How to start a cleaning business

Demand for cleaners is rising and creating more opportunities for those looking to set up a business. That’s why now is the perfect time to go self-employed and make the most of a booming market.

For example, in 2024 alone, Checkatrade saw over 893,000 searches for cleaning work through our website.* That shows a good level of existing customer interest.

As a business owner, you’ll benefit from being your own boss and choosing your hours, clients, and specialisms.

You may choose to work on residential properties or seek bigger contracts in commercial buildings. Either way, you’ll need certain things to get going. Namely:

• Skills
• Tools
• Knowledge

Read on to find out how to set up a cleaning business and take that next step in your career.

In this article we look at the key steps for starting a cleaning business, including how to register with HMRC, finding the right insurance, and grabbing the best deals on equipment.

Creating a business plan for your cleaning business

Knowing how to start a cleaning business often starts with a clear business plan before it is launched. This will outline your goals and how you plan to achieve them.

It will also make sure you remain focused on your business activity and allow you to make informed decisions.

Your plan should:

• Include detailed financial information
• Outline your intended services
• Establish a target audience to find a niche
• Determine how you plan to build a client base

Completely unique cleaning business ideas are hard to come by, but there are some distinctions you can make to help you stand out.

For inspiration, here are several ideas you can use to get started:

• If you’re situated in a busy neighbourhood, offer a residential cleaning service to make the most of the market on your doorstep
• Provide a commercial cleaning service to offices and shops if you’re going to be located around a town or city centre
• Choose a specialism such as graffiti cleaning, chemical spills, or carpet cleaning
• Have attractive add-ons to your service, such as weekend availability or windows and wall cleaning included

When starting your own cleaning business, research competitors in your area to make sure there’s a big enough market. Scouting out rivals will also help you to set a competitive pay rate.

Be careful not to set your prices too low, or you may find your income fails to cover your outgoings.

We have a fantastic guide for how to write a business plan. And a FREE business plan template for you to use. Simply add your email below.

How to make your cleaning business stand out

You don’t necessarily need qualifications to set up a cleaning company, but they can really help attract customers.

With qualifications, you’ll appear more credible to potential customers. These are the common standard industry credentials:

• Level 2 Certificate in Cleaning Principles
• Intermediate apprenticeship as a healthcare cleaning operative

It’s also worth having a certificate in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). This will show you’ve got a professional understanding of cleaning products and how to use them safely. It’s especially important if you work alongside vulnerable people.

Accreditations

Joining a trade association can also help you gain an edge over the competition and attract more business.

Here are some of the institutions to consider:

• The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc)
• British Cleaning Council (BCC)
• British Cleaners Association (BCA)
• The Federation of Master Cleaners

Many require you to pass an assessment process to join, so having a membership will highlight your competence to potential clients.

Other useful skills and attributes

As a self-employed cleaner, you’ll also face different challenges related to both your job and running your business.

Here are the key skills that’ll help you to run a successful business:

• You should be able to work independently and manage your time effectively
• You’ll need to have good attention to detail to ensure your cleaning is thorough
• Work efficiently as sloppy mistakes can harm your reputation
• Be sure to maintain a high level of customer service to keep clients satisfied
• Health and safety knowledge will be necessary for handling potentially harmful chemicals
• You must have basic numeracy skills for organising your finances and taxes

Approaching cleaning jobs in a professional manner will help to give your business an edge. Knowing how to start a cleaning business is one thing. Knowing how to succeed after you’ve begun is another.

How to set up a cleaning company – step by step

When setting up your own cleaning business, you’ll need to tick various boxes. In this section, we’ll guide you through what you need to do.

Choose a business name and logo

You’ll want to build your brand with a business name and logo.

Try to make your name short and relevant to your service, as this will be more memorable to potential customers. Our guide on cleaning business names will set you off in the right direction.

Once you’ve decided, it’s time to make things official and register your business name.

Creating a logo will then give your business a more professional look and can really help your new cleaning business develop an identity.

Find your niche

Within the cleaning industry, there are a number of different jobs that you can offer. While it is often important to keep your service offering wide, many cleaning businesses will choose to specialise in one area.

For example:

• House cleaning
• Oven cleaning
• Drain cleaning
• Bin cleaning
• Gutter cleaning
• Pressure washing (i.e. patios)
• Office cleaning
• Carpet cleaning
• Window cleaning
• Solar panel cleaning

There are many different offerings you might consider. Finding a niche means finding an audience and a potential client base already waiting for your new cleaning business.

Register your business

First of all, your business will need to be registered with HMRC to trade legally.

You’ll also need to decide whether you want your business to operate as a sole trader or a limited company.

• Sole trading is simple to set up, but you’ll be personally liable for any losses or debts
• Limited company comes with more paperwork to manage, but you won’t be personally responsible for business debts

There are more pros and cons to weigh up when choosing your business structure, along with different taxes that apply.

It’s important you weigh up the different regulations and taxes that apply to each so you can settle on the arrangement that works best for you. If you’re unsure or need some guidance, you can always contact a professional accountant.

Get business insurance

Insurance is crucial for protecting you and your business from costly legal issues. It’s especially important in this industry. Cleaning businesses are expected to deliver clean, safe environments without putting people at unnecessary risk.

There will also be times when you need to follow critical hygiene guidelines, particularly when working in healthcare environments.

These are the main types of insurance to consider getting:

• Employers’ liability insurance (a legal requirement if you employ other people)
• Public liability insurance (mandatory for all Checkatrade members)
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Contract works insurance
• Income protection insurance (if going self-employed)
• Legal expenses insurance
• Tools in transit cover
• Personal accident insurance
• Legal expenses insurance

Having the right cover in place is important when setting up a cleaning business. In the unlikely event that something goes wrong, you don’t want to be on the receiving end of a hefty bill.

Want to learn more?

Financial information for setting up your cleaning business

There is a lot to know about managing your finances that will differ based on how your business is set up. As well as funding, you’ll need to stay on top of what is coming in and going out.

Cashflow

Cash flow is your income versus your expenditure. It’s very important to keep an eye on all your transactions to stay profitable.

Poor cash flow management is one of the top reasons for new businesses failing. Knowing how to manage cash flow will help you avoid the pitfalls.

Funding

At first, your business may be operating at a loss due to the start-up costs of equipment and supplies. This is completely normal, but if this is cause for concern, you could take out a business loan to cover your expenses. Always take the time to compare interest rates and make sure you can afford the repayments if you’re borrowing.

Taxes

Various taxes will apply to your business and must be filed on a regular basis. If you’re unsure which you should be documenting, take a look at our useful guide to understanding your tax liabilities.

Bookkeeping

Read our guide to bookkeeping for small businesses to help keep your books in order from day one. It’ll help to reduce the headache of filing your year-end accounts with HMRC. You’ll also become more tax-efficient as you manage your eligible business expenses.

Tools and equipment

It’s important to invest in the right tools so you can carry out jobs efficiently and safely. Make sure your equipment is high quality too as this will make life easier and reduce the likelihood of costly replacements.

Of course, if you’re offering a specialist service, you might need extra equipment, but these are the basic essentials for any cleaning start-up:

• Cleaning chemicals
• Mops
• Microfibre cloths
• Sponges and scrubbers
• Protective gloves
• Protective clothing
• Vacuum

Getting the right specialist tools, such as carpet cleaning equipment, is essential. But it doesn’t need to break the bank.

For example, did you know that Checkatrade members can make great savings at suppliers such as Selco, Wickes and Tradepoint?

Quick action: Sign up for our ‘Become the boss’ series

You could get your cleaning business started right away with the help of our ‘Become the Boss’ series.

Want to see someone who’s been there, done it, and set up a successful cleaning business? Be sure to read all about our member Elaine’s success story.

With ‘Become the Boss’, you’ll receive a series of 8 emails containing actionable tips and top advice from fellow tradespeople who were once in your position. And at the end of it, you could be the founder of your new business.

To get trade business insider secrets sent to your pocket, put your email address in the form below so we can help you get started.

How to start a cleaning company in the UK checklist

To summarise, here’s a useful checklist of everything to think about when setting up your own cleaning business:

• Save up enough to cover your start-up costs
• Make sure you have the right tools and equipment
• Register and choose a business structure that suits you
• Understand your finances and taxes
• Get the right insurance to protect your business
• Set out a business plan
• Take advantage of a Checkatrade membership and the benefits it provides

Get off to a great start with Checkatrade

With our online presence, and widespread national coverage becoming a Checkatrade member will make it easy for potential customers to find your new cleaning business.

Plus with over 893,000 job searches on our website in 2024 for cleaning jobs, there is already interest in services like yours.*

If you choose to come on board with Checkatrade:

• You’ll get a unique profile
• Your profile can help you be listed in Google
• Customers can review your services
• You can highlight testimonials
• Image galleries let you show off examples of your work and its transformative powers

Thanks to the Checkatrade trades app, you can also manage customer enquiries on the go, keeping everything in one handy place.

Don’t forget, our members get exclusive discounts on business essentials. This includes workwear, tools, equipment, insurance, and more.

Starting a cleaning business FAQs

How much does a cleaning business make a year in the UK?

Finding a niche lets you charge premium rates and marketing your business well will result in a steady stream of work. When these are done a cleaning business can make a great profit.

How much does it cost to start a cleaner’s business?

The cost to start a cleaning business can vary anywhere from £4,500 to £14,000. It will ultimately depend on the supplies and equipment you’ll need to invest in.

Is cleaning a profitable business?

Cleaning services are in high demand, so you’ll get plenty of opportunities to build a large client base. Plus, the expenses are generally quite low, meaning you’ll have a fairly good profit margin if you’re efficient going from job to job.

What hours should I work?

Cleaners usually work a 40-hour week, but as a business owner, you have the freedom to scale this around other commitments. Your working pattern can also vary depending on the flexibility you’re willing to offer.

For example, you could choose to provide your cleaning service on evenings and weekends to pull in extra business.

* Internal search data from users of the Checkatrade.com website between 1st January and 31st December 2024