Gorgie · City of Edinburgh
How to Start a Cleaning Business in Gorgie
What you need to know about licensing, insurance and getting started -- specific to Gorgie and the wider City of Edinburgh area.
Open the Cleaning Business Launch Kit to see everything included — £22If you're weighing up a cleaning business in Gorgie, you're looking at one of the UK's most accessible trades to get going in. Here's what matters before you start taking bookings around City of Edinburgh.
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 Gorgie?
Most new cleaning businesses in Gorgie 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 Gorgie?
Yes -- most domestic cleaners are sole traders who travel to clients, so you don't need commercial premises in Gorgie to get started.
Do I need insurance to clean houses in Gorgie?
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 Gorgie and City of Edinburgh. If you ever employ staff, employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement.
Do I need a qualification to be a cleaner in Gorgie?
No qualification is legally required to start cleaning for clients in Gorgie. Industry training such as BICSc becomes more commercially relevant once you're employing staff or taking on larger recurring contracts.