How to Start a Cleaning Service Business
Setting up a cleaning service: the clients you'll serve, the business paperwork, insurance, and the first clean you invoice.
A cleaning service can start small, but it still needs the basics: a decision on who you'll clean for, registration and an EIN if your setup needs them, cover for accidents and a way to bill regular clients. Per-visit and monthly billing are covered in the invoicing guide for cleaning services, linked below.
For commercial work, the BLS page on janitors and building cleaners (In the US, last modified August 27, 2026) says they "keep many types of buildings clean, sanitary, orderly, and in good condition." It also says "Although not required, certification demonstrates competence and may make applicants more appealing to employers." Check your state and city for any license your services need.
An illustrative first invoice: a move-out deep clean at 1 × $320.00 and inside the oven and fridge at 2 × $35.00 = $70.00 add up to $320.00 + $70.00 = $390.00. Use your own figures; these are only an illustration.
Step-by-step startup guide
Follow these steps to launch your cleaning service business on solid footing.
- 1
Choose homes, offices or both
Decide whether you'll clean homes, offices or rentals between guests, and which services you'll offer on each visit.
- 2
Register your cleaning service
The SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) says "Registering your DBA name doesn’t provide legal protection by itself, but most states require you to register your DBA if you use one." Check your city for a local business license.
- 3
Get an EIN
The IRS (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated October 16, 2026) says "If it’s approved, we’ll issue your EIN immediately online."
- 4
Insure your work
The SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) says "Business insurance can fill in any gaps in coverage." Ask a licensed agent about cover for damage in clients' homes and for bonding.
- 5
Write a service checklist
List what a standard clean includes and what counts as an extra, so quotes and invoices match what you did.
- 6
Bill the first clean
Invoice each visit or each month, with any extras on their own lines and a clear payment due date.
Tips for starting your cleaning service business
- Keep a checklist for each visit and note anything you couldn't do.
- Store client keys and access codes securely.
- Budget for self-employment tax. According to the IRS (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated October 30, 2026), "The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%."
- Ask your city whether a home-based cleaning business needs a local license.
How Billed helps you get started
Features to look at as you set up your business.
Recurring Invoices
Billed's features page says: "Save time by sending invoices on a regular schedule so you don’t have to create invoices again and again."
Client Profiles
Billed's features page says: "Create and save client profiles to bill them quickly."
Send Payment Reminders
Billed's features page says: "Send payment reminders for your invoices to get paid faster."
Invoice History
Billed's features page says: "Billed App keeps complete history about the Invoice and its payments from the moment it is created."
Frequently asked questions
More Startup Guides
Bill Your First Clean
Create invoices, track payments and keep your clients' details in one place with Billed.
At a glance
| Step | Check | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Business name | DBA registration | SBA (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) |
| Tax ID | An EIN, issued online | IRS (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated October 16, 2026) |
| Certification | Optional | BLS (In the US, last modified August 27, 2026) |
| First invoice | Visit plus extras | Cleaning service invoicing guide |
When this isn't for you
If you clean as an employee of an agency, these steps aren't for you yet; they're for running your own cleaning service.