How to Start a Small Cleaning Business From Scratch

With some planning and a few basic supplies, you can build a successful small cleaning company that fits your schedule, goals, and budget. You don’t need experience, just the drive to start small and learn as you go.

This guide explains how to start a small cleaning business step by step, from choosing your services and setting your prices to getting the proper licenses and landing paying clients.

Estimated Costs of Starting a Small Cleaning Company

Your startup costs will vary based on where you live, your business structure, the services you offer, and whether you hire employees. Here’s what you might expect to spend if starting solo or with a small team of employees:

Start a Small Cleaning Business in 12 Steps

These 12 steps will guide you through the entire process of building a cleaning company, perfect for anyone starting a small operation.

Before you buy supplies or register your small business, figure out how you’ll cover your startup costs. Here are some common options:

Your savings

Review your checking and savings accounts to see how much you could comfortably put toward the business without leaving yourself short for personal expenses or emergencies. Move that amount to a separate account so it doesn’t get spent accidentally. 

If you need to save more to cover your costs, create a simple savings plan. Bank of America’s short-term savings calculator is a great tool for this. It shows you exactly how much to save each month, and how long it will take to reach your goal. 

Bank loans or lines of credit

You could also visit your local bank or credit union to ask about a small business loan or line of credit. A loan gives you a set amount of money all at once, while a line of credit lets you borrow only what you need and pay interest just on what you use.

Bring a basic business plan (see step 5 for how to create one), your credit score, recent income statements, and your last 1–2 tax returns with you. These help the bank or credit union understand your financial situation and see what they can offer you.

Financing through the Small Business Administration (SBA)

You can also look into the US Small Business Administration’s loan programs to find participating lenders in your area. These loans often have better rates and longer repayment periods.

Grants

A grant is money you don’t have to pay back, and while it can be harder to get, it’s worth exploring. 

You can search for grants on Grants.gov, through your state or local chamber of commerce, or on services like Hello Alice, where you complete an application and can be matched with potential grant opportunities.

Your personal network

Lastly, your family or close friends might be willing to invest in your small cleaning business or lend you money. If you go this route, put the agreement in writing to avoid misunderstandings later.

Your first step is to decide where you’ll work and whether your area has room for another cleaning company. The sweet spot is an area close enough to home to keep costs down but not so crowded that you get crushed by the competition. 

When you’re starting out, it’s best to focus on local clients. It means less time on the road, lower gas costs, and more time for actual cleaning. It’s also a strategy that works: Cleanfax’s 2024 Carpet and Cleaning Industry Survey found that 31% stay within 25 miles radius of their home base. 

Once you’ve picked your general area, research your competition. Search Google Maps or Yelp for cleaning businesses nearby, and check the first page of results. Those are your main competitors. Take notes on what services they offer, what they charge, and what people say about them. 

Chris Willatt, owner of Alpine Maids, suggests, “Simply look at your competition’s best and worst reviews and categorize them into the core commonalities.” For instance, maybe customers love a competitor’s friendly staff service but complain about late arrivals. 

After a couple of hours of research, you should have a clear picture of your market: what customers expect, what prices look like, and what services you can offer to stand out.

There are many types of cleaning services, but you don’t need to clean everything for everyone right away. Most companies start with 1–2 core services, get really good at them, and then expand once they have a solid customer base and a steady stream of income.

Here are the most popular options:

Residential cleaning

Cleaning homes and apartments is often the easiest place to start. It requires simple supplies and equipment and is easy to market to people in your local area. You’ll handle tasks like vacuuming, mopping, dusting, bathroom cleaning, and kitchen cleaning. You can offer deep cleans, regular weekly or biweekly visits, or move-in/move-out services. 

Commercial cleaning

Office buildings, retail stores, and other businesses need regular cleaning outside of business hours. Typical tasks include emptying trash, vacuuming and mopping floors, cleaning restrooms, and sanitizing high-touch areas and surfaces, like door handles, light switches, desks, and counters. 

Commercial contracts can bring steady, ongoing income, but some jobs require specialized equipment, like floor buffers. 

Post-construction cleaning

Newly built and recently renovated properties need thorough cleaning before they’re ready for use. This often involves removing dust and construction waste, cleaning paint splatters, and scrubbing windows, floors, and fixtures. 

Post-construction cleaning jobs pay well but often require heavy-duty equipment (such as industrial vacuums) and specialized supplies (like fine-dust filters or respirators). 

Specialty cleaning

Specialty cleaning involves focusing on specific needs, such as carpet and upholstery cleaning, window washing, pressure washing, or eco-friendly “green” cleaning.

You can often charge higher prices because these services generally require specialized skills, certifications, or equipment. 

What you should charge for cleaning services depends on your location, the type of cleaning you offer, how many people will be doing the job, and even how detailed the cleaning will be.

To get started, you’ll need to pick one or more pricing models that fit your business.

Pick your pricing model

There are different ways you can price your services:

• Hourly: You charge a set rate per cleaner per hour (usually $25–$75 in the US). This model works well when your jobs vary in detail or difficulty, such as quick cleans versus deep cleans. 
• Per visit: You set one price for the entire job each time you do it, such as $230 to clean an average-size home. Per-visit pricing can work for all types of cleaning services, and customers like knowing their costs upfront. Plus, the faster you work, the more profitable the job becomes.
• Per square foot: You charge based on the size of the space. This is common for commercial properties because businesses already know their space’s size. It also helps you scale pricing for big facilities.
• Per room: You charge separately for each room you clean, with higher prices for kitchens and bathrooms since they usually need the most cleaning. This pricing model is a good fit for deep cleans or when a customer wants only specific rooms done.

Calculate your prices

Once you know which model(s) you’ll use, research what similar cleaning businesses in your area charge. If most residential cleaning companies charge $60 per hour per cleaner, that gives you a clear idea of what customers are willing to pay. 

Next, calculate your costs to figure out the minimum you can charge while still making a profit.

Begin by splitting your costs into 2 groups:

• Variable costs: These are the expenses for each specific job. They include costs such as cleaning supplies, travel gas, and wages for all time spent on the job (including both travel and cleaning time).
• Fixed costs: These are the expenses you pay to run your business, no matter how many jobs you do. They include business insurance, software subscriptions, marketing, phone bills, bank fees, business registration fees, operating permits, website hosting, and equipment maintenance.

To set your prices, make sure they cover:

• All your variable costs. 
• All your fixed costs. 
• A profit margin so your company can grow. 

Then, compare your prices to your competitors. If yours are far lower, you may undercharge. If they’re far higher, you may struggle to get customers. Aim to sit within the local range while still covering your costs and earning a profit.

Let’s see how this looks in practice. 

A pricing example

Imagine you want to set a per-visit price for a standard home cleaning. 

• Your time: 2.5 hours total (2 hours cleaning + 0.5 hours travel).
• Your wage: $30 per hour.
• Your variable costs: $20 per job for supplies and gas. 
• Your fixed costs: $400 per month (insurance, software, bills, etc.).
• Your goals: 40 jobs per month, and a 30% profit margin.

From this information, you can work out how much each job will cost you to find your target price:

Final decision: Your target price is $136.50. If competitors in your area charge, say, $140–$165 per job, you can confidently set your price a little higher to stay competitive and earn an even bigger profit.

Now it’s time to create a business plan. Write it by hand, type it up in a word processor like Google Docs, or grab a free template from SCORE or the Small Business Administration. 

This document is mostly for you. It keeps you organized and helps track whether you’re hitting your goals. That said, if you ever apply for financing or pitch to investors, they’ll want to see it.

Your business plan doesn’t need to be long or super formal. But it should cover:

• Your target market and services: Who will you clean for, and what exactly will you offer? (Example: quick house cleaning for busy professionals in the city, or low-cost after-hours office cleaning for downtown businesses.)
• Your competitive advantage: Spell out what makes your business different or better than others in your area. (Example: faster response times, eco-friendly products, or flexible evening and weekend service.)
• Your financial projections: Estimate monthly income, expenses, and profit for your first year so you can see if the business will be viable.
• Your pricing strategy: How much will you charge, and will you charge per hour, per job, or per square foot?
• Your startup costs: The total cost of everything you need to buy, from supplies to insurance, to get started. (More on insurance in step 9.) 
• Your first-year goals: How many clients do you want to land and how much money do you want to make in year 1? (Remember, you need to earn enough to cover your expenses, pay yourself and any team members, and have money left over.)
• Your marketing approach: How will potential customers find you? (We cover marketing in more detail in step 11.)

You’ll use this plan to measure your progress, decide where to invest your time and money, and stay focused on your goals as you grow.

Pick a business name that’s memorable, easy to spell and pronounce, and clearly tells people what you do. Try to include your city or town in the name (e.g., Happy Home Cleaners of Houston) so local customers can find you online more easily. If you need ideas, check out Connecteam’s guide to cleaning company names.

Before you finalize your name, make sure no other business is already using it. This helps you avoid confusing customers or running into legal issues.

You can check for registered companies by searching your state’s business registry, usually found on your Secretary of State website. The SBA also has a guide to business name rules and links to each state’s registry if you need help.

Your business structure affects how much paperwork you’ll have, what taxes you’ll pay, and whether your personal assets are at risk if something goes wrong. 

Most small cleaning companies typically choose one of these structures:

• Sole proprietorship: This is the default if you start cleaning houses under your own name. It’s easy to set up, and you report your business earnings on your personal taxes. The downside is that you have no personal protection. If your business is sued or owes money, your personal savings or property could be taken to cover the debt. This is why it’s always important to get general liability insurance, which we cover in step 9.
• LLC (Limited Liability Company): An LLC separates your personal assets from your business. If someone sues your company, they generally can’t touch your personal home, car, or bank accounts. Forming an LLC can cost anywhere between $50 and $520, depending on where you live.

Once you’ve chosen your structure, register your business:

1. Sole proprietors: Many states don’t require formal paperwork if you operate under your legal name, but double-check your local rules to make sure.
2. LLCs: Submit your Articles of Organization (the official document that creates your company) to your state’s Secretary of State office. Most states let you file everything online.
3. Get your EIN: You’ll need an employer identification number (EIN) for opening a business bank account or bringing on employees. Even sole proprietors typically need one. You can request your free EIN directly from the IRS.

Next, you’ll need to get the proper business licenses and permits. The exact licenses needed to start a cleaning business vary by state, but for most areas, the process for getting your main operating license is simple.

Here’s how to get your license:

1. Find out what licenses and permits you need. Start with your city or county clerk’s website. The SBA organizes links by state and can point you to the right local office.
2. Fill out the paperwork. You’ll provide basics such as your business name, location, services offered, EIN, and contact information.
3. Cover the filing fee. Expect to pay $50–$300, though the exact amount depends on where your business operates.
4. Turn everything in. Some areas let you file online, but others want you to mail documents or visit in person.
5. Wait for approval. Processing can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. You’ll get confirmation by mail or email once your license is approved. Be sure to note the expiration date, as most licenses must be renewed (often annually).

Depending on your setup, you might also need:

• Doing Business As (DBA) registration: Required if your business name isn’t your legal name—e.g., Evergreen Cleaning Co. vs. Jane Doe. Costs $10–$100.
• A sales tax permit (aka a vendor’s license): Needed if you plan to sell cleaning products directly to customers. Usually free, but costs up to $100 in some states.
• Specialized licenses: If you offer services like cleaning construction sites or handling biohazards, you may need a specific contractor’s license or other permits.

Cleaning business insurance and bonding protects you, your customers, your company equipment, and your income in case anything goes wrong, like an on-the-job accident or damage to a customer’s property. Plus, it helps your business look trustworthy and professional. 

Here are some options small cleaning businesses should consider:

• General liability insurance: Covers property damage and injuries, like a worker accidentally knocking over a client’s expensive vase or someone slipping on a freshly mopped floor. Costs around $580 per year* for a small company.
• Workers’ compensation insurance: Required if you hire anyone; covers on-the-job injuries. Costs about $1,625 per year* for a small team.
• Janitorial bond: Protects clients from employee theft. Costs between $100–$150 per year.*
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): Combines general liability and property insurance at a discount. Costs roughly $680 per year.*
• Business auto insurance: Covers your vehicle while on jobs. Costs around $1,760 per year.* 

*Actual premiums depend on factors like location, services offered, number of employees (if any), and claims history. 

To get your insurance and bonding, follow these steps:

1. Figure out what you need. General liability insurance is essential for everyone. Add workers’ compensation insurance if you have staff, commercial auto coverage if you drive to jobs, and a janitorial bond if clients ask for one.
2. Request quotes from several companies. Reach out to providers like NEXT Insurance, The Hartford, Hiscox, or State Farm. Most let you get quotes online.
3. Compare what you’re actually getting. Check maximum payout amounts (coverage limits), what you’ll pay out-of-pocket first (deductibles), and situations where the policy won’t help (exclusions). Remember, cheap coverage that doesn’t fully protect you isn’t a bargain.
4. Buy your chosen policy. Fill out the insurer’s application and make your first payment. They’ll send you a certificate proving you’re insured. Keep copies handy to show customers and lenders.
5. Revisit yearly. As you take on bigger jobs or hire more people, make sure your coverage still fits your business.

As Tim Walters, owner of Triple H Cleaning Services, tells Connecteam, “If you have a broom, spin mop, vacuum, and duster, that’s really all you need to begin.”

Start with these cleaning tools and supplies:

• Vacuum with attachments for carpet and hard floors.
• Mop and bucket.
• Duster. 
• Broom and dustpan.
• Microfiber cloths (in different colors for different areas).
• Standard cotton cloths (also in different colors).
• Scrub brushes and pads.
• Non-scratch sponges.
• Squeegee for mirrors.
• All-purpose cleaner.
• Glass cleaner.
• Disinfectant spray or wipes.
• Bathroom cleaner.
• Floor cleaner.
• Trash bags.
• Spray bottles (for mixing solutions).
• Buckets (separate ones for clean and dirty water).
• Rubber gloves.
• Face masks or respirators (for harsh chemicals or dusty environments).
• 1–2 portable containers to carry everything to and from jobs.

Expect to spend around $500–$2,000 for your initial batch of supplies and equipment. Save specialty tools, like carpet cleaners or floor polishers, for later. Buy them once you expand into services that need them.

When you’re starting small, focus on free or low-cost marketing tactics to get your first cleaning leads.

Ryan Knoll, founder of Tidy Casa, suggests starting with people you already know, “literally every contact in your phone, email, and social media accounts.” Send a quick, friendly message letting them know you’ve started a cleaning business and are taking on new clients. You could offer a discount, such as 20% off their first clean, to encourage them to give you a try.

Even just a couple of people saying yes can start a positive chain reaction. Do great work on your first cleaning jobs, then ask those customers if they can refer you to others. It’s a nice idea to offer customers a small discount for each referral that books with you.

Pristine Beers, owner of White Lilac Cleaning, explains, “Word of mouth is one of the most effective marketing tools you’ll ever have, and delivering an exceptional service from the start will set your business apart from the rest. Your goal is simple: provide a level of quality and care so impressive that your phone doesn’t stop ringing.”

Some other marketing tactics you can try include

• Printing company cards or cleaning flyers and leaving them at local businesses, real estate offices, property managers, or community centers. (Always call or email building managers and business owners for permission before doing this.)
• Creating a free Google Business Profile so people can find you on Google Maps. (Here’s a handy guide on getting set up with a Google Business Profile.)
• List your services on platforms like Angi, Thumbtack, or Taskrabbit to reach customers actively searching for cleaners.
• Engage with people in your local area through Facebook groups and Nextdoor. You can answer questions, share cleaning tips and tricks, post before-and-after photos (with customers’ permission) of cleaning jobs, and more to attract cleaning clients and build a reputation as a trustworthy, friendly company.

As a small cleaning business, you can either start on your own to keep costs low or hire 1–2 cleaners right away to take on more jobs from the start.

But how do you know when the time is right to bring on help? Tim Walters explains it simply: “If you find yourself turning down jobs, working late nights or weekends just to keep up, or feeling like quality might slip because your schedule is overloaded, it’s time to consider help.”

Here’s how to hire cleaning employees for your business:

• Create a compelling job posting: Write a cleaner job description that explains the role, responsibilities, required skills, and what makes your company a great place to work. Include the pay range upfront to attract serious applicants.

• Post your job opening online: Share it on sites like Indeed, Monster, Craigslist, and ZipRecruiter. Post it on Facebook, too, and ask people in your personal and professional networks for referrals.
• Screen and interview candidates: Look for people who show up on time, communicate well, and pay attention to details. Ask about their previous cleaning experience, availability, and how they will get to jobs.
• Check references and run background checks: Use services like Checkr for background screening. This is especially important for residential cleaning, where customers want to know they can trust your team with their personal belongings.

3 Bonus Tips for Keeping Costs Low as You Start Your Cleaning Company

Starting from home is the simplest, cheapest way to launch. You’ll save money on rent and utilities, and you don’t need much space. You can handle booking and scheduling from your phone, and prep your cleaning kits or refill bottles the night before a job so you’re always ready to go.

Start cleaning in the evenings and on weekends while you still have a steady paycheck. Aim to build up 15–20 regular clients before quitting your full-time job. This gives you time to test your pricing, and learn what works without risking your income.

Cleaning business software helps small cleaning company owners manage everything from the same app. With a platform like Connecteam, you can set schedules, manage tasks, track time, store documents, train cleaning staff, and more.

It saves you hours of admin work each week, prevents scheduling mistakes, and keeps you organized. Plus, small businesses of up to 10 people can use Connecteam free for life.

Get started with Connecteam for free today!

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Disclaimer

This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as and does not constitute business, financial, or professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Market conditions and business outcomes can vary widely. Before pursuing new services or business strategies, consult with a qualified business advisor for tailored advice based on your business’s circumstances. Connecteam accepts no responsibility for consequences arising from actions taken or not taken based on the information present in this article.