How to start a cleaning business

A cleaning business is one of the lowest-barrier businesses you can launch — you don't need a degree, a big investment, or years of experience. What you need is reliability, attention to detail, and a system for getting and keeping clients. Here's how to build it properly from the start.

Step 1: Decide residential, commercial, or both

These are different businesses with different sales cycles, equipment needs, and clients:

Most people start residential and add commercial later. That's the right move.

Step 2: Register your business and get insured

You can start operating as a sole proprietor, but forming an LLC separates your personal assets from business liability — worth the $50–$200 registration fee.

More importantly: get general liability insurance before your first client. It covers accidental damage (you break something, a client slips) and is required for most commercial contracts. Some residential clients ask for it too. It typically costs $500–$800/year for a solo cleaning business.

Step 3: Set up your supplies and equipment

For residential cleaning, you don't need much to start. A basic kit:

• All-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom disinfectant, wood cleaner
• Microfiber cloths (buy in bulk — 20–30 to start)
• Mop and bucket, vacuum cleaner, scrub brushes
• Caddy or tote to carry supplies between rooms
• Optional: steam mop for hard floors

Budget around $200–$400 for supplies. Many pros supply everything themselves — clients prefer it and you control quality.

Step 4: Set your prices

Price too low and you'll be exhausted and broke. Price too high without reviews and you'll lose jobs. Here's how to think about it:

• Hourly rate when starting: $30–$45/hr is competitive in most markets. Raise it as you get reviews.
• Flat-rate per clean: Once you know how long homes take, move to flat rates. A 2-bedroom/1-bath might be $120–$150. A 4-bed/2-bath might be $200–$250.
• Deep cleans and move-outs: Charge 1.5–2x your regular rate. These take much longer.
• Recurring discount: Offer weekly clients 15–20% off. Recurring revenue is the business model.

Research what others charge in your ZIP code on Thumbtack and Angi before setting prices. Markets vary significantly — urban areas command more than rural ones.

Step 5: Get your first clients

Your first 5 clients are the hardest. Your next 50 are mostly referrals. Here's the fastest path to the first 5:

1. Tell everyone you know. Personal network first — friends, family, coworkers. Offer a discounted first clean in exchange for a Google review.
2. Post on Nextdoor and local Facebook groups. "Just launched a cleaning business in [city]" posts with a real photo and introductory offer work well.
3. Claim your Google Business Profile. Free, essential. Shows up in "[city] cleaning service" searches. Takes 5 minutes to set up.
4. List on Thumbtack and Angi. These generate leads early. The platform takes a cut, but you get reviews that you'll use forever.
5. Door hangers in target neighborhoods. Old-school but effective in residential markets. Hit upper-middle-class neighborhoods where people pay for convenience.

Step 6: Build recurring revenue

One-time cleans pay the bills. Recurring cleans build a business. Push every client toward a weekly, biweekly, or monthly schedule. Offer a small discount (10–15%) for recurring bookings. A client who pays $160 every two weeks is worth $3,840/year — and you don't have to sell them again.

Once you have 15–20 recurring clients, you're ready to hire your first team member and start running two crews.

Step 7: Land your first commercial contract

Commercial cleaning contracts are won on price, reliability, and insurance. To bid on commercial:

• Walk the space and count square footage
• Determine cleaning frequency (nightly, 3x/week, weekly)
• Estimate labor hours and multiply by your rate
• Add supplies, overhead, and profit margin (aim for 40–50% gross margin)
• Submit a written proposal — look professional

Most commercial clients require proof of liability insurance and bonding. Make sure you have both before bidding. The contracts that win are the ones that show up reliably — commercial cleaning is largely a trust business.

Tools worth having from day one

• Scheduling: Jobber or HouseCall Pro handle booking, invoicing, and client communication
• Payments: Square or Stripe — get paid the day of the clean
• Insurance: GL policy so you're covered from client one
• Google Business Profile: Free, and drives local search leads

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Coverage availability and pricing vary by state and applicant. Always verify requirements with your state licensing board and confirm policy terms directly with your carrier before relying on this information.