Setting up a cleaning business has so many advantages. It’s also a service which is very much in demand, which accounts for the rise in self employed cleaners.
A cleaning business can be very profitable when it is marketed well. It is also a great way of fitting in your hours around childcare or school. It is also one of the jobs with relatively low start up costs if you explore the domestic route.
Like with any new business though, it can seem a daunting process. There are many things to consider from insurance to training, rates of pay and the type of cleaning business you wish to pursue.
Our comprehensive guide answers all the questions you might have about your new cleaning venture. Self employment can be rewarding when you have a clear idea of the path you want to take.
Advantages of Setting Up a Cleaning Business
Let’s start with all the positives! There are many advantages of setting up a cleaning business, particularly in terms of how straightforward getting started can be.
Low Start Up Costs
In some businesses, the start up costs can seem huge. But for cleaning enterprises, particularly domestic services, costs are low.
Some businesses need to take out a loan to get their feet off the ground. Effectively, this means you are in debt before you have started which can put pressure on you. A cleaning business can be started low key, with minimal financial help.
It will depend on the clientele you wish to attract of course. Starting off small, on the domestic side of things will keep those costs low. You will only require a small number of products and there will be appliances you already own that will do the job domestically.
Should you wish to start by offering a specialised service then, understandably, the costs to set up will be higher. This is because businesses such as carpet cleaning or commercial cleaning will need more equipment.
Low Overheads
Your expenses once you begin your cleaning business will remain low as well.
You may need to purchase a few pricier pieces of equipment but these will pay for themselves in the long run.
Most cleaners purchase their supplies in bulk which ends up being extremely cost effective. If you start on your own then you do not need to worry about paying staff.
Fits In Around Childcare
Working for yourself is a win win when it comes to fitting in your work hours around your family.
You can decide your hours and your days which means you will always be at the school gates to pick your children up.
You can set up your working hours based on your family’s set of circumstances. This is a great business for single parents too for the same reason.
Be Your Own Boss
Being your own boss has its advantages.
You never need to worry about ringing in sick or asking for time off. Your business, your rules! In a rubbish mood, no worries, pop on your earphones and crack on.
Not feeling 100%? Take an extra tea break during your shift.
Cleaning Is a Growing Market
Should you decide to set up your own cleaning business then you are starting at the right time.
The cleaning market is growing daily and since the pandemic has become a great one to tap into. Everyone needs a clean home or business so this type of business is a pretty safe bet.
Once you find your niche here, you can enjoy fantastic results.
You Do Not Need Many Skills
That’s not to say it’s an easy job because it isn’t. However, it is something you can pursue without many skills.
There are many businesses out there where you need a specific skill set or experience to begin. This isn’t the case for cleaning.
You need to be motivated, determined and physically capable but there are no specific qualifications you require to start.
The Startup Process Is Quick
Once you have decided that cleaning is the field for you, you can be up and running extremely quickly.
This isn’t to say you should rush the process though. There will be a great deal to consider but it is one of the easiest ventures to get off the ground. Once you have got the right insurance and have the gear, you are good to go.
There are not too many businesses in today’s market that are this simple, to begin with.
See our other business start up guides:-
- How to set up a mobile coffee van – guide to starting a high margin business selling coffee and tea.
- Starting a business with no money – How to start working in your own business without any capital to invest.
- Starting a Dog Walking Business – Not sure if cleaning is your vibe? Do you love dogs? This idea could be for you!
What Type of Cleaning Business?
The most important decision you need to make before starting is to settle on the type of cleaning you want to offer.
This is part of your business model and once you have decided on this, the rest of your plan will fall into place. Self employed cleaners can be categorised into three areas: Domestic, Commercial and Specialist Cleaning.
Which one you decide to pursue should be considered carefully. Do some research in your immediate area to see what the demand is, and consider your own skillset.
Domestic Cleaning
Domestic cleaning, as already discussed, is the quickest and cheapest way to get started.
Setting up as a domestic cleaner entails cleaning people’s homes when they are unable to themselves. In this day and age, many families stretch themselves in many different directions day to day.
This can make things like keeping up with housework very tricky. Also, with so much increased activity in the Air BnB industry, cleaners and housekeepers are needed.
As a domestic cleaner, your duties will include:
- Thorough cleaning of the home.
- Vacuuming carpets and furniture.
- Mopping floors.
- Cleaning mirrors.
- Disinfecting the toilet.
- Wiping appliances and counters.
- Dusting and polishing.
Sometimes, domestic cleaners offer additional services such as doing laundry, changing beds and doing the dishes. However, this should be discussed before taking on the client as it will come at a higher rate.
Commercial Cleaning
There is a lot of demand within the commercial cleaning niche. Depending on the size of the business you are trying to get work from, you may be required to submit a tender to provide your services.
So many businesses these days hire cleaners to keep on top of the cleanliness of the workplace. Examples of businesses that hire their own set of cleaners include; schools, offices, retail, offices, and gyms.
As a commercial cleaner, your duties will include:
- Cleaning windows.
- Emptying bins.
- Vacuuming the premises.
- Cleaning counters and desks.
- Mopping hard floors.
- Cleaning the bathrooms.
- Top up paper towels and toilet rolls.
- Disinfecting the toilets.
- Cleaning appliances such as the microwave.
- Cleaning the staff room.
Specialist Cleaning
There is a huge demand for specialist cleaners so it is well worth exploring as an option. This is a much more in depth style of cleaning, some of which will be based outdoors.
This might be worth considering if cleaning house interiors isn’t really your thing. Although the equipment can be more expensive, the rates of pay tend to be higher.
Specialist cleaning duties include:
- Cleaning gutters
- Pressure washing patios and driveways.
- Waxing floors.
- Exterior window washing.
- Thorough deep cleaning.
- Cleaning commercial kitchens.
- Industrial cleaning.
See Also: Cleaning business name ideas – some unique brand ideas to help you get started.
Training & Qualifications
One of the benefits of starting a cleaning business is that you don’t need a lot of training and qualifications to get a start.
For example, domestic cleaners do not require any particular training to become a cleaner in the domestic field. However, there are still courses you can do to support you with running a business.
Starting a Business Course
These can be pursued online at your own pace with a certificate available upon completion. This course helps with the financial side of things, marketing, and coming up with your business plan.
Branching out into either commercial or specialist cleaning may require a bit more on the qualification side of things.
COSHH Courses
If you’re considering a career in specialised cleaning, you will likely come into contact with dangerous chemicals.
Having the appropriate training will allow you to carry out cleaning risk assessments and ensure all health and safety requirements are met.
Some business premises will require you familiarise yourself with any potential dangers from cleaning chemicals. This means you should be aware of training such as COSHH courses.
COSHH stands for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. This training will be essential if you are branching into a more specialised cleaning career. Companies will insist to see your qualifications as part of their ongoing risk assessments.
A COSHH course will train you in all of the relevant legislation you need to be aware of. They help you identify hazardous substances and how to work safely alongside them. You will gain an insight into the dangers of being exposed to hazardous substances. You will also learn about the different symbols of hazardous materials and what they mean.
See Also:
- COSHH Cleaning Guide – an overview of the law, risk assessments and training procedures within the cleaning industry.
- Cleaning Colour Codes – an overview of colour coded cleaning systems and best practise around cross contamination.
How Much to Charge for Cleaning Services
One of the biggest decisions you make as a business owner is deciding how much to charge. This is no different in the cleaning industry.
This involves doing a little market research to see what your competitors are charging. You don’t want to go in too cheap and, equally, charging more may well put clients off. What you charge will depend on the type of cleaning business you intend to run. The more specialised, the more you can charge.
Of course, every business needs to be making a profit to remain sustainable. For this reason, you must work out your estimated outgoings and running costs. Looking at social media sites is a good way to gauge the current climate.
Cleaning Business Set Up & Legal Requirements
There are important aspects of the business you must set up before you start trading.
We provide you with all the information you need concerning business set up and all the legal requirements.
Business Structure
First, you need to decide if your business will be run as a sole trader or as a limited company. This decision will affect how much tax you pay and the implications if you run into trouble. We explain the differences for you below.
- Sole Trader: Being a sole trader gives you complete ownership of your business. You are responsible for all aspects of your business.
- Limited Company: You register as a company via the Companies house for a fee. This means the business takes on its own company identity separate from the owners. It offers protection against personal finances if the business runs into any problems.
Set Up Business Bank Account
It is often easier to set up a separate business bank account when you become self employed.
This keeps your personal finances separate from finances and makes things such as tax returns much easier to complete.
This can be more professional than money coming in and out of your existing account. Should you require a business loan then a business account will be required.
Register as a Business with HMRC
Before you begin your cleaning business, you must register with HMRC.
As a self employed business, you are required to fill in an annual tax return declaring your income. This will determine how much tax, if any, you need to pay.
Completing a tax return isn’t as daunting as it sounds and you can hire an accountant to ease the burden.
Cleaning Business Insurance
An important legal step is to make sure you have the correct business insurance for your cleaning business.
Having the appropriate cleaning business insurance protects your business and is a legal must. The type of insurance you need will depend on the nature of the work and how many staff there will be. You may also need to consider vehicle insurance.
Public Liability Insurance
Public liability insurance is important and is the ultimate protection for your business.
If you work alone then the basic liability insurance will be enough to cover you against injuries or any claims made against you.
Should you take on any employees, you will also need to have employers’ liability insurance to protect the staff too.
Business Indemnity Insurance
Business indemnity insurance protects businesses from claims regarding loss or damages.
In the event of a client seeking compensation from your business, having this insurance will cover you. As you will be working in your client’s home or palace of work, having business indemnity insurance is a must.
Work Vehicle Insurance
It is safe to assume that cleaners will travel to their jobs in a van or a car.
For this reason, work vehicle insurance will be required. This means in the event of an accident, you and your car will be covered.
Motor insurance covers you if a claim is made against an accident that was your fault.
How to Market Your Cleaning Business
Marketing your cleaning business correctly is a must. It also doesn’t have to be difficult. Taking a few simple steps can get the word out there and help you land those first clients.
It is important to be aware of the local businesses around you and how they advertise. Getting your name out there as soon as you can is paramount to starting off successfully.
8 Easy Marketing Tips
- Set up a Facebook page for the business, there are specific tools accessible on their business pages such as adverts and boosting posts.
- Use Instagram for your page. Once you have decided on a unique name for your cleaning business, Instagram can be a great way to build your clientele.
- Create your own website or have someone build it for you. These don’t have to be costly, there are free services available that are quite straightforward.
- Word of mouth. Shout from the rooftops about your new venture – at the shops, with your neighbours, at the Saturday morning football with the child. Word of mouth is so important in the small business world.
- Register your business on Google My Business. Creating a business profile on Google is free and can boost your profile.
- Make some flyers and business cards. Doing a leaflet drop is a great way of getting your name out there. It is relatively cheap too, companies such as Vistaprint always have discounts on their services.
- Create a newspaper advert. This can be a little pricey, especially if you want an eye catching advert but it can be worth doing.
- Run a competition for the first clean. Everyone loves a competition and who wouldn’t want to win a free or discounted one? It can be a great way to get people interested too.
FAQs
Some types of cleaning businesses will require COSHH training as they will be coming into contact with hazardous substances.
Starting up a cleaning business can be very beneficial. Everyone will always need cleaners and it can be a great business for the self employed. Start up costs can be kept to a minimum which makes it fairly low risk too.
