How to start a home cleaning business

Whether you are looking for a flexible career or aiming to build a thriving business, the demand for domestic cleaning services remains high. With careful research and planning, you can start a business that meets the needs of your clients and delivers professional growth for yourself.

Continue reading our article to understand the essential steps to become a home cleaner, from setting your prices to marketing your services.

How to start a home cleaning business

1. Research your market 

Before launching your home cleaning business, it is important to understand your local market. Begin by identifying your target audience – will you be aiming to clean for families, professionals, or landlords? Or will you be providing domestic cleaning services across the market? Researching your competitors to uncover the types of services they offer can help you to decide on a unique selling point for your own cleaning business and will inform you if there is a big enough market for your services.

2. Choose a business name and business structure

Deciding on a memorable and professional business name can help your new cleaning business to stand out, especially if it is unique and personal. You can use GOV.UK’s Company name availability checker to check that your chosen name has not already been registered. Choose your business structure, whether you will operate as a sole trader, partnership, or limited company, as each structure has its own legal and tax implications.

If you choose to set up a private limited company, register your new company name and business with Companies House: our straightforward guide outlines the steps here.

3. Invest in equipment

Becoming a home cleaner will most likely require you to secure your own reliable tools and supplies. An article from Checkatrade suggests that you will require the following basics to start a home cleaning business:

• A high-quality vacuum cleaner
• Mop and bucket
• Cleaning products, such as glass cleaner and floor cleaner
• Cloths

4. Create a business plan

Writing up a business plan helps to map out your business and plan what you hope your business will achieve. A detailed plan should include; an executive summary, company overview, market research, management and organisation, products and services, marketing plan, operations and logistics, and a financial plan. Sage shares how creating a business plan can be useful as it helps you to focus your thinking and build your company systematically.

For an in-depth explanation of how to write a business plan, visit our dedicated guide.

5. Decide on your prices

To decide how much to charge for your cleaning services, research what similar businesses in your area are charging for their services by searching on their websites or customer forums, or by asking for a quote as if you were a potential customer. Factoring in your running costs, such as supplies, travel, and time, is also essential to ensure you are covering your costs so that you can make a profit whilst also remaining competitive in your marketplace. Learning how to price your cleaning services will help you to easily estimate job quotes or provide customers with an upfront price list.

6. Consider insurance

To help protect both your cleaning business and your customers in case of accidents or damage, you may want to consider your insurance needs. Cleaning business insurance can include public liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance, occupational personal accident insurance, and, if you have any employees, employers’ liability insurance. Securing these covers can safeguard your business and allow you to concentrate on providing your services.

Markel Direct offer specialist insurance for cleaners from £7 a month*.

*Price based on a cleaner requiring £1 million of public liability insurance.

7. Set up accounting

Setting up a separate business bank account for your cleaning business can help you to look more credible, provide you with the opportunity to apply for business loans and credit, and can allow you to enjoy added rewards and features. Utilising accounting software can also help you to track your income and expenses for any VAT or business requirements. If you are unsure about managing your own bookkeeping, you can consult an accountant for assistance as keeping accurate records is essential for tax purposes.

8. Market your business

To work on attracting cleaning contracts and clients for your new venture, create a marketing strategy that fits within your budget outlined in your business plan. This strategy could include setting up a dedicated website, listing on job sites, or building a presence on social media. Once you have successfully secured customers, encourage them to leave reviews if they are satisfied with your work to help build your online presence and benefit from word-of-mouth marketing.

9. Hire employees and grow your business

As your business grows and you secure a customer base, you may require additional staff to service a higher demand. Develop a reliable recruitment and training process to help make the process straightforward for hiring new employees and maintaining your service standards. Invest in ongoing staff training to help your employees develop and, if you feel confident enough to do so, you can consider increasing the services you offer once you have confidently grown your business. 

Find more assistance about identifying when you may need to hire your first employee, here. 

How much does it cost to start a home cleaning business? 

The cost to start a home cleaning business in the UK will depend on the cost of your supplies, equipment, marketing, insurance, and whether you have any employees. Start Up Loans shares that setting up a home cleaning service typically requires minimal investment, especially if you are able to use a client’s cleaning products and equipment.

Discover more help and guidance for small businesses, here, or read about our small business insurance solutions.

Please note: This article provides guidance for information purposes only. It should not be relied upon wholly when making or taking important business decisions – always seek the services of an appropriately qualified professional. The views expressed by websites referenced to are limited to those of the websites, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Markel Direct. Markel Direct is not affiliated with any of the brands, companies or websites mentioned in this article.