House Cleaning

Setting up safely and legally

House cleaning is not licensed in many places, but a local business registration is often required, and customers expect insurance. General liability coverage, and sometimes a bond, protects you if something is damaged in a home. Hiring staff brings payroll, workers compensation and employee classification rules that differ by state.

Background checks are a common practice for staff who enter homes, and the law on what can be checked and how differs by state. This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm what applies to you with your state licensing board and a qualified adviser.

Supplies and systems to start with

• A vacuum, microfiber cloths, mops, buckets and a set of cleaning products.
• A vehicle that carries supplies and is easy to keep tidy.
• A booking and payment tool that handles recurring visits and reminders.
• A checklist for each home, with notes on keys, pets and preferences.

Weekly, biweekly and one-time work

Recurring clients are the base of the business, while deep cleans, move-out cleans and one-time visits bring new households. A good approach is to treat every one-time job as a chance to offer a plan, and to keep recurring time slots protected on the calendar.

Getting the first bookings

• A Business Profile and local ads aimed at the neighborhoods you can reach quickly.
• Real estate agents and property managers who need move-in and move-out cleans.
• Short-term rental hosts who need turnovers between guests.
• Neighbors of existing clients, through reviews and a simple referral request.

Mistakes that cost new cleaning companies clients

• Quoting without knowing the size and condition of the home.
• Having no written cancellation or key-handling policy.
• Using different methods for each cleaner, so quality varies.
• Adding clients faster than the team can cover them.