.
Real Questions from Real Clients
Over the years, we’ve heard every pricing question imaginable. Here are a few more that come up regularly:
“Why do you charge more for the first cleaning?” Because it takes longer! The first clean is essentially a deep clean—we’re establishing a baseline. Once we’ve got your home to our standards, maintenance cleanings take less time.
“Can I just book you for one room?” We don’t usually book single-room cleans because the travel time doesn’t make it economical. However, we’re happy to prioritize specific rooms during a regular service.
“Do I need to tip my cleaner?” Tipping isn’t required, but it’s always appreciated! Most clients who tip give $20-$40 per visit or a larger tip during holidays.
“What if I need to cancel?” We ask for 24 hours notice. Life happens, and we’re flexible—just let us know as soon as you can.
The Bottom Line on House Cleaning Costs
Here’s what you really need to know:
Fair hourly rates in Minnesota: $35-$50 per cleaner for professional companies
Average house cleaning: $150-$250 for standard service in a typical home
Deep cleaning investment: $300-$500 for thorough, detailed work
Best value: Regular bi-weekly service with a trusted company
What matters most: Reliability, insurance, trained staff, and consistent quality
At MJM Cleaning Service, we’ve been serving Wayzata, Minnetonka, and the Lake Minnetonka area for over a decade. Our pricing is transparent, our team is professional, and we guarantee your satisfaction.
We’d love to give you a free, no-obligation quote based on your actual home and needs—not some generic online calculator.
Ready to see what professional cleaning should really cost (and what it can do for your home)? Contact us today for a personalized estimate.
MJM Cleaning Service
Serving Wayzata & Lake Minnetonka Communities
Family-Owned | Fully Insured | Satisfaction Guaranteed
Get Your Free Quote | Call: +1 800-999-9084
