Living in Los Angeles means juggling a million things at once. Work, social life, endless traffic, and hopefully a little time for self. So when it comes to keeping your home clean, most of us don’t want to overthink it. But if you’ve ever tried to look up a cleaning service prices in Los Angeles, you’ve probably seen two pricing options: flat rate and hourly.
Which one’s better? And more importantly – which one is better for you? Let’s break it down, real-world style.
Flat Rate Cleaning: One Price, No Surprises
Flat rate is exactly what it sounds like: a fixed price for cleaning your home based on its size and condition. Most companies will give you a checklist of what’s included, and that’s what gets done—no matter how long it takes.
When flat rate works best
If your home is generally tidy and you just need a consistent cleaning every week or two, flat rate is a no-brainer.
We have plenty of customers that trust us with their homes and flat rate is the best option for them – they keep their places in a good shape and only regular cleaning is required in this case.
We clean their places regularly. Same price, same results, no stress.
Pros of flat rate pricing:
Predictable costs
Predefined checklist
Easy to plan for recurring services
Great for busy professionals or Airbnb hosts
Hourly Cleaning: Pay for Time, Not a Checklist
Hourly cleaning is more flexible. You’re essentially hiring a cleaner (or a team) to work for a set amount of time. This is perfect when you have a very specific list of things you want done—or if your home needs a little extra TLC.
When hourly makes more sense
For example, you’ve just wrapped up a kitchen renovation. The place looked amazing, but the amount of construction dust in every corner? Wild.
You have boxes in the living room, cabinet smudges, and glass sliders that hadn’t been cleaned in months. There was no way a flat-rate cleaning would’ve covered everything—so we suggest hourly with a clear list of priorities.
Hourly cleaning is best for:
If your place hasn’t been professionally cleaned in a while
Post-construction or event cleanup
Organizing projects or partial cleanings
Situations where you want control over the to-do list
Flat Rate vs Hourly: The LA Price Breakdown
Let’s talk numbers
Of course, prices vary depending on location and company, but here’s a general idea for Los Angeles:
| Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Flat rate | $140 – $350+ (depending on size and service level) |
| Hourly | $55 – $75 per hour per cleaner (3-hour minimum typical) |
A 2-bed, 1-bath apartment on a flat rate might cost $180–$220 for a general cleaning. The same space on an hourly basis with a two-person team might come out to the same—if the cleaning takes 2–2.5 hours.
But here’s the catch: not all cleaners work at the same pace. If you’re being billed hourly and the team is slow or unfamiliar with your space, the costs can climb quickly.
Still Not Sure? Ask Yourself This:
1. Is your place generally in good shape?
→ Flat rate will likely get the job done.
2. Do you need help with specific, deep tasks?
→ Go hourly so you can customize the work.
3. Do you like budgeting down to the dollar?
→ Flat rate is easier to predict. Hourly gives more control.
Common Misconceptions
“Flat rate cleaners rush through the job.”
Not if you’re working with a solid company. At Rocket Maids LA, our flat-rate cleanings are designed to be thorough. Teams don’t leave until the job is done properly—there’s no cutting corners.
“Hourly is always more affordable.”
Not necessarily. If the team is slow or your list is long, it might end up costing more. Hourly is great for flexibility, but you have to be clear on your priorities.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer. That’s why we offer both options at Rocket Maids LA—because your home, schedule, and priorities are unique.
If you’re still on the fence and not sure about cleaning service prices in Los Angeles, we’re happy to walk through your needs and recommend the right setup. Whether you’re looking for a one-time post-party refresh in Santa Monica or a biweekly flat-rate service in Silver Lake, we’ve got you covered.
Want a Cleaner Home Without the Guesswork?
📅 Book online at www.rocketmaidsla.com
📞 Or call us at 818-208-1698
✨ Flat rate or hourly—we’ll help you choose what fits your life.