How much does move-out cleaning cost in 2026? Complete price guide with prices per sq m
Move-out cleaning typically costs 50-100 NOK per square metre in 2026. A normal apartment usually lands around 4,000-6,000 NOK including VAT, and most agencies operate with a minimum price around 5,000 NOK. The price depends on size, how dirty the home is, and whether you add extra services such as oven cleaning and exterior window cleaning.
How much does move-out cleaning cost per square metre?
The usual range is 50-100 NOK/sqm. A newer, well-maintained home is at the lower end, while an older home with a lot of grease in the kitchen, limescale in the bathroom, and worn floors pulls the price upwards. Remember that most agencies calculate a minimum price: even a small bedsit of 25 sqm rarely costs under 4,000-5,000 NOK, because the job requires the same equipment and the same thoroughness regardless.
If you want to understand what drives the numbers, we have a dedicated price guide for move-out cleaning and a detailed checklist for move-out cleaning you can follow.
How much does move-out cleaning cost by home size?
The table below shows typical total prices including VAT in 2026. Prices vary with condition, location, and supplier, so use them as a starting point and always request a fixed quote.
The prices here are approximate starting points for 2026, not a binding offer. What the assignment costs depends on size, condition, and access. You get the final price in a concrete quote from us – and it is often higher than the lowest estimate. Request a quote for a price that actually applies to your home or premises.
| Home size | Approximate area | Typical price (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / bedsit | 20-35 sqm | 4,000-5,500 NOK |
| 1-bedroom | 40-60 sqm | 4,500-6,500 NOK |
| 2-bedroom | 60-85 sqm | 6,000-8,500 NOK |
| 3-bedroom / townhouse | 85-120 sqm | 8,000-12,000 NOK |
| Detached house | 120-200+ sqm | 11,000-18,000 NOK |
In central areas in Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger, prices are often 10-20 percent higher than in rural districts. Two homes of the same area can also differ in price: a bathroom with a lot of limescale and an oven that has not been cleaned for years take longer than a newly renovated room.
What is included in move-out cleaning – and what costs extra?
What is actually included depends on the service you order. The list here is a typical starting point, not a definitive answer. Certain tasks – such as cleaning the oven, windows, balcony, or appliances – may be add-ons that you must order separately, and are not automatically included in all assignments. What applies to your assignment is stated in the quote and order confirmation. If you are in doubt about whether something is included, ask us before cleaning day.
A standard move-out cleaning covers the entire home from top to bottom: all rooms, kitchen, bathroom, floors, baseboards, door frames, sockets, switches, and interior windows. Cupboard doors are washed on the outside, and visible surfaces are wiped down.
These are often added as extras, and this is where prices vary the most:
- Oven and cooker inside – thorough degreasing takes time, often 300-600 NOK.
- Windows outside – 50-150 NOK per window, depending on number and height.
- Blinds and the inside of window frames – often hourly rate or a fixed add-on.
- Garage, storage room, or basement – rarely included in the base price.
- Freezer and refrigerator inside – some include this, others do not.
- Travel fee – 200-600 NOK if the home is outside the agency's normal area.
Ask for the quote to specify exactly what is included. A quote that "looks cheap" quickly becomes expensive if the oven, exterior windows, and blinds are invoiced as extras afterwards. If you need to clean the windows yourself, we have a guide to streak-free windows.
Why is a very cheap move-out cleaning a red flag?
For employees over 18 years of age in private cleaning companies, the universally applied minimum wage is 236.54 NOK per hour from 15 June 2025. A full move-out cleaning typically takes 4-8 hours, often with two people. When the job is performed by employees, the employer also incurs costs for employer's National Insurance contributions, equipment, transport, and insurance.
If you see a quote for 1,500-2,500 NOK for an entire apartment, you should look into the scope, registration, and working conditions. The price alone does not show what someone receives in pay or whether the work is legal. Buying cleaning services from a business that lacks legal status in the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority's Renholdsregisteret is illegal – also for you as a customer.
Always check that the provider has legal status in the public register before ordering. "Godkjent", "Søknad under behandling", and "HMS-kortbestilling under behandling" are legal statuses. Approval requires HMS cards for everyone performing cleaning work, including sole proprietors operating alone. Businesses with employees must also have an agreement with an approved occupational health service. We have written more about how to secure legal cleaning help and Renholdsregisteret. Norway does not have a general or dedicated tax deduction for ordinary private move-out cleaning, but a narrow transitional rule for medical expenses may apply in older cases; ask Skatteetaten if it might be relevant for you.
Should I clean myself or hire an agency?
The short answer: if you do it yourself, you save money but spend a full working day or two. If you hire an agency, you pay 4,000-12,000 NOK to avoid the work and get a professional result that holds up at handover.
| Clean yourself | Hire an agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 500-1,500 NOK (equipment, chemicals) | 4,000-18,000 NOK |
| Time required | 8-16 hours | You do nothing |
| Result | Depends on you | Guaranteed standard |
| Complaints | None | Many offer re-cleaning for free |
Many agencies provide a neutral handover guarantee: if the estate agent or new owner is not satisfied, they return and clean again at no extra cost. That is peace of mind you rarely have when cleaning yourself, and one of the reasons people choose an agency when selling a home.
Who pays for move-out cleaning when renting and selling?
When renting, it is the tenant who must deliver the home tidy and cleaned upon moving out. Unless otherwise stated in the contract, you as a tenant must clean yourself or pay for move-out cleaning. If you do a poor job, the landlord can deduct the cost from the deposit – and then it often becomes more expensive than if you had ordered a professional job from the start.
When selling a home, it is normally the seller who arranges for move-out cleaning before handover, so that the buyer receives a clean home. The details are agreed in the purchase contract, so read it carefully. A receipted quote from an approved business is good documentation should any disagreement arise regarding the standard.
How to get the right price
Request quotes from two or three approved suppliers. State the exact area, number of rooms, number of windows, and whether you need extra services such as oven and exterior cleaning. The agency can then give you a fixed price instead of a loose estimate, and you avoid surprises on the invoice.
If you need help choosing, we have a guide on how to choose a cleaning provider. If you are moving soon, we recommend booking move-out cleaning at least a week before handover – the best agencies are often fully booked in the summer months and around the end of the month.
