How to Start a Cleaning Business in Washington
Start a cleaning business in Washington: $180 LLC fee, sales tax and license rules, local cleaner wages ($21.89/hr median) and a pricing example, with official Washington sources.
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Washington at a glance for cleaning businesses
| LLC filing fee | $180 |
|---|---|
| Ongoing state report fee | $70 (annual) |
| Sales tax on cleaning services | Partly |
| State cleaning license | Not required statewide |
| State minimum wage (2026) | $17.13/hr |
| Median janitor wage in Washington | $21.89/hr |
| Median maid / housekeeper wage | $20.28/hr |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Fees and rules: official Washington sources linked in each section. Verified October 18, 2026.
Step 1: Form your LLC in Washington
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 Washington the state filing fee is $180, filed with the Washington Secretary of State, Corporations and Charities Division. After that, the ongoing state report fee is $70 (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 Washington LLC cost breakdown · LLC costs in every state
Step 2: Licenses and registrations
The results do not identify a cleaning- or janitorial-specific state occupational license. A Washington Business License/UBI registration through the Business License Application is required when applicable, including for businesses with at least $12,000 in annual gross income, employees, a trade name, taxable services, or taxes or fees owed; city or activity-specific endorsements may also apply. (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 Washington
Routine janitorial services ordinarily performed by commercial janitorial businesses are not subject to retail sales tax, but they are subject to service-and-other-activities B&O tax. Specialized or non-routine cleaning services are subject to retail sales tax and retailing B&O tax; the results do not establish a residential-versus-commercial distinction. (Washington source)
If your services are taxable, register for a sales tax permit before your first invoice and build the tax into your quotes, so it isn't coming out of your margin. Bookkeeping software like QuickBooks can track tax collected per invoice.
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 Washington, 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 Washington wages
Price from labor hours. Here is a 10,000 sq ft office cleaned 5 nights a week, using the Washington median janitor wage:
| Labor hours per visit | 4 (assumes 2,500 sq ft per hour) |
|---|---|
| Wage + 15% payroll costs | $21.89 → $25.17/hr |
| Labor + $5 supplies per visit | $105.68 |
| Direct cost per month (21.7 visits) | $2,293 |
| Price at 25% / 35% / 45% gross margin | $3,057 / $3,528 / $4,169 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 Washington
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 Washington
The Washington minimum wage is $17.13/hr (Effective January 1, 2026. Local minimum wages may be higher; workers age 14–15 may be paid 85% of the adult rate ($14.56 per hour)), but the going rate is higher: the median janitor in Washington earns $21.89/hr and the median maid or housekeeper $20.28/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 Washington?
The state LLC filing fee is $180. 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 Washington?
The results do not identify a cleaning- or janitorial-specific state occupational license. A Washington Business License/UBI registration through the Business License Application is required when applicable, including for businesses with at least $12,000 in annual gross income, employees, a trade name, taxable services, or taxes or fees owed; city or activity-specific endorsements may also apply.
Is cleaning taxable in Washington?
Some cleaning services are taxable. Routine janitorial services ordinarily performed by commercial janitorial businesses are not subject to retail sales tax, but they are subject to service-and-other-activities B&O tax. Specialized or non-routine cleaning services are subject to retail sales tax and retailing B&O tax; the results do not establish a residential-versus-commercial distinction.
How much do cleaners make in Washington?
The median wage is $21.89 an hour for janitors and building cleaners and $20.28 for maids and housekeepers (BLS, May 2025). The state minimum wage is $17.13.