Carpet cleaning is priced three ways: per room, per square foot, or as a flat package, and companies often advertise an eye-catching low room price that gets bigger once stairs, stains and furniture moving are added. This guide compares what three named sources report so you can tell a fair quote from a come-on.
Updated November 2026
Carpet cleaning prices at a glance
All figures are typical ranges reported by the named sources on the dates shown, in US dollars. They are not quotes. Get at least three written estimates for your own project.
| Measure | Typical range | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Average job | $90 (typical $75 to $300) | Fixr, updated January 2025 |
| Average job, about 500 sq ft | $175 (typical $125 to $250) | Inch Calculator, page updated August 2023 |
| Per square foot | $0.18 to $0.36 | Fixr, January 2025 |
| Per square foot | $0.20 to $0.40 | Housecall Pro, October 2026; Inch Calculator, August 2023 |
| Per room | $40 to $125 | Housecall Pro, October 2026 |
| Per room | $35 to $150 | Inch Calculator, August 2023 |
| Small home, 2 to 3 rooms | $160 to $200 | Housecall Pro, October 2026 |
| Medium home, 4 to 6 rooms | $230 to $345 | Housecall Pro, October 2026 |
| Minimum charge | $75 to $125 | Housecall Pro, October 2026 |
These line up reasonably well on the per square foot rate: about $0.18 to $0.40. Whole-job totals differ more because of how each source defines a “job.” Fixr’s $90 average reflects a single room or small area, while Inch Calculator’s $175 assumes roughly 500 square feet. Since Fixr and Housecall Pro both quote a per square foot range, a 1,000 square foot area works out to $180 to $360 (Fixr) or $200 to $400 (Housecall Pro). Use area x rate to sanity-check any room-based quote; our square footage guide shows how to measure.
Cost by cleaning method
| Method | Fixr, per room (Jan 2025) | Housecall Pro, per room (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Bonnet | $25 to $85 | not listed |
| Dry | $60 to $130 | $60 to $130 |
| Encapsulation | $80 to $200 | not listed |
| Shampooing | $100 to $240 | not listed |
| Steam / hot water extraction | $100 to $310 | $40 to $90 |
| Carbonated | $130 to $400 | not listed |
The steam cleaning figures disagree sharply: $100 to $310 per room on Fixr versus $40 to $90 on Housecall Pro. Inch Calculator puts steam cleaning at $115 to $400 for 1,000 square feet, which is closer to the lower per-room price. When quotes differ this much, ask exactly what is included: pre-treatment, number of passes, drying time and whether the rate is per room or per square foot.
Extras that change the total
| Add-on | Typical range | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Stain removal | $30 to $40 per stained area; deep-set stains $40 to $300 | Fixr, January 2025 |
| Stain removal | $25 to $300 depending on severity | Housecall Pro, October 2026 |
| Pet odor | $30 to $40 per hour (Fixr); $20 to $40 per room (Housecall Pro) | Fixr, January 2025; Housecall Pro, October 2026 |
| Stairs | $3 to $5 per stair (Fixr); $2 to $5 per step or $45 to $65 per staircase (Housecall Pro) | As noted |
| Protector treatment | $10 to $40 per room | Housecall Pro, October 2026 |
| Moving furniture | $10 to $50 per room (Fixr); $10 to $75 (Housecall Pro) | As noted |
| Area rugs | $1 to $8 per sq ft (Fixr); $2 to $8 per sq ft (Housecall Pro) | As noted |
| Same-day service | $50 to $100 extra | Housecall Pro, October 2026 |
What moves the price
- Soil level and traffic: heavily soiled carpet needs pre-treatment or extra passes.
- Carpet material: wool and some natural fibers need gentler, costlier methods.
- Access: stairs, upper floors and heavy furniture.
- Region and company size: big metro areas run higher.
- Minimums: a single small room may still hit the minimum charge.
How to pay less
- Clean several rooms in one visit so you get past the minimum charge.
- Move small furniture yourself and vacuum first.
- Ask for the all-in price, including stairs, pre-treatment and spotting, in writing.
- Skip protector treatments unless you have a specific need.
- Decline last-minute upsells; reputable firms will explain why an add-on is needed.
- Consider scheduling regular cleanings; Housecall Pro notes recurring commercial contracts cost about 18 percent less per visit, though that figure is for commercial jobs.
Renting a machine is another option. Inch Calculator puts rentals at $30 to $90 per day, and says a DIY job can run under $100 with products. For heavy soil, a professional extraction usually does a better job.
If you run a cleaning company and need to price your own jobs, try our cleaning estimate calculator or read how much to charge for house cleaning. For homeowners hiring a maid service instead, see house cleaning prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much does carpet cleaning cost per room?
Housecall Pro (October 2026) lists $40 to $125 per room and Inch Calculator (2023 page) lists $35 to $150. Method matters: Fixr (January 2025) lists $100 to $310 for steam cleaning per room.
How much does carpet cleaning cost per square foot?
Fixr reports $0.18 to $0.36, and Housecall Pro and Inch Calculator report $0.20 to $0.40.
Is steam cleaning more expensive than dry cleaning?
Fixr lists steam at $100 to $310 per room and dry at $60 to $130. Housecall Pro lists steam at $40 to $90 and dry at $60 to $130, so the order depends on the source.
Do carpet cleaners charge extra for stairs and stains?
Usually. Stairs run about $2 to $5 per step in the sources above, and stain treatment runs from about $25 to $300 depending on severity.