Complete Guide to House Cleaning Services in Saint John, NB | DayMaker Cleaning Co.
You're looking for house cleaning services in Saint John, Quispamsis, or Rothesay. Maybe you're tired of spending weekends scrubbing bathrooms. Maybe you're a busy parent who can't keep up. Maybe you just want your time back.
Whatever brought you here, you probably have questions. What does professional cleaning actually include? How much does it cost? How do you choose a good company? What should you expect?
This is your complete guide to house cleaning services in the Greater Saint John area. Everything you need to know before you hire anyone.
What Professional House Cleaning Actually Includes
Let's start with what you should expect when you hire a cleaning service.
Standard Recurring Clean
This is your regular maintenance cleaning, whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly:
Kitchen:
Countertops and backsplash wiped
Stovetop cleaned
Outside of appliances wiped
Inside and outside of microwave cleaned
Sink and faucet cleaned
Cabinet fronts wiped
Floors swept and mopped
Trash emptied
Bathrooms:
Toilets scrubbed inside and out
Sinks and counters cleaned
Showers and tubs scrubbed
Mirrors and fixtures polished
Cabinet fronts wiped
Floors swept and mopped
Trash emptied
All Rooms:
Surfaces dusted
Floors vacuumed
Hard floors mopped
Light switches wiped
Door handles wiped
Throughout the Home:
Baseboards wiped or dusted
Cobwebs removed
Spot-cleaning walls where needed
General tidying
This should all be included in your base price. If companies are charging separately for things like cabinet fronts, baseboards, or inside the microwave, you're being nickel-and-dimed.
Deep Clean (First Visit)
Your first cleaning is different. It's a reset that gets your home to baseline:
Everything in the standard clean, plus:
More detailed attention to neglected areas
Deep scrubbing of built-up soap scum and grime
Thorough baseboard and trim cleaning
Getting into corners and details that need extra work
This takes longer and costs more than regular visits. But it's what makes ongoing maintenance possible.
What Usually Costs Extra
Some tasks are genuinely beyond regular maintenance:
Inside your oven (deep grease cleaning)
Inside your fridge (full cleanout)
Interior windows throughout the house
Inside cupboards and drawers
Laundry or dishes
These are occasional, project-level tasks that don't need doing every visit. Charging separately for these makes sense.
Types of Cleaning Services in Saint John
Recurring Service (Weekly, Bi-Weekly, or Monthly)
This is regular maintenance cleaning on a set schedule. Your home gets cleaned consistently, preventing buildup and keeping things manageable.
Most Saint John families choose bi-weekly service as the sweet spot between cost and consistency.
Some companies only offer recurring service because it's the only model that actually keeps your home clean long-term.
One-Time or Occasional Cleaning
Some companies offer one-time deep cleans for special occasions or seasonal cleaning.
The challenge: one-time cleans don't solve your problem long-term. You spend hundreds for a temporary fix, then you're back where you started in a few months.
Move-Out/Move-In Cleaning
End-of-lease or pre-sale cleaning to get a property spotless before you leave or move in.
This is genuinely a one-time need since you're not living there anymore.
Office/Commercial Cleaning
Business cleaning services for offices, medical practices, retail spaces, etc.
Different requirements, schedules, and pricing than residential cleaning.
How Much Does House Cleaning Cost in Saint John?
Let's talk real numbers for the Greater Saint John area.
Recurring Cleaning (Maintenance Visits):
Typical 1,200-1,500 sq ft home (2-3 bedrooms, 1-2 bathrooms): $140-180 per visit for bi-weekly service
Larger 2,000-2,500 sq ft home (3-4 bedrooms, 2-3 bathrooms): $200-250 per visit
First Deep Clean:
Smaller homes: $250-400+
Larger homes: $400-650+
What affects your price:
Frequency (weekly is cheaper per visit than monthly)
Number of bathrooms (most time-intensive rooms)
Current condition (more buildup = more time)
Home size and layout
Items/furniture inside home
What you want cleaned
Get the full breakdown of Saint John cleaning costs here.
Hourly vs. Flat Rate Pricing
Hourly pricing means you don't know your final cost until they're done. If it takes longer than expected, your bill goes up.
Flat rate pricing means you know exactly what you're paying upfront. No surprises, no watching the clock.
Flat rate is better for you because it creates cost certainty and removes bad incentives for cleaners to work slowly.
How to Choose a Cleaning Company in Saint John
Not all cleaning companies are created equal. Here's what to look for:
Ask About Their Employment Model
Question: "Are your cleaners actual employees or independent contractors?"
This matters more than you think.
Contractors usually mean:
No insurance or job security for workers
High turnover (strangers constantly rotating through your home)
Workers using their own vehicles and supplies
Employees mean:
Better treatment leads to better work
Lower turnover and more consistency
Company provides vehicle and supplies
Workers who actually want to be there
Learn why some companies use contractors and why some don't.
Ask About Team Consistency
Question: "Will I have the same cleaner or team every time?"
Some companies send whoever's available. You get different people constantly, which means:
Starting over every time
No relationship building
Inconsistent quality
Constantly re-explaining your preferences
Dedicated teams who know your home deliver better results.
Understand Their Pricing Model
Questions to ask:
"What exactly is included in your standard clean?"
"Do you charge hourly or flat rate?"
"Are there any additional fees I should know about?"
"What's my total price, all-in?"
Vague answers or long lists of add-ons are red flags.
Check Their Policies
Cancellation policy: Do they charge fees if you need to cancel? Some companies charge $50-75, others charge the entire cleaning fee.
Access: Access: How do they handle keys and entry? Secure storage? Will they work around your schedule?
Quality guarantees: What happens if you're not happy with the work?
Ask About Sanitation Practices
Question: "How do you clean and sanitize your microfiber cloths?"
Most people never ask this, but it matters.
Home washing machines don't get hot enough to truly sanitize. Professional commercial laundering at hospital-grade temperatures prevents cross-contamination between homes.
Red Flags to Watch For
Prices That Seem Too Good to Be True
If someone's quoting dramatically lower than everyone else, there's a reason:
Using exploited contractors
Cutting corners on quality
Planning to hit you with add-on fees
Not properly insured
Vague About What's Included
If they won't give you a clear, detailed breakdown of what's in a standard clean, they're leaving room to charge extra later.
Won't Commit to Dedicated Teams
"We'll try to send the same person" means you might get rotating cleaners.
Pushy Sales Tactics
Good companies don't need to pressure you. They answer your questions honestly and let you decide.
Won't Give You a Firm Price
If they can only give you hourly rates like "$40/hour, probably 3-4 hours," that means your bill could be $120 or $160. You won't know until they're done.
This creates problems:
Zero cost certainty
If they work slowly, your bill goes up
If something takes longer than expected, you pay more
You're constantly wondering if you're being taken advantage of
What Makes Saint John Cleaning Different
The Greater Saint John area has some specific considerations:
Weather and seasons mean more dirt tracked in during winter months and mud season. This is normal and good companies account for it.
Older homes in areas like uptown Saint John or parts of Rothesay might need more attention to detail with older fixtures and surfaces.
Pet ownership is high in the area. Make sure your cleaning company is comfortable working around pets.
Family-focused communities like Quispamsis mean cleaning with kids is common. Look for companies that understand this reality.
How Long Does Cleaning Actually Take?
With a solo cleaner: 4-6+ hours for a typical home
With a three-person team: 1.5-2 hours for most homes
The team approach is faster and more convenient. You're not having someone in your space for half the day.
Learn more about cleaning timeframes and why teams work better.
Preparing for Your First Cleaning
Do this before they arrive:
Pick up clutter (toys, clothes, papers) so they can reach surfaces
Secure pets if they are anxious or you're afraid they might bolt out the door
Do the dishes or load the dishwasher
Don't do this:
Clean before they arrive (that's what you're hiring them for)
Apologize for your mess (they've seen worse)
Stress about it
Most clients choose not to be home, but you can be there if you prefer.
What to Expect After Hiring
First few visits: Your team is learning your home. Things get better as they develop their system for your space.
Ongoing: It becomes hands-off. You get reminder texts, "on our way" notifications, and come home to a clean house. That's it.
Communication: Good companies make it easy to adjust schedules, make requests, or provide feedback.
Will this reduce stress or add management burden? For most people, it dramatically reduces stress once you're past initial setup.
Local vs. National Franchises
You'll see both local companies and national franchise names (Molly Maid, etc.) in Saint John.
National franchises offer:
Brand recognition
Standardized systems
Corporate accountability
Local companies offer:
Direct owner involvement
Flexibility without corporate red tape
Investment in the local community
Often more personalized service
Is It Actually Worth It?
This is what everyone wants to know.
The cost: $140-250 per visit for most Saint John homes, depending on size and frequency.
What you get:
3-5+ hours back per week
Mental space freed from constant cleaning thoughts
Weekends that feel like weekends
A consistently clean home
Dr. Helen Rees, a Quispamsis podiatrist and mom, said it best: "It's life-changing and I could never go back. The quality time I get to spend with my children, that peace of mind, is what really sells it."
Only you can decide if it's worth it for your situation. But the math usually works out when you value your time honestly.
Questions to Ask Before You Book
Are your cleaners employees or contractors?
Will I have the same team/person every time?
What exactly is included in a standard clean?
Do you charge hourly or flat rate?
Are there any cancellation fees?
How do you handle keys and home access?
What happens if I'm not satisfied?
Do you provide all supplies and equipment?
How do you wash your microfibers?
What's your policy on pets?
The answers will tell you everything you need to know about whether this company is right for you.
The Bottom Line
Professional house cleaning in Greater Saint John costs $140-250 per visit for most homes on a recurring basis.
You should expect:
Everything listed in this guide included in your base price
Dedicated teams who learn your home
Clear pricing with no surprise fees
Professional, reliable service
Red flags to avoid:
Vague pricing or add-on fees
Rotating cleaners
Contractor model with no benefits for workers
Poor communication or pushy sales
The decision comes down to: Is getting back your time and mental space worth the cost? For most busy families in Greater Saint John, the answer is yes.
Serving Saint John, Quispamsis, and Rothesay with dedicated three-person teams, fair wages, flat-rate pricing, and the kind of service we'd want for our own homes. Ready to see what that looks like? Let's talk.
