How to start a successful house cleaning business in 6 steps

Looking to start a new business with low overhead, minimal operating costs, and reliable demand? A cleaning business might be the perfect choice.

With lower upfront costs compared to other businesses, you can start operating with little capital, as long as you’re willing to work hard for gradual gains. Whether it’s residential cleaning or specialized deep cleaning, there’s a significant market for cleaning services.

No formal training is required, but a strong work ethic and excellent customer service are crucial. Here, we’ll break down the essential steps on how to start a house cleaning business.

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Why Start a House Cleaning Business

Starting a house cleaning business is a smart move for many reasons.

Demand for house cleaning businesses is permanent 

The demand for home cleaning services is consistently high. Everyone wants a pristine, spotless home without lifting a finger. That means you’ll have a steady stream of clients, ensuring a reliable income for your business.

House cleaning businesses help people

Imagine the relief you can bring to people who find cleaning their homes exhausting and time-consuming. By offering your professional cleaning services, you can make their lives a whole lot easier.

Starting up a house cleaning business is relatively inexpensive 

You don’t need a hefty investment to kickstart your house cleaning venture. Start small, work hard, and gradually expand as your reputation grows. With exceptional cleaning skills and top-notch customer service, your client base will skyrocket.

It can be fulfilling

Starting a house cleaning business isn’t just financially rewarding, it’s also personally fulfilling. You’ll have the satisfaction of transforming dirty spaces into sparkling clean sanctuaries.

Plus, you’ll enjoy the flexibility of setting your own schedule.

Take These 6 Simple Steps to Start your own House Cleaning Business

Step 1. Set a budget

Starting a cleaning business requires careful budgeting to cover essential expenses. Two major costs to consider are supplies and transportation.

The amount spent on supplies depends on the services provided and the number of clients.

Supplies

Buying in bulk from retailers like Sam’s Club or Costco can help save money. Some clients may prefer their own products. Registering your house cleaning business gives you access to discounted prices from wholesale vendors.

When deciding which cleaning products to buy, it’s important to consider various factors. You can choose between traditional cleaners like bleach or environmentally friendly and “green” products.

Think about the preferences of your clients and your commitment to eco-friendly practices. This will affect your supplies budget.

Transportation

Transportation is vital for a mobile cleaning business. The responsibility of getting to and from cleaning jobs falls on the cleaner. So, arranging transportation and covering associated costs is crucial.

Depending on the scale of the business, initial startup costs can be relatively low. Reinvesting revenue into supplies, vehicles, or employees is possible as the company expands.

Opening a business bank account

To keep personal and business finances separate, opening a business checking account is recommended. This separation assists with managing revenue, expenses, and filing taxes effectively.

It also helps show the legitimacy of the business when dealing with vendors or clients.

When budgeting, it’s important to also consider things like cleaning equipment and other rentals. But these expenses can be delayed until your business is more established.

Renting specialized machines or cleaning agents for specific tasks can be cost-effective if you already have the necessary skills to use them.

Step 2. Decide on your market

Growing your house cleaning business requires careful consideration of local demand, your personal abilities, and your access to transport. Consider your limitations, like whether you can walk or have access to transportation.

Use this to establish a comfortable commuting radius for your services.

Research, research, research

Do market research focused on that specific area to understand the needs and preferences of potential clients. It’s also essential to do competitor research. Identify gaps in the services offered by existing cleaning businesses in your area.

Step 3. Register your house cleaning business 

Before you start your cleaning company, you need to get it registered. To do that, you’ll need a business license. This license is important because it lets you open a company bank account, apply for loans, and pay your staff. You also have to decide on the right company structure for you.

When it comes to liability and taxes, you can choose between a sole proprietorship or a limited liability corporation (LLC) to get started. Going with an LLC has its perks since it protects you personally if one of your employees gets hurt on a job site.

No matter which structure you go with, make sure to keep your business and personal expenses separate. This way, things stay clear and you avoid any complications down the line.

Step 4. Advertise and market your house cleaning business 

Once you’ve taken care of the necessary permits, licensing, and cleaning supplies for your new cleaning business, it’s time to focus on marketing. This is how you find clients who need your services.

Marketing can be as simple as spreading the word through friends and family or more complex, like placing ads in local newspapers or online platforms.

Different ways to market your business

You can put up fliers in your area to advertise your cleaning services, set up a website or email campaign to reach more people, or explore digital marketing options. Putting up signs on your property or other approved locations can also grab attention.

If you already have a couple of clients, ask them to refer you to others. To encourage more referrals, you can offer coupons or discounts to your existing clients.

Marketing helps you build your customer base and grow your cleaning business. It’s all about getting the word out and making sure people know about the great services you offer.

Step 5. Decide on the software you need to manage your business

When choosing the right software for your house cleaning business, it’s important to consider a few key steps. One great option to consider is Homebase, which offers a suite of features tailored to a house cleaning business’ needs.

Identify your business requirements

Determine what specific tasks and challenges you want the software to help you with. For example, do you need help with scheduling, time tracking, or communication?

Research available options

Look for software solutions that meet your requirements. Explore their features, ease of use, customer reviews, and pricing.

Evaluate compatibility

Ensure that the software is compatible with your devices, such as smartphones or computers, and integrates well with any existing tools or systems you use.

Consider affordability

Compare pricing plans and determine if the software fits within your budget. Look for any hidden costs or additional fees.

Try out demos or free trials

Take advantage of any demos or free trial periods offered by software providers. This allows you to test the software firsthand and see if it meets your needs.

Consider customer support

Check if the software provider offers reliable customer support. This is crucial for addressing any issues or questions that may arise during your usage.

Homebase is a great software choice for your house cleaning business. It offers work scheduling software, tools to track employee work hours, simplified communication, and more.

With its user-friendly interface and positive customer feedback, Homebase can streamline your business operations and help you succeed.

Step 6. Invest your profits back into your house cleaning business to grow 

To grow your cleaning business successfully, it’s important to reinvest your profits back into the company. Instead of keeping all the money for yourself, use it to buy more equipment, hire more staff, and advertise your services.

Remember, if your clients can’t get an appointment when they need you, they might look for another cleaning company that can accommodate them. So, as your client base grows, make sure your business grows too.

Running your cleaning business

Now, let’s talk about running your cleaning business. Using a digital tool like Homebase can make it much easier. With Homebase, you can do all of this:

Schedule your staff

You can easily assign shifts by dragging and dropping or using pre-made templates. Make sure to include all the important details like the location, tasks, and supplies needed for each job.

Train your employees

Hiring and onboarding new cleaners becomes quick and simple with Homebase. You can create custom training courses and even add quizzes to help them remember important information.

Handle paperwork

Instead of dealing with piles of paperwork, you can require your employees to submit all the necessary forms and documents directly through the Homebase app. This way, storing and finding the paperwork for HR and compliance is a breeze.

Get reports

Homebase allows you to receive reports directly from the field. You can customize these reports to track incidents, supply shortages, equipment maintenance, and more.

Manage timesheets and payroll

With Homebase, you can easily track your employees’ work hours when they clock in and out using their mobile phones. You can also export accurate timesheets for payroll.

Plus, you can use Homebase’s GPS time clock to prevent any time theft by ensuring employees are at the job site when they clock in and out.

Communicate effectively

Homebase provides team communication features like an employee directory, group chats, and one-on-one messaging, so you can easily stay in touch with your team. You can also send important notifications directly to their phones.

How to Start a House Cleaning Business FAQ’s 

Q: Do I need a business license for house cleaning?

Yes, in many jurisdictions, you need a business license to operate a house cleaning business. A business license is a legal document that allows you to run your business and ensures that you comply with local regulations. It shows that you’ve met certain requirements and paid the necessary fees.

Having a license helps establish credibility and trust with your clients. It also ensures that you operate your business in a professional and responsible manner. Make sure to check with your local government authorities to determine the specific requirements for your area.

Q: How much does a house cleaning business make?

The income of a house cleaning business can vary depending on things like location, client base, services offered, and pricing. On average, a house cleaning business can make between $20,000 to $50,000 per year. However, some successful businesses can earn more.

The amount you make will also depend on how many clients you have and the number of hours you work. Remember to consider expenses like supplies, transportation, and marketing costs that could impact your earnings.

Q: How do you advertise for a house cleaning business?

There are several effective ways to advertise a house cleaning business. First, create a professional website with information about your services, rates, and contact details. Use social media platforms where you can post pictures and testimonials to attract customers.

Consider  flyers or business cards in your local area, targeting residential neighborhoods. Networking with real estate agents, property managers, and local businesses can lead to referrals.

Online directories and review websites can help increase your visibility too. Lastly, word-of-mouth can be powerful, so provide exceptional service to your existing clients, who can recommend you to others.

Q: How do you get clients for house cleaning business?

There are lots of strategies you can use to get clients for a house cleaning business.  Firstly, word-of-mouth is powerful, so inform your family, friends, and neighbors about your services and ask for referrals.

Create a professional website and utilize social media platforms to showcase your work and engage with potential clients. Consider joining local community groups or organizations where you can network and build connections. Offering special promotions or discounts for first-time customers can attract new clients.

Also, attending local events or trade shows related to home services can provide opportunities to meet potential clients face-to-face. Lastly, providing exceptional service and asking satisfied clients for reviews and testimonials can help generate more business.also help attract new customers.

Q: How do you grow your house cleaning business? 

Grow your house cleaning business first by focusing on delivering exceptional service to existing clients. Satisfied customers are more likely to recommend your services to others. Use online platforms and social media to promote your business and attract new clients.

Consider offering additional services or expanding your service offerings to cater to different customer needs. Networking with real estate agents, property managers, and local businesses can lead to valuable partnerships and referrals.

Invest in targeted ads, such as online ads or direct mail campaigns, to reach a wider audience. Lastly, consistently seek feedback from clients and use it to improve your services and customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Starting a house cleaning business can be a lucrative and fulfilling business pursuit. With a steady demand for cleaning services and relatively low startup costs, it presents an excellent opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs.

By following the essential steps outlined in our guide, you can establish a successful cleaning business.

Leveraging digital tools like Homebase can streamline your house cleaning business operations, improve communication, and enhance efficiency, too. With its user-friendly interface and positive customer feedback, Homebase can contribute help your business grow.

One easy app to manage your hourly team.

Get your team in sync with our easy-to-use, all-in-one employee app.

> Get started for free with Homebase