How Much Does House Cleaning Actually Cost in Saint John? | DayMaker Cleaning Co.
Let's cut through the noise.
You've called three cleaning companies. One quoted you $120. Another said $180. The third won't give you a number over the phone without doing a walkthrough.
You're confused, frustrated, and wondering if someone's trying to rip you off.
Here's the honest truth about what house cleaning costs in Saint John, Quispamsis, and Rothesay and why the prices vary so much.
The Real Numbers for Saint John
For recurring cleaning (maintenance visits):
A typical 1,200-1,500 sq ft home with 2-3 bedrooms and 1-2 bathrooms: $140-$180 per visit for bi-weekly service.
Larger homes (2,000-2,500 sq ft with 3-4 bedrooms and 2-3 bathrooms): $180-$250 per visit.
For your first deep clean (the reset):
Smaller homes: $250-$400+ for the initial visit. Larger homes: $400-$550+ for that first deep clean.
Why the big difference? Your first clean is a reset, we're dealing with months of buildup and getting your home to baseline. That takes longer. After that, recurring visits are maintenance, which is faster and costs less.
What Affects Your Price
Frequency matters:
Weekly service costs less per visit (home never gets very dirty)
Monthly costs more per visit (more buildup between cleanings)
Bi-weekly is the sweet spot most Saint John families choose
Bathrooms add time: Bathrooms are the most labor-intensive rooms. A home with one bathroom might take three hours. That same home with three bathrooms? Four to five hours.
Current condition: If your home hasn't been professionally cleaned in months, that first visit costs more. Once you're at baseline, maintenance is faster and cheaper.
Pets: Pet hair requires extra vacuuming passes. Nose prints on windows. Paw prints on floors. Most companies either build this into pricing or note it adds time.
Why Some Quotes Are Suspiciously Low
If you get a quote dramatically lower than everyone else, there's usually a reason:
They're using contractors instead of employees. Cheaper for them, but usually means inconsistent quality and high turnover.
They're charging hourly, not flat rate. That $80 quote? They're only committing to two hours. If your house takes four, you're paying $160 or they are leaving without finishing the job properly.
They're lowballing to get in the door. They quote low, show up, then add surprise fees and add-ons. Or they rush through and do mediocre work.
They're cutting corners on insurance. Proper liability insurance costs money. If their price is way lower, they might not have it.
The cheapest option is rarely the best value.
Flat Rate vs. Hourly Pricing
Hourly pricing: "We charge $40/hour, your house will probably take 3-4 hours."
You're paying somewhere between $120 and $160, but you won't know until they're done. Zero cost certainty. And if they work slowly? Your bill goes up or the job is incomplete.
Flat rate pricing: "Your house costs $160 per visit, every time."
You know exactly what you're paying before anyone arrives. If something takes longer than expected, that's the company's problem, not yours.
We use flat rate pricing because you deserve to know your cost upfront. No surprises.
What Should Be Included
At these prices, here's what you should expect in a standard recurring clean:
Kitchen: Counters, stovetop, appliances (exterior), microwave (inside and out), sink, cabinet fronts, floors.
Bathrooms: Toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, mirrors, cabinet fronts, floors.
All rooms: Dusting, vacuuming, mopping, light switches, door handles.
Throughout: Baseboards, spot-cleaning walls, cobweb removal, general tidying.
If companies charge separately for cabinet fronts, baseboards, or inside the microwave, you're being nickel-and-dimed.
What's reasonable to cost extra:
Inside your oven
Inside your fridge
Interior windows
Inside cupboards and drawers
These are occasional tasks that don't need doing every visit.
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
"Is this hourly or flat rate?" If hourly, ask for a guaranteed maximum.
"What exactly is included?" Make them be specific. Vague descriptions leave room for surprise charges.
"Will my price change after this quote?" The only acceptable answer: "No, unless you request additional services."
"Are your cleaners employees or contractors?" Employees typically mean better consistency and quality.
"Will I have the same team every time?" Consistency matters. Rotating cleaners means starting over each visit.
These answers matter more than whether someone quoted $140 or $160.
What You're Actually Paying For
You're not just paying for cleaning. You're paying for:
Time back you don't spend scrubbing on weekends
Consistency that keeps your home clean without you managing it
Mental space freed from guilt about what you're behind on
Quality you can't achieve in your limited available time
Reliability knowing it'll get done without you thinking about it
When you look at it that way, the question isn't "can I afford $160 every two weeks?" It's "what's it worth to have this handled?"
The Bottom Line
In Greater Saint John, expect to pay $140-$250 per visit for recurring cleaning, depending on your home's size and how often you want service.
Prices significantly lower usually mean corners are being cut in quality, consistency, or how workers are treated.
But price alone doesn't tell you much. What matters is:
What's actually included
Whether it's flat rate or hourly
If you'll have the same team
How the company treats their workers
Whether you trust them in your home
The right cleaning service isn't the cheapest or most expensive. It's the one that delivers consistent quality, treats you with respect, and doesn't surprise you with hidden fees.
We use flat-rate pricing so you always know what you're paying. No hourly guessing, no surprise add-ons just straightforward prices for consistent, quality cleaning in Saint John, Quispamsis, and Rothesay.
