Moving is stressful enough without scrubbing an empty apartment at midnight. Our move-in / move-out cleaning service delivers the detailed, empty-home clean that landlords and property managers expect — the kind that protects your security deposit on the way out and gives you a fresh, sanitary start on the way in. We clean what regular tenants miss: inside cabinets and drawers, behind appliances, baseboards, window tracks, and light fixtures.
We work with renters, homeowners, realtors, and property managers across Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown, and San Marcos. Our move-in/move-out deposit guide explains exactly what landlords look for during inspections — our checklist is built around those same standards.
Why a Professional Move Clean Pays for Itself
Security deposits in Austin commonly run $1,000–$2,000 or more, and cleaning deductions are among the most frequent disputes between tenants and landlords. A professional move-out clean typically costs a fraction of the deposit it protects, and it comes with an itemized checklist you can show your property manager as proof of the work done. Many of our clients recover the full cost of the cleaning in deposit money they would otherwise have lost.
For move-ins, the value is different but just as real: previous tenants' cooking grease, bathroom buildup, and dust are gone before your belongings arrive. Starting with a sanitized home means you unpack into clean cabinets and cook your first meal on a degreased stove. Doing a declutter pass before your move clean also helps our team work faster and keeps your costs down.
Our Step-by-Step Process
Move cleans follow an empty-home sequence designed to hit every item on a typical landlord inspection checklist:
- Walkthrough and checklist review. We review your lease's cleaning requirements or your property manager's checklist (send it to us in advance if you have one) and confirm priorities.
- High dusting throughout. Ceiling fans, light fixtures, vents, and high shelves in every room — dust first so it falls onto floors we clean last.
- Kitchen deep clean. Inside and outside of cabinets and drawers, appliance exteriors, stovetop and oven exterior, microwave interior, sink and faucet detailing, backsplash, and countertops.
- Bathroom deep clean. Toilets, tubs, showers, sinks, mirrors, fixtures, grout detailing, and medicine cabinets wiped inside and out.
- All rooms detailed. Baseboards, window sills and tracks, blinds, switch plates, door handles, and closet interiors — shelves, rods, and floors.
- Appliance interiors (as booked). Inside-oven and inside-refrigerator cleaning, the two most common deposit deduction items.
- Floors. All hard floors swept and mopped; carpets vacuumed edge to edge with HEPA vacuums, including closet floors.
- Trash and final inspection. All trash removed, and a team lead completes a full inspection against the checklist before we leave — including a photo record on request.
What's Included / Not Included
Move cleans are our most detailed service. Here is the full scope:
| Included | Not Included |
|---|---|
| ✓ Inside cabinets, drawers, and closets (shelves, rods, floors) | ✕ Carpet hot-water extraction (add-on available) |
| ✓ All appliances' exteriors; microwave interior | ✕ Inside oven / fridge unless booked as add-on |
| ✓ Full bathroom detailing: grout, fixtures, glass | ✕ Wall patching, painting, or nail-hole filling |
| ✓ Baseboards, window sills/tracks, blinds, vents, fixtures | ✕ Exterior windows, balconies, or patios |
| ✓ Light fixtures, switch plates, door handles | ✕ Hauling furniture or junk removal |
| ✓ All floors swept/mopped; carpets vacuumed edge to edge | ✕ Garage or storage-unit cleaning |
| ✓ Trash removal; photo record on request | ✕ Cleaning a home that still has occupants' belongings throughout |
Transparent Pricing
Move cleans are priced by home size since empty homes clean faster per square foot but require more detail work. Typical Austin-area ranges:
| Home Size | Bedrooms / Baths | Estimated Price | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1-bed apartment | 1 bd / 1 ba | $189 – $249 | 2.5 – 4 hours |
| 2-bed apartment / condo | 2 bd / 2 ba | $249 – $349 | 4 – 6 hours |
| 3-bed home | 3 bd / 2 ba | $349 – $479 | 5 – 7 hours |
| 4-bed home | 4 bd / 3 ba | $479 – $649 | 6 – 9 hours |
| Add-on: inside oven | Racks, walls, door | +$49 – $79 | — |
| Add-on: inside fridge | Shelves, drawers, seals | +$39 – $59 | — |
| Add-on: carpet extraction | Per room | +$49 – $79 | — |
Realtors and property managers: ask about volume pricing for multiple units. For wall-to-wall carpet needing more than vacuuming, our carpet cleaning service can be bundled as an add-on. Get an instant estimate with our pricing calculator or request a free quote — please share your move date so we can guarantee availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will this cleaning satisfy my landlord's inspection?
Our checklist is built around standard Texas landlord inspection items — inside cabinets, appliances, bathrooms, baseboards, and floors. Send us your lease's cleaning requirements in advance and we will make sure every item is covered. We can also provide a photo record of the finished work.
Does the home need to be empty?
Ideally, yes — move cleans are priced and planned for empty homes, which lets us clean inside cabinets, closets, and behind appliances efficiently. If some furniture remains, tell us when booking so we can adjust the scope and quote.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 1–2 weeks ahead, especially at month-end when demand peaks. That said, we often accommodate last-minute move cleans — call (512) 555-0148 and we will do our best to fit you in before your key handover.
Do you guarantee I will get my deposit back?
No cleaning company can guarantee a landlord's decision, and you should be wary of any that claim to. What we guarantee is our work: a detailed, checklist-driven clean with photo documentation you can present to your property manager, backed by our 24-hour satisfaction guarantee.
Can you clean on the same day as my move?
For move-outs, we recommend scheduling after the movers have finished and the home is empty — cleaning around movers wastes your money. For move-ins, book us for the day before your movers arrive so you unpack into a clean home.
Do you work with realtors and property managers?
Yes. We regularly handle turnover cleans for Austin-area realtors and property managers, including recurring unit turnovers. Contact us for volume pricing and priority scheduling options.