Old Woking · Woking
Starting a Cleaning Business in Old Woking
A straight answer on licensing, insurance and your first clients around Old Woking and Woking.
See what's inside the Cleaning Business Launch Kit — £22Starting a cleaning business in Old Woking? Good news: there's very little standing in your way legally. This guide walks through what you genuinely need in place before your first job across Old Woking and the wider Woking area.
What the rules say
No general licence is required to run an ordinary domestic cleaning business in the UK -- though specific sub-activities, such as carrying waste away from a client's property, have their own registration requirements. Public liability insurance isn't a legal requirement for a sole trader, but it's near-universal in practice and often expected by clients and letting agents. Employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement the moment you take on any non-family staff.
Quick answers
Do I need a licence to start a cleaning business in Old Woking?
No general licence is required for ordinary domestic cleaning in Old Woking 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.
How do I find my first cleaning clients in Old Woking?
Most new cleaning businesses in Old Woking 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 Old Woking?
Yes -- most domestic cleaners are sole traders who travel to clients, so you don't need commercial premises in Old Woking to get started.
Do I need insurance to clean houses in Old Woking?
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 Old Woking and Woking. If you ever employ staff, employers' liability insurance becomes a legal requirement.