What does a move in cleaning service actually cover?
A move in cleaning service is a deep cleaning of an empty property before furniture arrives, covering internal cabinets, window tracks, floor traps, fixtures, and high-level dusting. In Singapore, pricing is based on floor area (from S$290 for <500 sqft up to S$975 for 3,000 sqft), with aircon servicing, mold treatment, and upholstery cleaning priced separately.
Table Of Contents
- What Does a Move In Cleaning Service Include?
- How Much Does a Move In Cleaning Service Cost in Singapore?
- Does a Brand-New BTO Need HDB Moving In Cleaning?
- How to Choose a Move In Cleaning Service
- DIY vs a Professional Move In Cleaning Service
- When to Book and How to Prepare
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Final Thoughts
Kitchen & Yard
Bathrooms
Living & Bedrooms
Windows & TracksGetting key collection over with leaves a short window to book a move in cleaning service before movers arrive, with quotes varying wildly from S$180 to S$600.
You are paying for total access. An empty flat allows cleaners to reach inside cabinets, window tracks, and ceiling lines in a single pass before furniture seals those areas off permanently. That is why a true move in cleaning service costs more than routine maintenance.
Use this guide to evaluate standard scopes, extra add-ons, 2026 pricing, and contractor vetting.
What Does a Move In Cleaning Service Include?
A standard move in cleaning service covers every internal surface of an empty home: cabinetry interiors and exteriors, sanitaryware, floors, skirtings, window glass, tracks, doors, switches, grilles, and high-level dusting for ceiling lines, fans, and light fittings. Detailed access to cabinet interiors, drawer runners, exhaust hood undersides, and cistern gaps distinguishes a real deep clean from a basic wipe-down.
Review the specific boundaries below to confirm your move in cleaning service scope. Treat unlisted items as optional add-ons and confirm them in writing before the crew arrives.
1. Kitchen
Cooking oil aerosolises and settles as a tacky film across high surfaces, requiring specialized heavy degreasing rather than general spray cleaners. Standard scope includes:
- Cabinet interiors and exteriors: Degreased across all door edges, handles, and unseen top surfaces.
- Drawers: Vacuumed, runner tracks wiped clean, and completely dried before closing.
- Exhaust hood: External surfaces and accessible baffle or mesh filters degreased.
- Hob, backsplash, and countertop: Cleaned using surface-appropriate products without abrasive scrubbers on quartz or engineered stone.
- Sink, drain cover, and tap base: Scaled and cleaned, targeting the black grime line at the tap base.
- Service yard and washer bay: Scrubbed across floors, walls, and floor traps behind machines.
Interior appliance cleaning for leftover fridges or ovens is usually quoted separately, as a neglected oven takes up to an hour on its own. For DIY methods, review our guide to kitchen degreasing.
2. Bathrooms
White or grey film on shower screens is soap scum bound with body oils and hair products. Dedicated degreasers clear this in a single pass where standard acid or vinegar descalers fail. Standard scope includes:
- Shower screen, wall, and floor tiles: Degreased, scrubbed, and rinsed clean.
- Grout lines: Hand-scrubbed; severe chemical staining or full regrouting falls under a separate trade.
- WC, cistern, seat hinges, and base seal: Deep cleaned, targeting the base where trapped moisture and odor sit.
- Basin, vanity interior, mirror, and fitted cabinets: Wiped down inside and out.
- Showerhead and tap aerators: Cleared of mineral buildup and residue.
- Floor traps: Covers lifted, hair and debris cleared, and traps flushed.
Note: If the flat has been vacant, dry floor traps allow sewer gas to back up. Pouring a jug of water down each trap restores the water seal and eliminates the drain odor in seconds.
3. Living Areas, Bedroom and Household Shelter
These rooms carry the heaviest allergen load, as dust settles along skirtings, ceiling lines, and high carpentry. In Singapore, dust mites trigger allergic rhinitis in roughly 40% of the population and asthma in 15% (Source: ASTAR), making a proper dust mite removal pass critical for indoor air quality. Standard scope includes:
- Built-in wardrobes and storage: Interiors vacuumed, wiped down, including rails and hardware.
- Skirtings, corners, and door thresholds: Cleared of settled fine dust and debris.
- High-level dusting: Ceiling lines, cornices, top of ceiling fan blades, and light fittings.
- Switches, sockets, and aircon grilles: Wiped clean and dried.
- Household shelter: Walls, floor, and door seals cleared of heavy construction dust.
4. Windows, Grilles and Tracks
Window work is included, but the boundary is height and safety. Interior glass, frames, grilles and tracks are standard. External glass above the ground floor isn’t, because that needs different equipment and, in a condo, MCST clearance.
Tracks are the part everyone underestimates. On a high floor or near the coast, a track fills with grit, insect debris and a damp organic sludge that has to be scraped and vacuumed before anything gets wiped. Our guide to cleaning window tracks shows why a cloth alone achieves nothing there.
What’s Not Included
These five add-ons cause nearly every scope dispute. All of them are real services and none of them belong inside a standard move in house cleaning checklist:
- Aircon servicing or chemical wash: a separate trade with its own pricing
- Mould treatment: surface wiping isn’t remediation; visible growth needs assessment
- Curtain cleaning, sofa cleaning, and mattress cleaning: priced per piece or per seat
- Post-renovation dust clearance: a different job at a different intensity, covered below
- Interior cleaning of appliances left behind by the previous owner
Also Read: Move In Cleaning Singapore: 6 Essential Inclusions To Look For
How Much Does a Move In Cleaning Service Cost in Singapore?
A move in cleaning service in Singapore is priced by floor area, not by the hour, running from S$290 for homes under 500 sqft up to S$975 for 3,000 sqft. Fixed area pricing removes slow-work incentives and locks in your exact cost upfront. Hourly rates typically indicate routine tidy-ups rather than proper deep cleans.
Most owners over-budget by overestimating their flat size (e.g., misjudging a 4-room HDB at 1,500 sqft instead of its actual ~970 sqft). Use this benchmark pricing ladder for empty flats:
| Property size | Typical Singapore home | Price from |
| < 500 sqft | 2-room Flexi (~390–480 sqft) | S$290 |
| 501–750 sqft | 3-room HDB (~700 sqft) | S$340 |
| 751–1,000 sqft | 4-room HDB or BTO (~970 sqft) | S$390 |
| 1,001–1,300 sqft | 5-room HDB (~1,184 sqft), mid-size condo | S$440 |
| 1,301–1,600 sqft | Executive flat or maisonette | S$540 |
| 1,601–2,000 sqft | Large condo | S$715 |
| 2,001–2,500 sqft | Small landed | S$815 |
| 2,501–3,000 sqft | Landed | S$975 |
These are starting figures for each band and assume a genuinely empty unit. Anything larger gets quoted individually, so WhatsApp us with the floor area and we’ll come back with a number.
The Add-Ons Worth Budgeting For
Most households book one or two extras alongside the clean, and doing them on the same day costs less than bringing separate crews back twice. Real 2026 rates:
- Aircon servicing: general servicing from S$43.60 for a single fan coil unit; chemical wash from S$92.65 for one unit, S$250.70 for three
- Curtain cleaning: day and night curtains S$30 per piece, blackout S$35, with a S$120 minimum order
- Mattress cleaning: a queen is S$150 by deep extraction, S$100 by steam, S$75 by UV-C
- Sofa cleaning: S$75 per seat, so S$225 for a three-seater
- Mould treatment: no fixed rate, because scope varies too much. Send us photos and we’ll tell you what’s involved
One charge to push back on: a “per-toilet”, “per-window” or “per-room” surcharge added to an area-based quote. If you’re paying by floor area, the sanitaryware is already inside that number.
Also Read: HDB Maintenance Guide: Deep Cleaning 3-Room vs 5-Room Flats
Does a Brand-New BTO Need HDB Moving In Cleaning?
Yes—brand-new BTOs need more work than resale units. While resale flats carry simple household dirt, new flats are coated in abrasive cement dust, grout haze, and sawdust that permanently scratch floors if mopped incorrectly.
Timing your HDB moving in cleaning correctly makes all the difference. Finish all HDB defect repairs first to avoid new trade mess, then schedule your clean right after built-in carpentry ends and before loose furniture arrives.
Report Defects Before You Clean or Renovate
Report defects immediately after key collection and strictly before starting renovation works. HDB’s 1-year Defects Liability Period requires logging issues within the first month so the project contractor rectifies them—typically within 14 days—without disputing whether damage came from construction or your own workers (Source: HDB).
Follow the sequence: collect keys → inspect and report → renovate → move in cleaning service → move in. Cleaning before defect repairs are done forces you to pay twice, as contractors fixing grout or windows will immediately recreate the construction mess.
New Carpentry Off-Gasses, and Cleaning Doesn’t Fix That
Freshly renovated homes carry high indoor formaldehyde levels, with Singapore’s heat and humidity accelerating emissions far beyond standard laboratory ratings. A standard move in cleaning service removes airborne dust carrying these chemical residues, but it cannot stop the carpentry itself from off-gassing.
Source removal requires time, strong cross-ventilation, or specialized formaldehyde treatment. If you have just renovated, confirm your move-in timeline, and book a dedicated post-renovation clean.
How to Choose a Move In Cleaning Service
Evaluate a move in cleaning service on three things: a fixed quote based on floor area, an itemized scope in writing, and valid public liability insurance. Everything else—crew size, equipment brands, or years in business—is secondary, unverified marketing.
Five Questions to Ask Before You Book
- “Is this quote fixed for my floor area, or can it change on the day?” A fixed area quote should only move if the unit turns out not to be empty. Get that condition said out loud.
- “Can you send me the scope as a written list?” Compare it against a published pre-move in cleaning checklist and look specifically for cabinet interiors, window tracks, floor traps and high dusting. If those four are missing, you’re being sold a surface clean at a deep-clean price.
- “Are you insured for accidental damage?” These jobs involve ladders near light fittings and chemicals near new carpentry. Ask what the cover actually is.
- “Who’s doing the work?” Some companies subcontract. That isn’t automatically a problem, but you should know whether the crew answers to the company you paid.
- “What happens if I’m not happy?” A rectification window, where someone returns to fix missed areas at no charge, is standard among established operators.
Four Red Flags
- An hourly rate for a whole-flat move-in clean. It moves the risk of a slow job onto you.
- No written scope. A verbal “we clean everything” isn’t a scope, and you can’t hold anyone to it.
- A large deposit demanded before any site detail is confirmed.
- A promise to “remove mould permanently” as part of a general clean. Mould is a moisture problem, and wiping the surface without fixing the cause guarantees it’s back within months.
If you find growth behind a wardrobe or along a ceiling line, treat it as its own job. Mould removal gets quoted on inspection.
For condo moves, check your MCST by-laws regarding service-lift bookings, moving deposits, and permitted working hours. Because management rules vary by building, a crew turned away at the loading bay will still cost you the booked slot.
DIY vs a Professional Move In Cleaning Service
Handle the clean yourself if the unit is small, recently occupied, and well-maintained. Book a professional move in cleaning service if it has been vacant, renovated, or exceeds 700 sqft.
The deciding factor is reach and chemistry: degreasing an exhaust hood, clearing window tracks, and high-dusting ceiling lines require commercial degreasers, specialized vacuum attachments, and proper ladders.
| DIY | Professional service | |
| Cost | Roughly S$60–S$120 in supplies | From S$290, fixed by floor area |
| Timing | Several evenings, or a full weekend | One scheduled session |
| Reach | Limited by your ladder and equipment | Ceiling line, hood interior, tracks, traps |
| Degreasing | Retail products, repeated passes | Commercial degreaser, one pass |
| Recourse | None | Rectification window |
| Best for | Small, recently occupied units | Vacant, resale, renovated, or 750 sqft+ |
For DIY, budget S$60–S$120 for supplies from FairPrice, Daiso, and Shopee. Clean top-to-bottom and dry-to-wet, leaving floors for last so falling high-level dust doesn’t ruin freshly mopped surfaces. Follow our sequence in the deep cleaning of an empty house guide, track tasks with the new home cleaning checklist, or read our concise move-in cleaning essentials.
Many owners split the difference: hire professionals for heavy equipment work, then maintain it yourself using a move in house cleaning checklist. Moving forward, hiring a recurring part time maid at S$18–S$23/hr prevents the flat from drifting back into deep-clean territory.
Also Read: How Long Does It Take to Deep Clean a House? Room-by-Room Time Estimates
When to Book and How to Prepare
Book your move in cleaning service two to five days before furniture arrives, strictly after all renovations and defect rectifications are completed. This buffer lets paint and new carpentry air out, provides time for any touch-ups, and prevents coordinating movers and cleaners through the same door simultaneously—the single most common planning mistake.
The Order That Saves You Money
- Collect keys and inspect. Report HDB defects inside the first month and before renovation starts.
- Renovate, if you’re renovating. Cleaning first wastes the clean.
- Turn on utilities. Allow one week of lead time from your application date for the turn-on appointment; slots open up to 30 days ahead. The security deposit appears on your first bill and runs S$40–S$120 for HDB flats depending on room count (Source: SP Group).
- Book the clean for two to five days before the move.
- Book add-ons for the same day, such as aircon, curtains, upholstery.
- Move in.
Step 3 isn’t optional. A cleaning crew needs running water and mains power, so arriving at a flat with neither means a wasted slot you’ll still be charged for.
On The Day
- Empty the unit. Cleaners aren’t movers, and their insurance generally won’t cover shifting your belongings.
- Sort out access. Confirm the key handover, and for condos book the service lift and loading bay with your management office ahead of time.
- Fill the floor traps if the unit has stood empty, or flag the drain smell so the crew knows to clear them.
- Walk the unit first and note anything specific: a stained grout line, a greasy hood, a mark on a wall. Raise it before they start, not after they’ve finished.
- Stay reachable by phone, even if you’re not on site.
If you’re handing back an old place at the same time, treat move-out as a separate job on its own sqft ladder. Scheduling both inside one week normally costs less than a month apart, and our end of lease checklist covers the outgoing side, where you’re cleaning to your landlord’s deposit standard rather than your own.
Keeping the Baseline You Paid For
Two things erode a move-in clean fastest in this climate: kitchen grease and aircon neglect. Rinse your aircon filters every two to four weeks yourself, and treat quarterly general servicing plus an annual chemical wash as the defensible interval. Our guide on how often to service your aircon in Singapore explains why the “every one to three months” advice floating around conflates a DIY filter rinse with a paid visit.
Keeping indoor humidity near 55–60% also sits below the level at which dust mites multiply, and it’s achievable in a local flat at sensible running cost. The 30–50% range you’ll read in imported guides isn’t, so don’t chase it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does a move in cleaning service take?
A standard 3- or 4-room HDB takes 3 to 5 hours (one session), while larger or heavily soiled resale flats require a full day. Duration depends on floor area, vacancy period, and grease buildup.
What’s the difference between mobe-in, move-out and post-renovation cleaning?
- Move-in: Deep cleans and sanitises an empty unit for immediate living.
- Move-out: Restores a rented unit to handover conditions to secure tenancy deposits.
- Post-renovation: Focuses on removing fine, abrasive construction and masonry dust using specialized equipment.
Should I clean before or after renovation?
After. Cleaning before renovation wastes money, as upcoming trades will cover surfaces in cement dust and sawdust. Only perform defect inspections before renovation.
Do I need to be home during the cleaning?
No. You only need to provide access and remain reachable by phone. Walk the unit beforehand and send photos of priority areas via WhatsApp.
Is aircon servicing included in amove in cleaning service?
No, aircon servicing is a separate trade. General servicing starts from S43.60perfancoilunit,andchemicalwashesstartfromS92.65. Note that local HDBs use split units, so avoid suppliers charging for “duct cleaning.”
What if I find mould after moving in?
Mould indicates underlying moisture issues. Surface wiping won’t solve it, so it requires dedicated mould remediation. Send us photos for an accurate inspection quote.
Can SuperClean SG do a same-day move in cleaning service?
Same-day slots depend on crew availability, but advance booking (1–2 weeks out) is strongly recommended—especially for month-ends and weekends. WhatsApp us your floor area and date to check open slots.
Final Thoughts
A move-in clean hits spots you will never access again once furniture arrives, making clear scope boundaries far more important than a low price. Always verify that your quote is fixed by floor area and explicitly lists cabinet interiors, window tracks, floor traps, and high dusting in writing.
For HDBs, proper sequencing is vital. Report defects within month one before renovating, clean after construction ends, and leave a 2- to 5-day buffer before movers arrive. Wrong timing means paying for the same clean twice.
Whether you DIY with a checklist or hire professionals, the standard remains identical. The only difference is who supplies the equipment, chemical degreasers, and re-clean guarantees.
Engaged SuperClean SG for a post-renovation deep clean, and the team did an excellent job. They arrived on time, were polite, and worked very thoroughly to clear away all the construction dust. They cleaned every corner, including spots that are usually overlooked, and the whole house now feels fresh and brand new again. The service was smooth, fuss-free, and very professional. Highly recommend!
Ready for a Spotless Move-In Experience?
Let SuperClean SG’s professional team handle your move-in cleaning with our comprehensive protocols and industry-leading standards. Start your new chapter in a thoroughly cleaned, sanitized home without the stress of doing it yourself.
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