Moving into a new home in San Francisco is exciting, and the last thing you want is to unpack into a space that has not been properly cleaned since the last occupant left. Even homes that look clean often hide grease inside kitchen cabinets, soap scum in shower grout, dust in window tracks, and residue inside appliances. A professional move-in deep cleaning gives you a genuine fresh start: every surface, cabinet, and corner addressed before your furniture arrives. Here is what a move-in clean covers, when to schedule it, and what it costs across San Francisco and the Bay Area.
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Why a move-in clean is different
A move-in deep clean is not the same as a standard recurring clean. It is designed for an empty home, where furniture has been removed and every surface is accessible. That is the one moment to reach areas that become impossible once furniture is in place: the inside of cabinets and drawers, the floor where the refrigerator will sit, closet interiors, and window tracks that collect years of grime. It is also the time to deal with whatever the previous occupant left behind, from grease in the kitchen to soap scum in the bathroom. Starting from a genuinely clean home also means your ongoing recurring cleaning will be faster and more affordable from then on.
What a move-in deep clean covers
A move-in clean is a deep clean of the whole home, room by room:
- Kitchen: inside and outside of cabinets and drawers; stove, backsplash, countertops, and sink degreased and disinfected; appliance exteriors; microwave inside and out; floors vacuumed and mopped; cobweb removal.
- Bathrooms: tubs, showers, toilets, and sinks disinfected; grout and soap scum addressed; mirrors streak-free; fixtures polished; floors sanitized; mold treatment when necessary.
- Living areas and bedrooms: baseboards, window sills, ceiling fans, doors, frames, closet interiors, and all reachable surfaces detailed; interior windows; floors vacuumed and mopped.
Because a move-in is an empty-home reset, deeper tasks like the inside of the oven and the inside of the refrigerator are commonly part of the scope, along with inside cabinets. These are confirmed on your quote, so you know exactly what is included for your home before you book.
When to schedule your move-in clean
The ideal time is after the previous occupant has moved out and before your furniture arrives, so the team has full access to every floor, closet, and cabinet, including the spaces behind where appliances will go. If your move-in and move-out dates overlap and furniture is still present, that is fine, just let us know at booking so we can plan around it. Booking a little ahead helps secure your preferred date, especially around busy moving windows.
How much does a move-in deep clean cost?
A move-in clean is priced like any deep clean, flat-rate by home size, with no hidden fees. As a market snapshot for San Francisco and the Bay Area:
| Home size | Deep clean (flat-rate, market) |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $250 – $350 |
| 2 bedrooms | $320 – $450 |
| 3 bedrooms | $400 – $600 |
| 4 bedrooms or larger | $550 – $800+ |
These are market ranges, not a fixed price list, and the final number depends on your bathrooms, the home’s condition, and any add-ons. For what moves the price, see our guide to deep cleaning cost in San Francisco, or get instant pricing for your exact number. Moving out instead? See our move-in/out cleaning service.
Want a spotless home before you unpack? Serving San Francisco and the Bay Area. Call (510) 253-6707 or get instant pricing online. New clients get $20 off their first cleaning.
What our Bay Area clients say
See our five-star reviews on Google:
“My partner and I had never hired professional cleaners before and went with Gabi Cleaning Services after they were recommended by a friend. The team was super responsive over text and made it very easy to schedule services. We were so happy with the results of our deep clean! The team was efficient and thorough, and we will definitely book them for our future cleaning needs.”
Frequently asked questions
Should I deep clean before or after moving furniture in?
Before. A move-in deep clean is most thorough when the home is empty, so every floor, closet, and cabinet interior is accessible. Once furniture is in place, many of those areas become impossible to reach. If your dates overlap and furniture is already there, we can work around it, just let us know at booking.
Does the previous occupant need to have cleaned first?
No. A move-in deep clean is designed to handle whatever condition the home is in. The team assesses the condition at the start and makes sure everything in the agreed scope is addressed.
Do you clean inside the oven and refrigerator on a move-in clean?
Because a move-in is an empty-home reset, inside the oven and inside the refrigerator are commonly part of the scope, and are confirmed on your quote. For the fridge, it should be empty and at room temperature before the appointment. Just note these when you request pricing so your quote reflects them.
How long does a move-in deep clean take?
As a general guide, a studio or 1-bedroom takes about 3 to 4 hours, a 2-bedroom around 4 to 5 hours, and a 3-bedroom roughly 5 to 7 hours. Larger homes take longer and are often handled by a team. The checklist is completed fully rather than rushed to a time target.
Can I switch to recurring service after the move-in clean?
Yes, and many clients do. A move-in deep clean sets a clean baseline, so ongoing recurring visits are faster and more affordable afterward. There is no obligation, you can book just the move-in clean, or add a weekly, biweekly, or monthly plan.
Do you clean newly constructed homes?
Newly built homes usually need a post-construction clean rather than a standard move-in clean, because construction dust and debris require different handling. If your home is new construction, contact us with the details so we can advise on the right service for it.
Gabriela Nunes is the founder and owner of Gabi Cleaning Services, a house cleaning company proudly serving San Francisco and the Bay Area with an all-Brazilian team. With over 10 years of experience in professional cleaning, she built the company on full-time, background-checked, insured, and bonded employees, transparent flat-rate pricing, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee, if something is not right, the team comes back to make it right. Every home is cleaned with high-quality, eco-conscious, pet-friendly products.
Figures on this page are 2026 San Francisco and Bay Area market estimates for informational purposes and vary by home. For an exact price, get instant pricing.
