Step-by-step guide to starting a successful Home Cleaning business.
Yes — general liability insurance covers damage you cause and a janitorial bond covers theft claims, and many clients and all property managers will ask for proof. Requirements vary by state, but being able to say 'licensed, bonded, and insured' is itself a marketing asset in this trade.
Hourly protects you while you're still learning how long homes take; flat rates per home size and condition are easier to sell and reward you for getting faster. Most established cleaners quote flat rates built from an internal hourly target after a walkthrough or detailed questionnaire.
Tell your personal network you've launched, ask each early client for a review and a neighbor referral, and answer recommendation threads in local groups fast. First clients come from proximity and trust, and each recurring home on a street tends to produce another on the same street.
Residential starts faster with no contracts and immediate payment, while commercial offers larger recurring invoices but longer sales cycles, night work, and bid processes. Many companies start residential to build cash flow and add small offices — often through existing clients who own businesses — later.