How Much Does It Cost to Clean an Attic? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $150 - $1,000
The cost of attic cleaning is $200, on average, but it can cost between $50 and $3,000, depending on the attic's size and condition.
The cost to hire a professional cleaner to tidy up your attic ranges from $150 to $1,000 on average, and most people pay roughly $200 nationally. Though they’re mostly out of sight and mind, attics need just as much care as the other parts of your home and can add quite a bit to the cost of house cleaning overall. A variety of factors—including square footage, presence of mold or pests, and whether insulation needs to be replaced or repaired—determine exactly how large or small your final attic cleaning cost will be.
- Average
- $200
- Low end
- $50
- high end
- $3,000
How Much Does It Cost to Clean an Attic per Square Foot?
Though part of the cost of attic cleanings is determined by the square footage, you can’t rely on this metric alone to determine exactly what you’ll pay. For example, most professional attic cleaners charge a flat rate for deodorizing and disinfecting, in addition to an extra amount per square foot to decontaminate. In general, the costs for basic attic cleaning tasks like decontamination and removing or replacing insulation range from $1 to $1.50 per square foot.
| Attic Size (Square Feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $1,500 |
| 1,600 | $2,400 |
| 2,000 | $3,000 |
Attic Cleaning Cost Factors
There are many attic cleaning aspects that factor into the overall cost, but you may not have to pay for each one depending on what kind of condition your attic is already in. Here are the prices you can expect for the various services your attic may require.
Preexisting Condition
Decontamination, deodorizing, and disinfecting are the three most common features of an attic cleaning. Even if you regularly clean your attic, you’ll need to do these additional tasks roughly once or twice a year to rid your space of the debris that naturally builds up over time.
However, you can eliminate the need for additional services, like junk and wildlife removal, with a little extra work on your part. Occasionally sweeping out cobwebs and taking steps to prevent pests in your attic, along with not making a habit of using your attic as a dumping ground for excess items, are all ways to reduce attic cleaning costs.
Design
In addition to the square footage of your attic, the structure of the room and what's inside will help your cleaners determine the right price. For example, cleaning and maintaining hardwood floors require extra attention. Cleaners may add on between $25 and $50 to clean and polish them. Cleaning exposed rafters, dormer windows, and exposed brick can also add to the price and even require specialized products to protect finishes.
Labor
Professional cleaners charge between $30 and $50 per hour to clean your home. Of course, the extent of the process in your attic will depend on how often you clean your home or the last time the space has been given a once-over. Overall, almost the entire cost of an attic cleaning comes down to labor, as some companies will request that you purchase supplies before they arrive.
Frequency
Cleaning companies may offer bulk rates for multiple appointments booked at once. Now, if you rarely use your attic, you likely won't need more than a single deep clean. Finished attics, however, could use weekly, biweekly, or monthly visits. Ongoing visits cost between $150 and $280 each.
Accessibility
There's a reason you've been putting off digging through your closet. If the space has low or slanted ceilings, is packed with storage boxes, or requires tricky access via a ladder, local house cleaners may charge more.
Age of Your Home
Cleaning out your attic can trigger a range of projects if you live in an older home. Before altering walls, floors, and ceilings that may contain old insulation, always call a professional to perform an asbestos test. Lead paint can be an issue in homes built prior to the late 70s as well.
Attic Cleaning Cost by Type
What level of attic cleaning are we talking about? If you're converting an attic into a living space, for example, you'll need to make sure it's safe to inhabit. And even if you don't plan to spend time up there writing your novel, it's best to take care of mold or pest problems before they spread to the rest of your home.
Decontamination
Attic decontamination consists of removing hazardous waste, like rodent droppings and venomous insects, from the space. The cost for this service ranges from $1.50 to $3 per square foot, though you may be able to skip it with regular attic maintenance and pest control.
"This is by far one of the most important steps in the process of cleaning your attic,” says Asya Biddle, Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dust Busters janitorial company in Williamsport, PA. “It is imperative that it be removed, especially in poorly vented areas such as an attic."
Deodorizing and Disinfecting
These two services are usually performed after an attic decontamination to freshen up the air and remove unwanted odors or trace amounts of biowaste that still remain in your space. In general, you’ll pay a flat rate between $100 and $200 for this aspect of an attic cleaning. You may also need this service if you are packing your home and getting ready to move. Move-out cleaning costs in general are an average of $360 for the whole house.
Junk Removal
The cost for junk removal services range from $130 to $360. Most junk removal professionals charge a minimum of $50 to $160 for a single object, plus an extra $20 to $40 for every additional object. But you will pay more to have heavy items like sofas and pianos removed.
Pest Control
While not always necessary, rodent removal and prevention methods are other common aspects of attic cleanings. In general, the cost of rodent removals ranges from $170 to $570 and depends on the type of pest you’re dealing with, as well as any damages they’ve made that also need repairs.
Rodent prevention can cost anywhere from $130 to $200 on top of the price of rodent removal, but the extra expense has the potential to help you save on future attic cleaning costs.
Mold Treatment
Attics are highly prone to mold development because they have naturally higher humidity levels and are at risk of excess water from roof leaks. Prevent a mold infestation in your attic by dehumidifying the space and patching up any cracks in your ceiling. If you already have a mold infestation on your hands, the cost of attic mold remediations ranges from $1,000 to $4,000.
Insulation Removal or Replacement
If your home is always drafty, it might have something to do with the insulation in your attic. Insulation services range greatly in price and depend on the type of insulation material you choose. For example, reflective insulation is a more affordable but less effective option than pricier spray foam insulation. The national average cost for attic insulation services ranges from $1,500 to $3,000, or between $1 and $7 per square foot.
| Attic Size (Square Foot) | Average Insulation Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $4,000 |
| 1,600 | $6,400 |
| 2,000 | $8,000 |
Cost to Clean an Attic Yourself
There are a few important things to consider when deciding whether to DIY an attic cleaning or hire a pro. While you can easily save on the costs involved in decontamination, deodorizing, disinfecting, and junk removal by doing all these tasks yourself, installing new insulation and removing pests are two jobs that can be hazardous without the proper materials and knowledge.
Deep cleaning an attic yourself will cost between $50 and $100 for cleaning supplies, rags, mops, brooms, and garbage bags for removing junk. The average cost to rent a dumpster for the week is $380, but this is only necessary if you have large amounts to discard.
How to Save Money on the Cost to Clean Your Attic
While cleaning the attic yourself will surely lower costs, it may be too daunting a project to go it alone. However, avoid going over budget by breaking up the tasks with a professional. Here are some ways to lower attic cleaning costs in the long run.
Sort and organize attic storage yourself before hiring professional cleaners.
In a finished attic, work on decluttering your home before requesting an estimate.
Empty the attic of all stored items before the cleaners arrive.
Request attic cleaning services as part of your larger home cleaning contract.
Compare the estimates of at least three home cleaners.
Assess your needs before meeting with a cleaner to avoid unnecessary services.
Audrey Bruno contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
While timing will vary depending on the size and cleanliness of your space, set aside between four and six hours to clean an attic. Sorting and reorganizing storage makes this a tricker area to clean, especially since you may need to relocate all the items in your attic before deep cleaning the rest of the room.
Attics are particularly dusty because dirt and pollen enter through cracks in your insulation and then sit untouched for long periods of time. To control dust in your home, it's important to vacuum and wipe down attic surfaces whenever you clean. If you use your attic as a finished living space, consider adding an air purifier or speaking with a roofing contractor about possible openings in the top of your home.
Though it may seem like a lot of work to keep an attic in tip-top shape, the truth is that you only need to deep clean this space once a year. In the meantime, check on it roughly once a month to make sure there are no leaks, remove cobwebs, and air out unwanted odors to ensure it looks and feels great between annual cleaning sessions.