How to start a cleaning business

Updated 2026-05-01

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.

Short version: Register your business, get liability insurance, buy supplies (~$300), set your prices, and get your first 5 clients through word of mouth and local platforms. Residential cleaning starts solo; commercial cleaning starts with bids. The business scales by hiring and building recurring clients.

Step 1: Decide residential, commercial, or both

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

	Residential	Commercial / Janitorial
Startup cost	Low ($500–$1,500)	Medium ($2,000–$5,000)
Sales cycle	Fast (days)	Slow (weeks–months)
Average job	$100–$250	$300–$3,000+/mo recurring
Competition	High	High for small offices, lower for large
Best for	Starting solo, part-time to full-time	Building a crew and recurring revenue

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.

Thimble

A-rated GL, BOP, professional liability, and equipment coverage. Bind online in minutes — download your COI the same day.

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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:

Tell everyone you know. Personal network first — friends, family, coworkers. Offer a discounted first clean in exchange for a Google review.
Post on Nextdoor and local Facebook groups. "Just launched a cleaning business in [city]" posts with a real photo and introductory offer work well.
Claim your Google Business Profile. Free, essential. Shows up in "[city] cleaning service" searches. Takes 5 minutes to set up.
List on Thumbtack and Angi. These generate leads early. The platform takes a cut, but you get reviews that you'll use forever.
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

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to start a cleaning business?

You can start a residential cleaning business for $500–$2,000. Your main startup costs are supplies and equipment ($200–$500), business registration ($50–$200 depending on state), a basic website ($10–$20/month), and liability insurance ($500–$800/year). Commercial cleaning requires more equipment and bidding on contracts, so startup costs are higher — $2,000–$5,000.

Do I need a license to start a cleaning business?

In most states, there's no special cleaning license — but you do need to register your business (as an LLC or sole proprietorship) and get a business license from your city or county. Some commercial cleaning contracts and property management companies require proof of insurance and bonding before you can work.

Should I start with residential or commercial cleaning?

Residential is easier to start — lower barriers, faster sales cycle, and you can start solo. Commercial is harder to land but has higher per-job revenue and recurring contracts. Most successful cleaning businesses start residential and add commercial as they build a reputation and a crew.

How do I get my first cleaning clients?

Word of mouth and referrals are the fastest path. Tell everyone you know. Post in local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and community boards. List your business on Google (free Business Profile) so local searches find you. Platforms like Thumbtack and Angi can generate early leads — the fees cut into margin, but they get you reviews.

How much should I charge for cleaning?

Residential cleaning typically runs $100–$250 per visit depending on home size and market. Charge hourly ($30–$50/hr) when starting and move to flat-rate pricing as you get faster. Commercial cleaning is bid by square footage and frequency — typically $0.05–$0.20 per square foot per visit for standard janitorial.

Do I need insurance for a cleaning business?

Yes — general liability insurance is essential. Most commercial contracts require it, and many residential clients (especially higher-end) ask for proof before you enter their home. GL typically costs $500–$800/year for a solo cleaning business and protects you if you accidentally damage something or someone claims injury.

How do I scale a cleaning business beyond just myself?

The path to scale is hiring cleaners (as W-2 employees or 1099 contractors), systematizing your cleaning process so quality is consistent regardless of who does the job, and building recurring clients so revenue is predictable. Create a cleaning checklist, invest in scheduling software, and hire your first team member once you're consistently booked 5 days a week.

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