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Last updated: 25 July 2025
How to start a roof cleaning business
Are you considering starting a roof cleaning business? If so, you're going to want to keep reading. From creating a business plan to marketing your company, here you will find all the information you need to get started.
If you're thinking about starting a roof cleaning business, you've come to the right place. This detailed guide is full of all the information you need to turn your business plan into a reality.
Roof cleaning businesses are currently in high demand throughout the UK. In fact, with over 52,000 job searches for roof cleaning on the Checkatrade website in 2024,* now is an ideal time to start your new business.
Reasons to start a roof cleaning business
Starting your own business is often an exciting and rewarding career option. If you want to offer roof cleaning services in your local area, here are several reasons why starting your own business is a great idea:
High demand - More and more homeowners in the UK are interested in maintaining the appearance and condition of their property's roof. In most circumstances, DIY roof cleaning is not possible and homeowners will need the help of a professional
High customer retention - Despite the high demand, roof cleaning is still a fairly niche service in certain areas throughout the country. If you do a good job, your customers are likely to hire you again, especially if there is not much local competition
Be your own boss - Starting your own business means you can set your own schedule and choose how many clients to take on. Being your own boss has several perks and you get to make all of the important decisions
Unlimited earning potential - As your own boss you can choose how much or how little work you do. With no one else to answer to, you can take on as many customers as you want and boost your income potential
Physical outdoor work - Roof cleaners spend the majority of their day working outside. This job can be physically demanding but is an ideal option if you enjoy working outdoors and keeping active throughout your working day
If you are a skilled roof cleaner, starting you own business is an exciting way to progress in your career.
Types of roof cleaning
Before starting your business, it is important to decide what type of roof cleaning services you will offer your customers.
Commonly used professional roof cleaning methods include:
Soft washing
Soft washing methods successfully clean debris from a property's roof without causing any damage. This method involves the use of cleaning detergents and low pressure water to remove moss, algae and dirt.
Pressure washing
The use of a pressure washer makes roof cleaning a quick and efficient process. A pressure washer can remove a build-up of dirt, moss and algae in a matter of minutes.
It is important for roof cleaners to be aware that pressure washing can cause damage to a roof's shingles or tiles.
Chemical cleaning
Cleaning a roof with chemical agents is a fairly straightforward process. These specialist chemicals are designed to breakdown mildew, grime and other dirt that has settled over a property's roof tiles.
Chemical cleaning products work quickly and often there is no need to use any other specialist equipment to achieve high quality results.
It is up to you whether you decide to offer all cleaning services or choose to specialise in a specific method.
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Do you need qualifications to clean roofs?
If you want your roof cleaning business to be a success, you need to make sure you know exactly what you are doing.
Working at height and with hazardous chemicals can be dangerous. You will need to complete relevant training courses to make sure you are offering a safe, high quality service.
The roof cleaning industry is not regulated here in the UK and no official qualifications are needed to clean roofs. With that being said, homeowners are unlikely to hire a roof cleaner with no experience or professional training,
Examples of qualifications possessed by UK roof cleaners include:
City & Guilds Working at Heights
Rooftop Safety certification
Ladder Association training
Softwash Systems UK training
Water Jetting Association (WJA) power washing qualifications
The more qualifications you have, the more customers you will attract. As a highly qualified roof cleaner, you will also be able to charge a higher rate for your services.
How to become a cleaner
Whether you plan on starting your own cleaning business or working for a company, we’ll talk you through how to become a cleaner in the UK. So, if you're considering life as a professional cleaner, keep reading to find out how to start your journey. How to become a cleaner in the UK To help you get
Tips on how to pick a roof cleaning company name
One of the first steps in any new business venture is to choose a company name. A good business name can grab the attention of potential customers and help a business to grow.
When choosing a name for your roof cleaning business, try to think of something that is catchy, memorable and relevant.
Here are some tips if you are struggling to pick the perfect roof cleaning business name:
Reference your region
If you want to become the go to roof cleaning business in your area, why no include your location in your company name? This could be something as simple as North London Roof Cleaning, for example.
Add your name
What better way to celebrate being your own boss than adding your name to your business name? You could include your first name, last name or both. For example, Rob's Roof Cleaning Service.
Make it funny
Adding a touch of humour to your company name can make your business more memorable. Take inspiration from jokes, puns or word play to create a funny business name.
Keep it simple
It can be all too easy to make the business naming process more complicated than it needs to be. Take a moment to think about the service you are offering and create a simple name centred around that.
For instance, _Reliable Roof Cleaning Co_ is a simple name that gets straight to the point.
If you need some inspiration, read our post full of cleaning company name ideas.
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Creating a business plan
Once you have your business name, it's time to get your teeth stuck into the next stage - creating a business plan for your roof cleaning business.
Writing a detailed business plan is essential for all new business ventures. Without a plan in place, turning your dream business into a reality can be challenging.
Spending the time creating a business plan will help you to plan your finances, set business goals and figure out the logistics of making your company a success.
Here is a list of information to include in your business plan:
Brief outline of business - Summarise services you will offer
Business goals - Set realistic goals for growth and annual income
Start up costs - List all costs needed to start the roof cleaning business. Cost of work van, cleaning equipment and so on
Target audience - Narrow down your target audience and decide which services best meet their needs
Market research - Research local roof cleaning demand and look at what your competitors are doing
Financial management strategies - Create a plan for managing business finances going forward
Marketing strategies - Create a plan to successfully market your roof cleaning services
Work schedule - Decide on your working hours and create a work schedule
Try not to feel overwhelmed about writing a business plan. Having everything written down and carefully planned out first is the key to your future business success!
You can read our expert guide for more advice on writing a business plan. Alternatively, download our free business plan template below:
Step-by-step guide to starting a roof cleaning business
You have your business name and created your business plan - now what? Once these initial planning stages are complete, it is time to set up your roof cleaning business.
We are here to make this next stage as simple as possible. If you have no idea where to start, we've got you covered.
Step 1 - Register your business
As soon as you have your company name and business plan sorted, you need to register your roof cleaning company with HMRC.
You will need to decide whether you are registering as a sole trader or limited company. Take some time to research both options as sole traders and limited companies have different tax obligations and legal protection.
To register your roof cleaning business, follow the steps outlined on the HMRC website.
Step 2 - Purchase tools and equipment
Roof cleaners use various cleaning systems and products to efficiently remove moss, algae and dirt from a property. As a professional roof cleaner, you will need to have your own supply of equipment.
Here is a list of equipment you will need to invest in before starting your business:
Power washer
Low pressure soft wash system
Moss remover solution
Algae treatments
Biodegradable detergents
Chemical cleaning solutions
Roof ladder
Extendable brushes
Scraper tools
Hard hat
Protective gloves
Respirator / dust mask
Safety googles
High visibility vest
Non-slip work boots
Hose
Van / truck to transport equipment
Depending on where you are working, you may also need a water tank or power generator. This equipment will only be needed if you are cleaning a building without a working water or power supply.
As we mentioned earlier, not all roof cleaners offer power washing services. Refer to your business plan and only purchase the tools you need.
Checkatrade members can often enjoy savings on equipment, thanks to our partnerships with places like Tradepoint, Selco and Wickes.
Get business essentials for less with a TradePro membership from Wickes
The tools of your trade, and the materials you use, are key to carrying out the best work. As a tradesperson striving for the best standards, you can now save even more as a Checkatrade member. When you become a tradesperson, the ultimate goal is to get more business. Whatever your profession, you
Step 3 - Get insurance
Don't skip this step!
Insuring your roof cleaning business is essential. Without the correct insurance, you may face expensive problems in the future.
Roof cleaning can be dangerous and investing in insurance is the only way to protect your business should anything go wrong while you're out working on a job.
Make sure your business is protected in the event of an accident or damage by getting public liability insurance. You will also need employer's liability insurance if you are planning to hire employees.
Roof cleaners also typically take out insurance to protect their tools, equipment and work vehicles.
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Step 4 - Arrange accounting
Knowing how to manage your finances is essential if you want your roof cleaning business to be a success. Bookkeeping isn't for everyone and many business owners choose to hire a professional.
Finding a reputable accountant can feel like a daunting task. If you are new to the world of business finances, read our expert article full of useful advice on how to find an accountant.
Step 5 - Market your business
Your business is now registered and insured. You have your tools, work van and have your accounting covered - what now? The final stage to setting up a roof cleaning business is marketing.
You've worked hard to set everything up, now it is time to attract the attention of your future customers.
When it comes to marketing, business owners generally use 3 methods:
Traditional marketing - printed advertisements in local papers, flyers, community notice boards
Digital marketing - social media, online advertisements, optimising their website for search engine visibility
Word of mouth - provide a high quality service or promotional offers to get local customers talking and hiring your business
There is often a small degree of trial and error when it comes to promoting a new business. Certain marketing strategies work well for some companies and produce poor results for others.
Remember, you are your own boss and you can choose how you want to market your business. You can try a three-pronged approach or focus all of your efforts into one marketing method.
Grow your business with Checkatrade
Does the prospect of marketing your own business feel overwhelming? Getting your business seen can be difficult but that's where we can help.
We can help your new business find more cleaning leads to really get you started. As a Checkatrade member, we'll also help you out with exclusive offers and discounts too!
Our fixed term membership plans give you an easier way to help manage marketing spend for a set volume of leads.
You can can enjoy the following marketing benefits as a Checkatrade approved business:
A unique business profile, including reviews and testimonials from your customers
Your profile will help you be listed on Google
An online space to show off examples of your work
By becoming a Checkatrade member, you will get more eyes on your business. Thanks to our digital marketing strategy, thousands of homeowners are finding reliable tradespeople like you in our leading online trade directory.
Our fixed membership option lets you build the plan that’s perfect for you and your business needs.
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FAQs
How much does it cost to start a roof cleaning business?
There are several costs to consider when setting up a roof cleaning business.
When creating your business plan, it is important to research current costs for the following:
Limited company registration fee with Companies House
Insurance cover
Equipment / tools
Business van
Vehicle insurance
Marketing and advertising
Business costs - admin, accounting, payroll
Once you have all of these figures, you can work out an estimated start up cost for your roof cleaning business. To reduce initial costs, you can choose to only offer one type of cleaning service until you are able to invest in more equipment.
Is it ok to pressure wash a roof?
Pressure washing is an efficient way to clean a roof. The use of high pressure water can quickly clear away moss, algae and a buildup of debris.
Homeowners put their safety at risk when power washing their property roof and DIY attempts are best avoided. This cleaning method can also cause damage to a roof's tiles.
Professional roof cleaners have the skills and equipment needed to safely use a power washer. An expert tradesperson will know how to avoid damage to roof tiles, while also successfully removing dirt from the surface.
Due to the risks involved, many homeowners choose to hire a professional roof cleaner to power wash their roof.
Grow your cleaning business with Checkatrade
Become a member and get more eyes on your work
* Internal search data from users of the Checkatrade.com website between 1st January and 31st December 2024
