Office and small commercial cleaning business
Clean small offices, studios and clinics after hours on regular weekly contracts.
- $500-3k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.
Official data
67,799 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.8% in a year
NAICS 561720 “Janitorial services”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.
What it is
Recurring cleaning of small offices, studios, salons and clinics: trash, restrooms, floors, kitchens and desks, usually in the evening or early morning when the space is empty.
Your first three steps
- Walk a few small buildings near you, price a sample job by square footage and time, and set a minimum monthly fee
- Get general liability insurance, an EIN and a basic commercial cleaning kit
- Introduce yourself to local property managers and small offices with a simple one-page quote sheet
Who pays
Small business owners, property managers, coworking spaces and professional offices.
How it makes money
Monthly contract fee or per-visit price based on square footage and visit frequency. A few steady contracts give predictable income, and floor care or window extras add to it.
Skills that help
- Reliable, consistent work
- Quoting jobs by size and time
- Professional communication with business clients
Watch out for
- General liability insurance, since many commercial clients ask for a certificate of insurance
- Keys, alarm codes and building access, so agree clear security rules in writing
- Check whether your city or county requires a business license
- Written contracts with clear scope and notice terms to avoid unpaid extras
- Workers' compensation once you hire staff, and how your state treats contractors versus employees
🔒 Full research report for US
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start an office cleaning business?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on your equipment, insurance and setup. Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the number and size of the contracts you win.
What insurance and rules should I check before cleaning offices?
Check general liability insurance, since many commercial clients ask for a certificate of insurance. Also check whether your city or county requires a business license, agree key and alarm code security rules in writing, and look into workers' compensation if you hire staff.
How many hours a week does office cleaning take?
Estimates suggest at least about 10 hours a week to start, often in the evening or early morning when spaces are empty. Reliable, consistent work, quoting jobs by size and time, and professional communication with business clients are the key skills.
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