Starting a cleaning business in the UK? Starting a cleaning business in the UK is a great way to start working for yourself. Running a business can be an opportunity to be your boss.
As a cleaning business owner, you will offer a service that is necessary for the survival of people. People always look for a cleaner for their home and office for daily purposes.
Residential and commercial cleaning services are the same in terms of the service but the requirements of materials, clients, and marketing differ.
Moreover, with low startup costs and no necessary entry qualification, you can start your business with ease. Seems right career for you? Just continue reading this article to find out how to start a cleaning business.
Let’s dive into the deep!
What is a Cleaning Business?
Cleaning has constantly been an integral part of human civilization. Cleaning is all about the core beauty and maintaining the hygiene of our system.
Cleaning helps us to live in a healthy, attractive, and clean environment.
A cleaning business is a type of business body that offers cleaning, vacuuming, washing, or mopping the floors, and surfaces as required by the client. Based on the subject, cleaning can be classified into the following categories:
- Commercial cleaning
- Residential cleaning
- Industrial cleaning
- Personal cleaning, and more.
Commercial cleaning differs from home cleaning, and commercial cleaning is more involved, and detailed.
Some of the most common premises where commercial cleaning services are provided include:
- Offices
- Schools
- Restaurants
- Showrooms
- Back office
- Factories
- Warehouses
- Gyms and more
Before You Get Started Your Cleaning Business:
Before you get started in your cleaning business, you need to consider the following aspects.
- Choose Your Business Structure: Initially, if you are the only employee of your cleaning business then you can start your business as a sole trader. It will be a great option for you to see whether you can grow from this point. You need to acquire more knowledge about sole traders, partnerships, and limited companies.
- Decide a Name for Your Cleaning Business: Before choosing a name for your business, you need to be sure that the name is not yet in use. You can go to the Government website to check that your picked name is not taken by someone else. You should choose an easily recognizable name.
- Register and Insure your Cleaning Business: You need to register your cleaning business with HMRC and companies house (for limited companies). Moreover, you need to buy the right insurance for your cleaning business.
You need to buy public liability insurance in case of accident and property damage claims. Later, if you start recruiting staff for your business, you need to purchase employers’ liability insurance.
You also need to find out from your local authority if any permit or license is necessary.
Steps to Start a Cleaning Business UK:
Here is a quick guide that you can follow to start a cleaning business in the UK very quickly.
Step 1: Research and Choose Your Market:
Before getting down to cleaning work, you must consider market research. Marchet research is an essential component of starting any business.
The objective of market research is to find out more about your customer base, the costs needed, and your competitors.
Market research is which helps you better prepare to set up your cleaning business. You can perform online research, talk to potential customers, and check out your competitors.
Step 2: Create a budget for Your Cleaning Business:
Creating a budget plan is very important because an effective business plan will give you a better idea of how much money you will need.
If you find that you have a lesser amount of money than it requires, then you can opt for a business loan or lend from somewhere.
A budget for your cleaning business is a key component. One thing you must keep in mind is that while preparing your budget, you should include every potential expense.
For a cleaning business, some of the key expenses to consider include cleaning supplies, cleaning equipment, employee salaries, transport, and more.
Step 3: Register Your Cleaning Business:
When starting a cleaning business, the first thing you should keep in mind that planning your business structure and registering it.
You can take your time and research which business structure will perfectly suit your needs and expectations.
If you are planning to work yourself without any employees then you can register your cleaning business as a sole trader. Meanwhile, if you are thinking of establishing a large cleaning business with many staff, then you can opt for a partnership or limited companies.
If you are starting a general partnership then you need to inform HMRC. Otherwise, to set up a limited company limited partnership, or limited liability partnership then you need to register your business at Companies House.
Step 4: Fund Your Cleaning Business:
Indeed, every business requires money to get started. While you have registered your business, you are ready to seek funding. Your cleaning business may require very little amount to get started.
So, you can rely on your savings or you can seek help from your family and friends.
However, if your start-up is a larger one and it requires heavier funding, still there are several funding options to choose from.
Step 5: Find your First Customer of Your Business:
Finding the first customer can be the most rewarding step in every business. So, here comes promoting your business. There are various ways to promote your cleaning business, you can consider one of a few methods from the following.
- Word of mouth: You shouldn’t be shy about your new business, instead, you must tell your friends, family, and neighbours about your new business. Some of these acquaintances may quickly find new customers for your business.
- Social media: Creating a social media page for your business can be a great initiative for lead generation. a Facebook page can help you build your online presence, while you can also consider short videos about your business on Instagram or YouTube.
- Local listings online: You can list your cleaning business on local community groups for free advertising of your business. You must ensure that your business is featured in local listings online.
Thus, potential customers will find cleaning services in their locality and could find you easily.
How much do Cleaning Businesses Charge in the UK?
The costs vary across the United Kingdom. however, you should have a clear knowledge about how much cleaning business charge their clients.
- Domestic cleaning: 10 to 20 Pounds per hour
- Commercial cleaning: 15 to 20 Pounds per hour
- Deep cleaning: 180 Pounds
- Oven cleaning: 50 Pounds
Conclusion:
The demand for a cleaner is rising across the UK. Because of hectic schedules, many people have very little time to clean their homes, or office premises. So, it is the right time to start a cleaning business in the UK.
Here, in this article, we have provided every aspect of starting a cleaning business in the UK. Just look at the step-by-step guide and gather more information before stepping into the door of your journey.
Hope, this guide will clear every doubt and answer all the questions strolling around your mind
