Start With the Condition of the Property
Move-out cleaning is a comprehensive, inspection-ready deep clean covering every surface an inspector will check: appliance interiors, cabinet interiors, window tracks, baseboards, ceiling fans, closets, walls and trim, and all floors. Move-in cleaning, which follows our Essential Clean scope, is a lighter refresh intended for homes or rentals that are already generally clean but need a fresh start for new occupants.
Which One Do You Need? Three Questions
1. Are you a tenant trying to get your security deposit back?
If your lease requires professional cleaning, or if you want the strongest deposit protection, choose move-out. Many property managers use a move-out inspection checklist covering kitchen appliances, bathrooms, floors, walls and trim, and window sills and tracks. See our complete move-out checklist.
2. Are you a landlord or property manager turning over a unit?
If the unit has been occupied for months or years, there's likely grease in the oven, dust in the window tracks, cabinet debris, and grime behind the toilet. Choose move-out. If you're doing a light refresh between long-term tenants who left the place clean, move-in may be sufficient, but most turnovers need the full scope.
3. Are you selling your home or moving into a home you just bought?
Sellers: get the move-out. Listing photos matter, and a deep-cleaned home photographs as "well-maintained" to buyers. Buyers: if the home sat vacant for weeks after the previous occupant left, get the move-out. Dust, debris, and dead insects accumulate fast in tracks, corners, and utility spaces. If the home was professionally cleaned recently and just needs freshening, move-in is enough.
Before You Schedule
For either service, please make sure running water and seasonally appropriate heating or cooling are available. If either may be unavailable, contact us before the appointment so we can adjust the schedule. We also do a quick walkthrough first so existing damage or screen issues are documented before cleaning begins.
Side-by-Side Scope Comparison
| Task | Move-Out | Move-In |
|---|---|---|
| Oven interior | Yes | No |
| Refrigerator interior | Yes | No |
| Microwave interior | Yes | Yes |
| Cabinet interiors | Yes | No |
| Cabinet exteriors and hardware | Full wipe-down | Spot clean |
| Baseboards | Full length | Spot clean |
| Window sills | Detail clean | Wipe down |
| Window tracks | Detail clean | No |
| Ceiling fans | Detail clean | Not included |
| Light fixtures | Detail clean | Dust within reach |
| Closet interiors | Yes | No |
| Wall spot-cleaning | Visible marks | Small visible marks only |
| All floors (vacuum + mop) | Yes | Yes |
| Bathroom sanitization | Yes | Yes |
| Kitchen surfaces | Yes | Yes |
| Entryways | Full entry door and closet detail | Touch points, sweep, mop |
| Utility spaces | Washer/dryer exteriors, utility sink, floor sweep | Accessible surfaces only |
Contact us for a quote. Text your square footage and photos for a prompt price.
What Move-In Cleaning Does Not Include
A standard move-in refresh does not include oven interiors, refrigerator interiors, cabinet interiors, full cabinet detailing, full baseboard detailing, closet interiors, interior window pane detailing, exterior window cleaning, carpet deep cleaning, or full wall washing. Those items move the job into move-out or deep-clean territory.
The Bottom Line
Compare the full scope of our Move-In Cleaning and Move-Out Cleaning services before choosing.
If you're a tenant protecting your deposit, a seller preparing for listing photos, or a landlord turning over a unit that's been lived in, choose move-out. If you're moving into a home that's already clean and just needs a fresh start, move-in is probably enough. Text (309) 340-0208 with your square footage and photos for a prompt quote.