Summary
- Fortnightly is the right default for most households.
- Weekly suits families, pets and larger homes.
- Longer gaps mean longer, pricier visits — monthly is not four times cheaper.
- Agree a written task list and a rotation for occasional jobs.
- Book a deep clean twice a year on top of regular visits.
Quick answer
Fortnightly suits most households. Weekly makes sense with children, pets or a large home; monthly works for one or two tidy adults who maintain things in between.
Choosing your frequency
| Household | Suggested frequency | Typical visit length |
|---|---|---|
| One or two adults, small flat | Monthly or fortnightly | 2–3 hours |
| Couple, medium home | Fortnightly | 3–4 hours |
| Family with children | Weekly | 3–5 hours |
| Pets, especially shedding breeds | Weekly | 3–5 hours |
| Large house, 4+ bedrooms | Weekly or twice weekly | 4–6 hours |
| Home office, allergies | Weekly | 3–4 hours |
| Holiday let / short-term rental | Per changeover | 2–4 hours |
What each frequency actually delivers
Cost logic people miss
A monthly visit is not a quarter of the price of weekly. Longer gaps mean more build-up, so each visit takes longer. Four weekly visits often cost only slightly more in total than one long monthly visit — while the home is clean all month instead of one day in thirty.
Make each visit worth more
Regular cleaner or agency?
An independent cleaner is usually cheaper and you get the same person. An agency covers illness and holidays, handles vetting and insurance, and can send a team for deep cleans. Whichever you choose, confirm insurance and how breakages are handled.
Summary
Fortnightly is the right default for most homes; go weekly with children, pets or a large property. Because gaps create build-up, more frequent visits cost far less extra than people assume.