
How Much Is a Move-Out Clean in Edmonton? Alberta Carpet Obligations for Tenants and the Required Cleanliness Level
Moving out in Edmonton comes with two pressures: getting every corner clean enough to pass inspection and keeping actual moving costs under control. Tenants ask two practical questions right away: What does a professional move-out clean cost in Edmonton, and what exactly is “clean enough” under Alberta’s rules, especially for carpets? This article breaks down realistic pricing, what landlords and property managers look for, and how professional cleaners help avoid deposit deductions. It also shows how Maid in Edmonton, a locally owned and operated service, handles move in move out cleaning with a clear checklist, trusted cleaners, and a satisfaction guarantee.
What a Move-Out Clean Typically Costs in Edmonton
Pricing in Edmonton depends on size, condition, and add-ons like inside-oven degreasing or carpet shampoo. A standard unfurnished move-out clean for an apartment or house in average condition usually falls into these ranges:
- Studio or one-bedroom condo: $200–$350
- Two-bedroom apartment or townhome: $300–$475
- Three-bedroom house: $400–$650
- Larger homes (four bedrooms and up): $600–$1,000+
These ranges assume the unit is empty, with normal wear and tear. They include a thorough clean of kitchens, bathrooms, baseboards, floors, inside cabinets and drawers, and spot-cleaning doors and trim. Heavier grime, old grease build-up, nicotine staining, or extensive hard-water scale can increase the cost because they require more time and more aggressive products. If the unit has been vacant and dusty for months, expect a moderate bump as well.
Carpet cleaning is a separate line item. Professional hot water extraction in Edmonton typically runs $40–$60 per room, or $150–$300 for a small apartment, and $250–$450 for an average house. Stairs count as their own area. Pet odour or stain treatment can add $20–$40 per affected area, depending on severity and products used.
Window cleaning varies. Interior window glass and tracks inside the home are commonly included in a comprehensive move-out service, but exterior glass or screens often cost extra. Expect $5–$10 per window for interior-only detailing if it is listed as an add-on.
The best way to avoid surprises is an instant quote with clear options. Maid in Edmonton offers transparent, room-based pricing with add-ons for carpets, appliances, interior windows, and garages. Clients can book one-time or recurring visits, but move in move out cleaning is most often a single deep clean with optional carpet service the same day.
What Landlords Expect in Edmonton: “Reasonably Clean” in Real Terms
Alberta’s Residential Tenancies Act and Service Alberta resources use practical language. Landlords cannot charge tenants for normal wear and tear, but they can deduct for cleaning needed to return the unit to a “reasonably clean” condition. That phrase can sound vague, so here is how it plays out in inspections across Edmonton:
- Kitchen: Grease removed from the stove top, control panel, drip pans, and backguard. Inside oven cleaned of baked-on spills. Range hood filters degreased. Fridge emptied, defrosted if required, and wiped inside and out. Cabinets emptied and wiped. Counters and backsplash free of residue. Sink and faucet free of limescale.
- Bathrooms: Toilets, tubs, showers, and sinks free of soap scum, hair, mildew staining, and hard-water deposits. Grout visibly clean. Mirrors streak-free. Vanity inside and out wiped. Vent covers dusted.
- Living areas and bedrooms: Baseboards wiped. Window tracks vacuumed or brushed clean. Closets emptied and shelves wiped. Walls spot-cleaned where marks come off with standard methods. Floors vacuumed and mopped. Light fixtures and ceiling fans dusted if reachable.
- Appliances: Inside microwave and dishwasher wiped. Washer and dryer, if included, wiped and lint removed.
- Doors and trim: Handprints and common scuffs reduced where practical with a safe cleaner. Deep scratches or chipped paint typically fall under wear and tear unless damage is beyond normal use.
- Garbage: No debris or left items. Balcony or storage areas cleared.
Property managers in Edmonton and surrounding areas like St. Albert, Sherwood Park, and Spruce Grove use checklists that mirror the above. If the unit meets these points, deposits are usually returned without cleaning deductions.
Alberta Carpet Obligations for Tenants: What Is Required and What Is Not
Carpet is the most debated item during move-outs. Alberta guidelines are straightforward:
- Normal wear and tear on carpet is not chargeable. Flattened pile in high-traffic areas or minor colour change from age counts as wear.
- Tenants must leave carpets “reasonably clean.” That means no visible soil lines along baseboards, no debris, and no food spills left to set.
- Mandatory professional steam cleaning is not an automatic rule. If the lease specifically states that professional carpet cleaning is required at move-out, tenants should follow that clause and provide a receipt. If the lease is silent, landlords can still charge for cleaning if the carpet is left dirty beyond reasonable wear, but they cannot demand a professional service if standard cleaning would suffice.
- Pet urine is a separate issue. If a pet causes odours or stains, the tenant is usually responsible for proper treatment, which may include enzyme products and professional extraction. A standard vacuuming does not solve urine-related odour or bacteria deep in the pad.
From experience across Edmonton and area, many landlords prefer a professional receipt for carpets, especially for multi-year tenancies or homes with pets. It shortens dispute conversations and keeps move-out timelines on track. Maid in Edmonton provides hot water extraction with non-toxic, pet-safe solutions and can issue a receipt for landlords on request.
How Move-Out Cleaning Is Priced: What Drives the Quote Up or Down
Three factors set the rate:
- Size and number of bathrooms: Two bathrooms take almost twice the time of one because of tile, glass, and fixtures.
- Condition: A kitchen with long-term grease needs stronger degreasers and dwell time. A shower with heavy scale requires extra scrubbing and sometimes a second pass with a descaling product.
- Extras: Inside oven and inside fridge are time-intensive. Interior windows and tracks add detail work. Carpet extraction adds both time and equipment.
Timing matters too. End-of-month dates in Edmonton https://maidinedmonton.com/move-in-move-out-cleaning-service/ book quickly with property turnovers and university schedules. Prices stay the same, but availability narrows. Clients who book at least a week in advance get better time slots, especially for same-day clean and carpet extraction.
What a Professional Move-Out Clean Includes with Maid in Edmonton
Maid in Edmonton is locally owned and operated. The team is background-checked, insured, and bonded. The company serves Edmonton and surrounding areas, from downtown high-rises and U of A student rentals to single-family homes in Terwillegar, Windermere, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Beaumont, and Fort Saskatchewan.
The standard move in move out cleaning checklist covers the common inspection points landlords look for, with a focus on kitchens, bathrooms, floors, and baseboards. The team uses eco-friendly products where suitable, with stronger solutions used only when needed for baked-on grease or hard-water scale. Cleaners bring all supplies and equipment. Booking includes a clear arrival window and text updates.
Clients often ask if the service includes walls. Light spot-cleaning is included, which removes handprints and scuffs in many cases. Full wall washing is available as an add-on if there is heavy residue or nicotine staining.
Oven cleaning is included on request. Fridge interior cleaning is also available; the unit must be empty and defrosted if it is an older model. The team wipes cabinets inside and out and polishes visible stainless-steel surfaces for a uniform, sparkling finish.
For carpets, Maid in Edmonton offers hot water extraction with a powerful portable unit designed for residential fibres. Technicians pre-vacuum, apply a safe pre-spray, agitate where needed, and extract thoroughly. Dry time is typically 4–8 hours depending on airflow, humidity, and pile thickness. Pet treatment is available if urine or odour is present.
The company stands behind the work with a satisfaction guaranteed policy: if the client or landlord flags a reasonable cleaning concern within the agreed window, the team returns to address it promptly.
What “Clean Enough” Looks Like to Avoid Deposit Deductions
Inspectors often test three quick areas: the inside of the oven, the corners of bathroom floors, and window tracks. If those are clean, the rest of the home usually is as well. Another key signal is the baseboard line. Dust along the baseboard indicates a general rush job. Property managers in Edmonton are practical, but they do expect detail work in obvious places.
A short anecdote illustrates the point. A tenant in Westmount did a solid DIY clean, but forgot the range hood filter and the top lip of the oven door. During the walkthrough, the manager ran a finger across both spots and found grease. That could have cost a $100–$150 deduction. The tenant called Maid in Edmonton the same afternoon. A cleaner returned to degrease those two hot spots and wiped the lower cabinet doors. The unit passed re-inspection, and the full deposit came back. It took 45 minutes and a focused checklist.
DIY vs Professional: Where Each Makes Sense
Many tenants handle parts of the move-out clean themselves. Bathrooms without heavy scale are manageable with the right acid cleaner and a non-scratch pad. Cabinet interiors respond well to warm soapy water, then a second pass with a neutral cleaner to remove residue. Light fixtures and baseboards are more about time than skill.
Where DIY tends to fall short is baked-on oven spills, limescale in older showers, and carpet odour from pets. Those issues are noticeable to a landlord and time-consuming without specialty products. They are also the first areas to generate deductions, because the difference between “almost clean” and “inspection-ready” is easy to quantify.
A blended approach works: handle general dusting, wipe cabinets, and remove wall scuffs. Book a professional team for bathrooms, kitchen degreasing, and carpets. Maid in Edmonton offers customized plans, so clients can drop tasks they already completed and pay for the work that moves the inspection needle.
Timing Strategy: Clean, Then Keys
Tenants in Edmonton often ask whether to schedule the cleaning before or after moving belongings. The most efficient order is move everything out, then clean. An empty home cuts cleaning time and cost because there is no need to move furniture, unload cabinets, or work around boxes. It also prevents new footprints on freshly mopped floors.
Carpet extraction should occur after movers finish, ideally the same day, to speed up drying with open airflow. If painting is planned, paint first, then final clean, then carpets. The sequence avoids dust settling on freshly cleaned surfaces.
For possession day overlaps, a common timeline is: afternoon move-out, evening clean, morning carpet. Maid in Edmonton’s booking team can coordinate back-to-back cleaning and carpet slots, including weekend availability at month-end.
What Happens If the Landlord Says It Is Not Clean Enough
Disagreements happen. Alberta’s standard approach is reasonable documentation on both sides. Photos of the finished clean help. If a landlord identifies specific misses—inside the oven door glass, for example—ask to list them, then contact the cleaning company to return. A satisfaction guarantee with re-clean terms keeps this simple.
Security deposit disputes in Alberta look at normal wear, actual dirt left behind, and whether cleaning charges are fair. Vague claims without proof do not hold up well. Detailed receipts and time-stamped photos support the tenant. Maid in Edmonton provides a service receipt and can supply a checklist of tasks completed, which helps resolve issues quickly.
Common Add-Ons That Affect Price and Results
A few extras often make the difference in a pass on the first inspection:
- Inside oven with door glass and racks: A dedicated degreaser and dwell time clear baked-on spills that standard products do not touch.
- Inside fridge with gasket detail: Food residue in seals causes odour. A neutral cleaner and a toothbrush solve it.
- Shower glass descaling: Edmonton’s water hardness leaves mineral spots. A professional acid product restores clarity and helps on future cleanings.
- Window tracks and sills: Dust and dead insects collect here. Vacuum crevice tool plus a damp wipe makes tracks look new.
- Carpet pet treatment: Enzyme products break down urine crystals that standard detergent leaves behind.
Each of these takes time, which affects the quote, but they also protect against the most common deduction points.
Tenancy Turnover in Edmonton and Area: Local Nuances That Matter
Edmonton’s rental market has seasonal patterns. End-of-month and late summer see heavy move-outs near post-secondary areas like Garneau, Strathcona, and Oliver. Property managers run tight schedules, so units must be ready the same day or the next morning for new tenants. Homes north and west—like in Castle Downs, Griesbach, and St. Albert—often include carpeted stairs and basements, which add cleaning time. In Sherwood Park, many townhomes have glass shower enclosures that need descaling to pass inspection.
Single-family homes in Windermere, Glenridding, and Keswick tend to have stainless appliances and quartz or granite counters. These surfaces look “streaky” if cleaned with the wrong product. A professional cleaner uses the right microfiber and pH-neutral solutions to leave a uniform finish.
Winter creates salt and calcium deposits near entrances. Professionals bring a neutralizer that removes white salt marks from floors and baseboards without damaging finishes.
Realistic Tips to Keep Costs Down Without Cutting Quality
A few simple steps reduce billable time while preserving inspection-level results:
- Empty and defrost the fridge the day before. Leave doors open to air out.
- Remove nails, wall anchors, and tape. Fill small holes if required by the lease, then lightly wipe dust.
- Run the self-clean cycle only if the oven manual recommends it and there are no plastic remnants inside. Otherwise, let the cleaners tackle it safely.
- Vacuum floors and tops of baseboards once the movers leave. It sets the stage for quicker detailing.
- Send a note with any landlord or building rules, such as elevator booking times or parking instructions, so the team arrives and starts on time.
These small tasks help the cleaning crew focus on specialized work rather than general prep, which keeps the invoice closer to the base range.
Why Work with Maid in Edmonton for Move In Move Out Cleaning
Tenants and landlords choose Maid in Edmonton because the team is trustworthy, punctual, and focused on results that pass inspection. The company is locally owned and operated, so it understands winter salt, spring dust, and the water hardness that marks shower glass across Edmonton. The cleaners are background-checked, insured, and bonded. Products are eco-friendly and safe for kids and pets where suitable, with targeted solutions for grease, limescale, and odour.
Booking is straightforward: request a free quote online, pick one-time or recurring service, and add carpet or appliance options if needed. The company offers an instant quote for most condos and houses. If the unit has unique conditions—heavy post-renovation dust or nicotine staining—the team provides a quick phone walkthrough to give a precise figure.
Maid in Edmonton’s satisfaction guaranteed policy is clear. If something is missed within the agreed window, the team returns to make it right. That commitment reduces move-out stress and shortens any back-and-forth with property managers.
Final Thoughts: Price, Standards, and a Clean Exit
Move-out cleaning in Edmonton does not have to feel like a gamble. Use the realistic price ranges above to budget. Plan for carpet extraction if the lease requires it, if there are pets, or if a long tenancy left visible soil. Aim for the “reasonably clean” standards that inspectors rely on: grease-free kitchen appliances, descaled bathrooms, wiped cabinets, clean tracks and baseboards, and tidy floors.
If you want to finish in one shot, book Maid in Edmonton for move in move out cleaning. The professional team brings a thorough checklist, eco-friendly products, and the judgment to address the details that matter. Add carpet cleaning the same day and walk into your final inspection with confidence.
Ready for a smooth move? Get a free quote now from Maid in Edmonton and secure your spot. Serving Edmonton and surrounding areas, with trusted cleaners and clear, fair pricing.
Maid in Edmonton provides residential and commercial cleaning services in Edmonton, AB. Our team handles house cleaning, maid services, office cleaning, deep cleaning, AirBnB cleaning, and post-construction projects. We also provide janitorial services for local businesses. Since 2022, we have focused on reliable cleaning with eco-friendly practices. Whether you need regular home service or a full commercial clean, Maid in Edmonton is ready to help. Maid in Edmonton
14605 118 Ave NW #101 Phone: (780) 885-6243 Website: https://maidinedmonton.com/move-in-move-out-cleaning-service/
Edmonton,
AB
T5L 2M7,
Canada