How to Launch a Cleaning Business and Earn £500,000 Annually

Cleaning is a big and growing market in the UK. Many people are busy and still need clean homes and offices. In fact, around one third of UK households now pay for a cleaner. Businesses from offices to shops and schools also need cleaning staff. The UK cleaning industry is worth nearly £60 billion and keeps growing. Demand is rising: for example, 40% of young adults now hire a cleaner. Cleaning is also fairly “recession-proof” and always needed. These trends make cleaning a great business idea in 2025 for anyone who wants to start small and grow big.

Cleaning Business

Cost to Start a Cleaning Business in the UK

Starting a cleaning business can cost very little or more, depending on choices. You can begin as a sole trader using your own car and basic gear for only a few hundred pounds. On the other hand, buying a good van and full equipment might cost thousands. One guide says that cleaning startups in the UK typically spend between £4,000 and £35,000 in total.

Key startup costs include:

Overall, a very lean startup (using a personal car and basic kit) might be under £1,000. A more full setup with a vehicle and full kit could be several thousand pounds. Many successful cleaners start small part-time and slowly reinvest profit as they get clients.

What Equipment and Supplies You Need

To work safely and professionally, you need certain equipment and supplies. Start with the essentials and add more as you grow. Basic items include:

Most of these can be bought as needed. For example, one guide says a basic start kit of equipment and materials might be around £150 (not including heavy items like a new vacuum or van). It’s smart to start with quality where it matters (a good vacuum, sturdy mop) so you don’t replace items often. As you earn money, reinvest in more gear or a van.

Finding Your First Clients

Residential Clients

For home cleaning, word of mouth and local promotion work best. Start by telling friends, family and neighbours about your service. Often a satisfied customer recommends you to others. You can also:

Commercial Clients

Commercial cleaning (offices, shops, holiday lets, etc.) can pay more per job. To get business clients:

Keep track of all enquiries. Follow up quickly with a polite email or call, and give a clear quote (see below). Always be professional and friendly – reliability is key. Over time, a mix of good work and referrals will fill your diary.

Pricing and Quoting for Jobs

Setting the right price is crucial. You need to cover all your costs plus make profit. Here are simple steps:

In summary, base your price on time and cost. A useful tip is to estimate how many hours the job takes and multiply by your rate. Make sure to factor in a small cushion for travel or unforeseen mess. Over time, as you gain confidence, you can fine-tune your rates. Do not forget to increase prices a little each year (for inflation).

How to Scale to £500,000 per Year

Earning £500k a year is a big goal and will take time, but it’s achievable if you grow steadily. Here’s how to think about it:

Reaching £500k will likely take several years. For example, one source notes a single cleaner averages about £19,000/year. It may take 3–5 years to build a team and client base strong enough to hit six-figures. But with persistence, each year you add more clients and staff. By year 3 or 4 you might pass £100k turnover, and by continuing to grow you can work toward £500k in years 5–10. The key is steady growth, keeping an eye on profit margins, and not taking on more than you can manage well.

Hiring Staff and Managing a Team

When you start hiring, you become an employer. This adds costs and responsibilities, but it lets you serve more clients. Keep these tips in mind:

Managing staff is a new skill. Focus on treating them fairly. Cleaners who feel valued and paid well will stay longer. This reduces turnover and training costs. In short, hiring lets you multiply your earnings (more cleaners means more jobs done), but it also means following UK employment laws and organizing your team well.

Tools to Manage Bookings and Payments

Good tools save time. You don’t need fancy software at first, but as you get busier, consider these:

Starting out, even a simple diary or spreadsheet is okay. But as you grow, moving to digital tools will help you avoid double bookings, forgotten payments, or lost invoices. Using software may cost some money, but it usually pays off by saving time and making you look professional.

Simple Marketing Ideas (Flyers, Online Ads, Local Listings)

Marketing doesn’t have to be expensive. Here are some budget-friendly ideas:

Remember, consistency is key. It often takes several marketing touches for a person to become a client. Starting out, you might spend £0–£100 on flyers and online ads. As you book more work, re-invest a small percentage of your income into further advertising (maybe 2–5% of turnover). Over time, you’ll see which methods bring the most leads and focus on those.

Realistic Timeline to Reach Six-Figure Revenue

Growing to a high income takes patience. Don’t expect £500k in year one – it will build over time. A rough timeline might look like this:

Every business grows differently. Some hit six figures faster with a lucky contract; others grow slowly. The key is steady effort: keep quality high so clients stay, reinvest profit into marketing and staff, and hire management help as you expand. Over a few years, a routine of finding new clients, training staff, and improving service can turn a small startup into a lucrative cleaning firm. With persistence and good planning, reaching a £500,000 yearly turnover is possible in the UK cleaning industry.

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