Duns · Scottish Borders
Starting a Cleaning Business in Duns
A straight answer on licensing, insurance and your first clients around Duns and Scottish Borders.
See what's inside the Cleaning Business Launch Kit — £22A cleaning business is one of the lowest-friction ways to start self-employed work in the UK, and Duns is no exception. Before you take your first booking in Scottish Borders, here's the honest picture on licensing, insurance and what actually gets you clients.
What the rules say
There's no general licence standing between you and starting a domestic cleaning business anywhere in the UK -- although carrying a client's waste away yourself brings its own registration requirement. As a sole trader, public liability insurance stays optional in law but is expected by most clients and letting agents in practice. The one line that does become a legal requirement is employers' liability insurance, and only once you employ anyone outside your family.
Quick answers
How do I find my first cleaning clients in Duns?
Most new cleaning businesses in Duns start with word-of-mouth, local Facebook groups, and a Google Business Profile. The Cleaning Business Launch Kit includes a full marketing workbook with practical steps for building a client base from a standing start.
Can I run a cleaning business from home in Duns?
Yes -- most domestic cleaners are sole traders who travel to clients, so you don't need commercial premises in Duns to get started.
Do I need insurance to clean houses in Duns?
It isn't a legal requirement as a sole trader, but public liability insurance is strongly recommended and often expected by clients and letting agents across Duns and Scottish Borders. If you ever employ staff, employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement.
Do I need a qualification to be a cleaner in Duns?
No qualification is legally required to start cleaning for clients in Duns. Industry training such as BICSc becomes more commercially relevant once you're employing staff or taking on larger recurring contracts.