Domestic Cleaning Prices in London, Zone by Zone

What drives the cost, and how Facility Cleaners keeps it fair.

London’s 2025 market settles into a clear pattern - the closer you are to Zone 1, the higher the hourly rate. Weekly or fortnightly domestic cleaning averages £19-£24 per hour in the very centre, dropping steadily to around £14-£17 in Zone 6.

The spread is explained mostly by the London Living Wage, congestion and parking fees, travel time, and whether you book a VAT-registered agency or hire a solo cleaner who sets their own rate.

Average hourly prices by zone

Figures combine published price lists from large agencies and platforms, plus cost-guide data.

• Zones 1–2

  • £19 – £24 per hour

• Zone 3

  • about £17 – £20 per hour - family flats beyond the Congestion Charge still pay near-central labour

• Zone 4

  • £15 – £19 per hour - some agencies add £1-£2 travel surcharge once outside the North/South

• Zone 5

  • £14 – £18 per hour - independent cleaners dominate and undercut VAT-registered

• Zone 6

  • £14 – £17 per hour - lowest labour rates but long bus or rail journeys can nudge quotes

Tip

Book the same cleaner for at least three hours a week to sit near the bottom of each range—agencies reward longer, recurring slots.

Why prices rise and fall

Labour - the London Living Wage

Reputable firms peg take-home pay to the voluntary London Living Wage, now £13.85 per hour—almost £1.60 above the new national figure.livingwage.org.uklondon.gov.uk Once National Insurance, holiday pay and a modest margin are added, retail rates cross the £18-£19 line.

Travel, congestion & parking

Driving into the Congestion Charge zone costs £15 a day (with a 2026 proposal to rise further).tfl.gov.uktfl.gov.uk Add £5-£7 per hour for parking, or 30 minutes unpaid on public transport, and central-London slots command a premium.

Property mix & job length

Central postcodes skew toward compact flats needing two-hour visits - short bookings mean the cleaner’s set-up time is spread over fewer billable hours, so the hourly price is higher. Suburban family homes book four-hour blocks that agencies happily discount.

Agency overheads vs. private rates

An agency shoulders vetting, insurance, training and sickness cover, then must add 20 % VAT once turnover tops £90 k. A self-employed cleaner under the threshold can stay 15-30 % cheaper. Expect to supply your own products when you hire direct.

Companies vs. private cleaners - at a glance

• Cleaning company: £18-£25 p/h in Zones 1-3

  • includes liability insurance, customer support and a replacement cleaner if yours is unwell. Congestion and parking charges are either passed through or baked in.

• Private cleaner: £14-£19 p/h city-wide

  • relationship-based, usually no VAT, but you provide equipment and absorb the risk of absence or breakage.

Five levers that change your quote

Frequency

1. Weekly beats fortnightly by £1 - £2 per hour.

Visit length

1. Three hours plus is the sweet spot - shorter means costlier, six-hour blocks earn small discounts.

Supplies & equipment

1. Add £2-£3 p/h if the cleaner brings eco products and a vacuum.

Specialist add-ons

1. Oven or carpet cleaning pushes rates beyond £25 p/h due to chemicals and PPE.

Access & logistics

1. Easy parking, a concierge key-drop or lift access saves set-up time and keeps costs down.

Ready for a spotless home?

Facility Cleaners specialises in hassle-free, fully-insured regular domestic cleaning across all six London zones.

Whether you’re in a Zone 1 penthouse or a family home in Zone 5, our vetted professionals arrive on time and guarantee cover if someone is under the weather.

Book your weekly or fortnightly slot today at facilitycleaners.co.uk/book-online