How to Start a Cleaning Business: 2026 Guide and Checklist 

1. Get to know your local market

Start by determining whether you’d like to focus on residential (house cleaning), or if you want to run a commercial cleaning business that serves other businesses in your area.

• Residential cleaning might be a good fit if you work alone and want to clean smaller spaces (although you can do it with a team, too). You’ll most likely have at least a dozen homes that you clean every week or two, and you’ll get paid right after you finish a visit.
• Commercial cleaning requires a larger team to clean offices and retail spaces, as well as a vehicle to transport yourself and your supplies to the business’s location. However, you should only need a few regularly paying commercial cleaning contracts to stay profitable.

Here’s a deeper breakdown of residential vs commercial cleaning:

LISTEN: Want to make $1M Cleaning? Pick Your Path (Residential or Commercial)

How to do market research

When you’re deciding what type of cleaning business to run, you’ll need to understand the local market. Here are a few ways to do that:

• Do online research by heading to Google and searching “residential/commercial cleaning service near me.” Look at top competitor websites, pricing pages, and local reviews.
• Get feedback from neighbors or local business owners about their experiences with cleaners or cleaning services. Ask what made their experiences great, and dig into any areas for improvement.
• Identify your ideal customers and what they’re looking for. Do they want only basic cleaning services? Or are they looking for higher-end cleaning experiences?
• Look for local gaps in cleaning services and think about how your company can fill them. For example, if there’s no local option for upholstery cleaning, but neighbors or community members need that service, this is an easy way to meet that market need.

Once you know which type of cleaning business you want to operate, you’ll have a better idea of what cleaning services you should provide to your clients.

How to choose a cleaning business niche

Many first-time owners start with residential cleaning because it has a lower barrier to entry. You can start with minimal equipment, book jobs fast, and operate as a solo cleaner while building experience and cash flow.

Some businesses later expand into commercial cleaning once they have a team of cleaners, consistent revenue, and systems for scheduling and managing multiple jobs.

Starting with residential clients and gradually adding commercial contracts is a common path for cleaning business owners who want to grow their operations over time.

READ MORE:How to start a commercial cleaning business

2. Choose what cleaning services you’ll offer

When you’re learning how to start a cleaning company, it’s important to make smart decisions about which cleaning services to offer your clients. Follow these tips to get it right:

1. Research competitors: Review their websites to see what they offer. This shows you which services are missing in your service area—and what you can offer to stand out. For example, if your competitors offer standard cleaning but you know there’s demand for move-out cleaning, you can offer both options.
2. Understand demand: Select services that fit your target market. For example, a higher-income residential area might be interested in maid service, while a lower-income area may only need occasional deep cleaning.
3. Start small: Focus on a few core options for your final services list. Think short and long term—what can you do now, and what can you do later when you have more money to invest? 
4. Prioritize quality: Whatever services you offer, make sure you can do them well. Practice at home or in the homes of friends and family, and see how quickly you can work while maintaining a high level of quality.

Here are some types of cleaning services you can provide:

• Basic residential cleaning
• Deep cleaning
• Airbnb cleaning
• Maid service
• Spring or seasonal cleaning
• Sanitization services
• Move-out cleaning
• New home or construction cleaning
• Office cleaning
• Dishwashing
• Laundry services
• Eco-friendly cleaning services

3. Write a cleaning business plan

Before you start buying equipment or looking for clients, take time to write a cleaning business plan. A business plan helps you organize your ideas and make clear decisions about how the business will operate.

Even if you’re starting small, a plan is useful because it helps you:

• Define how you’ll run your company
• Secure funding if you apply for a loan or business grant
• Make decisions about services, pricing, and expenses
• Plan your marketing and advertising efforts
• Set realistic goals for revenue, growth, and hiring

You don’t need a long, complex document. A simple plan that outlines how your business will run is enough for most new owners. Follow this framework when you’re creating a cleaning business plan:

1. Executive summary: Potential investors want to see right away whether your business opportunity is right for them. An executive summary explains your goals, value, and competitive advantage, making it easy for readers to decide whether they want to keep reading—and possibly fund or partner with your business.
2. Business overview: This section explains what your business does and who it serves. Start with a short description of your business. Include your business name, the types of cleaning services you’ll offer, and your service area.
3. Leadership introduction: Provide an overview of your management team, including name, title, and salary. If you’re the only person in the company at this point, a personal bio is fine. Just make sure to mention why you’re qualified to provide cleaning services and run the company.
4. Cleaning services and pricing: Explain exactly what services your cleaning business will provide, like standard house cleaning, deep cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and post-construction cleaning. You should also outline how you plan to price your services (e.g., hourly, flat rate, room rate, square footage rate).
5. Market positioning: Describe the type of customers you want to work with and the demand for services in your area. For example, you might serve busy homeowners in certain areas who have children/pets and need recurring house cleaning. You can also list a few local competitors and note what services they offer—and how yours stand out.
6. Marketing and sales: Explain how you plan to find your first customers. Many new cleaning businesses rely on simple yet reliable marketing methods like asking friends for referrals, distributing flyers in neighborhoods, or posting in local community groups.
7. Financial plan: Estimate how much money you need to start the business and how quickly you expect to earn it back. Include startup costs for expenses like your equipment, business license, insurance, and marketing. You should also estimate your monthly revenue goals and ongoing expenses, like labor and transportation.

4. Register your company name and choose a business structure

An important part of opening a cleaning business is registering your business name with your local government. Here’s how to register your business depending on which country you’re in:

• United States: Make sure nobody else in the state is using your name, then trademark it and register your domain name.
• Canada: Does your business have the same name as you? If so, you don’t need to register it. But if not, register the trade name and trademark it to protect your brand.
• United Kingdom: Set up as a sole trader or business partnership, check your name availability, search for a trademark, and register your company name and business.
• Australia: If your business isn’t the same as your personal name, you’ll need to register your business name through the Business Registration Service, ASIC, or a private service provider.

Part of the registration process is deciding what your business structure will be:

• If you’re in the U.S. and you want complete control over your business, you might want to register as a sole proprietorship. However, being a sole proprietor means you’re also fully responsible for the business from a legal perspective—for example, if a client or employee ever sues your business—so be aware of that.
• If you’re opening your cleaning business with two or more people, you’ll have to register as a partnership.
• A limited liability company (LLC) is best for medium or high-risk cleaning businesses. It protects your personal assets and separates them from the company.
• A corporation sets up your business separately from yourself and provides the strongest liability protection. That said, the cost of incorporating is higher than that of other types of business structures, and corporations require detailed records and reporting.

When you’re registering, you’ll need an employer identification number (EIN) for federal tax purposes if you have employees, operate as a corporation or partnership, or have a Keogh retirement plan as a self-employed person.

Depending on the location, your city or state may require similar business identification to file taxes in your area.

Pro Tip: Not sure what the local ordinances and regulations are for your cleaning business? Just Google “YOUR CITY NAME + business laws”.

READ MORE:Should I incorporate my small business?

5. Get a business license

You must have a business license before you start cleaning. This is what legally allows you to run your business. Without a license, you can face serious consequences (including fines and legal action).

Apply for a business license through your city’s business development department and provide information about your company, like its structure and the services you provide.

You’ll likely pay an up-front licensing cost, which varies depending on where you live. You’ll also need to renew this license in your city or county every year and pay the same fee at that time.

Need a business license but not sure where to start? Check out our guide to getting your cleaning business license in each state:

6. Get cleaning business insurance

The last thing you want as a new entrepreneur is to accidentally cause damage to a client’s home and not have cleaning business insurance. In this scenario, you risk getting into debt when you cover the property damage out of pocket.

Your policy gives you peace of mind without costing too much. There are different types of insurance available, each tailored to your assets and the level of protection your business needs.

Consider getting a cleaning insurance policy that includes:

• General liability insurance
• Health insurance
• Vehicle insurance
• Business owners’ policy
• Workers’ compensation
• Employment practices liability

Shop around for the right insurance plan for your business and compare providers in your area. Some cleaning business owners recommend using Thimble or Next Insurance.

7. Set up accounting and bookkeeping

You can’t run your business out of your personal bank account. This mixes your personal and business assets, which gets messy when you’re paying for expenses and filing taxes.

Instead, get a business bank account where you can accept payments and monitor cash flow separately from your personal assets.

From there, create an expense budget for purchases, equipment, gas, marketing, and any additional overhead. This is the budget you’ll stick to every month. Don’t worry, you can adjust over time if you need to.

One of the most important expenses is your own personal paycheck. Decide what you’ll be paid, then set up an automatic bi-weekly withdrawal so you can pay yourself from your profits. Do the same for employees or subcontractors if you have them.

Use accounting software to track your income and expenses so you can report accurately when it’s time to file your taxes. Depending on where you live and work, you’ll follow these avenues:

• United States: You’ll file business taxes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
• Canada: Go through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to file your business taxes.
• United Kingdom: The UK offers the Companies House online portal for submitting your company tax return.
• Australia: Lodge your business taxes with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

READ MORE:30 small business tax deductions to save money when filing

9. Learn how to price your cleaning services and estimate jobs

It’s time to decide how much to charge for house cleaning or commercial cleaning services. Follow these steps to set your prices:

1. Research how much your top competitors charge for the same services, just to get a range for what’s expected in your area.
2. Within that range, determine the highest and lowest amount your ideal clients would pay for a specific cleaning service.
3. Choose a pricing structure, whether that’s an hourly rate, a flat rate, a room rate, a square foot rate, or a specialty service rate.
4. Calculate how much the job will cost based on your pricing structure, including your house cleaner’s salary, overhead, and taxes.
5. Factor in your profit margin and markup to ensure you’re making money from each visit.
6. Create an estimate using a free cleaning estimate template and send it to your client. (If it’s for a commercial client, you can use a cleaning proposal template instead.)

You can also use our free house cleaning cost calculator to accurately price out your cleaning visits and keep your work profitable.

Once you’ve set your rates, you need a fast way to send professional quotes and get paid. Jobber’s quoting and invoicing tools let you create line-itemized estimates, convert approved quotes to jobs, and collect payment on-site or via automated follow-ups.

Get started with Jobber’s free cleaning estimate template and cleaning invoice template. You can send professional-looking estimates and invoices to impress your clients from day one.

10. Market your cleaning business and get your first customers

Marketing is essential for attracting potential clients and getting your first job. It might sound challenging if you aren’t a marketing expert, but don’t worry—you’ll get the hang of it quickly.

Try a few of these ideas to start drawing attention to your new venture and get clients for your cleaning business:

• Create a strong business brand. Part of being a professional business is looking the part, from your business logo, uniforms, and online presence. Building a strong brand will help you generate more trust with new clients.
• Use your personal network. Tell family and friends about your cleaning business and get them in as your first clients (don’t forget to ask them to spread the word, too!)
• Print business cards and always carry some with you. You can hand them out at events, while networking with other business owners, or even in line at the grocery store.
• Deliver door hangers or cleaning flyers to residents in your desired service area. You can also leave these behind at nearby homes or businesses when you’ve finished a job.
• Start a referral program to encourage cleaning clients to recommend your business to others. You can thank them with a service discount or other incentive.
• Add a vehicle wrap to your car so it becomes a moving billboard. Park it in public spaces so people passing by will learn about your business.
• Connect with local realtors and see if you can partner with them to provide move-in and move-out cleaning services.
• Attend a Business Networking International meeting. Your first meeting is free, and you’ll get to give out business cards to other entrepreneurs who want to help you succeed.

If you start a commercial cleaning business, cold-call businesses you’d like to work with. Be prepared for many potential clients to say no, but the handful that say yes will be worth the effort.

11. Learn how to manage your cleaning business and client relationships

Once you’re juggling 10+ recurring clients, tracking schedules in a notebook or spreadsheet breaks down fast. The key to running a successful cleaning business is to manage it well and keep your clients happy. 

Cleaning business apps like Jobber can help you run your business every day. When a client approves your quote, convert it into a job and schedule the job in your calendar.

12. Hire and train cleaners so you can grow

Once the work picks up and becomes too much to manage on your own, it’s time to branch out and hire employees. This ensures your business can provide a consistent level of service, even if you get sick or aren’t available.

The process of recruiting, interviewing, and screening applicants can feel daunting, but bringing on new team members is a proven way to grow your cleaning business.

Here’s how to approach the process of hiring cleaners so it’s beneficial for you and your future team:

• Figure out who your ideal employee is, what they need from a job, and where you can find them.
• Write a house cleaner job description so you (and your future employee) understand the role and responsibilities.
• Create a job posting and share it on job-finding websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, or other places where your ideal employee spends time.
• Once you start receiving applications, shortlist the best candidates and interview them. Include a paid audition as part of your hiring process to see how candidates work.
• Hire the best candidate for the job and do your best to keep them on the team.

Invest time and effort in training cleaners so they’re prepared to work out in the field. Tools like job checklists, employee handbooks, and regular evaluations will help you keep your cleaners’ skills sharp.

Jobber’s mobile app includes job checklists your team can follow on-site. Set up your own house cleaning checklist so every cleaner follows the same process, and nothing gets missed, giving your clients consistent quality every time.

How much money do I need to start a cleaning business?

Expect to spend about $685 (USD) to start with a few must-have purchases:

• License and registration: $75–400/year
• Cleaning business insurance: $360/year
• Equipment: $100 for a basic vacuum and all-purpose supplies
• Marketing: $150 for a simple DIY website and business cards

Startup costs vary depending on where you’re located. Before you buy anything, make a budget so you know what you need and how much everything will cost. You can then prioritize which expenses should come first and which ones can wait.

Common mistakes when starting a cleaning business

Starting a cleaning business is relatively simple, but many new owners run into the same problems during their first year. Avoiding these mistakes can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress:

Underpricing to win clients

Many new cleaners set low prices to attract their first customers. While this may help you book jobs quickly, it often leads to long hours and very little profit.

If your rates are too low, you may find yourself working full days while earning less than expected. This can quickly lead to burnout.

Instead, research typical cleaning rates in your area and price your services so they cover your labor hours, business expenses, and profit margin. Charging the right rates might mean slower growth, but it’s more sustainable for your business.

Skipping insurance

Some new business owners skip insurance to save money during the early stages of the business. This can be a serious risk.

If something is damaged while you are cleaning, or someone is injured in a client’s home or workplace, you could be responsible for the cost. One accident can easily cost thousands of dollars.

Most cleaning businesses carry general liability insurance, which helps protect you if property damage or accidents occur while you’re working.

Not tracking expenses from the start

It’s easy to lose track of expenses when you first start working. Supplies, fuel, marketing materials, and equipment purchases can add up quickly.

But if you don’t track these costs accurately from the beginning, it’s hard to understand whether your business is turning a profit. It can also be a nightmare when you’re trying to file your taxes.

To avoid this, set up a simple system early on. This should include a dedicated business bank account, a spreadsheet for tracking expenses, and accounting software for invoices and payments.

Trying to offer every cleaning service

Many new cleaning businesses try to offer every possible service. While this can help you land more clients, it can also make the business harder to manage, especially if you’re working alone.

It’s best to start with a specific service focus, such as a recurring residential cleaning service, move-in and move-out cleaning, or post-construction cleaning. Specializing helps you refine your process and price jobs more accurately.

Not getting written agreements with clients

Many new cleaners rely on verbal agreements when booking jobs. While this may work for occasional cleanings, it can lead to misunderstandings and won’t protect your business in case of a dispute.

Written agreements help clarify important details, like cleaning frequency, which services are included, pricing and payment terms, and cancellation policies.

Even a simple written service agreement or quote can prevent confusion and protect both you and your client.