Starting guide
How to start a cleaning business in the UK
A clear route through niche choice, setup, insurance, pricing, first clients and record keeping.
Last reviewed: 9 August 2026
Quick answer
Start with your exact service type, local costs and capacity. A cleaning business can look simple on paper, but profit changes quickly when travel, supplies, insurance, unpaid admin, payment fees and re-cleans are ignored.
What to work out first
- Which work you will offer first: domestic, end-of-tenancy, office, Airbnb, oven or specialist cleaning.
- Your minimum viable kit list and which items can wait until demand is proven.
- Your target hourly rate, tax buffer, travel policy, minimum call-out and add-on prices.
- Whether you are starting as a sole trader or limited company, based on official guidance and professional advice.
- Which insurance, COSHH, waste, vehicle or employer obligations could apply to your setup.
Worked example
If a three-hour domestic clean is quoted at £72, with £8 supplies, £6 travel and 15% overhead, the job may look busy but leave little margin. Use the calculators to test the job before quoting, then record the assumptions in your template.
Sources to check
GOV.UK business setupGOV.UK sole trader setupGOV.UK employers' liability insuranceGOV.UK licence finderHSE COSHH guidance
This guide is general information for UK readers. It is not legal, tax, employment, insurance or financial advice.