Short answer: In 2026, a standard house cleaning in Ottawa typically costs $150 to $350 before tax, depending on bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage. Deep cleans run about $100 more, and move-out cleans start around $180 and can pass $500. Recurring weekly or bi-weekly service lowers the per-visit price by 15–20%.
If you have ever asked three cleaning companies for a quote and received three wildly different numbers, you are not alone. Ottawa cleaning prices depend on how the company charges (by the hour or by the home), what is included, and whether taxes and supplies are in the number you see. This guide breaks down what Ottawa homeowners actually pay in 2026, using published prices from local cleaning companies, and shows exactly how BlueGuard Home Cleaning prices a visit.
Hourly vs flat-rate pricing
Ottawa cleaning companies use two main pricing models.
Hourly pricing
Hourly companies charge per cleaner, per hour. Published Ottawa rates in October 2026 range from roughly $30 to $55 per cleaner-hour, and most require a minimum of two or three hours. Deep and post-construction cleaning is often billed at the top of that range.
Hourly pricing works well for small, specific jobs (for example, "just the kitchen and bathrooms"). The downside: you do not know the final number until the crew leaves, and a slower team costs you more.
Flat-rate pricing
Most of the larger Ottawa companies now give an instant online price based on bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage. You know the total before you book, and the cleaner's speed is their problem, not yours. This is the model BlueGuard uses, with an hourly option for odd jobs.
What Ottawa companies charge in 2026
Here is the market range we found when we researched published Ottawa prices in October 2026:
| Type of clean | Typical Ottawa range (before tax) |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | $30–$55 per cleaner-hour, usually 2–3 hour minimum |
| Recurring maid service | $130–$280 per visit |
| Bi-weekly clean, small home (up to ~1,500 sq ft) | about $117–$137 per visit |
| Deep clean, 1 bed / 1 bath | about $277–$287 |
| Deep clean, 2 bed / 2 bath | about $327–$337 |
| Move-out cleaning | $179–$590 |
| Carpet cleaning (whole home) | about $301 on average |
Prices at the low end usually mean smaller homes, recurring customers, or fewer inclusions. Always ask what is included before you compare.
How BlueGuard prices a standard clean
BlueGuard Home Cleaning publishes its formula so you can check the math yourself. A standard clean is:
- Base: $99
- Bedrooms: first bedroom $45, each additional $25 (a studio is $35)
- Bathrooms: first full bathroom $30, each additional full $25, each half bath $15
- Home size: under 1,000 sq ft $0; 1,000–1,499 +$20; 1,500–1,999 +$40; 2,000–2,499 +$60; 2,500–2,999 +$90; 3,000–3,499 +$120; 3,500+ sq ft gets a custom quote
- Finished basement: +$49 (unfinished basements are not cleaned)
Real examples
| Home | Standard | Deep | Move-in / move-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio, 1 bath, under 1,000 sq ft | $164 | $263 | $343 |
| 1 bed, 1 bath, under 1,000 sq ft | $174 | $273 | $353 |
| 2 bed, 1 bath, under 1,000 sq ft | $199 | $298 | $378 |
| 2 bed, 2 bath, 1,200 sq ft | $244 | $343 | $423 |
| 3 bed, 2 bath, 1,500 sq ft | $289 | $388 | $468 |
| 4 bed, 2.5 bath, 2,200 sq ft | $349 | $448 | $528 |
A deep clean is the standard price plus $99. A move-in or move-out clean is the standard price plus $179, because the home is empty and the crew cleans inside every cabinet, drawer and closet, the oven and fridge, vent covers and wall marks. You can get your exact number in under a minute on the pricing page.
Recurring cleaning discounts
Regular service is where the real savings are. From your second visit, BlueGuard takes:
- 20% off weekly visits
- 15% off bi-weekly visits
- 10% off monthly visits
For the 3 bed / 2 bath, 1,500 sq ft home above ($289), every visit after the first is 20% less on a weekly plan, 15% less bi-weekly, or 10% less monthly, before tax. Many families book a deep clean first, then switch to recurring cleaning to keep it that way.
Add-ons that change the price
Some tasks take extra time, so they are priced separately rather than built into everyone's bill:
- Inside fridge: $29
- Inside oven: $29
- Inside cabinets: $39
- Interior windows and tracks: from $39
- Pets in the home (extra hair): $25
- Blinds: $8 per blind ($40 minimum)
- Laundry (wash, dry, fold): $25 per load
- Change bed sheets: $10 per bed
- Wall washing: $59 per room
- Same-day or next-day rush: +$40
Inside the oven, fridge and cabinets is already included in deep and move cleans.
Taxes: Ontario vs Québec
Quotes should always show tax on a separate line. In Ontario, cleaning services carry 13% HST. In Québec (Gatineau, Montréal, Laval, Longueuil) you pay 5% GST plus 9.975% QST.
Using the $289 example: in Ottawa the total is $326.57 with HST. In Gatineau it is $332.28 with GST and QST.
Hourly option at BlueGuard
For small or unusual jobs, BlueGuard also offers $50 per cleaner per hour with a 3-hour minimum ($150). This is handy for "help me get the kitchen and guest room ready before my in-laws arrive" kinds of requests.
What makes a clean cost more
- Square footage and layout. Large open spaces are faster than many small rooms.
- Time since the last clean. A home that has not been professionally cleaned in a year needs a deep clean first.
- Pets. Shedding dogs and cats add vacuuming time.
- Season. Ottawa's salt and slush season means more floor work at entrances from December to March.
- Access and parking. Downtown condos in Centretown or the Glebe sometimes require paid parking or concierge check-in.
How to compare quotes fairly
- Ask what is included. Is the inside of the oven included, or extra?
- Ask about supplies. BlueGuard brings all supplies and equipment.
- Check when you pay. Reputable Ottawa companies charge after the clean. With BlueGuard there is no card to enter online: you pay on-site once the job is done, by e-Transfer, debit/credit card or cash.
- Read the cancellation policy. BlueGuard reschedules free with 24 hours' notice; later changes cost $45.
- Look for a guarantee. If something is missed, report it within 24 hours and BlueGuard re-cleans it for free.
- Confirm insurance and background checks. Your home and belongings deserve that protection.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to hire an independent cleaner?
Sometimes, but you usually give up insurance, background checks, replacement cleaners when someone is sick, and a satisfaction guarantee. Compare the full package, not just the hourly rate.
Should I tip my house cleaner in Ottawa?
Tipping is appreciated but never required. Many clients tip 10–15% for a deep or move-out clean, or give a holiday tip to their regular team.
How long does a standard clean take?
A 3 bed / 2 bath home usually takes a two-person crew about two to three hours. Deep and move cleans take longer.
Do you clean in Kanata, Barrhaven and Orléans?
Yes. BlueGuard covers all of Ottawa, including Kanata, Nepean, Barrhaven and Orléans, plus Gatineau, Durham Region, Montréal and Eastern Ontario. See all service areas.
Get your exact price
You do not need to wait for a callback. Enter your bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage and you will see your price instantly. Then pick a time — you only pay after your clean is done. Get my price.