Starting a business of any kind is a big step. Add to that the potential impact of economic and market conditions, it’s natural to want to do research to establish whether it’s the right time to invest.
When considering profitability, choosing to start a cleaning business in the UK can be a great choice due to low overheads and great options for expansion. Of course, there are various personal considerations that should be made as well.
This article is designed to provide clarity for anyone who’s thinking about starting a UK cleaning business, but hasn’t taken the plunge. Specifically, it contains advice on how to start a business, why cleaning businesses are attractive in the UK, and when is the right time to set up a cleaning business.
How to start your own cleaning business
With more than 75,000 cleaning businesses in the UK as of 2023, it might seem intimidating to start your own. Don’t be put off. Competition is often an indicator of a healthy market with an abundance of demand for products and services. There are also tons of different cleaning niches to focus on which can allow you to carve out your own area of the market.
While you will need to follow some legal processes to officially set up the business, including business registration, insurance, and potentially securing cleaning licenses, more time should be spent creating your business plan.
The business plan for a cleaning service company should include more than just how to set up your cleaning business. Time must be spent thinking about the services you’ll offer, your ideal target customers, your area of operation, marketing, automated management systems, and predicted sales.
Why consider setting up a cleaning business in the UK?
Low start-up costs
When it comes to starting a cleaning business there are very low start-up costs, as well as small ongoing operational costs. For the former, the main costs will be your cleaning products, your personal transport, and insurance. Over time you’ll have to spend a little replacing products, maintaining your equipment, and marketing your services, although this is still low cost compared to other types of independent business.
Time flexibility
Having your own business means you get to set your working hours and decide which jobs you take on based on your desired schedule. You might only take on clients within a certain distance to further gel with your preferences. Having this level of control allows you to better manage your workload and create a healthy work-life balance.
Low barrier to entry
For most types of cleaning you don’t need to have any formal education or qualifications to get started. Experience can be beneficial, but all skills and training can be learnt through a short-term intensive course. Our oven cleaning training takes place over the course of a single week and gives our franchisees everything they need to provide market-leading services.
Favourable UK cleaning market conditions
At the time of writing, total cleaning industry turnover has increased 23% since 2015. Plus, due to a renewed focus on hygiene as a result of the COVID pandemic and increased outsourcing from the NHS, there has been a rise in demand for professional cleaning services. The UK is also appealing for cleaning franchises, as there are relatively few legal obligations associated with setting up your cleaning business or joining a franchise as a new business owner.
No need for physical premises
Small cleaning business operations that don’t employ many people, can easily function from the owner’s home. Without the need for a commercial space, there are no costs associated with business rent or private storage. This also saves lots of time, as the only commuting involved is to and from each cleaning job.
When is the right time to start a cleaning business?
This is a tricky question to answer. There isn’t any right or wrong time when it comes to starting a business venture, what’s more important is deciding whether it’s the right time for you from a financial standpoint. You can also consider whether running your own business is right for you by asking yourself some key questions before investing.
Being a sole business owner requires an organisational mindset, clear goals to focus on, and a passion for your work. It’s also important to consider your other commitments and how your new cleaning business will complement your lifestyle. While the initial period can be busy, having the long-term flexibility of being your own boss is a draw for parents, family carers, and other people with out-of-work commitments.
Speaking to Franchise World in 2022, veteran Ovenu franchise owner Steve Archibald started his business because he wanted to have more flexibility and job satisfaction, saying “This business is all about meeting some lovely people and delivering an excellent service. It’s certainly a varied life”. He also cited the appeal of getting to work within a set territory.
Cons of starting a UK cleaning business
With any impactful financial decision, it’s important to consider the potential risks and downsides. When it comes to cleaning businesses, this can include:
Physical work
Many cleaners will work long hours or complete multiple cleaning jobs in a day, which can be tough on the body. This won’t always be the case with every type of cleaning and can be counteracted with the right measures in place. For example, our oven cleaners have a straightforward job that involves disassembling the oven with products and tools designed to make the job as streamlined as possible.
Competitive pricing
As a new business, it can be hard to compete on price in certain markets due to competitors’ specially formulated products and equipment. If you try to go the route of a premium service to make ends meet, it can then be hard to establish yourself as a trusted provider of quality services.
Employee turnover
If your business reaches the size where it becomes necessary to hire another member of staff, it can lead to issues if you aren’t experienced in managing people. Another factor is that cleaning roles have a negative reputation as not offering much career progression. In both cases, you’ll have to adapt your business plan and introduce relevant policies and procedures to keep things running smoothly.
Research cleaning business franchise opportunities
A good way to gauge whether or not a type of cleaning business is worth it, is to look at other companies that have achieved success in the market. This will give you an idea of the types of cleaning businesses that have been successful, what their services include, how they market themselves, and their customer profiles. Better yet, you can investigate different cleaning franchises to see what business support is available.
There are hundreds of franchise cleaning businesses in the UK, each operating within a different niche. For instance, window cleaning, carpet cleaning, oven cleaning etc. Becoming a franchisee is an option for prospective cleaning business owners which means you don’t have to start from scratch. Instead, for an investment, you have access to an established brand, marketing network, and ongoing support.
Joining a franchise also gives you access to their business plan, which has proven effectiveness in delivering your services. You can also be confident in its approach as it’s been refined over years of successful business operation.
Cleaning business support for new owners
If you’re feeling indecisive about starting your own cleaning business because of all the pre-planning involved, going the route of a franchisee could be the answer. Many of the time-consuming elements of a successful business are already taken care of, such as the brand reputation and marketing network. You’ll also benefit from professional training and on-hand support so you’re not going it alone.
At Ovenu, we created the ‘blueprint’ model for a successful oven cleaning business plan that’s designed to streamline the start-up process and support long-term profits. That being said, we also respect that times have changed since we established our franchise in the UK more than 25 years ago. That’s why we’re constantly adapting our business approach to the benefit of all franchise members and the brand itself.
Having helped over 100 franchisees and counting, we’re confident you will secure a return on your investment by partnering with Ovenu.
Get in touch today below if you have any questions about our franchise offering.
