How to Start a Cleaning Business in the UK
A step-by-step guide to starting a cleaning business in the UK in 2026. We cover startup costs, legal requirements, equipment, pricing your services, and how to find your first clients.
Cleaning is one of the lowest-barrier businesses to start in the UK. No mandatory qualifications, no licensing, and startup costs under 500 pounds. The UK cleaning industry is worth over 8 billion pounds and demand is consistent regardless of the economy.
Decide your niche
Cleaning is not one business. The work, pricing, and client acquisition are completely different depending on what you clean.
Register your business
You can operate as a sole trader or a limited company. Most cleaning businesses start as sole traders because it is simpler and cheaper.
Sole trader: Register as self-employed with HMRC for free in about 10 minutes. File a self-assessment tax return each year.
Limited company: Register with Companies House for 12 pounds. Offers personal liability protection and can be more tax-efficient at higher earnings.
Get insured
Cleaning business insurance is essential. At minimum you need public liability insurance, which covers you if you accidentally damage a client's property or injure someone while working.
Legal requirement: If you employ anyone (even part-time), employers liability insurance is required by law. The HSE can fine you 2,500 pounds per day without it.
- Public liability insurance (covers damage to client property and injury)
- Employers liability (legal requirement if you have any employees)
- Loss of keys cover (pays to replace client locks if keys are lost)
- Product liability (covers damage from cleaning chemicals you use)
- Equipment cover (protects your vacuum, machines, and supplies)
Equipment and supplies
For domestic cleaning, your startup equipment costs can be under 200 pounds. Most domestic clients have their own vacuum and mop, so you may not need your own initially.
| Item | Domestic | Commercial |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum cleaner (Henry or similar) | £120 | £200-400 |
| Mop, bucket, cloths, brushes | £30 | £50-100 |
| Cleaning chemicals and sprays | £20 | £50-150 |
| Rubber gloves, bin bags, caddy | £15 | £30 |
| Floor polisher | N/A | £300-600 |
| Carpet cleaner (hot water extraction) | N/A | £800-3,000 |
| Total startup kit | £185 | £1,430-4,280 |
Pro tip: For specialist services like carpet cleaning, consider hiring a machine per job until you have enough regular work to justify buying. This keeps your startup costs low and avoids an expensive machine sitting unused.
Pricing your services
Pricing varies by location and service type. London and the South East command higher rates. Fixed pricing per clean is generally better than hourly because it rewards efficiency and gives clients cost certainty.
Finding clients
Your first clients will come from different channels depending on whether you target domestic or commercial work.
Domestic clients
- Local Facebook community groups (search "[your town] community" or "[your town] recommendations")
- Nextdoor (neighbourhood-level recommendations)
- Word of mouth from friends, family, and existing clients
- Leaflet drops in target neighbourhoods
- Google Business Profile (free, essential for "cleaners near me" searches)
Lead platforms
Platforms like Bark, Housekeep, and Checkatrade can generate leads but charge fees or commissions. Good for filling gaps in your schedule, but building direct clients is more profitable long-term.
Commercial clients
Approach local businesses directly with a professional quote. Estate agents are a reliable source of end-of-tenancy work. Networking at local business events and BNI groups can generate commercial leads. Tender sites like Contracts Finder list public sector cleaning contracts.
Scaling up
Once you have enough regular clients to fill your own schedule, the next step is hiring cleaners. This changes your business significantly: you move from doing the cleaning yourself to managing a team.
The tipping point: Many cleaning businesses reach 30,000-50,000 pounds turnover as a solo operator before they start hiring. At that point, you are trading your time for money and cannot grow further without employees. Hiring means payroll, scheduling, quality control, and employers liability insurance.