How to start a cleaning business that keeps its clients
I run a residential cleaning company. Starting one is easy; keeping it profitable is about recurring clients, reviews and answering the phone. Here is what I would do again.
Before the first client
Check your state and city requirements for a business license, get general liability insurance, and decide whether you will be bonded. Set prices per cleaning type, not per hour, so clients compare value rather than rates.
The first clients
A Google Business Profile with real photos, a simple website with online booking, and your first reviews from friends-of-friends clients. Ask every client for a review the same day.
Recurring from day one
Offer biweekly service after every first visit, with a discount. A recurring client is worth many one-time cleanings.
Systems before staff
Answer missed calls by text, send reminders the day before, invoice the morning of the visit. These keep a small team from drowning.
Essential $499/month, or Growth $1,999/month with managed ads and Google profile. Prices in USD, plus applicable sales tax. See both plans