How Much Does It Cost To Start A Carpet Cleaning Business?

Starting a carpet cleaning business is a great way to earn money while being your own boss. Unlike many other industries that require huge upfront investments, carpet cleaning is one of the most affordable businesses to start today.

But remember—the cost of starting a business isn’t an expense, it’s an investment. Every dollar you put into equipment, marketing, and operations is money working for you to generate even greater returns.

A good rule of thumb? For every dollar you invest, aim to earn five back. If you start with $5,000, set your first goal at $25,000 in revenue. The great thing about carpet cleaning is that hitting this target isn’t a long-term dream—it’s something you can achieve within months with the right effort and strategy.

If you’re ready to invest in yourself, let’s break down exactly how much it costs to get started and what to expect as you grow.

Breaking Down the Costs of Starting a Carpet Cleaning Business

When planning your budget, it helps to break costs down into four main categories:

1. Business Setup Costs – These include registering your business, getting insurance, and any necessary permits or licenses.

2. Equipment Costs – Your carpet cleaning machine, vacuum, and essential tools.

3. Marketing Costs – How you plan to attract customers, from business cards to online advertising.

4. Other Costs – Gas, vehicle maintenance, a business phone, and other operational expenses.

By understanding these core expenses, you can start with a realistic budget and ensure you have everything you need to succeed. Let’s go over each category in detail.

Cost Of Setup 

Before you start cleaning carpets, you need to set up your business properly. This means registering your business, getting the right insurance, and making sure you have any necessary permits or licenses. Here’s a breakdown of these costs:

1. Business Registration

To operate legally, you’ll need to register your business. In Canada, you have two main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The simplest and cheapest option. You can register a business name for around $60, depending on the province.

• Incorporation – Offers legal protection by separating your personal and business assets, but costs more. Provincial incorporation fees range from $300 to $500, while federal incorporation costs $200 online or $250 by paper filing. You may also need a NUANS report, which costs about $13–$60. If you hire a lawyer or online service to incorporate for you, expect to pay $500–$1,500 or more.

2. Business Insurance

Carpet cleaning involves working in customers’ homes and businesses, so insurance is essential to protect you from liability claims and damages. Common types of insurance include:

1. General Liability Insurance – Covers accidental damage to a customer’s property or injuries caused by your work. Costs start around $500–$1,500 per year, depending on coverage limits.

2. Equipment Insurance – If you’re buying expensive cleaning equipment, this protects you from loss or damage. Typically $100–$300 per year.

Cost of Equipment

Your carpet cleaning business needs the right equipment to handle jobs efficiently and professionally. While there are many different tools available, here’s a breakdown of the essential equipment you’ll need and their estimated costs.

1. Carpet Cleaning Machine – $2,500 – $5,000

This is your most important investment. A professional-grade carpet extractor or portable carpet cleaning machine is essential for deep cleaning carpets. Prices vary based on power, tank size, and features like heat or higher PSI for better cleaning performance.

2. Commercial Vacuum Cleaner – $500

A high-quality vacuum is needed to remove dry soil before using your carpet extractor. Unlike standard vacuums, commercial models are more durable, have better suction, and can handle frequent use.

3. Accessories and Tools – $350

These small but essential tools help with pre-treatment, scrubbing, and handling different cleaning tasks efficiently:

• Upholstery Hand Tool – For cleaning furniture and car interiors.

• Carpet Chemical Sprayer – Ideal for pre-spraying carpet chemicals for deep cleaning.

• Upholstery Brush & Grout Brush – Helps scrub tough spots on furniture and tile grout.

• Bucket & Measuring Cup – For mixing and handling cleaning solutions.

• Furniture Sliders – Protects floors and makes moving furniture easier.

• Hose and Accessory Bag – A durable duffle bag for carrying hoses and accessories to job sites.

4. Chemicals – $190

• Prespray - Helps to tackle tough stains and grease. $60 

• Urine and Pet Stain Remover - A good to have chemical if cleaning residential home carpets, will help to get any urine stains out of the carpet. $90

• Brown Out - Gets brown stains out of carpets as well as removes “browning” from occurring after cleaning. $40

Total Estimated Equipment Cost: $3,540 – $6,040

This setup gives you everything needed to start taking on carpet cleaning jobs professionally. While you can start with lower-cost options, investing in quality equipment ensures better results and durability in the long run.

Cost of Marketing

Getting your first customers is one of the biggest challenges when starting a carpet cleaning business. The good news is that marketing can be as affordable or as expensive as you make it.

1. Low-Cost Marketing ($50–$200)

If you're starting on a tight budget, you can keep marketing costs low by focusing on door-to-door sales and networking:

• Business Cards & Brochures ($50–$100) – A simple yet effective way to introduce your business to potential customers. Leave them with homeowners, property managers, and local businesses.

• Word-of-Mouth & Referrals (Free) – Offer friends, family, and early clients an incentive (like a discount) for referring new customers.

• Social Media Presence (Free–$50 for boosted posts) – Set up business pages on Facebook and Instagram and start posting before-and-after pictures of your work.

2. Paid Marketing ($200–$1,500+)

If you have the budget, investing in targeted online ads can help bring in clients quickly:

• Google Ads ($300–$1,000 per month) – Helps you show up when people search for “carpet cleaning near me.”

• Facebook/Instagram Ads ($200–$500 per month) – Target local homeowners and businesses with promotions.

• Website Setup ($100–$500) – A simple website with online booking and customer testimonials adds credibility.

• Flyers & Direct Mail ($200–$1,000) – Mail postcards or drop off flyers in neighborhoods you want to target.

Marketing Mindset: Spend What You Can, Stay Consistent

Marketing is an ongoing effort, not a one-time expense. Whether you start small with flyers or invest in online ads, the key is to stay consistent and focus on what works. If a marketing strategy works for others in your area, it will work for you—just stick with it and track your results.

Other Costs

Beyond equipment, marketing, and business setup, there are some additional costs to consider. These investments help keep your business running smoothly and ensure you can deliver services efficiently.

1. Vehicle Costs

Transporting your carpet cleaning equipment to job sites requires a reliable vehicle. If you already own a car, van or truck, you can start with that, but if not, you may need to invest in one.

Do I Need A Van To Run A Carpet Cleaning Business? 

The short answer is No. You do not need a van to run a carpet cleaning business. Will it make it easier? Yes, but only because you have some more room to work with. We know many small businesses that have opened and gotten off the ground in only a Honda Civic, and you can too. 

If you don't have any vehicle at all to work with you will need to get something. 

• Used Car or Work Van / Truck: $4,000 – $15,000 (depending on condition and mileage)

• Vehicle Branding (Optional): $400 – $2,500 for decals or a full wrap to advertise your business

2. Gas & Maintenance

Since you’ll be driving to customers’ homes or businesses, fuel and maintenance are ongoing expenses. Costs vary based on how far you travel and your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

• Gas: $100 – $300 per month (depending on job locations)

• Routine Maintenance (Oil Changes, Tires, Repairs): $500 – $1,500 per year

3. Business Phone

Having a dedicated business phone makes it easier to manage customer inquiries and bookings. You can either use a separate phone line or a VoIP (internet-based) service for calls and text messaging.

• Basic Business Phone Plan: $30 – $50 per month

• VoIP or Virtual Business Number: $10 – $50 per month

Summary

Total Estimated Startup Costs

Now that we’ve covered all the main expenses, let’s break down the total cost of starting a carpet cleaning business with a lean budget, assuming you already have a vehicle.

How Carpet Cleaning Compares to Other Business Startups

Starting a carpet cleaning business is one of the most affordable service-based businesses with a strong earning potential. Let’s compare it to other common business startups:

Carpet cleaning has the lowest startup cost while still being highly profitable compared to other business models.

How Much Can You Make Carpet Cleaning?

Carpet cleaning is a high-margin business with low ongoing expenses. Your earnings depend on pricing, marketing, and how many jobs you take per week.

Average Pricing for Carpet Cleaning Services

• Residential Carpet Cleaning: $100 – $300 per home

• Commercial Carpet Cleaning: $0.15 – $0.50 per square foot

• Upholstery Cleaning: $50 – $150 per couch

• Stain & Odor Removal: $20 – $50 per area

Projected Monthly & Yearly Income

If you build a steady flow of clients and book 10–20 jobs per week, you can expect to make $8,000 to $20,000 per month ($96,000 – $240,000 per year) before expenses.

Final Thoughts: Is Carpet Cleaning a Good Business to Start?

• Lowest startup cost compared to most businesses

• High demand in residential and commercial markets

• Recurring clients (businesses, landlords, and homeowners)

• Scalable – Start solo, then expand by hiring employees

If you're willing to market consistently and deliver quality service, carpet cleaning can be a highly profitable business with a great return on investment

Ready to Get Your Carpet Cleaning Business Started? 

First things first—you need a carpet cleaning machine. But which one?
At KleanBase, the answer is simple.

⭐ Esteam Carpet Extractors ⭐

“But which model do I choose?”

Read our blog: How Do I Choose The Right Esteam Ninja Carpet Extractor?
Learn about different models and find the best fit for you.

✅ Already Know Which Model You Need? ✅

Check out these startup bundles that include everything you need to get your business off the ground:
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