FAQ on building cleaning in Hamburg

We’ve put together answers to the most common questions: prices, apartment handover and ‘broom-clean’, obligations for stairwell cleaning, types of cleaning, upholstery cleaning, windows and how the company works.

Prices and quotes

Move-out cleaning and apartment handover

Stairwell cleaning: rights and obligations

Types of cleaning

Furniture, carpets and windows

About the company and our work

{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How much does post-construction cleaning cost?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”In Hamburg roughly 2–9 €/m²: rough cleaning 2–4 €/m², final cleaning 4–8 €/m², difficult cases up to 15 €/m². For a house of ~140 m² that’s usually 1,500–2,500 €. We calculate the exact price free of charge from photos, within an hour.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How much does stairwell cleaning cost?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Typically 10–30 € per floor or 2.50–5 €/m² per cleaning, hourly rate 20–35 €. Regular contracts are cheaper than one-off jobs.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How much does upholstery cleaning of a sofa and furniture cost?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Guide values: 2-seater sofa ~145 €, 3-seater ~170 €, corner sofa ~220 €, armchair ~70 €, mattress 90–150 €. Or you can reckon 30–50 € per seat.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How much does window cleaning cost?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Typically 2.50–8 € per window or 3–6 €/m² of glass area (both sides, including frame). Depends on the number, height and level of soiling.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How is the price calculated and why is there no fixed price list?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The price depends on the area, the type of property, the degree of soiling, the urgency and access. We calculate individually — you pay for the actual scope, not an average rate. The quote is free, within an hour.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What’s needed for an accurate quote?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Send us a few photos of the property and the area in m² via WhatsApp — that’s enough to calculate the price within an hour.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What does ‘broom-clean’ mean (handover in a broom-clean condition)?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Broom-clean means removing coarse dirt: sweeping or vacuuming floors, removing cobwebs, dust, sand, food remains and limescale deposits. Major repairs and a deep clean are not required.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is NOT part of broom-clean?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Cleaning windows, radiators and pipes, as well as painting, wallpapering and other cosmetic repairs — unless this is expressly stipulated in the tenancy agreement.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Who pays for cleaning when moving out?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Under §546 of the German Civil Code (BGB), the final cleaning is the tenant’s responsibility. If the apartment is not handed over ‘broom-clean’, part of the deposit may be withheld for cleaning.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Can the deposit be withheld for a dirty apartment?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes. If the property is not handed over in a broom-clean condition, the landlord may withhold the cost of making good from the deposit.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Who has to clean the stairwell — the tenants or the owner?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Under §535 of the German Civil Code (BGB), maintaining the communal areas is the landlord’s responsibility, but they can transfer stairwell cleaning to the tenants via the tenancy agreement.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Can tenants be required to do the stairwell cleaning?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Only if it is expressly stated in the tenancy agreement. A mere entry in the house rules is not sufficient.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Can stairwell cleaning be passed on through the service charges?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes, if it’s defined as apportionable operating costs (§2 No. 9 BetrKV). One-off special cleaning (for example after construction work) is not passed on to the tenants.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How often should the stairwell be cleaned?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The standard for a multi-family building is once a week. In low-traffic buildings once every two weeks is enough; for high-traffic and commercial entrances, more often.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How does deep cleaning differ from maintenance cleaning?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Maintenance cleaning is regular and light and removes everyday dirt. Deep cleaning is carried out less often, but more intensively and with professional equipment.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How often is a deep cleaning needed?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Typically 1–2 times a year or when heavily soiled. In between, regular cleaning keeps things clean.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How often should an office be cleaned?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”For high-traffic offices, daily or several times a week, to maintain hygiene and reduce the spread of viruses.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What’s included in post-construction cleaning?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Removal of construction dust, debris and residues of paint, adhesive, filler and cement; cleaning of floors, skirting boards, window sills, doors and glass surfaces — the property turnkey.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How long does a sofa take to dry after upholstery cleaning?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Usually 4–6 hours. For full drying it’s better to wait about a day and ventilate the room.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How often should upholstered furniture be cleaned?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”A professional upholstery cleaning is recommended every 2–4 years — more often with allergies, children or pets.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How often should windows be cleaned?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”On average 2–4 times a year. More often for shop windows and ground-floor offices.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How quickly do you respond and come out?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”We respond within an hour. We arrange a scheduled job for a suitable date; for urgent tasks, a job at short notice is possible.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Do you work with your own staff or with subcontractors?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Exclusively with our own trained staff — that’s how we stand behind our quality and a consistent result.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Are you insured?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes, the company has liability insurance.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Which cleaning products do you use?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Professional products from leading brands. On request, certified eco-friendly and hypoallergenic cleaning products, safe for children and pets.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Which districts and towns do you work in?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”All of Hamburg and within a radius of up to 100 km: Altona, Wandsbek, Harburg, HafenCity, Bergedorf, Eimsbüttel, Norderstedt, Pinneberg and the surrounding area.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Do I need to be on site during the cleaning?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”No. It’s enough to hand over access (key or code) — we clean and lock up the property.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How can I pay?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Cash, by card or by bank transfer against an invoice — convenient for businesses, property managers and homeowners’ associations.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Do you work with property managers and companies? Do you issue receipts?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes, we work with property managers, homeowners’ associations, developers and companies on a contract basis, with an invoice and proper documentation.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Do you also clean at short notice or at the weekend?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Yes, by arrangement, short-notice and unscheduled jobs are possible.”}}]}