UK carpet cleaning averages about GBP2.50 per square metre (range GBP2-GBP5), with a typical minimum charge around GBP85 per visit. A single small room is roughly GBP50, a 3-bed home GBP150-GBP250, and commercial premises are often budgeted at about GBP4 per m2. Figures are indicative for 2026 and attract 20% VAT.
How much does carpet cleaning cost in the UK?
As a 2026 guide, carpet cleaning averages GBP2.50 per square metre, within a GBP2-GBP5 range, with most contractors applying a minimum charge of about GBP85 per visit. A small room (roughly 4m by 4m) is about GBP50, a 1-bed flat GBP100-GBP150 and a 3-bed home GBP150-GBP250 (averaging near GBP250). For commercial premises, budget around GBP4 per m2. The rate depends on carpet type, soiling level, whether stain treatment or protection is added, and access.
What drives the price of carpet cleaning?
Area is the base, then soiling and condition, carpet material and pile, the method (hot-water extraction versus low-moisture encapsulation for offices), stain and odour treatment, furniture moving, and how easily the machine reaches the rooms. Offices often prefer encapsulation because it dries faster and cleaning can happen out of hours. The GBP85-ish minimum charge makes a single small room proportionally expensive, which is why carpets are usually cleaned as a periodic task across a whole floor.
Carpet cleaning as a periodic task in your contract
For commercial sites, carpet cleaning is best scheduled as a periodic task within an ongoing commercial cleaning contract - typically once or twice a year, or quarterly for high-traffic areas - which keeps carpets presentable and avoids costly full resets. It pairs with periodic deep cleaning. See the commercial cleaning prices pillar for how periodic tasks fit the wider budget.
How do the wage floor and VAT affect carpet cleaning?
Carpet cleaning is labour and equipment based, resting on the same wage floor - National Living Wage GBP12.71 an hour from April 2026, real Living Wage GBP13.45 UK / GBP14.80 London - plus machine, chemical and margin costs. A VAT-registered contractor adds 20% VAT to the per-m2, per-room or minimum charge.
How do you get an accurate carpet cleaning quote?
Because soiling and carpet type vary, a quick measure sharpens the figure. We assess the area and condition and return a fixed price, or schedule carpets as a periodic line in your monthly contract. Request a fixed monthly quote to start.
Indicative UK carpet cleaning costs (2026 guide only)
| Basis | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Per square metre | GBP2 - GBP5 | UK average about GBP2.50 |
| Minimum charge per visit | about GBP85 | Makes single rooms proportionally dear |
| Small room (4m x 4m) | about GBP50 | Subject to minimum charge |
| 3-bed home | GBP150 - GBP250 | Average near GBP250 |
| Commercial premises | about GBP4 / m2 | Budget figure |