3 Essential Steps To Build a Profitable Cleaning Business
If you’re thinking about starting a house cleaning business, you're probably feeling a mix of excitement and maybe a little confusion. There’s so much advice out there, and not all of it is helpful.
That’s why I’m here to give you the three crucial factors you absolutely need to focus on if you want to build a profitable, long-lasting cleaning business.
Hi, I’m Trisha Carinne, and I’ve owned my own successful cleaning business for over 30 years. In this post, I’m sharing the core tips that have helped me build a six-figure business while working part-time, and I’m excited to help you do the same. Plus, if you’re just starting out, make sure to grab my Free Cleaning Business Start-Up Checklist below 👇
1. Build a Strong Foundation for Your Business
Before you can grow a successful cleaning business, you need to lay down a solid foundation. Without it, you’ll find yourself frustrated and struggling to keep things together. Many people make the mistake of jumping straight into building a website, setting up booking software, or advertising on platforms like Yelp or Marketplace. While those things may be helpful later, they’re not what you need to focus on when you’re starting out.
Here’s what you actually need:
Cleaning checklists: These help you and your client stay on the same page about what needs to be done during each cleaning.
Policies: Clear policies set expectations, so there’s no confusion about payments, cancellations, or other important details.
Agreements: Written agreements ensure that you and your clients are aligned on what services will be provided and when.
Having these systems in place from the start will set you apart from your competition. It shows you’re professional, organized, and serious about your business. It’s also the best way to avoid the miscommunications and headaches that cause so many new cleaning businesses to fail.
If you don't have all of these forms yet check out my House Cleaning Business Starter Kit
2. Start Small and Develop Your Systems
When you first start your cleaning business, it’s tempting to hire employees or subcontractors right away. After all, more people means more clients, right? Wrong.
The truth is, there’s a high turnover rate in the cleaning industry, and if you don’t have your business systems down, hiring too soon can backfire. Instead, I recommend starting solo or with a partner. Focus on learning the business, creating efficient systems, and getting your routines nailed down before you expand.
Here are the key systems you need to develop:
Pricing and estimating: Learn how to price your jobs correctly to avoid underpricing (a huge mistake many new cleaners make).
Walkthroughs: Conduct in-home walkthroughs to understand exactly what the client needs.
Efficient cleaning routines: Develop a method that lets you work quickly without sacrificing quality.
Client acquisition: Create a system for getting new clients—whether that’s through referrals, networking, or local advertising.
Once you have these systems in place, they’ll make your business run smoothly, allowing you to deliver consistent results and build trust with your clients. These systems are also easily scalable when you’re ready to hire employees, so you’ll have a business that operates like a well-oiled machine.
3. Focus on Building Recurring Clients
The biggest key to a profitable cleaning business is recurring clients. One-off cleaning jobs might give you a short-term cash boost, but they won’t provide the stable, long-term income you need to grow your business.
Recurring clients are where the real money is.
In my business, most of my clients have stayed with me for 10 to 15+ years! Take one of my biweekly clients who paid $180 per clean. Over 18 years, that client brought in nearly $87,000—and it only took me about 1.5 hours to clean her home! That’s the power of recurring income.
Quality repeat clients were the backbone of my business. They’ve made my cleaning business enjoyable and highly profitable for over 30 years and the same is possible for you. For example, if you get a weekly client paying $180 and keep them for 12 years, the lifetime value of that one client is over $100,000! Find just 10 clients like that, and you’ve got a six-figure business.This is exactly what I did in my business!
And when you focus on getting quality, repeat clients, you’ll find that your workload decreases while your income grows. You’re not constantly hustling to find new clients. When you do good work, your clients will stick with you for the long haul.
More Than Just Cleaning—You’re Giving Clients Their Time Back
Your cleaning business isn’t just about keeping homes tidy—it’s about solving problems for your clients. They don’t have the time, energy, or desire to clean, and by offering your services, you’re giving them something far more valuable than a spotless home—you’re giving them their time back. Time to spend with their family, focus on their work, or simply enjoy life.
When you look at your business through that lens, it becomes more than just a job. It becomes a rewarding and fulfilling way to provide a service that genuinely improves your clients' lives.
Ready to Get Started?
Building a cleaning business that supports you financially and is enjoyable to run is absolutely possible when you focus on these three key factors:
Build a strong foundation with the right forms and policies.
Start small and develop your systems before scaling.
Focus on recurring clients for long-term profitability.
Let’s get to work and build your dream cleaning business—one that gives you the freedom, flexibility, and income you deserve!
And don’t forget—if you’re just starting out, grab my Free Cleaning Business Start-Up Checklist
If you want to get your cleaning business started ASAP be sure to get House Cleaning Business Starter Kit
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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!
