F.A.Q

While prior experience can be helpful, it's not necessary. Many successful cleaning business owners start without experience. 

You will want to buy liability insurance to protect against property damage or injury claims.  It is inexpensive for a cleaning business and not a barrier. A well reviewed and affordable company is Zensurance  - www.zensurance.com

Basic cleaning equipment includes:

• Vacuum cleaner (Or use the client's vacuum cleaner as part of your agreement)
• Mops and buckets
• Cleaning cloths or microfiber towels
• Brooms and dustpans
• Cleaning chemicals (disinfectants, glass cleaners, etc.)
• Gloves 

You don’t need to hire employees. Many cleaning business owners work alone.  As your business grows, you may want to hire employees to take on more work or provide specialized services.

It is really good to buy cleaning supplies from a professional equipment and supply store that is open to the public.  The staff at the store can help you choose the right products and give you tips.  A example of a good store in Toronto is Triple A Cleaning Supplies and Equipment - located at 1702 Danforth Avenue Toronto.  

You can start a cleaning business without a car - especially if you live in the city.  You can focus on the area around where you live and offer your service in large buildings or in a seniors apartment.  You would bring a small amount of equipment with you in a cart on wheels.  Many people start a cleaning business without a vehicle. 

Yes you will be in a position to use tax write-offs when you have your own cleaning business.

Tax write-offs are expenses that help your business operate and generate income. Some common ones include:

• Office supplies (paper, pens, ink, computers, etc.)
• Rent or lease payments for office or business space
• Utilities (electricity, water, internet, phone)
• Software and subscriptions (cloud services, accounting software, etc.)
• Cleaning Supplies and equipment.
• Advertising and marketing expenses (flyers, digital ads, etc.)

If you use your car for business, you can write off the cost of gas, maintenance, insurance, and even depreciation. ​

Home Office Deduction: If you work from home and meet specific requirements, you may be able to write off a portion of your home’s expenses, such as mortgage interest, utilities, and home insurance.