How much does house cleaning cost in Ireland?
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Key takeaways
- Most house cleaning jobs in Ireland land between €55–€450 — known locally as domestic cleaning.
- Cleaning is unregulated in Ireland. If you engage a cleaner directly on a regular, controlled basis, Revenue can treat you as a domestic employer with PAYE/PRSI registration obligations; hiring through an agency or a genuinely self-employed cleaner with multiple clients avoids this.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
House Cleaning prices by job size in Ireland
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly clean (3 hours) Recurring maintenance visit | €55 | €75 | €105 |
| One-off standard clean 3-bed house, single visit | €90 | €130 | €190 |
| Deep clean 3-bed house, full build-up removal | €200 | €300 | €450 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per hour | €18 | €25 | €35 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in Ireland typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a house cleaning pro in Ireland
- Decide agency vs self-employed cleaner — agencies cost more per hour but carry insurance and handle replacements
- Ask for public liability insurance confirmation in writing
- Take references seriously — the Irish market is heavily word-of-mouth
- Agree a written task list and hours; pay at or above the national minimum wage
- If you directly employ a regular cleaner, you may need to register as an employer with Revenue and operate PAYE/PRSI — agencies keep this on their side
- Confirm who supplies products; many Irish domestic cleaners use the household's own
Red flags
- Cash-only, no receipts, rate below minimum wage
- No insurance for someone working alone in your home
- Vague quotes with no agreed task list
- An agency that can't tell you who is coming each week
- Demands for long prepaid blocks before any trial visit
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to EUR, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: Extrapolated from UK Checkatrade ranges adjusted to Irish wage levels and EUR; Irish cleaning agency published rates (Dublin/Cork sampling).
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask for eco-friendly or fragrance-free products?
Yes, and most providers accommodate it — either with their own green product line (sometimes a small surcharge) or by using products you supply. Flag allergies, babies, and pets when booking. Note that some jobs, like heavy limescale or mould, genuinely need stronger chemistry to work.
How do I prepare my home before the cleaner arrives?
Tidy clutter off floors and surfaces — cleaners charge for time, and picking up toys or dishes eats paid minutes. Secure valuables and important documents, note anything fragile, and leave instructions for alarm codes or pets. You don't need to pre-clean; that's what you're paying for.
Should I tip my house cleaner?
Norms vary by country. In North America, tipping 10-20% on one-off or deep cleans is common, and many people give a holiday bonus to a regular cleaner rather than tipping each visit. In the UK, Australia, and most of Asia, tipping is appreciated but not expected. Agency cleaners often can't accept cash tips — a good review carries real weight instead.
What is usually excluded from a standard clean?
Commonly excluded: exterior windows, inside the oven and fridge, laundry and ironing, dishes, wet-wiping walls, mould remediation, cleaning up after pests, biohazards, and anything requiring a ladder. These are add-ons or specialist jobs. Always get the inclusion list in writing so the visit matches your expectations.
Why do quotes for the same home vary so much?
Three reasons: insurance and legitimate employment cost real money (the cheapest quotes usually skip both), companies price in supervision and cover for sick days, and scope assumptions differ — one quote's 'clean' may exclude half of what another includes. Compare on a written task list, insurance status and the same visit frequency, not on the headline number.
What happens if something gets damaged during a clean?
Reputable providers carry public/general liability insurance that covers accidental damage — ask for proof before the first visit, not after an incident. Report damage within 24 hours with photos. With uninsured independents you're relying on goodwill, which is the real cost hidden inside a cheap hourly rate.
What do cleaners charge in Ireland?
Typically €18-€35 per hour. Dublin sits at the top of the range, with €25-€35/hour common for insured agency cleans; independents outside the capital often charge €18-€22. A weekly 3-hour visit generally runs €55-€105.
Do I have tax obligations if I hire a cleaner directly?
Potentially yes. A regular cleaner working under your direction, on your schedule, with your equipment can be classed as your employee — meaning employer registration with Revenue, PAYE/PRSI and minimum-wage compliance. Agencies and genuinely self-employed cleaners (own clients, own kit, invoices) keep you outside those obligations.
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