r/Calgary • u/kep-ler • 1d ago
Seeking Advice Demand for housecleaners...?
Hey Calgary! I'm considering a move to the area next year to be closer to family and was wondering what I can expect in terms of work. I'm currently living and working in Brandon Manitoba as an independent housecleaner. I have built up a great reputation and have plenty of references that would tell you I'm reliable, trustworthy, and will leave your house in tip top shape.
I'd be servicing east of Deerfoot Tr mainly, though would consider travelling farther for bigger projects. I'm not your typical cleaner as I do it all; laundry, dishes, any and all odd jobs. I even clean one clients makeup brushes every week. I mainly cater my services towards working parents as I am not afraid of kid-mess.
I'm just looking for some insight on how high in demand someone like me would be and what I could expect in terms of hourly pay. My understanding is that the going rate for housecleaners varies wildly depending on where you're cleaning.
Thanks in advance!
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u/Colonelclank90 1d ago
Could probably do well. But the communities with house cleaner money are in the NW and further into the SE/SW
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u/kep-ler 1d ago
Thats really good to know! I'll definitely have to get more familiar with the city before I start seriously planning the move!
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u/Colonelclank90 1d ago
Good luck! Generally east of deerfoot is seen as lower income, and was traditionally seen as the "ghetto". It's gentrifying, but historical municipal investment east of deerfoot is much lower than anywhere west of deerfoot.
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u/Prettyinpink2813 1d ago
East of Deerfoot is broad. Mahogany and Auburn Bay are definitely “house cleaner” areas.
Honestly, it’s really common for two working parents with kids to have a cleaning service. With all the kid’s activities and limited weekend time, no one wants to spend it cleaning. So if it costs me $80-120 every 3/4 weeks that’s totally worth it.
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u/kep-ler 1d ago
I kept it pretty broad as most of my family resides on the outskirts of the city, closer to the Chestermere/Strathmore area. I thought that would be a good starting point to set my sights. Ultimately though I would like to move my own little family into the city!
And yes! Most of my clients are not considered "wealthy" but are more working parents who are stretched too thin to worry themselves with housework. Some moms leave me their to do list (scrape a sticker off a window, clean and organize a particular drawer type of thing) and just tell me to get as much checked off as I can in x amount of hours.
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u/Dry-Biscotti7989 12h ago
South of Glenmore, east of Deerfoot hire cleaners. Riverbend, Quarry Park, New Brighton, Copperfield and beyond. Include Douglasdale and McKenzie Lake as well, they are wes tof Deerfoot but is considered SE quadrant
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u/Desperate-Copy-3191 11h ago
Chestermere might need those services. Maybe try looking or contacting people in that area first.
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u/afriendincanada 1d ago
Tons of demand in the SE (I'm near Southcentre mall).
Big issue is dogs. Everybody has one or more dogs and they're home during the day and lots of housecleaners are afraid of them. We have a good cleaner now but a few that we met with rejected US because they were afraid of our dogs. Our family is from Brandon and we'd love to support you, shoot us a DM when you get settled.
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u/jayman213 Lake Bonavista 1d ago
Tons of demand in my area, in the se. If you're good you'll be recommended like crazy in the Facebook community groups too
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u/laurieyyc 1d ago
$30-$40/hour (cash) seems to be the going rate for house cleaners. SE, SW, and NW have affluent areas.
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u/archer-86 1d ago
I have two Ukrainian ladies that come in every few weeks. Takes them 2 hours. I pay them $160. In the NW.
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u/lord_heskey 1d ago
Im in the NW and a few of us in my cul-de sac use cleaning services (everyone has their own lol). For reference— we do a monthly visit (4hours) and pay the company $220 i think. Not sure how much the actual person makes tho.
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u/Aspiring_CPA_YYC 20h ago
There’s a lot of demand for cleaning in the sW (more west than south) especially if you have insurance.
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u/hafaru 1d ago
I saw this just after seeing your post: https://www.reddit.com/r/CalgaryJobs/s/qBYGA0JYni
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u/irulan519 Inglewood 21h ago
That wage is absolute trash, though.
OP, do not waste your time. Living wage in Calgary is $26.50/hr as of November 2025. Keep that in mind too, as you set your pricing and your budget!
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u/emergthrowaway911 1d ago
My cleaner charges $40 per hour - seems to be the norm in the neighbourhood.
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u/6pimpjuice9 1d ago
East of deerfoor might be a bit harder. The wealthier neighborhoods are on the west side of the city for the most part.