How to Start a Cleaning Business in North Dakota
Start a cleaning business in North Dakota: $135 LLC fee, sales tax and license rules, local cleaner wages ($18.15/hr median) and a pricing example, with official North Dakota sources.
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North Dakota at a glance for cleaning businesses
| LLC filing fee | $135 |
|---|---|
| Ongoing state report fee | $50 (annual) |
| Sales tax on cleaning services | Generally no |
| State cleaning license | Not required statewide |
| State minimum wage (2026) | $7.25/hr |
| Median janitor wage in North Dakota | $18.15/hr |
| Median maid / housekeeper wage | $16.85/hr |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Fees and rules: official North Dakota sources linked in each section. Verified October 18, 2026.
Step 1: Form your LLC in North Dakota
An LLC keeps business debts and lawsuits separate from your personal assets, which matters in a job where you work inside other people's homes and buildings. In North Dakota the state filing fee is $135, filed with the North Dakota Secretary of State. After that, the ongoing state report fee is $50 (annual).
You can file yourself on the state website, or have ZenBusiness or Northwest Registered Agent file it and track your report deadlines. Then get your free EIN at IRS.gov.
Compare: full North Dakota LLC cost breakdown · LLC costs in every state
Step 2: Licenses and registrations
No North Dakota state occupational license specifically for general residential or commercial cleaning was identified. Business registration is generally required unless operating solely under the owner’s personal name; a contractor license may apply if the work is construction and exceeds $4,000. (source)
Also check your city and county. Many require a general business license or tax registration even when the state does not.
Step 3: Sales tax on cleaning in North Dakota
General cleaning or janitorial services appear not to be subject to North Dakota sales tax because personal and professional services are not taxable. Materials and supplies used to provide the service are taxable when purchased; no different rule for residential versus commercial cleaning was identified. (North Dakota source)
Step 4: Insurance and bonding
Commercial clients will ask for a certificate of insurance before you start. Cleaning businesses nationally pay a median of $59/month for general liability and about $9/month for a janitorial bond (Insureon). Once you hire in North Dakota, check the state's workers' compensation rules. You can get a quote and download your own certificate from NEXT Insurance, or compare several insurers at once through Insureon.
Step 5: Price your work with North Dakota wages
Price from labor hours. Here is a 10,000 sq ft office cleaned 5 nights a week, using the North Dakota median janitor wage:
| Labor hours per visit | 4 (assumes 2,500 sq ft per hour) |
|---|---|
| Wage + 15% payroll costs | $18.15 → $20.87/hr |
| Labor + $5 supplies per visit | $88.48 |
| Direct cost per month (21.7 visits) | $1,920 |
| Price at 25% / 35% / 45% gross margin | $2,560 / $2,954 / $3,491 per month |
Walk the building before you quote: restrooms, kitchens and hard floors take longer than open carpet. See the full pricing walkthrough.
Step 6: Get your first clients in North Dakota
Residential: set up a Google Business Profile, ask every client for a review, and lead with recurring weekly or biweekly pricing. Let clients book online with BookingKoala. Google Local Services Ads and Facebook ads can bring calls in the first month, as long as you answer leads within minutes.
Commercial: build a list of offices, medical practices and churches in your area, then use cold email, calls and drop-ins to book free walkthroughs. Send a written proposal within 48 hours; Jobber turns a walkthrough into a quote the client approves online. If you'd rather have walkthroughs booked for you, Redbird Leads runs cold email for commercial cleaning companies.*
*LocalBizDesk and Redbird Leads share an owner.
Step 7: Hiring in North Dakota
The North Dakota minimum wage is $7.25/hr (North Dakota's state minimum wage is $7.25 per hour; the state does not have a training wage), but the going rate is higher: the median janitor in North Dakota earns $18.15/hr and the median maid or housekeeper $16.85/hr. If you set schedules and supply equipment, your cleaners are likely employees, not contractors (IRS rules). Gusto handles payroll tax filings and new-hire paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a cleaning business in North Dakota?
The state LLC filing fee is $135. Add supplies and equipment (about $1,000 to $3,000 for residential, more for commercial) and insurance, which runs a median of $59 a month for general liability.
Do you need a license to clean houses or offices in North Dakota?
No North Dakota state occupational license specifically for general residential or commercial cleaning was identified. Business registration is generally required unless operating solely under the owner’s personal name; a contractor license may apply if the work is construction and exceeds $4,000.
Is cleaning taxable in North Dakota?
Generally no. General cleaning or janitorial services appear not to be subject to North Dakota sales tax because personal and professional services are not taxable. Materials and supplies used to provide the service are taxable when purchased; no different rule for residential versus commercial cleaning was identified.
How much do cleaners make in North Dakota?
The median wage is $18.15 an hour for janitors and building cleaners and $16.85 for maids and housekeepers (BLS, May 2025). The state minimum wage is $7.25.