How to Start a Cleaning Business in 2025 — Complete, Step-by-Step Guide
Introduction
Thinking about starting a cleaning business in 2025? You’re not alone. The residential and commercial cleaning industry continues to grow, driven by busy households, short-term rental properties like Airbnb, and businesses that need reliable janitorial services. The best part? A cleaning business is one of the most affordable service businesses to start. With the right setup, you can launch quickly, build steady income, and expand into a profitable company.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need: costs, licenses, pricing, marketing, and the exact systems to run your cleaning business efficiently. At the end, you’ll find a free printable startup checklist to keep you organized.
Step 1:
Research the Cleaning Industry
Before you dive in, decide what type of cleaning business you want to run. Each niche has its own clients, pricing models, and growth opportunities.
Residential Cleaning – Regular house cleaning, deep cleans, move-in/move-out cleaning.
Commercial Cleaning – Offices, warehouses, retail shops.
Specialized Cleaning – Post-construction cleaning, eco-friendly cleaning, Airbnb/short-term rental turnovers.
Step 2: Calculate Your Startup Costs
One of the biggest questions new entrepreneurs have when researching this field is: “How much does it cost to start a cleaning business?”
On average, startup costs in 2025 range from $2,000–$10,000, depending on your services, scale and your desired starting size.
Typical expenses include:
Cleaning supplies & equipment ($500–$2,000)
Business license & permits ($100–$1,000 depending on location)
Insurance & bonding ($500–$2,000/year)
Marketing materials & website ($500–$3,000)
Software (scheduling, invoicing) ($30–$100/month)
💡 Download our free Cleaning Business Startup Budget Template to calculate your exact numbers.
(This is a great place to capture emails — attach your template as a lead magnet.)
Step 3: Register Your Business & Get Licenses
Every cleaning business needs to be legally registered.
Business Registration: Choose sole proprietorship, partnership, or incorporation.
Licensing: Most municipalities require a local business license. For example, in Vancouver, you need a business license from the city before taking clients.
Insurance: General liability insurance is a must to protect against damages. Many clients also require bonding for trust.
👉 Future post link: Do You Need Insurance to Start a Cleaning Business?
Step 4: Choose Your Services & Pricing Model
How you price your services determines your profits and how attractive you are to clients.
Pricing models:
Hourly rate: $30–$60/hour for residential cleaning.
Flat rate: Popular for standard packages like “2-bedroom deep clean.”
Recurring contracts: Discounted rates for weekly/bi-weekly clients.
Bundle services into easy-to-understand packages (e.g., Standard Clean, Deep Clean, Move-Out Clean).
👉 Future post link: How Much Does It Cost to Start a Cleaning Business?
Step 5: Get the Right Tools & Software
Running a cleaning business in 2025 means more than just mops and vacuums.
Essentials:
Microfiber cloths, HEPA vacuums, eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
A reliable vehicle for transporting supplies.
Recommended software:
GorillaDesk – scheduling, invoicing, quoting, billing, and more.
Jobber – scheduling, invoicing, quoting.
ZenMaid – maid service automation.
QuickBooks – bookkeeping.
👉 These tools will save you hours and make your business look and operate professionally.
Step 6: Branding & Website Setup
Your brand is what sets you apart from the dozens of other cleaning companies in your area.
Name & Logo: Keep it simple, memorable, and trustworthy.
Website: A professional website is non-negotiable. Most clients will check your site before hiring you.
SEO Optimization: Use location-based keywords like “house cleaning in Surrey” or “Maple Ridge cleaning services.”
💡 At River Design, we specialize in helping new cleaning businesses build websites that rank locally and convert visitors into clients. A strong brand + optimized website = steady bookings.
Step 7: Marketing & Getting Your First Clients
Getting your first clients doesn’t have to be expensive.
The best strategies in 2025:
Google Business Profile (GBP): Set this up immediately — it’s how you’ll show up on Google Maps.
Local SEO: Optimize your site for “cleaning services near me” searches.
Referrals: Offer discounts for client referrals.
Partnerships: Connect with realtors, property managers, city directories and events, and Airbnb hosts.
👉 Future post link: How to Get Your First 50 Cleaning Clients (Without Paid Ads).
Step 8: Hiring & Growing Your Team
Once you’re consistently booking jobs, it’s time to expand.
Start with part-time cleaners and grow as demand increases.
Use training checklists to ensure consistent quality.
Offer uniforms and branded vehicles to boost trust.
Step 9: Systems & Scaling
Scaling means working on your business, not just in it.
Finding ways to better automate your systems like automating scheduling, reminders, and payments.
Collect client reviews systematically to boost your reviews, not just on Google, but on Yelp, Facebook, TrustIndex, TrustPilot and more!
Expand into commercial contracts or nearby cities.
The more processes you document, the easier it is to grow.
Free Printable Cleaning Business Startup Checklist
📥 Download the free step-by-step checklist to keep your startup on track. Print it, tick off each step, and use it as your roadmap.
FAQs
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Startup costs range from $2,000–$10,000 depending on services, location, and scale.
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Yes. Most municipalities require a business license, plus liability insurance and bonding for client trust.
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With low overhead and recurring clients, many new businesses see profit within 3–6 months.
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GorillaDesk, ZenMaid, ServiceFusion, Jobber, and QuickBooks are popular choices for scheduling, invoicing, bookkeeping and more.
Conclusion
Starting a cleaning business in 2025 is one of the smartest, most accessible entrepreneurial paths. With low startup costs, high demand, and endless growth opportunities, you can be your own boss and build a profitable company if you follow the right steps.
✅ Do your research, budget properly, register legally, set up your brand, and market aggressively.
👉 Need a professional website and branding that gets clients fast? River Design helps new cleaning companies stand out online.
