You've just finished a deep clean. The floors shine, the kitchen gleams, and the client's already asking you back. That’s the beauty of running your own cleaning business. You get steady work, repeat bookings, and the freedom to grow how you want.
The cleaning industry is competitive, but it's full of opportunity. According to the British Cleaning Council, 44% of UK cleaning businesses launched in 2017 were still active five years later. That tells you one thing: success takes more than elbow grease. You need to set things up right from day one.
We'll show you how to start a cleaning business from scratch, the services most in demand, and the tools that make scheduling, invoicing, and customer management simple.
Why Start a Cleaning Business Now?
If you’re ready to graft, the cleaning industry offers real chances to build something solid:
- Strong demand - People are actively looking for domestic and commercial cleaning services. Landlords, offices, and busy households all need regular help—and post-COVID hygiene standards haven’t gone anywhere.
- Low start-up costs - With £500–£1,500 in supplies, you can launch your own cleaning business. You don’t need formal qualifications, though training adds polish and helps you stand out.
- Flexible setup - Go solo with residential jobs or build a full cleaning company. You can start small and scale as demand grows.
- Room to specialise - Carpet cleaning, oven cleaning, or window cleaning pays better and faces less competition. Franchise routes are out there, too, but keeping it independent often means more control and better profit.
Breaking Down Startup Costs for Different Cleaning Services
What you spend upfront depends on what kind of cleaning services you’re offering, and who you’re aiming to work with. Here’s a rough breakdown:
Starting costs include:
- Equipment
- Supplies
- Insurance
- Marketing budget
Most new cleaning businesses start with domestic work to keep costs down. Once income’s steady, you can invest in gear for higher-paying jobs like oven or carpet cleaning. The right approach? Start small, reinvest profits, and only scale when the numbers make sense.
Pick the Right Cleaning Services for Your Target Market
Go where the demand meets your budget and skills:
Residential Cleaning
Domestic jobs bring steady income and loyal customers. Homeowners and landlords love a reliable cleaner. This one's low-cost to start, easy repeat work, and builds your base fast.
Office and Commercial Cleaning
Offices, shops, and public buildings that want regular cleans without daytime disruption are more lucrative. Out-of-hours contracts mean higher rates, but you need better gear and sometimes extra help. It’s a step up once you’ve proven your systems.
Specialist Services
Services like carpet cleaning, oven cleaning, and deep cleaning pay more but need training and gear. They’re great add-ons for existing clients and can grow your earnings without chasing new customers.
Creating a Business Plan That Works
A successful cleaning business makes up for lost time. If you want a steady income and room to grow, you need a proper plan. Even if you're beginning a solo venture, getting organised early saves a lot of stress later.
Here are a few ways to lay the groundwork for a sustainable business in your local area:
Experience Smarter Field Service Management
Ready to see how Intrflex can transform your workflow? Book a free demo and discover how easy it is to manage jobs, teams, and tasks from a single powerful platform.
Book a demo1. Do your market research
Check who’s cleaning what and where. Look at pricing, competition, and gaps in your area. Put boots on the ground and talk to homeowners, landlords, and business owners about what they actually need. This gives you a clear picture of the demand before you dive in.
2. Set clear pricing
Decide if you’ll charge per hour, per job, or offer flat rates. Residential cleaning might run £12–£25/hour, while office or deep cleaning services often go higher.
Don't forget to factor in travel, supplies, and time on site so your prices support long-term sustainability.
3. List your running costs
Your detailed business plan should include gear, supplies, vehicle expenses, and insurance. These costs add up. Even simple things like utility bills or small software subscriptions drive your figures up. Planning them avoids surprises and protects profit.
4. Build a simple marketing plan
Word of mouth still works, but you’ll also need a website, some flyers, and local ads. Social media and joining community groups help build trust and reach interested clients. Budget £200–£500 to get started.
This setup doesn’t need to be fancy. But without it, costs creep up, jobs fall through the cracks, and growth stalls before it gets substantial.
Registering and Structuring Your Cleaning Business
Legal setup matters less than service quality initially, but sort this properly to avoid problems later:
Business Structure Options
When you start a cleaning business, you’ll need to pick a structure that suits your goals. There’s no one right answer. You need to go with what works best for how you plan to run and grow the business.
Sole Trader
Simple to start, quick to register, and ideal if you're testing the waters. You keep all profits, but you're personally liable for any business debts. Great for getting your cleaning venture off the ground with minimal fuss.
Limited Company
Takes more admin but adds professionalism and financial protection. Costs around £12–£40 to register with Companies House. Many commercial clients prefer working with limited companies, especially for substantial contracts.
Registering Your Business Name
Pick a name that clearly shows what you do. Keep it simple and easy to remember. You want something that helps potential clients trust you straight away.
Before printing flyers or building a website, check the name’s availability and that it is not already in use. Then register it with HMRC or Companies House, depending on your structure.
Insurance and Local Regulations
Covering your back from day one is part of running a proper business. Clients expect it—and so do the law and your bank balance if things go sideways.
Public Liability Insurance
This one’s non-negotiable. It protects you if someone’s hurt or property gets damaged during a job. Expect to pay £150–£400 a year for £2 million in cover. Most potential clients won’t touch a cleaning company without it.
Local Regulations
If you're handling waste, especially from commercial sites, you might need a waste carrier licence. Some areas also regulate certain chemicals. Check with your local council so you’re not hit with fines or delays later.
Building a Reliable Customer Base
Your first clients will shape how fast your cleaning business grows, and whether it lasts. Focus on trust, word of mouth, and building steady work from day one.
Here's how to advertise your cleaning business:
- Tap into your circle – Friends, family, neighbours, and community groups are great for those first jobs. They’ll vouch for your work and leave early reviews.
- Ask for feedback – Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on Google, Facebook, and cleaning directories. It builds credibility fast.
- Get your name out locally – Drop flyers in letterboxes, post in local Facebook groups, and talk to people in your area. This is a low-cost tactic with high impact.
- Offer referral discounts – £10–£20 off for each new client a customer brings. This keeps your pipeline full without spending on ads.
These early efforts create a solid base that brings in work.
Running Operations Smoothly
Once the jobs start rolling in, you need systems that keep things ticking over without stress. That’s what separates a busy cleaner from a successful cleaning business.
Equipment and Supplies
Don’t skimp on gear. A £200 vacuum that lasts years beats a £50 one that dies in six months. Invest in a durable kit and stock up on the right supplies, especially eco-friendly ones if your local area leans that way. Sustainability matters to a growing number of customers.
Invoicing and Payments
Professional-looking invoices speed up payments and show you mean business. Use cleaning management software to send them automatically, track who’s paid, and chase slow ones without hassle.
Scheduling Jobs
Split your day smartly. You can schedule mornings for residential and evenings for commercial. That way, you get more done with less driving. Software keeps your calendar straight and avoids missed bookings.
Manage Jobs Better With Cleaning Management Software
When you’re running a growing cleaning business, the admin can pile up fast. Missed jobs, late invoices, lost details—it adds stress and costs you money.
Intrflex's cleaning management software keeps everything sorted in one place.
- Track jobs and staff in real time – Know who’s where, what’s due, and what’s running late.
- Automate reminders and invoices – No more chasing clients or forgetting repeat bookings.
- Keep customer info in one place – Service history, preferences, feedback—it’s all there when you need it.
Intrflex is built for cleaning businesses. It has just the tools you need to keep jobs moving and the business growing.
Turning One-Off Cleaning Jobs Into Ongoing Contracts
Running a cleaning business is about building a setup that works every day. With the right structure, reliable service, and tools that cut the admin, you can turn one-off jobs into steady contracts and a successful cleaning business that lasts.
Want to see how Intrflex makes cleaning admin easier? Book a free demo.
Carpet cleaning – £50–£150 per job, but equipment costs £2,500–£6,000.
Oven cleaning – £40–£90 per job, with startup costs under £2,000.
Once your core cleaning business is steady, these add-ons increase profitability and help you stand out.
