If you’re looking for a low-cost business idea that you can get off the ground fairly quickly with minimal outlays then setting up a cleaning company could be the perfect option for you.

However – bear in mind – because it’s a fairly simple business to start, competition is rife, with the industry dominated by lots of small organisations.

You’ll need to have a clear vision about where you plan to position your cleaning company in this somewhat crowded market and carve a niche for yourself to ensure your start-up stands out: Cleaning businesses cover everything from one cleaner with a couple of domestic properties to maintain each week, to a large commercial business with thousands of staff on the books. There are domestic cleaners, office cleaners, hospital and school cleaners and then let’s not forget the other niches in this industry such as carpet, window and vehicle cleaners.

Read our eight simple steps to get your cleaning venture on the path to success.

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1. Determine what type of cleaning company you’re going to specialise in (residential, commercial or specialised?)

There are two main types:

Residential cleaning business – residential or domestic cleaning will involve cleaning people’s homes (normally while they’re at work) and can be undertaken by you as soon as you secure some clients. You may eventually take on staff as your client-base builds.
Commercial cleaning business – in order to clean commercial properties you’ll need a team of people (the properties will be tend to be large office buildings) and it may be that your role is more managerial than on the ground cleaning.

Within these two types, you may want to consider:

Specialised cleaning – there are lots of potentially valuable niches to explore: from a window cleaning business and a carpet cleaning business to a roof cleaning or a car wash/car valet business (all of which could be done as a residential or a commercial cleaning business).

Bear in mind your skills (are you prepared to clean every day or are you more suited to the administrative side of a cleaning company) and where there’s the best market opportunity in your desired area.