Top 3 Cleaning Business Mistakes to Avoid

Here’s the truth: starting a cleaning business is exciting — but it’s incredibly easy to mess up.

Not because you’re lazy or unmotivated. Not because you’re not cut out for it.
But because no one tells you what actually matters when you're first getting started.

You’re doing your best:
Saying yes to anyone who asks.
Pricing low just to land the job.
Hustling hard, hoping it will all “figure itself out.”

Meanwhile, you’re glued to YouTube, Facebook groups, maybe even copying what other cleaners are doing — but deep down, you know you’re guessing.

You’re second-guessing your rates.
You’re overdelivering.
You’re praying every new client doesn’t turn into a nightmare.

And the worst part? You’re working hard… but the money doesn’t reflect it. You’re cleaning your heart out, trying to keep everyone happy — and it still feels like survival mode.

Sound familiar?

✨ Ready to stop guessing and finally start your cleaning business the right way?

Get the free 30-day step-by-step starter plan to launch with confidence.

You’re not alone — and you’re not stuck.

In this post, I’ll break down the 3 biggest mistakes I see new (and stuck) cleaning business owners make — and how to avoid them.

If you're ready to stop winging it and start building something real, I’ve also got a free 30-day starter plan you can grab at the end of this post. It’s the same no-fluff checklist I used to finally take control of my business.

❌ Mistake #1: Taking Every Client That Comes Your Way

When you’re starting out, it’s tempting to say yes to everyone.

You want the money. You want experience. You don’t want to miss out.

But here’s the truth: not everyone is your client.

Some clients underpay, over-demand, and make you dread going to work. If your calendar is full of those people, you’ll never have room for the right ones.

Instead:

• Choose the type of homes, jobs, and clients you want

• Say no to lowballers and time-wasters

• Build your business with purpose, not panic
  
  
  

💸 Mistake #2: Underpricing Your Services

This one stings — because I’ve lived it.

You’re scared to charge too much. You don’t want to lose the job.
So you charge just enough to “get the client”… and end up resenting the work.

But underpricing doesn’t just kill your profit — it kills your confidence.

You’re not just cleaning. You’re offering peace of mind, consistency, and value. That’s worth something.

Instead:

• Choose a simple pricing approach that fits how you want to work

• Start where you feel confident, and adjust with experience

• Know that your time and energy are assets — price like it
  

✍️ The free plan doesn’t go deep into pricing strategies, but it’ll help you get your foundation in place so you’re ready to quote with confidence when you get your first inquiries.

🛑 Mistake #3: Not Setting Clear Expectations

Most issues between you and a client?
They come from miscommunication — not bad service.

They thought you’d clean the fridge.
You didn’t.

They assumed you’d stay 4 hours.
You booked the job for 2.

That’s not your fault — but if you didn’t set expectations early, it becomes your problem.

Instead:

• Write down your services clearly

• Decide what's included in your standard clean

• Set boundaries and stick to them
  

🧼 Recap: Avoid These 3 Business-Killing Mistakes

✅ Don’t say yes to everyone. Choose your clients like a business owner.
✅ Don’t price just to “get the job.” Your time is worth more than that.
✅ Set expectations early — and you’ll avoid stress, resentment, and burnout.

📥 Ready to Build Something That Pays You?

If you're tired of guessing and want a real step-by-step checklist to set up your business the right way…

🎁 Download my free “Start a Real Cleaning Business in 30 Days” Starter Plan.

Inside, you’ll get:

• A week-by-week checklist to lay your foundation

• What to do first (and what to skip) so you can move forward fast

• Basics like setting up your business, choosing a niche, and getting visible — even without a website

• Zero fluff, zero overwhelm — just action
  
  

This is the plan I wish I had when I was stuck, underpaid, and overwhelmed.

👉 Click here to get the 30-Day Starter Plan — free

Let’s build something profitable — together.

Trisha Carinne
30-Year Solo Cleaning Pro & Mentor

Recent Articles

Six Steps to Successfully Start a Cleaning Business

The #1 Mistake Cleaning Business Owners Make

For over 30 years, Trisha built and ran her own successful cleaning business, handpicking her schedule and consistently earning $5,000+ a month—all while working part-time as a solo cleaner. Now, she’s here to help you do the same! Whether you’re just starting solo or already have a small team, Trisha’s vast experience can help you grow your business and boost profits without adding more hours. She'll teach you how to avoid common mistakes new cleaning business owners make and run your business profitably from day one. With over three decades of experience, learning from Trisha is the fastest, most reliable way to launch or scale your thriving cleaning business!