How to open a cleaning business: everything you need to know about opening a cleaning company

In short: It is also important that with the optimal combination of cost and quality, you will quickly accumulate a large base of loyal customers. Key steps at the start are market analysis, identification, competitor research, and formation of an audience portrait.

What are the advantages of an apartment cleaning business and why is it important to start by choosing a specialization? What documents, equipment, and employees will be needed? Does a cleaning company need an office and what does automation provide? How much does it cost to open a company and when will it pay off?

Have you thought about opening your own cleaning business from scratch? Then the modern material APPOINTER is for you.

Content:

• Advantages of opening your own cleaning service in Ukraine
• I want to open a cleaning company: where to start
• Specialization of the clinging service
• How to open a cleaning company from scratch: documents
• What is needed to open a cleaning service?
• Services
• Equipment, inventory, consumables
• State
• Office – necessary or not?
• Cleaning business promotion
• The financial side of the issue
  • How much does it cost to open a cleaning company?
  • When will the business pay off?
• Does the cleaning service need automation?
• Conclusion

Advantages of opening your own cleaning service in Ukraine

It is worth opening such a business in our country and here is why:

• you can start with a small starting capital, as the cost items are flexible;
• demand in Ukraine is high, competition is the opposite (when it comes to specific services, for example, cleaning after floods, fires, etc.);
• you can sell cleaning services in a metropolis (legal entities + individuals) and in a small town (the second category of clients);
• work regulations: the sequence of steps, methods, tools, and equipment is prescribed for the type of room, type of cleaning, and scale of contamination.

It is also important that with the optimal combination of cost and quality, you will quickly accumulate a large base of loyal customers.

I want to open a cleaning company: where to start

Key steps at the start – market analysis, competitor research, audience portrait formation. Detailed research will allow you to assess the trends of the selected business segment, analyze competitors (strengths and weaknesses + how to stand out from their background), identify consumer demand (to form a sales offer). The work done will help you understand how to effectively find and attract a client, and how to develop a cleaning company.

All this leads to the fact that when opening a cleaning service, you need to start with a business plan. The document will reveal and identify the tasks, goals of the company, types of services, nuances of work, help in drawing up a unique sales offer, developing a marketing strategy, identifying + assessing risks. When drawing up a business plan, you will calculate the approximate amount of investments, income and payback of cleaning.

Specialization of the clinging service

How to open a cleaning company from scratch? First of all, choose a direction of work.

Services can be provided to individuals (B2C) and legal entities (B2B). In the first case, we are talking about cleaning residential real estate (apartments, studios, townhouses, mansions), in the second – commercial (offices, shops, banking institutions, etc.). The third option is to serve both categories of clients. There is also event cleaning – preparation of halls for the event + cleaning after.

With limited financial resources, experts advise starting with serving individuals. This will allow you to delve into the nuances of the business without first encountering large competitors. If you have the necessary budget, try a mixed segment or B2B.

The choice of specialization is also influenced by the size of the settlement. In small towns, it is easier to get orders for commercial real estate, because people clean apartments themselves, and for houses they look for housekeepers through social media and word of mouth. In large cities, regional centers, the capital, there are more prospects for B2C, B2B and mixed format work, but the competition is also higher.

How to open a cleaning company from scratch: documents

The good news: a cleaning service does not need licenses or special permits to operate legally.

Start the registration process by registering your business form. A sole proprietorship (individual entrepreneur) is suitable for beginners with a modest budget and an orientation towards cleaning apartments and houses. To work with legal entities, register an LLC (limited liability company). At the same stage, select the form of taxation (simplified or general) and KVED: 81.21 – general cleaning of houses, 81.22 – other cleaning activities of houses and industrial facilities, 81.29 – other types of cleaning activities, 43.39 – cleaning of new buildings after construction, 96.01 – carpet cleaning, curtain cleaning, etc.

Next, to open a cleaning company:

• conclude a lease agreement (if you plan to have an office);
• register with a pension fund;
• conclude a contract for the supply of household chemicals, a contract for the removal of solid waste;
• open a bank account;
• find + hire employees, get medical records;
• notify the fire department about the start of work.

What is needed to open a cleaning service?

Services

Knowing the potential client and their requests, create a list of services. You can offer:

• 1. General cleaning.
• 2. Daily refreshing cleaning.
• 3. Cleaning of areas adjacent to the property.
• 4. Cleaning after construction, major repairs.
• 5. Cleaning of furniture, carpets, curtains.
• 6. Glass and mirror cleaning.
• 7. A housekeeper to help.

When opening a cleaning company for a commercial client, offer office cleaning, window cleaning, shop windows, upholstered furniture cleaning, carpets, curtains, event cleaning. For home customers, dry cleaning of carpets, cleaning, general cleaning, cleaning after renovation are relevant. To stand out from your competitors, think about specific services: disinfection, staff for hire, pre/post holiday cleaning.

Equipment, inventory, consumables

Equipment:

• floor washing machine
• floor dryer (=poloter)
• steam cleaner
• sweeper
• carpet dryer
• industrial vacuum cleaner
• washing machine

Tools:

• cleaners’ carts
• brooms, mops, dustpans
• scrapers, brushes
• window cleaning kits
• garbage collection equipment

Consumables:

• sponges, rags
• rubber gloves
• garbage bags
• masks
• shoe covers, etc.
• + household chemicals
• + employee uniforms

To open a cleaning company, buy a truck and hire a driver (delivery of employees and equipment to the facility). An alternative to buying is hiring a driver with a car.

Tips. Do not save on equipment. The list of proven manufacturers includes Comac, Powr-Flit, Tennant, Berner, Kärcher, Truvox. Pay attention to whether the equipment supplier offers repair + maintenance. Detergents must be suitable for the selected brand of equipment, be licensed with a safe composition.

State

Conscientious and punctual employees are the key to success. Requirements for employees include cleanliness, ethical communication, and a medical record. Training in cleaning methods and equipment operation is your responsibility.

Who should be hired to work in the clinic? Minimum staffing:

• cleaners – 4 people;
• accountant (possibly outsourced);
• administrator;
• driver.

When expanding your business, consider a sales manager and a marketing specialist.

Office – necessary or not?

It depends on the scale of opening a cleaning company.

A small business can do without premises. Meetings with clients + signing contracts will take place on the territory of the customers. Unfortunately, without an office, the range of services and the number of orders per day will be lower. A warehouse for inventory and equipment will be needed in any case. It can be rented, or you can agree with the customer to use his utility room.

If you are planning a larger scale and registering a cleaning service as an LLC, find an office for the company (search for customers, meetings with them) and a warehouse. Ideally, both premises are located nearby. Aim for an area of ​​40+ sq m to accommodate the director’s office, managers’ workspace, a small conference hall, a warehouse, and a utility room.

Cleaning business promotion

This is one of the most important components of how to open a cleaning service.

Effective promotion methods:

• website creation (+ optimization for search queries);
• maintaining pages on social networks (which attracts content);
• target, contextual advertising;
• ads in TG channels, on online boards;
• a well-thought-out system of discounts, bonuses, and promotions.

To attract an audience, figure out who the client is. A private customer responds better to recommendations from friends and promotion of cleaning through social networks. For legal entities, use advertising mailings, handouts (business cards, flyers, etc.), cold calling, and programs for regular customers.

The financial side of the issue

How much does it cost to open a cleaning company?

Do the calculations at the business plan stage. It will be more realistic to increase expenses and decrease income.

Startup investments (small business):

• Registration – $100;
• Equipment – $15,000+;
• Uniform – $100 (for one cleaner);
• Truck – $10,000;
• Internship for cleaners, managers – $100 (for one person);
• Investment in corporate identity, advertising, etc. – $500+.

So, the initial investment is ~ $26,000. Add the creation of a reserve fund – 1/5 of the initial capital. This will help cover unforeseen expenses – damage, fines, repairs, etc. Don’t forget to replenish the fund every month – 5-10% of the profit.

When it comes to how much it costs to open a cleaning service, also calculate the monthly expenses (fixed expenses) in the perspective of a year. These include: warehouse rent – ​​$400, utilities – $100, taxes ~ $150, advertising – $250, transportation expenses – $70, salaries – $600 per person (at least 4 people on staff), replenishment of consumables ~ $150. As a result, a month of work costs ~ $3,600. The amount may change, because in the first month it will become clear which services are popular, which consumables are needed, etc.

It is realistic to get by with less if you want to open a cleaning company with minimal investment. You can initially reduce costs by using creative compromises.

When will the business pay off?

With a competent business plan and a well-thought-out financial component, payback comes quickly. Let’s calculate the profitability and payback of a cleaning company with 5 cleaners on staff, which opened from scratch in a city with a population of 500,000 people.

One cleaner’s work shift is 600-800 sq. m. of cleaned area. In a month, an employee cleans 11,250 sq. m., 5 employees – 56,250 sq. m. The average cleaning price per 1 sq. m. is $1. The company’s workload is half a month.

Income: 56250 * 50% * 1 = $28125.

Net profit (income minus monthly expenses): 28,125 – 3,600 = $24,525.

Cost of work per month (cost of service multiplied by workload): 0.7 * 28125 = $19688.

Cost of net profit: 24525 – 19688 = $4837.

Payback (initial investment plus reserve fund divided by the cost of net profit): (26,000 + 5,200) / 4,837 = 6.5 months.

We will get a payback period of 6-7 months.

Does the cleaning service need automation?

Automation using a CRM system will allow you to:

• create a single database of customers;
• customers – to make an appointment with you online via the website and social networks;
• set up automatic mailings for customers (remind about appointments, discounts, promotions, congratulate on the new year);
• the administrator – not to lose orders;
• cleaners – check the schedule;
• warehouse employees – to keep timely records of goods and materials;
• accountant – to calculate salaries;
• the director – to receive up-to-date statistical and analytical reports.

As a result, employees are relieved, they cope better with their duties, and the level of service of the cleaning company + the number of clients increases, and with them the profit.

APPOINTER offers a CRM system designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses. Manage your cleaning from your PC, laptop or smartphone. Test our product for the first 2 weeks for free.

Conclusion

Now you know how to open a cleaning company in Ukraine step by step. But is it worth the effort? Definitely yes.

The business has prospects, because it is only gaining momentum. Other advantages include easy entry into the market, the opportunity to position yourself in a niche with little competition, and minimal start-up capital. To increase your chances of success, work out a business plan (including the financial part), invest in a website and corporate identity, manage social networks, and automate your business.

FAQ

How much does it cost to open a cleaning company in Ukraine?

Minimum start: chemicals and basic equipment — from 15,000–30,000 UAH. For commercial cleaning with machines (floor scrubbers, vacuum cleaners) — from 100,000–200,000 UAH. The advantage of cleaning — you can start with 1–2 people and basic equipment.

What documents are needed for a cleaning company?

Registration as a sole proprietor or LLC is mandatory. Specific licenses are not required for household cleaning. Personnel certification may be required for work with chemicals of a higher hazard class and industrial cleaning.

How to find the first corporate clients of a cleaning company?

Cold calls to office centers and shopping malls, tenders for government procurement (prozorro.gov.ua), partnerships with real estate management companies, advertising on LinkedIn for the B2B segment. The first corporate client provides stable regular income.

How is cleaning different from apartment cleaning?

Cleaning is commercial cleaning according to standards using professional tools and equipment. Domestic apartment cleaning is lower price, higher competition. Industrial/corporate cleaning is higher check and long-term contracts.

How does Appointer help a cleaning company?

Appointer organizes customer registration for one-time and regular cleanings, stores cards with object details (address, area, access features, cleaning specifics), and sends reminders about the next scheduled cleaning.