Do you like cleaning? Then, it’s time to get into the booming UK cleaning market.
Starting a cleaning business means tapping into the UK’s £9 billion cleaning industry, of which the household sector makes over £3 billion annually.
More companies are outsourcing their cleaning and busy homeowners are using domestic cleaning services to do the household chores.
Who in the UK will use your cleaning services?
According to recent statistics, more than a million more people in the UK use cleaning services in their homes than a decade ago.
A quarter of UK households pay for cleaning services because they don’t like doing it themselves and 12% of households hire a cleaner.
People who want to start their own business and don’t mind putting in some hard graft often choose the cleaning industry. Starting a cleaning business can get you a boss for minimal start-up costs. But the hours may be long, and the work can be physically demanding. Making a space clean and tidy is one of the most rewarding things you can do on your business premises.
Why start a cleaning business in the UK
There are many benefits to starting a cleaning business that will boost your business and profits in no time.
Start-up costs are very low. Cleaning businesses can be started with very little capital. Some cheap cleaning products and a will to succeed are all you need to get going!
You can work from home and run your business from the comfort of your home; no office, shop floor, or warehouse is needed.
Start yourself
You can work for yourself. By starting your business, you will be working for no one but yourself. You can choose the cleaning work you want, set your hours and manage your expenses.
No business experience is necessary, and no specific education or licenses are required to start a cleaning business. You need to work hard, be determined and have the will to succeed.
So, is cleaning the business for you?
You must assess yourself to see if you can start your own cleaning business. Anyone with enough motivation can start a cleaning business, but several qualities and skills can set you apart from the competition. Cleaning qualifications are not required, but it would be good to show some skills.
Desire for Perfection
Cleaning suits people with an eye for detail and the will to finish a job properly.
Business minded
Cleaning will be rewarding if you like sorting, cleaning, and rearranging. Your domestic cleaning business will flourish as a result.
Endurance
Cleaning is a physically demanding job (e.g. commercial cleaners or carpet cleaners), so you and your staff must be fit and able to keep up the pace.
Solo worker
Initially, you will be the only employee or the only person in your business, and you’ll probably be cleaning when potential customers are out. You will be your own boss.
Being reliable
You’ll be spending long periods in someone’s home or workplace, so they must feel comfortable giving you access to their belongings and house keys.
Being nice
Being likeable and friendly is important since unhappy or rude customers are less likely to recommend you or use your services again.
Administrative skills
These skills are important since being self-employed means you’ll regularly deal with taxes, salaries, invoicing, and other financial matters.
Creativity
Creativity will help you develop a marketing strategy for your business. Creative marketing can help you promote your business and make it more memorable.
What type of cleaning business to start?
Your first decision is to decide what cleaning business you want to start before you begin. There are a few types of cleaning businesses you may want to consider.
Commercial cleaning business
Cleaning services for business premises, sometimes called cleaning companies.
Domestic cleaning business
Private homes or residential flats are typical for this type of business, called domestic cleaning.
Specialised cleaning
This type of business caters for special services like dry cleaning.
Qualifications and skills to start a cleaning business
Anyone with motivation and who likes physical and repetitive work would do well running a residential cleaning business or a company of domestic cleaners.
Clients expect spotless results, so you must be meticulous and driven to keep things clean.
Cleaning staff are required for commercial work, but you’ll work alone and probably at odd hours when you start.
Research the cleaning market.
Hundreds of small cleaning businesses are fighting for customers in the cleaning industry.
To make your cleaning business stand out, you’ll need to research the industry to learn about potential clients, current competitors, sources of specialist equipment, cleaning products, safety measures, toxic chemicals, and the prices being paid for the services you want to offer.
Knowing how much to charge and public liability insurance is important when starting a domestic cleaning service.
Domestic specialist cleaners charge by the hour.
Research the Market
Call your competitors in the market while pretending to be a potential customer or ask for a domestic cleaner to determine their prices.
Keep your prices the same or slightly lower than your competitors to attract clients or new customers.
If you charge more, emphasize your high-quality service or other benefits.
Don’t forget to mention if your price includes cleaning products or if the customer will provide their own.
In the competitive commercial cleaning market, you’ll compete with other established businesses vying for business.
Calculate your costs based on hours and staff required for each location to stay competitive. You can also look for tender opportunities from local government or businesses.
Create a business plan.
If you have a business plan, your new cleaning venture will have a roadmap to success. Whether you’re starting out as a solo home cleaner or in a domestic cleaning service, clearly understanding your skills and costs, competitors, third-party providers, and marketing strategies will help you get off to the right start.
You’ll need one if you’re looking for investment, as it will help you determine the size and scope of your business, project income and expenses, and more. Once you start trading, you must register your business with HMRC to pay the right taxes and NICs.
There are no ongoing costs to start up. However, all business debts are personally liable to the owner, who is responsible for paying taxes and NICs.
Set up and register your cleaning business.
Although it is simple to start a cleaning business, it still requires a few essential steps. Before you begin, consider your legal obligations or fees to ensure that you remain on the legitimate part of the law.
Set up and register your cleaning business.
Starting a cleaning business is easy, but there are a few essential steps. Before you start, consider your legal obligations or fees to ensure you’re on the right side of the law.
Register as a sole trader or sole proprietor.
You’ll need to register as a sole trader or self-employed and file a self-assessment tax return if you earn over £1,000 from self-employment. If you’re a cleaner who works independently, you must register as a sole trader, not a limited company, as this will be the most tax-efficient option. A limited company (e.g. a carpet cleaning business) would be the best option for a business that employs people. Look into the differences between a limited company and a sole trader.
Professional training
No training is required for a domestic cleaning business, but further training will be needed when opening a specialized and commercial cleaning business.
Get cover through employer’s liability insurance
Insurance to cover you against damage to other people’s property is recommended. You must have liability insurance or be a separate legal entity if you employ staff.
Get a DBS check
To reassure existing customers you’re reliable, get a DBS check for yourself and any staff.
Staff recruitment
Finding staff for a cleaning business is easy. This role requires few qualifications, so it’s open to most people. But it would be best to choose the right staff for your business or specialist cleaning people; otherwise, your reputation, sales and cleaning contracts will suffer.
Since they’ll be working in people’s homes, you must choose people who can be trusted and look good. They must also be tough enough to complete the job on time.
Staff training
Remember you’ll also need to train and teach your new staff, especially domestic cleaners.
You’ll need to decide what to pay your specialist cleaning team. To make a profit, you’ll need to pay less than you charge your customer.
Website for online presence
Any business relies on attracting customers, whether through advertising or recommendations. Whatever the case, having a website is useful for attracting and retaining customers.
One benefit is that it gives you a web presence for your cleaning business. In this digital age, you’re not seen as credible if your business and cleaning products can’t be found online. Existing customers will think you’re still living in the Stone Age.
How to create a website
There are many ways to build a website for your cleaning business, but the most popular option is to use WordPress. WordPress is open-source software that allows you to create a website by uploading content and editing it with a drag-and-drop interface. Many plugins are available to make adding features like an online scheduling tool or payment system easy.
Step-by-step process:
- Buy Hosting
- Buy a domain name (name of your website)
- Create a website or get someone to create it for you
- Do SEO
- Do social media marketing.
Why SEO
SEO is important for all businesses but crucial for cleaning businesses. In the cleaning world, there are many competitors. Your business needs a well-optimised website to stand out and attract potential customers.
To rank high in search results, ensure your site is mobile-friendly and has clear call-to-action buttons that encourage visitors to book an appointment or buy products.
You need to hire an SEO expert to get your website to the first page of Google so people can see and access it.
Start-up costs for a cleaning services business.
The start-up cost of a cleaning business depends on its size and scale, the type of cleaning contract, and the industry it’s in.
The initial cost is minimal if any company uses cleaning supplies for the prospective client.
The only upfront costs are vehicles and petrol, printed posters, a social media presence, and a cheap website to promote your services.
Starting a commercial cleaning business is more expensive as you’ll need to buy industrial equipment, such as carpet cleaning gadgets, commercial cleaning equipment, window cleaning equipment, cleaning products, floor polishers, professional vacuum cleaners, trolleys, and a bigger van.
Approximate Cost
You’ll expect to pay around £5,000 to £20,000.
You’ll also need to pay a cleaning team at least the UK minimum wage and have a bigger marketing budget, which can include paying for trade newspaper advertising.
Scaling your Cleaning business
Growing a business is challenging. To grow a cleaning business, you need to follow specific rules. Make things easy for yourself and be more productive and creative. Make sure your services stand out.
You should start market research and expand your marketing presence to grow your business. This is very important for commercial cleaning. You also have to deliver your services in a way that keeps clients coming back to you and encourages them to do so.
and hire fresh labour when needed. Of course, the goal of growing your business is to grow. If your business outgrows the staff you have, add more staff as required. If not, you’ll be back to step one, as you won’t be able to deliver to your customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the legal requirements for starting a cleaning business in the UK?
To start a cleaning business in the UK, you need to register with HMRC as a sole trader or form a limited company, depending on your business structure. It would be best to have public liability insurance to cover damages or accidents while cleaning. If you plan to employ staff, you need employer liability insurance. If you will be working in schools or care homes, you may need a DBS check. Compliance with health and safety guidelines such as COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) is essential to handling chemicals safely. These steps will give you the legal foundation and protect your business.
How do you price your cleaning services?
Pricing cleaning services involves balancing market rates with profitability. Research local competition to get an idea of the going rate. Will you charge by the hour for flexibility or a flat rate for clarity to the client? Consider your expenses, such as transport, supplies and wages, to ensure your rates cover costs and make a profit. Your pricing should also reflect the service type – more intensive tasks like deep cleaning can justify higher rates. For new businesses, offering slightly lower prices can attract initial clients while still reflecting your time and expertise.
What equipment do you need to start a cleaning business?
Starting a cleaning business requires essential tools such as a good-quality vacuum, mops, buckets, and all-purpose cleaning solutions. It’s also a good idea to stock up on microfibre cloths, sponges, and disposable gloves for various surfaces.
You may need to invest in industrial vacuums or carpet steamers for commercial cleaning. A reliable vehicle is often required for transporting supplies between job sites and will give you more mobility. Safety gear like goggles and masks is also essential when handling certain chemicals. The right equipment will enable you to deliver high-quality service and efficiently manage various cleaning tasks.
Do you need special training or qualifications to run a cleaning business?
While formal qualifications aren’t necessary for domestic cleaning services, training in health and safety is highly recommended. Understanding COSHH regulations will help you manage hazardous substances safely, protecting your clients and yourself. Introductory courses in manual handling and general safety can also reduce the risk of accidents.
Additional training may be required if you plan to offer specialist services like cleaning in medical facilities. Investing in this knowledge will give you credibility with clients and a competitive edge, showing you take your responsibilities seriously.
How do you get clients for a new cleaning business?
To attract clients, focus on a mix of traditional and digital marketing. Distribute flyers and business cards locally and knock on doors. Build an online presence with a website that shows your services, pricing, and contact details.
Use social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to showcase your work with before-and-after photos. Word of mouth is powerful – offering referral discounts can encourage happy clients to spread the word. Partner with local estate agents or businesses to get regular contracts like end-of-tenancy or office cleaning and build a steady client base.
