Move-Out Cleaning in Switzerland: Costs, the Handover, and How to Book a Declared Cleaner

Moving out of a flat in Switzerland comes with one job almost everyone underestimates: the move-out clean. Your lease requires you to hand the flat back in clean, handover-ready condition, and the inspection at the end decides whether you get your full deposit back. With the big autumn moving date at the end of September, demand for good cleaners peaks fast, so it pays to understand what the job involves, what it should cost, and how to book someone reliable.

This 2026 guide explains what a move-out clean covers, what the handover expects, what you should budget, and how to book a declared cleaner on Helpore from CHF 26 an hour, with AHV and insurance handled. There is also a quick estimator so you can size up your own flat before you book.

If you already know what you need, you can find and book a declared cleaner near you.

What move-out cleaning covers

A move-out clean, sometimes called end of lease or deep-out cleaning, is far more thorough than a regular visit. It brings the whole flat back to handover standard so the incoming tenant, and the inspector, find nothing to complain about. A full job typically includes:

• Kitchen: oven, hob, extractor hood and filter, inside and outside of all cupboards, fridge and freezer defrosted and wiped, sink and taps descaled.
• Bathrooms: limescale removed from tiles, glass, taps and shower, toilet, sink and bath deep cleaned, mirrors and cabinets wiped.
• Living areas and bedrooms: floors washed, skirting boards, doors, handles and frames wiped, light switches and sockets cleaned, built-in wardrobes emptied and wiped.
• Throughout: radiators, blinds and roller shutters, ventilation grilles, and marks removed from walls where possible.
• Windows: glass and frames, a common source of handover complaints.

Balcony, cellar (Keller) and the shared laundry room are usually booked as add-ons because they add time. The point of the job is simple: a flat that passes the handover without deductions from your deposit.

Estimate your move-out cleaning cost

Every flat is different, so use the estimator below to get a rough time and declared cost range. Pick your size and any add-ons, then take the numbers as a starting point rather than a fixed quote.

What move-out cleaning costs in 2026

The honest answer is that price depends on the size and condition of the flat and how you book. Here is how the main options compare in 2026:

How you book	Typical 2026 cost
Cleaning agency (all-in)	~CHF 39 to 55 per hour, of which the cleaner often nets only about CHF 21
Payroll service only (quitt, Clino)	Handles the admin, but you still find, manage and pay the cleaner
Declared helper on Helpore	From CHF 26 per hour, set by the helper, with AHV handled

A move-out clean for a 2.5 to 3.5 room flat usually runs between 4 and 9 hours once you add windows and the oven, so the total is a function of hours multiplied by rate. Booking a declared helper directly means more of what you pay reaches the person doing the work, rather than an agency margin. For ongoing help rather than a one-off, see our guide on what a cleaner costs in Switzerland.

The handover (Abnahme) and what a guarantee means

The handover, or Abnahme, is the inspection where the landlord or managing agency walks through the flat before you get your deposit back. Cleaning is one of the most common reasons for deductions, so it is worth getting right.

Many providers offer a handover guarantee: if the inspector flags a cleaning issue, the cleaner comes back to fix it, at no extra cost, within an agreed window. This is genuinely useful, but treat it as a promise to agree in writing rather than a magic word. Before the job, confirm three things: exactly what is included, whether windows and the oven are covered, and the return window if the inspector is not satisfied.

To protect your deposit, book the clean for the day before the handover, not the same morning, and be present for the inspection with the flat empty and dry.

Book a declared cleaner directly, not just paperwork

Here is where the options really differ.

Payroll services like quitt or Clino are useful, but they only handle the administration. They register the employment and run the payroll; they do not find you a cleaner. You still have to source, vet and manage the person yourself.

Agencies are convenient but charge an all-in rate of roughly CHF 39 to 55 an hour. That figure bundles their margin and overhead, and the cleaner who actually does the work may net only around CHF 21. You usually do not choose the specific person either.

Helpore gives you the best of both. You book a real declared helper directly, at their own rate from CHF 26 an hour, and the contract, AHV/AVS registration, accident insurance and payroll are handled for you. It is fully declared from the first hour, works for a single move-out job or ongoing help, and is available across Switzerland. You see who you are booking and pay a fair rate that actually reaches them. Undeclared cash work might look cheaper, but it leaves you liable if anything goes wrong, as we explain in cash in hand versus compliant work.

For helpers: well-paid one-off jobs at the busy season

Move-out cleans are some of the best paid work in the domestic sector because they are intensive and time sensitive, especially around the end of September moving date. On Helpore you set your own rate, pick the one-off jobs that suit you, and every hour is declared with AHV/AVS and accident cover, so the work counts toward your pension. If you are weighing up what to charge, our guide on how much to charge as a cleaner or nanny walks through it, and you can create a free Helper profile to start picking up bookings.

How to book on Helpore

1. Search by area and date. Open find a cleaner and filter by your location and availability.
2. Compare declared helpers. See rates, experience, languages and reviews, and choose the person you want.
3. Send a booking request. Describe the flat, the size, and any add-ons like windows, the oven, balcony or cellar.
4. Everything is handled. The contract, AHV/AVS registration, accident insurance and payroll are taken care of, so your one-off clean is fully declared.

Book a week or two before your handover to get the widest choice, particularly for the autumn peak.

• Find and book a declared cleaner
• Create a free client account
• Hiring a cleaner legally in 2026: the full checklist

Frequently asked questions

How much does move-out cleaning cost in Switzerland in 2026?

A 2.5 to 3.5 room flat usually takes 4 to 9 hours depending on condition and add-ons. Agencies charge about CHF 39 to 55 per hour all-in, of which the cleaner often nets only around CHF 21. On Helpore you book a declared helper at their own rate from CHF 26 per hour, with AHV handled.

What does move-out cleaning include?

The whole flat to handover standard: kitchen with oven and cupboards, bathrooms with limescale removal, floors, skirting boards, doors and frames, radiators, and usually windows with frames. Balcony, cellar and laundry room are common add-ons.

What is the handover (Abnahme) and what does a guarantee mean?

The Abnahme is the inspection before your deposit is returned. A handover guarantee means the cleaner returns to fix any flagged issues at no extra cost within an agreed window. Always confirm it in writing before the job.

Is a declared cleaner cheaper than an agency?

Often yes. Agencies charge CHF 39 to 55 per hour all-in and the cleaner may net only about CHF 21. On Helpore you book a declared helper directly from CHF 26 per hour, with AHV and insurance handled.

Do I have to pay AHV for a one-off move-out clean?

Yes. Domestic work is declared from the first franc, and accident insurance is mandatory. On Helpore the contract, AHV registration and payroll are handled for you, so a one-off booking is still fully declared.

Official sources

• Federal standard employment contracts (NAV) overview: seco.admin.ch
• AHV/AVS domestic work leaflet 2.06 (2026): ahv-iv.ch/p/2.06.e