Starting a Cleaning Business in New York: 6 Steps

Whether you're tired of your desk job or want to be your own boss, starting a cleaning business in New York could be your next big move. From crafting a business plan to building a loyal customer base that sweeps the competition, Two Maids has the steps to launch your new future.

The state of New York’s vibrant economy, bolstered by millions of residents and tourists, creates continued demand for innovative services. Plus, access to resources like small business grants, networking opportunities, and mentorship programs make the Empire State a supportive environment for entrepreneurs ready to succeed. Here’s the scoop on small businesses in New York from the U.S. Small Business Administration:

• New York is home to 2.2 million small businesses
• Nearly 50% of New York's employees work at small businesses
• Small businesses accounted for 76.5% of New York's new job growth in 2023
• Women own almost 40% of the small businesses in New York

How to Start a Cleaning Business

A cleaning business can be a lucrative opportunity with high growth potential. The global household cleaning market is expected to generate $40 billion in 2024 and has a compound annual growth rate of more than 3% over the next five years.

Starting a cleaning business in New York requires limited equipment and staff. You can add additional employees as you build your customer base. Pricing your services at the market rate and investing heavily in marketing are vital. Cleaning businesses are fueled by word-of-mouth marketing, requiring you to adopt strategies to encourage referrals.

Let’s explore the steps to opening a cleaning business in New York:

1. Create a business plan: The plan should outline your services, target market, and pricing. If you offer residential cleaning services, what additional revenue streams will you offer to boost profits? Analyze your competition in the state to set your financial projects and goals.
2. Choose your business structure: Many small business owners in New York create an LLC for liability protection. A small business lawyer can provide guidance. Investing in a franchise can provide business support, training, and operational advice.
3. Register the business and obtain licenses: The state of New York offers an online tool to help you register your business. The online service guides you through a list of questions and provides a handy checklist of the regulations that apply to your business. It can help determine how to receive a cleaning business license in New York. It also connects you with industry associations that provide useful information and training tools, such as the Cleaning Management Institute.
4. Purchase equipment and supplies: Create a spreadsheet of the supplies and equipment you need to start cleaning homes. Two Maids, a 117-unit home cleaning franchise, budgets initial equipment costs, which include office supplies and furnishings of $2,500 to $9,800. Open inventory starts at $1,000.*
5. Launch local marketing: Your cleaning business needs to combine traditional and digital marketing strategies. Postcard marketing is a cost-effective way to reach your target demographic and blanket neighborhoods with your message. New mover marketing enables you to reach new residents before they form competitive loyalties. Digital marketing also lets you reach customers online and generate reviews and referrals. Experiment with different strategies to determine which generates high-quality leads.
6. Open for business: Hit the ground running with your new business. Focus on providing solid customer service and first-class cleaning service.

Franchise with Two Maids

If the steps to start a cleaning business in New York seem overwhelming, franchising offers a proven path forward. Two Maids’ unique business model and documented systems are designed to elicit positive customer satisfaction and ensure employees make more money. Our pay-for-performance compensation plan ties employee compensation with customer satisfaction, empowering our workforce.

We handle our franchisees’ digital marketing campaigns, and our booking technology is designed to make it easy for customers to schedule a cleaning. You don’t need experience in the cleaning industry to succeed as a Two Maids franchise owner. Our training program can have your business open and serving customers within 90 days.

Request information to learn more about partnering with Two Maids to launch a scalable cleaning business in New York.

*See FDD for details.