Start a Successful Cleaning Business with No Experience

Why it’s Possible to Start a Successful Business with No Experience

Is it possible to start a residential cleaning business with no experience? Absolutely! In fact, that’s how I started my house cleaning business that went on to compete with the house cleaning franchises in my city.

But – and this is a big one – I was already a successful business builder, so I knew what it took to get started and work towards success. I knew best business practices and procedures.

I had already used house cleaning companies for years to clean my home and I knew what they did well and where they made mistakes. This gave me a huge advantage over many wanting to get into the business.

I knew how to clean my house, but I didn’t know how professional companies did it for profit.

I had to go out and learn it on my own by researching the industry. I practiced my cleaning routines before I ever went into a client’s home and I ran my business on trial and error – not knowing what could go wrong and the demands my clients would put on me.

All this turned out fine because I defined my business structure in advance and presented myself as a professional business. My clients tried to make demands of me that I wasn’t willing to provide because sometimes their demands didn’t match my business goals.

So, yes – you can start a house cleaning business with no experience, but it helps to know all the ins and outs to make your job easier.

Review these top 6 reasons to start a house cleaning business.

Your Mindset is One Part of Success

First, you need the right mindset to start a cleaning business. There’s lots of qualities you’ll need, from physical fitness, to mental toughness, to a customer orientation and a drive to work.

The best mindset you can adopt if you’re looking to start a successful business is to think about what it will take to sell the business.

I know, you’re immediately skeptical. You haven’t even cleaned a home and already we’re talking about a pie-in-the-sky dream.

However, thinking about a sale will inevitably lead you to ask – what do buyers of businesses look for? The answer is that they look for a certain type of successful business.

Buyers look for businesses with growth and profitability. They look for a business that has standards and procedures. Training manuals, employee handbooks and cleaning checklists. They look for organic leads from references, and a pipeline of candidates to hire.

If you start from day 1 thinking about building a business to sell, you will have a much better chance at creating a successful cleaning business. Even with no experience.

Your Initial Investment Can Be in the Hundreds

It’s impossible to start a business with zero money, sorry to burst your bubble. However, the amount does not have to be large, does not have a break a few hundred dollars in cleaning supplies, business cards and a DBA from the city, county or state you’re operating in.

The amount will vary based on the scale and vision for the enterprise.

For those starting on a shoestring budget, focusing on residential cleaning will be the most cost-effective approach.

Essential expenditures will include high-quality cleaning supplies and equipment, such as brooms, mops, vacuum cleaners, cleaning agents, and microfiber cloths.

Buying in bulk may offer savings, but it’s crucial not to compromise on the quality of products as this directly impacts service quality. In addition to these tangible assets, other considerations include transportation, which could range from using a personal vehicle with adequate space for supplies to purchasing or leasing a dedicated vehicle branded with the company’s logo and information.

Besides the tangible assets, there are other financial considerations. Licensing and permit costs, which can differ depending on the city or state, are crucial for operating legally. Liability insurance is another crucial investment, protecting the business from potential claims or damages that might arise during cleaning operations.

Hint – unless something catastrophic happens, don’t tap into the insurance. Broken lamp? Pay out of pocket, or offer discounts on future cleanings.

Initial marketing and branding efforts, including creating a professional logo, business cards, and potentially a website, also contribute to the startup costs.

While many of these expenses are one-time or infrequent outlays, it’s essential to have a clear financial plan, ensuring that the business starts on a solid financial footing and is prepared for future growth.

What to Know About Licensing and regulations

For anyone venturing into the house cleaning business, navigating local licensing and regulations is pivotal.

We’ve written an entire article on licensing. It’s not complex, but it’s not a straightforward answer since it varies from state to state, and city to city. It’s going to cost you something to get started, even if just a $30 doing-business-as (DBA) fictitious name registration with the county or state.

Depending on the jurisdiction, a general business license may be required to operate legally.

Some cities or states might have additional requirements or permits, especially if the business handles specialized cleaning chemicals or offers services beyond basic cleaning, such as pest control.

Moreover, while not always mandatory, certifications from industry-recognized organizations can bolster the business’s credibility and potentially lead to more clients.

It’s crucial to research local and state regulations.

Is Being a Business Owner is Right For You?

Not everyone is suited to running a business, but if you want to take control of your life and achieve some form of financial freedom (that you control), a business can be your ticket out of the daily employee grind and uncertainty.

A house cleaning business is easy to start, can ramp up very quickly, and is always in demand.

If you want to learn more about starting a house cleaning business, check out our comprehensive guide on starting a successful house cleaning business. We cover everything you need to know to start and run a thriving cleaning service.