How to Start a Cleaning Business

Do your friends describe you as a perfectionist or type A? Or maybe you simply thrive best with organization instead of clutter. Operating your own cleaning business could put your neatness to good use.

Don’t know the first thing about how to start a cleaning business? Just take it one step at a time. Follow our guide to creating a successful business.

Register your business.

How would you like to be known? Consider the overall vibe and values you want your business to convey. Create a relevant and catchy name for your business and register it legally. There are several ways to register, and three are the most common for small business owners:

Sole Proprietorship

See yourself as more of a solo act? A sole proprietorship is the most inexpensive structure for small business owners just starting out. The thing is, you are the business in the sense that this model puts your assets at risk by not separating the owner from the business. 

Partnership

It takes two. In a partnership, you and at least one other party share responsibilities. Of course, that also means you share liabilities, so your respective personal assets are also on the table. 

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Some business owners enjoy the comfort of separating their business and personal lives, and it has undeniable benefits. By registering as an LLC, you safeguard personal assets from business liabilities to protect against legal action or debt.

Target a specific customer.

Homes or high-rises? Before you dive too deeply into how to open a cleaning business, think about whether you would rather serve individuals and families or companies and property managers. Residential and commercial cleaning also differ in the scope and complexity of service.

Residential Cleaning

Providing cleaning services for homes and apartments has a relatively low barrier to entry. Residential cleaning—from dusting, mopping, and vacuuming to laundry and dishes—touches every part of the home. And you don’t need to do anything special to learn how to start a house cleaning business, because it doesn’t require a particular set of credentials.

Commercial Cleaning

Businesses have bigger things to worry about than cleaning. Starting a janitorial business for hospitals or commercial cleaning for offices and retail requires more resources and heavy-duty tools. It may also help if you’re a night owl because commercial cleaning is usually performed after work hours.

Specialize in your industry.

While it’s not required, cleaners often focus on a specialty. So, if you think you would like to do something other than general cleaning, consider the options and the demand for them in your area. Here are a few ideas:

Window Cleaning

This may be the next best thing to becoming an acrobat. Window cleaners traverse up and down and side to side while suspended on ladders or scaffolding, trusty squeegee in hand. 

City high-rises need constant exterior maintenance that window cleaners can provide. Or maybe you would prefer to offer residential window washing that covers everything from interior spraying and dusting to exterior washing.

Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning

Stains and odors are maddening, whether they’re from Fido or spilled morning coffee. Carpet and upholstery services give the peace of mind that deep cleaning will make everything like new again. 

Whether you serve residential or commercial customers, carpet and upholstery cleaning requires specialty equipment. Heavy-duty wet vacs and special cleaning solutions help you thoroughly clean different materials without damaging them.

Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning

Movin’ on up means moving out of somewhere first. Move-in/move-out cleaning businesses help prepare residential or commercial spaces for new occupants when previous ones vacate. Move-in/move-out service is usually a larger lift than standard dusting and mopping and includes deep cleaning of everything from appliances to floors.

Green Cleaning

Green cleaning—which is more about the way you clean than the actual services rendered—is still a business strategy in its own right given its importance to many people. Your business can create a competitive advantage no matter your service focus by making a pledge (pun intended) to ensure safety through the use of eco-friendly, nontoxic cleaning products.

Get financing for your business.

Navigating how to start a cleaning business isn’t rocket science—it’s actually among the easiest businesses to start financially. The average startup costs? Just $3,500-$10,000 to get up and running. Still, you need to get your financial bearings.

Business Loan(s)

Cash money is key to getting started, and a loan could open the door. With this in mind, you may consider taking out a loan or financing, including:

• SBA loans: Funding that’s partially guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration and offered through banks and lenders for working capital, expansion, equipment, or real estate purchases
• Small business line of credit: Credit available through banks and alternative lenders that provides more flexibility than loans allows borrowing up to a set limit with interest charged only on the drawn amount
• Equipment loans: Funding for items the business may need, including commercial vehicles, tools, or machinery, with rates that depend on business financials and personal credit

Business Licenses/Permits

Every area is different, but you may need to secure licensing for your cleaning business, especially if your focus is commercial service. Research your local area requirements for business and contractor’s licenses, commercial vehicle permits, and other related credentials.

While you’re at it, register the business with your local registry. The process is easy—just pay the registration and trademark fees and register your domain.

Cleaning Business Insurance

On the job, anything can happen to your team, your workspace, and your equipment. Insurance protects you from financial devastation when accidents happen. Again, the requirements may differ based on your area, but the right plans can only help you, including:

• General liability insurance to cover personal injury or property damage
• Commercial auto insurance for protection in case of collision or vehicle damage
• Workers’ compensation to help your cleaners deal with on-the-job injuries and any resulting medical care or lost wages
• Equipment insurance to financially protect major cleaning equipment, such as industry vacuums and floor polishers

Acquire equipment.

Mops, buckets, vacuums—oh my! What do you need to start a cleaning business? The right tools, of course. You’re bound to go through plenty of supplies for each job, so determine what you’ll need and how best to stock up to keep moving forward.

Rent or Buy 

Support your cleaning business with the essentials. Each job and workday will require an assortment of equipment and supplies. Look to warehouse stores or memberships to industry suppliers to purchase everyday tools, including:

• Multipurpose cleaners
• Sponges, cloths, and brushes
• Disinfectants
• Protective gear, such as gloves

Heavy-duty equipment, such as vacuums and floor polishers, window washing equipment, and steam cleaners, may also be on your list, and they’re often available to purchase or rent. Traveling to and from multiple jobs with equipment in tow? Invest in a few utility vans too. 

Whether you rent or buy larger equipment is ultimately a personal choice, but renting may be best in the short term as the business grows its cash flow.

Hire your staff.

Unless you plan to pursue a sole proprietorship, quality labor is an essential part of navigating how to start a cleaning service. These pros, including drivers and cleaning technicians, will help you deliver quality service every time, so be choosy about how you hire and train them.

Use Online Job Boards

Feel free to share jobs in local social media groups or even use word of mouth, but make sure job boards also have a place in the hiring process. Listings on platforms such as Indeed make it simple for you to clearly define roles and responsibilities so applicants understand what’s expected of them.

Online job boards help you hire well-rounded employees with the right combination of skills, experience, and values. Cleaning roles may not generally require formal training, but you can use these posts to identify those with a hardworking nature and the ability to follow your processes.

Be Thorough During the Screening Process

“Tell me about a time …” 

Behavioral interview questions provide insights into how candidates think. During the interview process, ask about candidates’ job histories, but dig a little deeper to learn about them and how they handle adversity. 

And don’t forget to do your due diligence. Conduct thorough background checks to ensure potential hires are representing themselves accurately and to catch any red flags that could be damaging to your business.

Provide Safety Training

You’ll have insurance, but safety first! Ensure safe processes for both workers and customers. Maintain safety documentation for legal accountability and for your team. Make hard-copy documentation readily available and share it digitally inside your cleaning software.

Develop a pricing plan.

Rates should be fair, competitive, and profitable. As you understand more about how to start a cleaning business, think about prices. Start with competitive research based on location, services, and target customers to stay in step with the competition and consider opting for one of the two most common pricing models:

Flat Rate

Don’t like surprises? Customers might not either. With flat-rate pricing, all fees are set in stone based on the scope of services before you even lift a feather duster. Avoid haggling and confusion when customers understand their investment before the job.

Hourly

Tie your profits to efficiency. In hourly—or time and materials—pricing, the amount you charge for cleaning varies based on how long the job takes to complete. This pricing model isn’t based only on speed but can also be impacted by the size and complexity of each job. Hourly pricing is especially worthwhile to consider for overnight or weekend service when your business is one of few available to meet emergent demand.

Acquire clients.

If only starting a cleaning business automatically came with customers. It takes work to build a clientele, but taking the right steps makes all the difference. Consider what you wish to achieve and what you can offer to customers and get the word out. 

Understand Your Ideal Customers

Successful businesses across industries have one thing in common: They know what the people want. This doesn’t just happen overnight—it’s based on knowing who you want to reach and aligning their needs with what you offer. 

Take some time for introspection. Want to stay close to home or hit the big city? Define the geographical area your business will serve. But don’t stop there. Choose between residential and commercial cleaning and whether to specialize in a particular cleaning niche.

Spread the Word

Dip your toes into basic marketing. Flyers, newspaper ads, and posts on social media profiles and groups cost next to nothing as they introduce your business to the community. 

And don’t be shy about seeking feedback! Ask clients for referrals and references, whether it’s by word of mouth to friends and family or in online reviews across Google, Angi, or your website (if you have one).

Expand your business through advertising and marketing.

Soon enough, “How to start a cleaning business,” gives way to, “How to grow a cleaning business.” Businesses across verticals deepen their marketing efforts to do this, and you can too. Make your company a brand by creating a logo, slogan, and company mission, and use them to support your efforts.

Elevate Your Digital Game

Everything is digital, so your cleaning business needs to be visible online. Create a free or low-cost website to build your web presence and drive traffic. Paid social media and Google ads allow you to target your desired demographics, location, and services, promote before-and-after results, and even offer incentives on platforms such as Facebook or Instagram. 

Even better? Combine these efforts with SEO so those who need cleaning services can find you. Optimize your website content for relevant keywords and claim and update your Google Business page to drive traffic.

Try Traditional Marketing

Traditional marketing is an oldie but a goodie that many people still think is synonymous with “advertising.” (You can probably still hear 90s jingles.) Capture attention with your own TV and/or radio spot. Or stick with a more informative approach with printed assets, such as brochures.

Grow your cleaning business.

Establishing a residential or commercial cleaning business is a jog, not a sprint. Take the time to understand how you would like to operate and give your clientele the best value through expert service, staff, and fair pricing.

But never settle. As you create a solid footing and begin to enjoy the fruits of your labor, keep improving:

• Expand your services, where applicable.
• Stretch your networking muscles to form partnerships with property managers or real estate agents.
• Launch loyalty programs to reward repeat customers for referrals.

Ready to kick it up a notch? Service Fusion’s cleaning service software boosts your operations. With features to support estimates, scheduling, invoicing, payment, and more, we’ll help you get automated and become a lean, mean cleaning machine!