How to Start a Cleaning Business: 15 Steps with Pictures

You can also check out our House Cleaning Kickstart Course which teaches you everything you need to know about starting a residential cleaning business. online is a safety net that protects you, your employees, and your business in case of any accidents, injuries, or damages that may occur while you’re on the job. It’s a crucial investment that can help ensure your commercial cleaning business stays afloat in the face of unexpected challenges.
Part of your research must include reading reviews on Yelp and Google to see what people’s main compliments and complaints are. If customers want more flexible options, you can fill that gap in the market. Be sure to also check with your individual county, city, or local municipality. Requirements can vary and some may need a general business tax, licensing, or other filing requirements for business. The items you need will depend on your business’s specialty, but products most cleaners use include mops, window cleaner, latex gloves, paper towels, brushes and the like. Once you establish your business, you may even be able to buy directly from manufacturers.
This involves standard cleaning tasks and specialized services like sterilization, biohazard disposal, and adherence to strict health codes. The cleaning tasks are relatively standard, but the scale can be significant. Specialized equipment for deep cleaning restaurant equipment can be costly, but most work can be completed with standard cleaning supplies. Vacation rental cleaning services involve preparing holiday homes, Airbnb rentals, or vacation properties for new guests. This includes cleaning all rooms, washing linens, restocking toiletries, and ensuring the property meets the rental company’s or individual owners’ standards. These services often need to be flexible and available for cleaning on short notice, as the property may be booked back-to-back.
Make sure to do your research before scaling up a particular part of your business. For instance, would your existing clients be comfortable with a contractor or employee doing the work, provided your standards of service remained the same? What additional services are they looking for that you may be able to offer by bringing on more staff? Never underestimate the power of client interviews when it comes to research. Your business plan is the master document you refer to when it’s time to make business moves—like reinvesting your retained earnings, or hiring staff.
Various cleaning services include residential, commercial, and specialty cleaning. Residential cleaning involves cleaning homes, apartments, and condos, while commercial cleaning involves cleaning offices, retail spaces, and other business establishments. Specialty cleaning services include carpet cleaning, window cleaning, and post-construction cleaning. Before starting your cleaning business, take a look at the competition. While cleaning companies often have a combination of residential and commercial clients, specializing may give you an edge over the competition. Some industries require cleaners to use specific solutions or equipment that require training.
With the increasing demand for cleaning services, now is the perfect time to launch your Virginia LLC in the cleaning business. Business registration and proper tax documentation are particularly important for cleaning services with corporate clients. Supplies and transportation are the two major expenses of basic cleaning services. Depending on the services you offer, your cleaning expenses will vary from very low for an individual cleaner, to considerably more for a business with a multiperson team and company vehicle. Once you establish a transportation and backup plan, you can start to estimate the other costs of starting up your business. Create a basic service contract that includes pricing for your cleaning services and offers scheduling options, as well as outlines how and when clients should pay you.
Finally, do not miss these ten insightful tips on writing an effective business plan. These pointers could greatly aid you in crafting a business plan that not only impresses potential investors but also provides a clear roadmap for the growth of your cleaning business. For insights and free downloadable business plan templates, read this definitive guide on how to write a business plan. And if your time is limited, read the section of that guide on how to write a one page business plan.
Once those are set, you’re ready to think about your business name and company logo – the core branding elements for your business. To develop your pricing guidelines, consider the profit margin you are trying to achieve. Then consider that when setting your overall prices and core business model. Construction cleanup jobs involve the final cleaning and removal of construction debris from construction sites or newly renovated properties.