Cleaning business plan
Plan your cleaning business section by section — services, pricing, staff and numbers — and download a clean plan. Free, in your browser, no sign-up.
A cleaning business is cheap to start but lives on reliable staff, repeat contracts and a price per hour that covers travel and supplies. The prompts below are tailored for domestic and commercial cleaning.
Tips for a plan that convinces
- Price per hour or per job, but always know your real cost per hour including travel time.
- Regular contracts (weekly offices, fortnightly homes) make your income predictable.
- Write down how you vet staff and handle keys: clients ask about trust first.
Cleaning business start-up costs
Put an amount you can back up next to each item:
- Cleaning equipment (vacuums, steam cleaners, window kit)
- First stock of cleaning products
- Transport: a car or van, fuel and parking
- Insurance (public liability, and employer’s liability once you hire staff)
- Uniforms, booking software and a simple website
- Working capital: you pay wages before clients pay their invoices
Rules and insurance
You do not need a specific licence for general cleaning in the UK, but public liability insurance is close to essential, and employer’s liability insurance is a legal requirement in the UK as soon as you employ staff. Follow the COSHH rules for hazardous substances. Many domestic clients also ask whether your cleaners are vetted.
In the EU the picture is similar: register your business, insure your liability and follow the safety rules for chemicals. Check the details with your local business registry.
Key figures your plan needs
- Your hourly rate and your real cost per hour (wages, travel, supplies)
- Jobs or hours per cleaner per day
- Share of regular contracts versus one-off jobs
- Travel time between jobs
- Break-even: how many paid hours per week cover all costs
More business plan templates
Frequently asked questions
What should a cleaning business plan include?
Your services and prices, your target clients and area, how you find and keep contracts, staffing and scheduling, insurance, and a financial plan with your hourly costs and expected jobs per week.
Do I need a licence to start a cleaning business?
In the UK and most of the EU there is no general licence for cleaning. You do need the right insurance, and you must follow the rules for handling cleaning chemicals safely. Some specialist work, such as waste removal, has its own rules.
Is it free?
Yes, entirely in your browser with no account.