Radlett · Hertsmere
Starting a Cleaning Business in Radlett
A straight answer on licensing, insurance and your first clients around Radlett and Hertsmere.
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 Radlett is no exception. Before you take your first booking in Hertsmere, here's the honest picture on licensing, insurance and what actually gets you clients.
What the rules say
You don't need a general licence to run a domestic cleaning business in the UK. The exception is waste carrying -- if you remove a client's waste yourself, that has its own registration requirement. Public liability insurance remains commercially expected rather than legally required for a sole trader, but employers' liability insurance is a legal requirement from your very first non-family employee onward.
Quick answers
Can I subcontract for an agency instead of finding my own clients in Radlett?
Yes -- many cleaners in Radlett 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 Radlett?
Many cleaners bring their own supplies and equipment as standard, though some clients prefer to provide their own. Confirming this with each client in Radlett before the first visit avoids any confusion.
Do I need a licence to start a cleaning business in Radlett?
No general licence is required for ordinary domestic cleaning in Radlett 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 Radlett?
Most new cleaning businesses in Radlett 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.