HOW TO HIRE · CLEANING · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a one-off cleaner in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
An one-off cleaning in Ireland costs €20–€40 per hour, typically around €28. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a one-off cleaner in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers one-off cleaner work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — kitchen Deep Clean — A one-off clean often encompasses a deep clean of the kitchen, which may involve cleaning the inside of the oven, refrigerator, and cupboards.
- How does size of the property change the price?A larger space needs more passes to finish properly. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does level of cleaning required change the price?A premium option takes longer to get right. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does any additional services requested change the price?It is the part of the job hardest to judge from a photograph. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Bathroom Sanitation — bathrooms receive special attention during a one-off clean, including scrubbing toilets, sinks, and showers — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a one-off cleaner job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
No licence or register applies to cleaners in Ireland. Anyone may trade as one, so the checks that matter are trader status, insurance, references and what is written down.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
That they are a trader, not a favour — a business name, an invoice, a VAT or tax reference if registered; Public liability insurance, and who the insurer is; Whether the person who quoted is the person who comes; References from two current customers, not testimonials on a page; What is in scope in writing, because 'a clean' means different things.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability; an agency also carries employer's liability and covers sickness. You are booking an individual for a set number of hours, so ask whether the ID has been checked and what the rating is from people who booked the same way — there is no company behind them to carry either.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
VAT at 13.5%, the reduced rate Revenue publishes for this service. Ask whether the price you were given includes it. An individual working under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge VAT at all, and does not have a VAT number to give you.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers one-off cleaner work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — kitchen Deep Clean — A one-off clean often encompasses a deep clean of the kitchen, which may involve cleaning the inside of the oven, refrigerator, and cupboards.
A good answer: A larger space needs more passes to finish properly. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: A premium option takes longer to get right. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: It is the part of the job hardest to judge from a photograph. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Bathroom Sanitation — bathrooms receive special attention during a one-off clean, including scrubbing toilets, sinks, and showers — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a one-off cleaner job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability; an agency also carries employer's liability and covers sickness — surface Cleaning — one-off cleaning typically includes thorough surface cleaning such as dusting, vacuuming, and mopping.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the one-off cleaner starts, and an itemised invoice after — post-Renovation Cleaning — cleans up dust and debris left from construction or remodelling work, restoring your home to its original condition.
Booking by the hour
- The rate per hour, and whether it changes in the evening or at a weekend
- The minimum booking, and what happens if the job finishes early
- What they bring and what you supply
- Whether the ID has been checked, and the rating from people who booked the same way
- Insurance, where the work can damage something or somebody
- The hours and the list of what is to be done, agreed before the first one
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: size of the property — a larger space needs more passes to finish properly
- They will not talk about it: level of cleaning required — a premium option takes longer to get right
- They will not talk about it: any additional services requested — it is the part of the job hardest to judge from a photograph
- A price for the one-off cleaner before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the one-off cleaner has begun
What a one-off cleaner costs: €20–€40 per hour
Most one-off cleaners quote the job rather than the hour; the hourly rate is what the small jobs are priced from. Deep kitchen cleaning and Bathroom sanitation each carry their own band. One-Off Cleaning price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
One-off cleaners near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
- Look firstSize of the property — a larger space needs more passes to finish properly — that is what the one-off cleaner is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneLevel of cleaning required — a premium option takes longer to get right — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfAny additional services requested — it is the part of the job hardest to judge from a photograph — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherCondition of your home — a surface in good order needs far less time to prepare — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the one-off cleaner is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, complexity of the tasks required — the trickiest part of the job often takes the longest.
- Surface Cleaning
- One-off cleaning typically includes thorough surface cleaning such as dusting, vacuuming, and mopping.
- Bathroom Sanitation
- Bathrooms receive special attention during a one-off clean, including scrubbing toilets, sinks, and showers.
- Kitchen Deep Clean
- A one-off clean often encompasses a deep clean of the kitchen, which may involve cleaning the inside of the oven, refrigerator, and cupboards.
- Living Room Refresh
- Includes dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning furniture to create a welcoming and tidy space.
- Bedroom Deep Clean
- Focuses on cleaning under beds, dusting surfaces, and changing linens for a fresh sleeping environment.
- Post-Renovation Cleaning
- Cleans up dust and debris left from construction or remodelling work, restoring your home to its original condition.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a one-off cleaner: questions people ask
The cost of one-off cleaning can vary based on the size of the property, the level of cleaning required, and any additional services requested. For example, deep cleaning tasks like oven or carpet cleaning may incur higher charges.
The duration of a one-off cleaning job can depend on the property's size and the cleaning tasks involved. Generally, it can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours for a thorough clean.
For standard one-off cleaning, a general cleaning professional is typically sufficient. However, if your cleaning involves specialised tasks like carpet cleaning or dealing with hazardous materials, a qualified specialist may be required.
Many cleaning companies offer same-day or emergency services, but availability may vary. It's best to check with local providers in advance to confirm if they can accommodate your request.
Yes, many cleaning services allow you to book multiple related jobs, such as combining one-off cleaning with carpet cleaning or window cleaning. This can often result in a more efficient service and potentially a discount.
One-off cleaning generally excludes tasks like heavy-duty repairs, garden maintenance, or cleaning of exterior surfaces like roofs and gutters. It's important to clarify these limitations with your cleaning provider.
MORE GUIDES
More hiring guides in cleaning
One-off cleaners near you
Sources — checked October 2026
- CCPC — your rights when you buy a service
- Consumer Rights Act 2022
- Revenue — VAT rates
- Courts Service — small claims
- Revenue — CLEANING - CONTRACT (Non-residential immovable goods) — Reduced rate
- Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
- Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only