Dreaming of starting your own business but haven't found a good idea yet? We're offering a simple but potentially profitable idea for building your company with minimal initial investment.

In this article, we'll cover why we recommend starting with a cleaning company, what you need to set it up, and how to find your first clients.

Why is a cleaning company a good small business idea?

There are as many ways to start a business as there is creativity. Every idea has its pros and cons, but in general we recommend first thinking through how big the startup costs are, how hard it is to find your first clients, and how easily you can delegate work as demand grows.

Let's take a closer look at the advantages of setting up a cleaning company.

Low initial investment and low overhead

Starting a cleaning company doesn't require a large amount of starting capital or complex equipment. You can start with a relatively small investment, buying just the basic cleaning supplies at first.

Setting up a cleaning company is affordable compared to many other business ideas. Initially there are no labour costs either, if you're willing to carry out the jobs yourself.

Flexible working hours and a business that's easy to grow

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A cleaning company lets you build a flexible work schedule. You can decide for yourself when and how much you want to work, and adjust your schedule as needed.

A cleaning company also lets you grow your business easily in line with market demand. As your workload grows, you can hire additional cleaners to cover the increased demand.

Potential for steady income and long-term customer relationships

Cleaning services are needed regularly and continuously in offices, hotels, and private clients' homes alike. That means, by building long-term customer relationships, a cleaning company can provide steady income even without constant sales or marketing efforts.

By delivering quality service and building trustworthy relationships, clients may use your services for years and recommend them to people they know too.

How do you reach your first clients?

Before choosing your customer segment, think through how much capacity you have to offer cleaning services at the start. Also consider which field you have the most connections in, so you can offer your service with the least effort.

If you know who your potential clients are and what they need, you can direct your marketing efforts specifically at them and increase your chances of finding new clients.

We recommend classifying potential clients as follows:

Private clients

Many people use cleaning services in their own home to keep their living space clean and tidy.

Using a professional cleaning service helps keep the home clean, freeing up time for things like hobbies or spending time with family. When putting together your marketing materials, focus on exactly these values.

Business clients

Cleanliness matters in offices and other workplaces. It's unthinkable for a company to leave its office uncleaned, and hiring a separate cleaner is usually unreasonably expensive and impractical. This is where a quality cleaning company comes into play again, ensuring a clean, healthy, and pleasant work environment in the office.

Accommodation businesses

Hotels, holiday homes, Airbnb apartments, and other accommodation businesses also need cleaning services regularly. It's extremely important for every accommodation business to ensure a clean and pleasant environment for guests, which is why cleaning company services are essential for them.

What do you need to start a cleaning company?

Next, let's look at the legal questions, the equipment and supplies you'll need, and the skills and qualifications needed to build a successful cleaning company.

When starting your own cleaning company, there are a few legal questions worth keeping in mind. It's a good idea to consult a specialist in the field before setting up your company, but here are a few points worth thinking through right away.

  • Registering the company. To start a cleaning company, you first need to register your business and open a bank account. This ensures your business activity is legally sound and that you have the right to offer your services.

  • Insurance. When starting a cleaning company, it's also important to think about insurance. Liability insurance helps protect you from possible damages and accidents that can happen while working. It gives you and your clients peace of mind and provides protection in case of possible disputes.

  • Necessary permits and qualifications. Depending on the services you offer and the tools you use, you may need to apply for a permit or licence. Ask a specialist in the field which activities or cleaning chemicals require a special licence or training to use.

Necessary equipment and supplies

Starting a cleaning company requires certain equipment and tools. First, you may need various cleaning devices, such as a vacuum cleaner, mops, a floor scrubber, or a polisher. Which equipment you need depends on who your clients are and exactly what type of cleaning service you want to offer.

When choosing cleaning products and supplies, it's smart to favour effective, eco-friendly products. Think through which cleaning, disinfecting, and protective products and other supplies you need for cleaning different surfaces. It's important to find a reliable supplier that offers quality products and equipment.

If you need extra funds for purchases, you might consider opening an ESTO credit line. For the first 30 days, you can try out the ESTO credit line for free, making withdrawals at 0% interest. Before signing the agreement, review the terms and conditions and, if needed, consult a specialist.

ESTO AS's credit account annual percentage rate of charge is 49.22% per year under the following sample terms: credit limit 4000 EUR, non-fixed initial (maximum) interest rate 40.70%, contract fee 0 EUR, monthly administration fee 0 EUR, total amount of credit and total repayment amount 5467.67 EUR, assuming the credit is drawn down immediately in full and repaid over 60 months in equal monthly instalments.

Skills and qualifications

Running a cleaning company requires a range of skills and qualifications. Here are the main areas you should be competent in:

  • Technical skills. When doing cleaning work, it's important to understand different cleaning techniques and methods. You should have sufficient knowledge of caring for different surfaces and materials and following sanitary standards.

  • Communication skills. Running a cleaning company involves communicating with both clients and staff. With clients, it's important to listen to and understand their exact needs, take on feedback about work done, and resolve problems. Keep in mind that the happier a client is, the more likely they are to keep working with your company long-term.

  • Time management and organisational skills: running a cleaning company requires good time management and organisational skills. It's important to draw up accurate work schedules, plan client visits, and keep track of managing stock and necessary supplies.

Besides the skills mentioned, it's important to be precise, reliable, and honest. Cleaning services are closely tied to trust, and clients like working with reliable, professional service providers. No one is willing to let someone they don't trust into their home or office.

In summary

Starting a cleaning company is a relatively simple and affordable way to get into business. Low startup costs, a flexible work schedule, the ability to grow the business gradually, and the potential for steady income make it a great option for anyone interested in entrepreneurship.

It's worth remembering that running a cleaning company requires knowledge of hygiene, good communication skills, and organisational ability. All of this, combined with delivering quality cleaning services, helps ensure long-term relationships with clients.

If you feel that a cleaning company still isn't quite your thing, you might be interested in our next article: Small business idea: open your own online store.