Moving house has been statistically ranked as one of the most stressful life events a person can go through—somewhere right between starting a new job and a major lifestyle change.
You’ve spent weeks packing boxes, decluttering the garage, and navigating the logistical nightmare of removalists and utility transfers. Now, you’re standing in an empty house, surrounded by “dust bunnies” that were previously hidden by the sofa and a layer of grime in the oven that you haven’t looked at in three years.
The question hits you: “Do I really need to hire professional cleaning when moving, or can I just do it myself?”
It’s tempting to think you can save a few hundred dollars by grabbing a mop and a bottle of spray-and-wipe. But in the world of Queensland tenancies and property sales, “clean” has a very specific, very high standard.
This guide is designed to help you make an informed decision. We’ll look at the legal requirements, the “hidden” costs of DIY, and why professional cleaning is often the cheapest “insurance policy” you can buy during a move.
1. The “Bond Back” Reality: The RTA Standard
If you are a renter in Queensland, your primary goal is getting 100% of your bond back. Under the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, you are legally required to leave the property in the same condition it was in when you moved in, “less fair wear and tear.”
Here is the catch: Property managers have a forensic eye.
What looks “clean enough” to you after twelve hours of moving furniture will rarely meet the standard of an agent with a high-powered torch and a 10-page Exit Condition Report (Form 14a).
Why DIY Fails the Agent Test:
-
The “Secret” Spots: Agents always check the tops of door frames, the tracks of the sliding glass doors, the inside of the rangehood filters, and the dishwasher filter.
-
The Oven: This is the #1 reason bonds are held up. A professional-grade oven clean is notoriously difficult to achieve with supermarket products.
-
The Walls: Removing scuff marks without damaging the paint is a skill that requires the right tools (and patience).
When you hire a professional cleaning service when moving, you aren’t just paying for a clean house; you are paying for the expertise to meet a legal standard. At AustClean, we offer a Bond-Back Guarantee. If the agent isn’t happy with a specific area we cleaned, we go back and fix it for free. That is a level of security you simply don’t have if you do it yourself.
2. The Time vs. Money Equation
Let’s be honest: your time has a dollar value.
A thorough “exit clean” for a standard 3-bedroom home takes a professional team of two approximately 6 to 8 hours. That is 12 to 16 “man-hours” of intensive, back-breaking labor.
If you attempt this yourself, without commercial equipment and professional-grade chemicals, you can easily double that time. Are you prepared to spend your entire final weekend—or take two days off work—to scrub skirting boards and window tracks?
Calculate Your “True” DIY Cost:
-
Cleaning Supplies: $100+ (Oven cleaner, sugar soap, window gear, mops, heavy-duty degreasers).
-
Equipment Rental: $50–$100 (If you need a carpet steamer).
-
Opportunity Cost: What could you be doing with those 20 hours? Setting up your new home? Working? Spending time with family?
Often, once you factor in the cost of supplies and the value of your own time, the “savings” of DIY cleaning vanish.
3. The “New Home” Fresh Start
We often focus on the house we are leaving, but what about the house you are moving into?
Even if the previous occupants “cleaned,” everyone has a different standard of hygiene. Moving into a home that hasn’t been professionally sanitised can feel… a bit “off.” You find someone else’s hair in the bathroom drawers or crumbs in the kitchen cabinets.
Why Book a Move-In Clean?
-
Peace of Mind: Knowing that every surface, handle, and toilet has been professionally sanitised.
-
Unpack Immediately: You don’t want to be scrubbing shelves while you’re trying to put away your dishes.
-
Allergen Removal: A professional deep clean removes the dust, pet dander, and pollen left behind by the previous family, which is vital if you have children or asthma sufferers.
4. The Benefits of Bundling (Carpets & Windows)
Many Queensland leases have specific clauses regarding Professional Carpet Cleaning, especially if you have had pets.
Trying to coordinate a carpet cleaner, a window cleaner, and a general cleaner while you are also coordinating removalists is a recipe for a migraine.
This is where AustClean shines. We are a “one-stop shop.” We can handle the internal bond clean, the professional carpet steam cleaning, and the external window cleaning in one single booking.
-
Consistency: The whole house meets the same high standard.
-
Accountability: You only have one point of contact.
-
Cost-Effective: Bundling services is almost always more affordable than hiring three separate contractors.
5. The Emotional Toll: Avoiding the “Moving Meltdown”
Moving is emotionally draining. By the time the last box is out of the house, most people are physically and mentally exhausted. The last thing you need is to spend the next 48 hours on your hands and knees scrubbing a shower that you’ll never use again.
Hiring a professional team allows you to close the door on the old chapter with a sense of completion. You can walk away knowing the job is done right, the bond is secure, and you can focus 100% of your energy on making your new house a home.
Q&A: Moving House Edition
Q: “Is professional cleaning mandatory when moving out in QLD?” A: Legally, no. You only have to leave the property in the same condition it was in at the start (less fair wear and tear). However, if the carpets were professionally cleaned at the start, or if you had pets, your lease may legally require a professional receipt for those specific services.
Q: “How much does professional bond cleaning cost in Brisbane?” A: It varies by property size and condition. A small apartment might start around $300–$400, while a large family home can be $600+. AustClean provides free, no-obligation quotes so you have a fixed price before the work begins.
Q: “What if my agent says the clean isn’t good enough?” A: This is the value of the AustClean Guarantee! If you hire us and the agent identifies a cleaning issue on their exit report, we will return to the property to rectify those specific items at no extra cost to you.
The AustClean Professional Standard
When you choose AustClean, you are choosing a local operator who understands the expectations of Queensland real estate agents and the RTA.
-
Police Checked & Insured: Total security for your property.
-
Commercial Grade Equipment: We use high-powered extraction and eco-friendly chemicals that outperform anything under a kitchen sink.
-
A Stress-Free Handover: We provide the receipts you need to prove professional cleaning took place, making your bond claim much smoother.
Don’t Risk Your Bond (or Your Sanity)
Moving is a fresh start—don’t let it be ruined by a cleaning dispute or exhaustion. Whether you’re moving out of a rental or into your dream home, professional cleaning is the smartest move you’ll make all month.
