How to Start a Cleaning Business

Before getting down to cleaning work, market research is an essential step. The objective of this is to find out more about your potential customer base and competitors, a process which will leave you better prepared to set up your business.

You can manage this research in several ways, including conducting online research, talking to potential customers and checking out the competition. 

The two most important questions are:

1. Is there demand for my product or service?
2. Who is my target market?

When it comes to the UK cleaning sector, there is plenty of research to do before you decide what type of cleaning business you want to run. That’s because it’s an industry that employs a huge amount of people, with nearly 1.5 million workers in the cleaning, hygiene and waste sector, according to figures from the British Cleaning Council. With so much competition, it’s important to understand where your business will fit in.

You’ll also need to decide whether you want to specialise. Different types of cleaning companies include:

• Domestic cleaning: Businesses that tackle regular domestic cleaning tasks, such as vacuuming, dusting, mopping, polishing and cleaning bathroom or kitchen fixtures and fittings. They might also do laundry and ironing, pot washing and some tidying. This is likely to be a low-cost option, as no complex equipment is required.
• Commercial cleaning: This category includes any cleaning of business premises, which could include offices, restaurants, healthcare facilities and more. Most commercial cleaning businesses will pick one of these areas to specialise in. As the spaces being cleaned are generally larger than homes, these companies tend to have industrial cleaning equipment.
• Deep cleaning: These are businesses that offer specialist domestic cleaning that takes more time and more equipment. This might be required by customers at the end of a tenancy or following a major incident, such as a flood or fire. Extra attention is paid to tasks such as cleaning behind or underneath furniture, and cleaning appliances and soft furnishings. 
• Carpet cleaning: These are businesses that remove dust, dirt and allergens, and bugs from carpets. Methods include steam cleaning and dry carpet cleaning, both of which require specialist equipment.
• Oven cleaning: Removing burnt-on grime and grease is a specialism of professional oven cleaners, who aim to leave ovens, hobs and microwaves sparkling clean. As well as using specialist equipment to get rid of marks and mess, oven cleaners will often replace minor oven parts such as extractor filters, seals and lights. 

Once you have done your market research and decided what type of cleaning business to run, it’s time to dig into the details with a business plan and budget. 

Creating a business plan and budget will give you a better idea of exactly how much money you need, as well as helping you to work out if your ideas can realistically be turned into a business. A business plan will normally also be required if you apply for a start-up loan or business loan.

For a detailed guide read our article on how to write a business plan.

A budget will also be a key part of planning your new cleaning business. It’s important to account for every potential expense, whether one-off or recurring. For a cleaning business, key costs to consider are:

• Cleaning supplies: If you need to turn up at each job equipped with cleaning products, such as bleaches, polishes and degreasers, it’s important to know how much they cost and how regularly you may need to restock. Explore whether buying products wholesale would be an effective way to save money.
• Cleaning equipment: This could range from a dustpan and brush to a £6,999 AKM80 battery-powered ride-on sweeper. Whatever the size, account for any machinery or equipment you need to purchase. 
• Transport: Whether you are a domestic cleaner using public transport or a commercial cleaner in a branded van, you need to have a rough idea of how much it will cost to travel and transport your equipment from job to job. For example, you may need to take out a business car insurance policy.
• Employee salaries: If you are planning on employing a team, you will need to pay them at least the minimum wage. The average starting salary of a full-time cleaner is £17,000, but there are other costs associated with hiring an employee. 

For further information on budgeting, explore our five-step guide to creating a small business budget.

As you start launching your new cleaning business, you may also want to think about how you’ll  separate your personal budget from your professional one – a business bank account could help here, providing you with a separate platform to track your incoming versus outgoing costs and your income, without interfering with your living expenses.

One of the first official steps you will take when starting up is choosing a business structure and then registering your cleaning business. You should take your time and research which business structure will best suit your needs.

If you plan on working as a cleaner with no employees and flexible hours, registering as a sole trader is probably the way to go. However, if you are looking to build a larger cleaning business, options such as a partnership or limited company may make more sense. Find out more in our guide to picking a company structure.

If you are starting a general partnership, you will need to inform HM Revenue & Customs. To set up a limited company, limited partnership or limited liability partnership, you will need to register it at Companies House.

» MORE: Should I register as a sole trader or limited company?

Of course, most businesses need money to get started. Once you have created a budget and registered your business, you are ready to seek funding.

Cleaning businesses can require very little funding to start, so you may be able to kick things off by relying on personal savings or help from family and friends. However, if your start-up costs are too excessive to handle in this way, there are still plenty of funding options. Check out our simple guide to funding a small business for helpful ideas and advice.

Finding your first customers can be one of the most rewarding steps in starting a new business. There are several ways to promote your cleaning business and get your name out there:

• Word of mouth: Don’t be shy about your new business. Tell friends, family, neighbours and local businesses. Some of these acquaintances could quickly become key customers.
• Business cards and flyers: Pin these on notice boards or post them through letterboxes to spread the word about your business far and wide. 
• Social media: Creating a social media page can be great for lead generation. A Facebook page can build your online presence, while uploading short videos to TikTok, Instagram or YouTube could even send your business viral. This might be a long shot, but some cleaning businesses have racked up millions of views and huge followings due to the satisfying nature of their clips. 
• Trade platforms: Consider joining websites, such as Checkatrade or Rated People, that allow people to connect with local tradespeople and get a quote – though you will have to pay a membership fee. 
• Local listings online: For free advertising, you can list your cleaning business on local community groups such as Nextdoor. Also ensure your business is featured in local business listings, which you can do for free on sites such as Yell and Local Pages, so that potential customers searching for cleaning services can find you easily.
• Ask for reviews: Make sure satisfied customers leave positive reviews on sites such as Google Reviews and Trustpilot.