Hackney Wick · Greater London
How to Start a Cleaning Business in Hackney Wick
What you need to know about licensing, insurance and getting started -- specific to Hackney Wick and the wider Greater London area.
Open the Cleaning Business Launch Kit to see everything included — £22Hackney Wick is as good a place as any in the UK to start a cleaning business -- the trade has few legal barriers to entry. This guide sets out what to sort before your first client visit in Greater London.
What the rules say
Cleaning is one of the least regulated trades to start in the UK: no general licence is needed for ordinary domestic work, though waste-carrying has its own separate registration rules if you take it away yourself. Public liability cover isn't a legal must-have as a sole trader, but clients and agents routinely ask for it. Employers' liability insurance is the one genuine legal trigger -- it kicks in as soon as you take on non-family staff.
Quick answers
Should I register as a sole trader or a limited company in Hackney Wick?
Most people starting out in Hackney Wick begin as a sole trader -- it's simpler to set up and run. A limited company can make sense later as the business grows; the Cleaning Business Launch Kit covers the trade-offs in detail.
Can I subcontract for an agency instead of finding my own clients in Hackney Wick?
Yes -- many cleaners in Hackney Wick start by subcontracting through an agency or cleaning company before building a direct client base. Either route has different implications for how you're paid and taxed.
What should I bring to a cleaning job in Hackney Wick?
Many cleaners bring their own supplies and equipment as standard, though some clients prefer to provide their own. Confirming this with each client in Hackney Wick before the first visit avoids any confusion.
Do I need a licence to start a cleaning business in Hackney Wick?
No general licence is required for ordinary domestic cleaning in Hackney Wick or anywhere else in the UK. If you plan to carry waste away from a client's property yourself, check whether you need to register as a waste carrier.