How to Start a House Cleaning Business in Canada 2025 (With No Experience)

Starting A House Cleaning Business

Easy to Start and Always in Demand

Starting a house cleaning business in Canada is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to become your own boss. You don’t need special training, a large investment, or years of experience—just a strong work ethic and a plan.

New? No Problem.

If you’re new to this industry, don’t worry. This guide will walk you through everything step by step, from setting up your business to landing your first customers. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to start, grow, and succeed—even if you’ve never cleaned professionally before.

Why House Cleaning is a Great Business in Canada

Simple and Profitable

Many people assume starting a business is expensive or complicated, but a house cleaning business is one of the simplest and most profitable to start. Here’s why:

• ✅ High demand – Homeowners, renters, Airbnb hosts, and businesses all need cleaning services regularly.
• ✅ Low startup costs – No need for an office, expensive equipment, or large inventory—just basic cleaning supplies and transportation.
• ✅ Flexible schedule – Work as much or as little as you want. Start part-time and grow as demand increases.
• ✅ Fast cash flow – Unlike businesses that rely on long invoice cycles, cleaning businesses often get paid the same day.

With just a few clients a week, you can start earning a steady income quickly.

Getting Started: What You Need

Deciding on Your Business Structure

Before taking on clients, decide on your business structure. Most solo cleaners start as sole proprietors because it’s simple and cost-effective. As your business grows, you may consider incorporation for legal protection and tax benefits.

To register your business, check your province’s business registry. In Ontario, for example, you can register a sole proprietorship online for under $100.

Licensing & Insurance

• Business License – Some provinces and cities require a license to operate. Check with your local municipal office.
• Liability Insurance – Protects you from accidental damage to a client’s property or injuries that occur on the job. Affordable coverage is available from local brokers or online services like Zensurance.
• Workers' Compensation (WSIB in Ontario) – Required if you hire employees.
• Bonding Employees – Optional but recommended for securing high-value clients who require trust verification.

Essential Equipment & Supplies

To get started, you’ll need some basic cleaning tools and supplies:

• 🧹 Vacuum cleaner
• 🧽 Microfiber cloths
• 🪣 Mop and bucket
• 🧴 All-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, and disinfectant
• 🪥 Scrubbing brushes and sponges

For a complete starter cleaning kit, including equipment, branding, guides, and 1-on-1 consulting, check out the Cleaning Business Starter Package.

Setting Your Prices

How Much Should You Charge?

Most house cleaners charge hourly rates or flat rates per job:

• 💰 Hourly Rate Example: $40 per hour
• 💰 Flat Rate Example: A 3-hour standard cleaning = $120

Researching Local Competition

Look at competitor pricing on Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and Google. Pricing too low can make your business unsustainable, while pricing too high can drive clients away.

Offering First-Time Discounts

To attract new clients, consider:

• $20 off the first service
• Buy 5 cleanings, get 1 free

This can encourage repeat customers while building trust.

Finding Your First Clients

Where to Advertise for Free

You don’t need a big budget for marketing. Some of the best ways to find clients for free include:

• Facebook Marketplace & local groups 

• Post in community groups offering your services.

• Kijiji & Craigslist 

• Many people search for cleaners on these platforms.

• Community bulletin boards 

• Post flyers in laundromats, coffee shops, and local businesses.

• Word-of-mouth 

• Tell friends and family about your new business.

• Door-to-Door Sales

• Another effective strategy is handing out flyers door-to-door in neighborhoods where homeowners are likely to pay for cleaning services.

• Design a professional door hanger and brochure to bring to each door. 

How to Make Your Business Look Professional from Day 1

Even if you’re just starting, looking professional helps you get more clients.

• Create a Business Name & Simple Logo 

• (use free tools like Canva) if you have a knack for design, if not you can always hire a professional to design a logo for you. 

• Design a Flyer 

• Design a flyer that lists your services and pricing. Make sure to keep it simple and easy to read at a glance. People don’t want to spend effort to find out what you do and how much you charge. 

• Set up a Facebook Page 

• Set up a quick business page for your business to showcase reviews and contact information.

How to Get Your First Paying Customer in 7 Days

• Post an Ad

• Running some paid ads on Facebook or listing your services for free on Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji is an easy way to get in front of people fast. There are plenty of online videos that can walk you through the process of setting up an account and running ads. If you want help with this, you can hire consulting from a company like KleanBase.com 1-888-497-5797

• Ask Friends/Family 

• If you know anyone local you can ask if they know anyone who needs a cleaner. Word of mouth is a great way to get new customers.

• Offer a Limited-time Discount

• Offering a discount for first-time customers can help get your foot in the door, if you do a good job they will likely hire you again. Just make sure to explain before that this is a one time rate for the first clean only, otherwise they may be surprised when you charge them more the second time.

Delivering a Great Service (Even If You’re New)

How to Clean Efficiently & Professionally

• Follow A Cleaning Checklist 

• Ensure every room is spotless. Keeping a checklist on hand is an easy way to make sure you don’t forget or miss anything.

• Work From Top To Bottom 

• Clean the house from top to bottom as you go, dusting high spaces and working your way down to the floors. You do this to avoid dirt and dust falling down onto a space that you already cleaned. 

• Focus On Key Areas 

• Kitchens and bathrooms should shine! These are the spaces home owners prioritize and look at closely the most. If these are clean, they are less likely to be as picky about the rest of the home. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Going Too Fast 

• Speed is important, but quality matters more. Make sure you set enough time to clean the house comfortably, if you need more time talk to the owner. We recommend setting cleaning times of at least 4 hours for a new client, once you get a feel for how long it will take on a regular basis you can change the amount of time. 

• Ignoring Small Details 

• Customers notice imperfections on things like taps, door handles, and mirrors the most. Make sure these are all spotless and your clients are less likely to go around looking for more imperfections. 

How to Handle Customer Expectations

• Set Clear Agreements 

• What’s included (and not included) in your service? Having a service contract agreement can be helpful for this purpose. 

• Ask What Matters Most 

• Some clients prioritize certain areas over others. Ask your client what matters most to them when arriving for your initial inspection, make sure to take notes so that it is not missed on the first clean.

• Dealing With Complaints Professionally

• If an issue arises, offer to fix it instead of arguing. 

Growing Your Business

How to Get Repeat Customers

• Offer loyalty discounts (e.g., 10% off after 5 cleanings).

• Ask happy customers for referrals – word-of-mouth is powerful.

When to Hire Help & Expand

Once you’re fully booked, it might be time to hire extra help or subcontract work. Decide if you want to hire independent contractors (easier, but less control) or employees (more paperwork, but full control).

Final Tips for Success

Common Beginner Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

• ❌ Underpricing Your Services – Charge what you’re worth!
• ❌ Taking On Too Much Work – Start small, then expand.
• ❌ Not Marketing Consistently – Keep posting ads and networking. Always look for more clients as your existing client base will always be coming and going.

Why Consistency and Customer Service Matter Most

Clients trust you to show up on time and do a great job every time. Reliability and attention to detail will separate you from competitors.

Clients will stick with you if you show up on time and deliver great results consistently.

Get Support & Start Today!

Want to start a small cleaning company but are not sure yet or feel you need some guidance and support? The Cleaning Business Starter Package has everything you need to hit the ground running.

It includes all the essential tools, guides, and checklists for a smooth launch, as well as 1 on 1 consulting with a professional house cleaning business owner who has years of experience. 

If you want a step-by-step roadmap to launching your business, the Cleaning Business Starter Package has everything you need, including:

• ✅ Equipment & supplies
• ✅ Business branding
• ✅ Essential guides & checklists
• ✅ 1-on-1 consulting with an experienced cleaning business owner

Learn more & get started here! 🚀