Strategy, Legal & Operations

How to start a cleaning business in the UK

Got a knack for neatness? Starting a cleaning business could be a great way to make a living. Learn how to start and run your own company.

Published 5 August, 20268 min read Share

Starting a cleaning business in the UK typically involves registering as a sole trader or limited company, sourcing basic equipment, finding your first clients, and setting your pricing.  

If you enjoy making spaces clean and tidy, starting a cleaning business could be a great way to make a living—and the barriers to entry are lower than you might think. In fact, most people can get started for under £5,000. 

The prospects are good, too. Demand for cleaning services has risen steadily in recent years, driven by organisations outsourcing work that was previously done in-house and a growing trend among younger people hiring residential cleaners. Most of the 21,000 cleaning businesses in the UK employ ten people or fewer, and the majority are based in London and the South East. 

If your interest is piqued, we can help you learn everything you need to know about how to start a cleaning business in the UK.

Key takeaways

• Cleaning is one of the cheapest businesses to start in the UK — most people get going for under £5,000, and that drops sharply if you skip the van or work with clients who supply their own equipment.
• No formal qualifications are required, but training pays for itself — knowing which chemicals suit which surfaces matters, and a BICSc certificate typically costs under £100 while signalling professionalism to clients.
• A self-employed cleaner typically earns £20,000–£35,000 a year, and solo operators are capped by their own hours — hiring staff is usually the trigger for meaningful growth, with commercial contracts larger and steadier than residential work.
• Public liability insurance is the one non-negotiable — policies start from around £100 a year, and employers’ liability cover becomes a legal requirement the moment you hire.
• Most start as sole traders and incorporate later — a limited company can be more tax-efficient and offers greater personal protection once earnings grow, which is a conversation worth having with an accountant.

Here’s what we cover:

Dreaming of bossing your own business? Take our quiz to see how ready you are to take the plunge

What are the benefits of starting a cleaning business in the UK

Starting a cleaning business in the UK offers a flexible, accessible, and low-cost route to self-employment with genuine potential to grow. The barriers to entry are low, the demand is steady, and the business model can be shaped around your lifestyle, whether you want to stay small or scale up. 

The work is physical, and clients can occasionally be demanding, but the rewards are real. Here’s a closer look at the main benefits of starting a cleaning business:

Flexible career path

Starting a cleaning business affords you a lot of flexibility: 

• Build a ‘lifestyle business’ that lets you earn an income and fits around your life.
• Offer specialist services such as gutter cleaning, carpet cleaning, or mattress cleaning.
• Build up a company, hire people, and launch your own cleaning empire. 
• Join a franchise for more support. 

Potential for profit

You can certainly make a decent living running a small cleaning business. 

However, unless you can offer very specialised services, you’d normally need to scale the business if you want to start earning more. 

With a few years’ experience, employees, and some bigger contracts, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect a turnover of £1m or more.

Low barriers to entry

There are almost no barriers to entry when running a residential cleaning business. 

No specialised skills are required, so most people with determination and the right attitude can get ahead. 

Do you need qualifications to start a cleaning business?

No formal qualifications are necessary to start a cleaning business in the UK. However, some training can give you a genuine edge, particularly if you want to offer specialist services or work in commercial environments. 

It’s worth knowing which chemicals to use on which surfaces, how to clean electronics safely, and how to protect your skin and hair from prolonged chemical exposure. And in specialist niches like industrial cleaning or chemical spill removal, professional qualifications may be required. 

Free training is widely available online, and professional courses are available through organisations like the Business Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc), which is the UK’s leading independent cleaning industry body. This option typically costs under £100 and results in a certificate that demonstrates professionalism to clients. 

How much does it cost to start a cleaning business? 

Starting a cleaning business in the UK typically costs between £500 and £5,000, depending on the services you offer. The biggest variables are whether you need a van and what equipment your clients are expected to supply. 

Here’s a breakdown of typical startup costs: 

Item	Estimated cost
Sponges, cloths, rags	£50
Mops, brooms, buckets, gloves	£100
Chemicals and cleaning fluids	£80
Vacuum cleaner	£250
Cleaning trolley	£150
Van	£4,000
Uniforms	£150
Public liability insurance	£100–£300 per year
Business registration	£50

In some cases, clients might supply their own equipment, particularly in commercial cleaning, which can significantly reduce your upfront costs. 

How much can you ear from a cleaning business?

A self-employed cleaner in the UK typically earns between £20,000 and £35,000 a year. With a small team and steady contracts, a cleaning business turning over £100,000 or more within a few years is realistic, and growth beyond that is achievable with the right model. 

Your earning potential will depend on: 

• Business type: commercial contracts tend to be larger and more consistent than residential work. 
• Pricing model: hourly, daily, or fixed-rate pricing all have different implications for how much you can earn and scale. 
• Team size: solo operators are capped by their own hours, so hiring staff is usually the trigger for significant income growth. 
• Specialisation: niche services such as deep cleaning, end of tenancy, or industrial cleaning typically command higher rates. 

How do you start a cleaning business? Your nine-step checklist

To start a cleaning business in the UK, you need to choose your business type, research the market, sort your training, write a business plan, handle your admin, manage your finances, buy your equipment, build your brand, and find your first clients. 

If that sounds like a lot, don’t worry: Just take it one step at a time. 

1. Choose your business type 

Decide whether you want to focus on residential, commercial, or specialist cleaning. Each has different startup requirements, client relationships, and earning potential.

2. Research the market and find your USP  

A Unique Selling Point (USP) is what sets you apart from other businesses. Look at local competitors, identify a gap, and decide what makes your business the obvious choice. Avoid competing on price alone. 

3. Sort your qualifications and training

No formal qualifications are needed, but relevant training strengthens your credibility. Check out free resources online or courses through the Business Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc).

4. Write a business plan

Set out what your business does, who it serves, how it makes money, and how you plan to grow. In your business plan, include an executive summary, market research, pricing, and financial projections. 

5. Handle your admin

Register as a sole trader or limited company, then set up accounting software to track payments and expenses, send invoices, and arrange payroll if you plan to hire. 

6. Sort your finances

Set your pricing structure, calculate your start-up costs, decide how you’ll take payment, and make sure you have the right insurance in place; at a minimum, you need public liability cover. 

7. Buy your equipment

Stock up on the essentials, or confirm what your clients will supply.  

8. Build your brand 

Choose a name, check availability on the Companies House name checker, and get a logo designed. Consider a simple branded uniform for your staff, too. 

9. Find your first clients 

Start with word of mouth, then invest in more active marketing like flyers, social media, a simple website, or direct outreach to local businesses. 

Taking the next steps

Ready to take the first step? 

Starting a cleaning business is more achievable than most people think, and the fact you’re here suggests you’re already thinking seriously about it. Work through the checklist above, and when you’re ready, our business readiness quiz will tell you exactly where you stand. 

Frequently asked questions about starting a cleaning business

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