A No-Fluff, Real-Talk Guide to Getting Your First Clients and Getting Paid

So, you’re searching “cleaning services how to start.” Not surprising—cleaning is one of the most in-demand services out there, and starting a cleaning business is one of the most realistic ways to become your own boss without a big investment.

But let’s get honest: starting anything new is intimidating. Maybe you’re unsure how to get your first clients. Maybe you’re worried you’ll price too high (or too low). Or maybe you’ve got imposter syndrome because you’ve never run a business before.

Here’s the truth: You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start.

At The CoBuilders, we’ve helped everyday people—from stay-at-home parents to part-time workers—launch and grow real cleaning businesses that pay the bills (and then some). If they can do it, so can you.

Start With What You’ve Got

If you have:

Some basic cleaning supplies
Transportation
A phone
And the willingness to show up and do great work

…you’re already further ahead than most people who say they want to start a business but never take action.

💡 You don’t need a website on Day 1. You don’t need a perfect name. You need a plan and a client or two.

What Kind of Cleaning Will You Offer?

Think simple. Are you better with:

Homes and apartments (residential)
Offices and small businesses (commercial)
Move-outs (clean, empty spaces—great for beginners)
Short-term rentals like Airbnbs (quick turnovers with consistent work)

Pick one and go all in. You'll expand later.

What Should You Charge?

This is the part that paralyzes a lot of new cleaners. Here's what to remember:

✅ You deserve to be paid fairly for your time.

✅ Your price is your price—you can adjust as you grow.

Quick pricing starter:

$25–$45/hour for residential cleaning
$150–$300 for move-in/move-out cleaning
Flat fees often work better than hourly for long-term clients
Commercial pricing depends on size and frequency (often $0.10–$0.25 per sq. ft.)

Bonus: The CoBuilders' tool SCRUBGPT can help you generate fair, location-based pricing in seconds.

How Do You Get Clients When You’re Just Starting?

You don’t need a marketing degree to get your first clients. You need visibility and a clear offer.

Try this:

Tell friends, family, neighbors—people already trust you
Post in local Facebook groups: “Hey neighbors, I’m starting my cleaning service and have 2 spots open this week…”
Drop simple flyers at apartment buildings or laundromats
Create a Google Business Profile (it’s free—and works)

And remember: Happy clients lead to reviews. Reviews lead to bookings.

What About Scheduling, Quotes, and Reminders?

Here’s where things get overwhelming fast if you’re not organized.

Most new cleaners end up juggling:

Phone calls
Text messages
Venmo payments
Last-minute schedule changes
“Oops, I forgot to send the quote” moments

That’s why we created SCRUBGPT, an AI assistant specifically built for cleaning pros.

With SCRUBGPT, you can:

Send automatic quotes based on client info
Create checklists so you never forget a task
Handle rescheduling, reminders, and review requests
Track payments and job history
Look like you have a full admin team—while staying solo

Think of it as your digital operations manager. You clean, it handles the rest.

Don’t Want to Hustle Alone? You Don’t Have To.

When you’re ready to grow, The CoBuilders platform makes it easier to scale without spending all your time hunting for jobs or trying to be a full-time marketer.

We connect cleaners with:

One-time and long-term cleaning opportunities
Commercial and residential jobs in your zip code
Tools to streamline your business
A professional brand that builds trust with new clients

You stay an independent contractor—but you gain the support of a nationwide network.

👉 Apply to work with The CoBuilders

Whether you’re brand new or ready to level up, we’ll help you grow faster—and cleaner.

Final Thought: Starting Is the Hardest Part

Starting a cleaning service doesn’t mean having every answer on day one. It means taking one small, confident step—and being willing to figure out the rest as you go.

So if you’re asking “cleaning services how to start,” here’s your answer:

Start with what you know. Clean with care. Use smart tools. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.

The CoBuilders and SCRUBGPT are here to support your next step—and every one after that.