How to start a cleaning business in Australia

Have you ever considered starting your own cleaning business? Perhaps you're a BorisDoes Tasker and you want to make the upgrade to a Business account (still fee free!), or you've been working as a cleaning contractor and want to work for yourself... now's your chance!

In this post we'll give you some tips and tricks for how to start a cleaning business in Australia and some of the things you'll need to start a business from scratch. It's easier than you might think!

Should I start my own cleaning business?

The first step is to work out if starting your own cleaning business is the best option for you. Maybe you're a sole trader and you're comfortable picking up contracts to work autonomously for different commercial cleaning services. Maybe as an independent contractor you have a great combination of residential and commercial clients? Starting a business can be very rewarding but it's not for everyone. If you already have a great employer or great clients, that might be enough.

But if you don't want to work for someone else, or you want the freedom to set your own schedule, and the financial independence that comes from winning your own business and managing your own clients, starting a business might be the right option for you!

Starting a business from scratch can be challenging, though, so be prepared for hard work and a range of start-up costs. 

What do I need to start a business?

Whether you decide to set yourself up as a sole proprietorship or a Pty Ltd commercial cleaning business, there's a few things you'll need. You can use the following as a bit of a checklist for starting a cleaning business:

Australian Business Number (ABN)

To start with, you'll need an Australian Business Number, or ABN. If you're a cleaning contractor now, there's a good chance you already have one, and you might be able to register a trading name and start straight away. The BorisDoes blog has a great post about ABNs, whether you need one, and how you get one. That article is a great first step, and includes some great hints and tips for new businesses.

Business name

From there you need to register a business name. This is now done through the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), the Australian Government agency responsible for managing business identities, trading names, and business ownership regulations. Your business name will be linked to your ABN as a trading name and you'll be able to use it in advertising, including for your website. Try to think of a business name that accurately represents who you are and what you do. "Michael's Cleaning Service" is straightforward and can't be confused with something else. "Mike-Zap 2000" could be anything and while it might sound interesting, you could just end up spending more on advertising to explain to potential customers what your business is about.

Uniform Resource Locator (URL)

The term "URL" is a fancy name for "website address". It's the bit between "www." and ".com.au". Having an accurate URL means people will be able to find you online. That means customers can contact you and ask for a quote and you'll be one step closer to winning a new contract. Wherever possible, your URL should match your business name and be something that people can understand is associated with your business. If you're having trouble picking a URL, you can talk to the consultants who work for one of the major Australian website registries and they can provide some guidance and advice.

Website

Once you have an address for a website, you'll need a website. You can start with a very basic placeholder that tells people how to contact you, or how to find you on social media. But a more advanced website with online booking options, packages and prices, and easy-to-use contact forms. A website, advertised on your vehicle, quotes and other advertising, can be a great resource for directing customers and potential customers to the information you want to give them. As you may already know, BorisDoes has great web design Taskers and Businesses ready to help you develop a new website for your new business.

Business insurance

If you're working in someone else's home or business, having public liability insurance is essential. It's also a requirement that you have workers compensation insurance for yourself and all employees. As a business owner, income protection insurance can be an added level of reassurance, as can business interruption insurance. To understand your insurance requirements and the types of insurance you might need, have a chat to an insurance broker or financial advisor. They can provide advice about the sorts of insurance policies you need, and the best providers.

Social media presence

You don't need to be on all social media platforms all at once, but having a social media presence will mean you can connect with your customers and remain front-of-mind when they decide it's time to find a cleaner. Whether it's Facebook for Business, Instagram, or satisfying deep-clean videos on TikTok, social media is a great way to engage with your customer base and secure new business. It can also be a great place to post specials, competitions, and stories about the cleaning jobs you have completed. Got an absolute shocker of a house you just made habitable again? Share it with the world and show people what you can do.

Cleaning equipment and cleaning materials

It might seem obvious, but to clean houses or businesses you'll need a range of cleaning equipment. From basic equipment like a vacuum cleaner or mop to specialized equipment like a carpet cleaning machine, running your own business means having everything you need to complete jobs for clients. Likewise, you'll need cleaning supplies. Some commercial contracts stipulate that materials will be supplied, but you shouldn't assume that will be the case. Make sure you're stocked up with your favourite cleaning products.

What sort of business should I start?

It's an important question - there are so many different types of small businesses and cleaning has a range of niche markets, specialisations, and service offerings. If you have experience with a specialised type of cleaning, consider making that a centrepiece of your services. It's always a good idea to use the skills you have as best you can and it's important to understand the demand for cleaning services in your area.

Residential cleaning businesses focus on the cleaning of houses, and sometimes larger-scale accommodation like nursing homes and retirement villages. Domestic cleaning means being conscious of the sort of cleaning solutions you use so that people can continue to live in the house you've just cleaned without any problems.

Commercial cleaning companies focus on cleaning for businesses. Commercial cleaning jobs are usually quicker but could be booked for every day of the week. That daily cleaning by a commercial cleaner means a hygienic work environment and in some industries is an essential service. 

Industrial cleaning services focus on large-scale cleaning for industrial premises like food manufacturing facilities. Industrial cleaning often requires strong chemicals but must meet strict quality standards associated with food safety.

Diversified cleaning businesses often have contracts in each category, and are run by experienced cleaners who know how to produce strong results in each environment. While it does mean you might have to maintain different sets of equipment for different types of work, the ability to do a wider range of work means being able to meet the needs of a larger number of clients.

What else will I need to decide?

Other than deciding the type of cleaning service you want to offer, you'll need to decide a few other things.

Buying into a cleaning franchise can be a good idea, especially if a high-profile cleaning company is looking for franchisees in your area. Franchises have an established company structure, market presence, advertising, branding, marketing, and pricing structure. They often have a method for directing leads from your area to your business which means you don't need to advertise yourself. They will usually have very clear business contracts outlining your franchise fees, rights and obligations. Franchising has become a popular business model and might be the right fit for you, depending on your circumstances.

You'll need to find a good business bank to structure your accounts and manage your business income. Online comparison websites like Finder.com.au are a great place to start as they let you compare the different features of different business banking accounts and products so that you can decide which one suits your business.

It's important to decide what sort of systems and software you'll use. Will you provide a handwritten quote to customers, or do you want a system that allows you to produce digital quotes? What about cleaning job management software? Your business structure may determine some of the systems and processes you use, but most business advisors and management consultants suggest that new business start-ups embrace technology as often as possible.

Conclusion

Starting a business in Australia is relatively straightforward and the Australian Government is very supportive of new businesses. Relevant government departments will go out of their way to help in most cases, and many state governments fund advisory services and business incubators.

If you're already working as a professional cleaner, as a BorisDoes cleaning Tasker, or you work as an employee providing specialised cleaning services, starting your own cleaning business might be a great opportunity. We hope our hints for how to start a cleaning business in Australia have been helpful!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need any qualifications to start a cleaning business?

No, that's the great part about starting a cleaning business in Australia. You don't need any special qualifications and anyone with a right to live and work in Australia can get an ABN and register a business name. That means you can leverage your own experience and skills without needing to get formal qualifications.

How do I get clients for my cleaning business?

The simplest way is to register with BorisDoes and to start offering quotes in response to tasks posted by Customers. There are a range of other ways you can boost your business and quote for new business. We've discussed some of the ways you can quote for new business in this blog post.