Starting a residential cleaning business can be an inexpensive way to become a successful entrepreneur. Plus, it can be very lucrative too. There will always be homes that need cleaning, and it’s a job people are eager to handoff. You just need the right strategies and the right checklist to get started. So, we looked to the experts.
Do your research
Choose a value proposition and your name
Get a business license
Purchase insurance
Build your brand
Do the cleaning yourself
Build your service list and pricing
Purchase your equipment
Market your cleaning business
Perfect and customize your client experience
A lot of the work you’ll put into your business happens right at the start. Do your research and educate yourself on how to clean properly and how to avoid cross-contamination from one client’s home to the next.
“Do your research on cleaning chemicals, find out what can affect what, what’s going to hurt surfaces, and what’s safe to use. Get that education before you even start cleaning anyone’s home,” Grace tells us. The AHCA offers useful cleaning certification courses to help get going. But money is often tight for an entrepreneur just starting out. There are other helpful resources you can use to get educated on the basics of cleaning. Grace tells us to take advantage of free resources online. “When I started my Starting a cleaning business I couldn’t find anything YouTube. Now there’s a ton of stuff, which is great. That’s a huge part of starting your business in the beginning, and it costs nothing to educate yourself.”
Your value proposition is the heart and soul of your business. It helps you target the right customers and stand out in a crowded market. Getting your company values on paper will help you communicate to your customers what they can expect from your business.The Reynolds like to think of this as carving out your niche. “Niching out is one of the best things you can do for your business. Look at your community and pinpoint it’s needs.”
“Having a niche also keeps you focused on what you’re getting good at, because different types of cleaning require different types of skill and different types of your mindset about how to get the job done the quickest,” Grace explains.Your niche could be clients who work night shifts or untraditional hours like first responders, doctors, and nurses.
Even if you don’t define a specific niche, you still have to differentiate your business and what you offer.Once you know what your business values are, you’re in a good position to come up with a business name. You might choose a name that plays off your values (e.g., incorporating the word ‘green’ or ‘speedy’ to go with your time guarantee), or you may choose to let your creative side come up with something catchy.
Use our guide for how to choose a name for your cleaning business, complete with real business name examples for residential and commercial cleaning businesses just getting started.You’ve got your name and you know what you want to offer your market. Now you’re ready to start running your business legally.
First, decide what your business structure is. If you’re in the U.S. and you want complete control over your business, you might want to register as a sole proprietorship. If you’re opening your cleaning business with two or more people, you’ll have to register as a partnership. A limited liability company (LLC) is best for medium or higher-risk businesses. Learn more about business structure.
According to Fortune Business Insights™, the global household cleaning products market size was USD 163,981 million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 312,493 million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.97% during the forecast period.
