How to Start a Commercial Cleaning Business

Discover how to start a commercial cleaning business from scratch with real steps, expert tips, and personal success insights.

Five years ago, if you had told me I would quit my 9-to-5 job and start a commercial cleaning firm, I would have laughed at you. Not because the idea was stupid, actually, it was brilliant, but because I didn’t know how to manage a business, let alone clean office toilets for a profession. But here I am, with a full calendar, regular contracts, and the ability to make my own decisions.

You’re at the perfect place if you want to know how to start a commercial cleaning business and want to hear from someone who has been through it all, like broken vacuums, clients who don’t show up, and writing quotes late at night. This book covers everything you need to know about beginning a commercial cleaning business from scratch or on the side, including the required cleaning business licenses you’ll need before you land your first client.

Let me show you how to do it, step by step, just like I wish someone had done for me.

Step 1: Learn what commercial cleaning really means. 

Let’s get this straight before you buy a mop or print business cards: cleaning for businesses is not the same as cleaning for homes. Cleaning office buildings, schools, warehouses, medical institutions, and other commercial places is part of it. You often work after hours, talk to maintenance managers, and observe tight health and safety rules.

I thought it would be like cleaning a house, but on a grander scale. That was a big error. In a 5,000-square-foot office, waxing floors, cleaning high-dust areas, and sanitizing restrooms are all quite different things.

A good advice is to follow someone in the field or work part-time for a cleaning firm to get a feel for it. That’s a terrific starting step if you’re wondering how to start a commercial cleaning service without any experience.

Step 2: Find out what people in your area want. 

Then, check out the field. I live in a medium-sized city where business parks are popping up all over the place. That meant a lot of prospective customers, but also a lot of competition. I performed some old-fashioned detective work: I searched for cleaning companies in my area on Google, read reviews, and even called a few pretending to be a customer (don’t judge).

Think about this:

• Is there a need for your product in your area? 
• Who are your biggest rivals? 
• What kinds of services do they offer? 
• What can you do to stand out?

You might locate a certain area of interest. I decided to focus on dental offices and small medical clinics because I knew they needed more specialist cleaning and were willing to pay extra for it.

Step 3: Pick a business model that works for you. 

You have choices now. You can:

Start from the beginning, like I did. Buy a franchise (more help, but more money) Buy an already running cleaning business (you’ll have clients right away, but be careful)

1. It’s tougher to start from scratch, but it’s cheaper. 
2. You can get training and leads from franchises like JAN-PRO or Coverall, but you have to pay fees and royalties. 
3. A lot of individuals want to know how to start a commercial cleaning business with little money, and the solution is usually to go it alone.

I went the bootstrap method because I didn’t have a lot of money. More stress, but more responsibility.

Step 4: Get a license and get legal (don’t skip this!) 

You need to get real if you want to start a commercial cleaning business. This is what I had to do:

• Register my business name (“Crystal Clear Facilities” was born) 
• Set up an LLC to protect yourself from lawsuits. 
• My city will provide you a business license. 
• Get a bank account for your business 
• Get general liability insurance (no questions asked!)

You might also need:

• Insurance for workers’ c
• ompensation A bonding certificate (certain clients need this) 
• Safety training from OSHA

Heads up: This part isn’t really exciting. I forgot some papers and had to travel to city hall three times. But it’s worth paying for the peace of mind. The small business website for your city or state is a fantastic place to start if you want to know what licenses you need to establish a cleaning business.

Step 5: Get the tools and supplies you need. 

I spent a good two weeks looking at different floor scrubbers and vacuums. You don’t have to become industrial right away, but cheap tools will cost you time and reputation.

This is what I started with:

• Commercial vacuum ($300) 
• Mop bucket and microfiber mops for $100 
• Cleaning products (eco-friendly is the best!) 
• Floor cleaning, glass cleaner, and disinfectants 
• Masks, goggles, and gloves for safety 
• I just printed my logo on black T-shirts for uniforms.

What is the total cost of supplies for the startup? About $800 to $1,200.

Want to save money? You can buy in bulk, check out local auctions or liquidation stores, or ask other cleaners what they recommend. You can also look at a cleaning business start-up package, which will let you buy all the tools and supplies you need at once.

Step 6: Set your prices in a smart way. 

This is where I had the greatest trouble. If your prices are excessively high, you can lose potential customers.

There are two main ways to charge:

• Between $30 and $50 an hour, based on the type of services provided and the geographic area.

• By the square foot (commercial charges range from $0.05 to $0.25 per square foot)

At first, I charged by the hour, but for big rooms, I moved to square footage. Make a price list and give room for bargaining.

Tip: Always complete a walk-through before giving a quote. I once gave a quote for a task based on pictures and then walked into a disaster after the work was done. Not again.

Step 7: Make your brand strong and look professional 

Even if you’re working alone, act like a real business.

What I did:

• Made a basic logo (Fiverr is your friend)
• Made a website with service listings, reviews, and ways to get in touch
• Door hangers and business cards that are printed
• Made uniforms and a sticker for my car out of vinyl
• Get a business phone number and email address

Your image is important. People who work for clients want to know who is coming into their office after hours. This is especially true if you want to start a commercial cleaning business in a market where there are a lot of other businesses.

Step 8: Go crazy with your marketing

This is the part that no one talks about: cleaning is only 20% of the task. The rest is marketing.

This is what worked for me:

• Yes, it’s old-fashioned, but it works! I walked into offices with fliers.
• Met people in BNI chapters and local business organizations
• Added to Google Business Profile
• Got evaluations from happy clients
• Posted pictures on Instagram of the before and after
• Sent cold emails to property managers

Don’t only depend on referrals. Go out and look for leads. You can get more ideas for how to get your name out there by quickly looking through a PDF of a starting a cleaning business checklist.

Step 9: Get Your First Clients (Even if It Means Working for Less at First)

My first client was a friend who owned a yoga studio. I cleaned it for $50 a week solely to obtain a review and some pictures. Then I utilized that to talk to other people.

If you have to, give a discount or free trial to new customers. People will call you back after they realize how hard you work and what you do.

If you’re still not sure how to start a commercial cleaning service from scratch, remember this: your reputation is based on your relationships. Reputation brings in business. Real-world experience gives you credibility, whether you want to start a cleaning business or learn how to start office cleaning business services.

Step 10: Get bigger, hire more people, and grow.

I had reached a breaking point: I could either turn down new employment or get help. If you want to grow your business, you need to hire your first employee, even though it is scary.

What to look for:

• Dependability
• Trustworthiness (you need to do background checks!)
• Paying attention to details

Now I have a team of four, and we switch jobs to keep from becoming burned out. I also bought software to help me keep track of scheduling, bills, and paychecks.

Scaling isn’t only about employing more people; it’s also about making systems that work with or without you. It’s an important part of how to start a commercial cleaning service that will last. If you want your commercial cleaning service to thrive, you should be ready to delegate tasks right away.

Things to Avoid Doing

Let me help you avoid some trouble:

• Don’t charge less than what you’re worth to get work.
• Always utilize contracts; informal agreements will get you in trouble.
• Don’t forgo insurance
• Stay away from clients who want “just a quick clean.”
• For taxes, keep track of your spending and save your receipts.

FAQ: Short Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does it cost to establish a business that cleans offices? 

A: It costs between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on where you live, what equipment you require, and whether you hire early.

Q: Do I need a license? 

A: Yes, in most states you need a local business license and general liability insurance. Find out what your city needs.

Q: Is it possible for me to start part-time? 

A: Yes, for sure! A lot of people start on the weekends and in the evenings before becoming full-time.

Q: Is this business making money? A: Yes, business contracts usually pay more than residential ones, especially if you offer specialized services.

Q: How do I get clients? 

A: Start close to home: go to offices, network, use Google Business, and don’t forget how powerful word-of-mouth can be.

Key Takings: 

• Absolutely. But only if you’re willing to hustle. I went from scrubbing toilets at midnight to landing a contract with a regional office complex. It wasn’t easy, but nothing worth doing ever is.

• If you’re passionate about cleanliness, crave independence, and aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty, learning how to start a commercial cleaning business might just be your ticket to freedom. Many entrepreneurs ask about starting a commercial cleaning company without experience, trust me, it’s possible.

• And if I could do it, with no fancy degree, no investors, and no clue what I was doing, you absolutely can too.

Additional Resources: 

1. How to Start a Commercial Cleaning Business, 12 Practical Steps (Jobber): This all-in-one guide from Jobber lays out 12 concrete steps, from registering your business and finding clients to setting prices and managing schedules. A must-read for beginners serious about growth.

2. How to Start a Cleaning Business: A Step-by-Step Guide (Homebase): Updated in 2025, Homebase delivers a practical and easy-to-follow breakdown of every major step you need to legally and efficiently start your commercial cleaning company.

3. How to Start a Cleaning Business in 7 Steps (Wix): Wix outlines a simplified 7-step process for entrepreneurs, from picking your services to launching your brand and reaching clients online. Great for visual planners and quick starters.