Come avviare un’impresa di pulizie domestiche: guida passo passo e business plan

House cleaning is one of the most accessible businesses to start. You don’t need a storefront, the equipment is affordable, and every neighbourhood has homes that need cleaning. But “buy supplies and post an ad” isn’t a plan. This guide walks through how to start a house cleaning business step by step: research, a simple business plan, registration and taxes, how to set your prices, how to find clients, and the systems that keep you consistent once the bookings come in. It’s written for the US, using guidance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the IRS. Rules differ by state, province and city, so check locally before you launch.

Step 1: Research your local market

The SBA’s first step for any new business is market research. For a cleaning business, that means answering a few practical questions:

• Who will you clean for? Busy families, seniors, apartment renters, short-term rental hosts and small offices all want different things. Pick one or two to start.
• What will you offer? Standard recurring cleans, deep cleans, move-out cleans or turnovers. Each needs different time and supplies.
• Who else is out there? Look at local cleaning companies and independent cleaners: what they offer, how they describe their services and how clients review them.
• Where will you work? Choose a service area you can drive between quickly. Travel time is unpaid time.

Step 2: Write a house cleaning business plan

A business plan doesn’t have to be long. The SBA describes two formats: a traditional plan with detailed sections, and a lean startup plan that fits on a page. A lean plan is usually enough for a solo cleaner. Cover these points:

• Services and checklist: exactly what’s included in each type of clean, room by room.
• Customers: who you serve and why they’d pick you.
• Pricing method: hourly, flat-rate or a mix (see Step 5).
• Startup costs: supplies, equipment, registration fees, a phone plan and transport.
• Marketing: how the first ten clients will find you.
• Policies: cancellations, lockouts, pets, keys and what happens if a client isn’t happy.
• Goals: how many homes a week you want in month one, month six and year one.

Writing your checklist and policies down before your first client saves arguments later.

Step 3: Choose a structure, register and get tax IDs

The SBA’s steps also include choosing a business structure, picking a name, registering, getting tax IDs and applying for any licenses and permits.

• Structure: many solo cleaners start as a sole proprietor. Others form an LLC, which is registered with the state. A lawyer or accountant can help you choose.
• Name: check that the name isn’t already used in your state, and that the domain and social handles are available.
• EIN: an Employer Identification Number from the IRS is free. Apply directly with the IRS and avoid websites that charge for it. If you’re forming an LLC, register it with your state first.
• Licenses and permits: requirements vary by state and city. Many cities require a general business license. Check your city and county websites.
• Bank account: open a separate business account so your records stay clean.

Step 4: Understand self-employment taxes

If you work for yourself, nobody withholds taxes for you. According to the IRS, you generally owe self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare) if your net self-employment income is $400 or more, and you may need to make estimated tax payments during the year. Keep receipts for supplies, mileage and phone costs, and talk to a tax professional about what you can deduct.

Step 5: How to price house cleaning

“How much do I charge an hour?” is the first question most new cleaners ask. There’s no single right number, because local prices vary widely. Here’s how to work out yours.

Pick a pricing method

• Hourly: simple and fair for jobs that vary a lot. Set a minimum, such as 2 or 3 hours, so short jobs are worth the drive.
• Flat rate: a set price by number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Clients like knowing the total upfront, but you need good time estimates.
• Per square foot: common for move-out and post-construction cleans where homes are empty.

Build your price from your costs

1. Add up your monthly costs: supplies, equipment replacement, phone, fuel or transit, registration fees and any software.
2. Set aside money for taxes.
3. Count the hours you’ll actually clean, not including driving, quoting and admin time.
4. Compare the result with local competitors so you’re in the right range for your market.

Charge more for deep cleans, move-out cleans and add-ons like inside the oven or fridge, and review your prices at least once a year.

Step 6: Equipment and supplies

Start with the basics and buy better tools as you grow: microfiber cloths in several colours, an all-purpose cleaner, a glass cleaner, a bathroom cleaner, scrub brushes and a grout brush, a squeegee, a duster with an extension pole, a caddy, rubber gloves, a good vacuum and a mop. Colour-code your cloths so the bathroom cloth never touches the kitchen. Our speed cleaning tips for house cleaners show how to set up your caddy to save time on every job.

Step 7: Find your first clients

• Your network: friends, family, neighbours and local groups. Ask happy clients for reviews and referrals.
• A free business profile: set up a free Google Business Profile so people searching nearby can find you.
• Partnerships: real estate agents, property managers and short-term rental hosts need move-out and turnover cleans.
• Marketplaces: join a platform where clients are already booking (more below).

Step 8: Build systems that keep you consistent

Consistent results are what turn one-time clients into recurring ones. Use the same room order on every job, keep a written checklist for each service, take before-and-after photos, and confirm bookings the day before. Our house cleaning checklist is a good starting template, and how to clean a bathroom fast shows the kind of workflow that keeps jobs on schedule.

Another route: find clients through CleansterPro

If finding clients is the hard part, you can also work through a marketplace. CleansterPro is the cleaner app from Cleanster, used to claim marketplace jobs and manage your own cleaning business. Clients book through the Cleanster app, and cleaners work in CleansterPro.

• Register: download CleansterPro, create your account and add your experience. See how to register.
• Get background-checked: every cleaner completes a full ClearChecks background check, ID verification and reference checks before claiming jobs. See verifica dei precedenti e dell’identità.
• Claim jobs near you: jobs typically appear within about 30 miles of your profile address. See how to claim a job.
• Follow the checklist: complete each job in the app with the client’s checklist. See how to complete a job.

In the US, cleaners on CleansterPro work as independent contractors, so the tax steps above still apply.

Starting a house cleaning business FAQ

Do I need a license to start a house cleaning business?
It depends on where you live. Many cities require a general business license, and some states have extra rules. Check your state, county and city websites.

Do I need an LLC?
No. Many cleaners start as sole proprietors. An LLC is a separate legal structure registered with your state. An accountant or lawyer can help you decide.

Is an EIN free?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs for free. Apply on irs.gov and avoid sites that charge a fee.

How much should I charge for house cleaning?
Start from your own costs and the hours you’ll actually clean, then compare with local competitors. Prices vary a lot by city, so there’s no single right number.

What’s the best way to get clients?
Referrals, reviews and a free Google Business Profile work well for local cleaners. A marketplace like CleansterPro lets you claim jobs from clients who are already booking.

Do I need a business plan?
A one-page lean plan is enough to start. Write down your services, checklist, pricing method, policies and goals.

Get started

Ready to start cleaning homes in your area? Download CleansterPro and register today.

Download CleansterPro