Set Up Your Home & Office Cleaning Company From Scratch.

Imagine returning to your Nairobi apartment after a long, dusty day, only to find everything spotless, fresh-scented, and serene. Or picture business owners in Westlands strolling into an office that feels as invigorating as a morning breeze — floors gleaming, desks cleared, high-touch surfaces sanitized. This isn’t a dream — it’s the new normal in urban Kenya. As working professionals and businesses grow busier and more health-conscious, cleaning services aren’t a luxury — they’re essential. If you’ve ever thought, “I want to build something people truly depend on,” here lies your canvas — transform ordinary spaces into commercial and residential sanctuaries while building a profitable, recession-resistant business.
Market Snapshot — Why the Timing Is Perfect
Booming demand
Urbanization in Nairobi continues at a rate of approximately 2 percent annually, resulting in a need for more housing and office space to accommodate over 5 million people, which requires regular maintenance in additional areas.
Segmentation
- Home cleaning — Quick jobs like one or two bedrooms range from KSh 1,000 to 3,000. Deep cleans cost KSh 3,000 to 7,000 or more
- Office cleaning — Regular cleans cost 5,000 to 15,000 KSh monthly. Deep or carpet services are priced per square metre
Service Types and Deep Dive on Pricing
Service Type | What’s Included | Price Range (Nairobi) |
Basic Home Cleaning | Sweeping, mopping, and dusting bathrooms and kitchens | KSh 1,000–3,000 per visit |
Deep Home Cleaning | Includes inside cabinets, grout, and appliances | KSh 2,500–7,000 (1‑bedroom) |
Move-in or Move-out | Full scrub before or after occupancy | KSh 5,000–15,000 or more |
Regular Office Cleaning | Trash emptying, surfaces, restrooms | KSh 5,000–15,000 per month |
Deep Office Services | Carpet, windows, sanitization — per m² | KSh 50–150 per m² or 10,000+ per session |
Legal and Setup Essentials
Initial registration and compliance
- Business name costs about KSh 800 to 1,000. Incorporation ranges from KSh 10,000 to 30,000
- County permit costs between KSh 5,000 to 15,000 yearly. KRA PIN and Employer PIN are required if hiring
- Insurance for liability and worker compensation — plan for at least KSh 25,000 per year
The estimated legal and compliance startup is about KSh 40,000
Startup Budget and Gear
Item | Qty | Unit Cost | Total Cost |
Brooms, mops, buckets, cloths | Various | 100–1,500 KSh | Approx KSh 15,000 |
Chemicals and disinfectants | Bulk | 500–3,000 per litre | Approx KSh 20,000 |
Vacuum cleaner (mid-range) | 1 | 20,000–35,000 | Approx KSh 30,000 |
Carpet cleaner or steamer | 1 | 15,000–40,000 | Approx KSh 20,000 |
Safety gear like gloves and masks | Set | 100–2,000 | KSh 5,000 |
Uniforms and branding | Staff | 1,000–2,000 per set | Approx KSh 10,000 |
Equipment Total | Approx KSh 100,000 |
Add transport — a motorbike costs about KSh 120,000 — and miscellaneous overhead of around KSh 50,000
Total with legal costs is approximately KSh 240,000 to launch a solid operation
Staffing and Training
- Hire two to four staff members. Casual pay is KSh 500 to 1,000 per day. Permanent pay is around KSh 15,000 to 25,000 per month plus benefits
- Provide training on safe chemical use, customer service, and quality control
- Invest in retention — offer small bonuses and recognition to boost morale and referrals
Getting Clients and Scaling Smart
Marketing strategies
- Build an online presence — Facebook, Instagram, and a basic website costing around KSh 5,000 to 15,000
- Do local outreach — flyers in estates and offices, and partnerships with property managers
- Offer intro deals — 10 percent off first clean or bundle home and office packages
Scaling tip from experienced Reddit users
Combine recurring office cleans with high-ticket home or deep cleaning jobs. This balances stable income with higher-margin services.

Challenges and Solutions
- Intense competition and price sensitivity
Solution — Stand out with uniforms, punctuality, and branded service - Staff turnover and reliability issues
Solution — Use vetting and provide fair pay and growth opportunities - Maintaining quality
Solution — Use customer feedback loops, inspections, and detailed checklists - Cash flow seasonality
Solution — Use retainer contracts with offices to stabilize earnings
Starter Month Projection Based on Real Performers
A Nairobi couple cleaned homes and offices and earned over USD 15,000, which is about KSh 1.8M, in 167 days with a 40 percent profit margin.
Here’s a rough monthly estimate for a beginner
- 6 basic home cleans per week — KSh 18,000
- 2 deep home cleans per week — KSh 24,000
- 1 small office contract — KSh 10,000
- Monthly revenue — around KSh 200,000
- Profit at 40 percent — KSh 80,000 per month
Final Take — Why You Should Dive In
- Low barrier and high demand — With under KSh 250,000, you can launch a full-service cleaning business
- Diverse income streams — Combine homes, deep jobs, and office contracts for stability and growth
- Room to grow — Add eco-friendly services or post-construction packages next
- Proven model — Real Kenyan entrepreneurs are succeeding with this approach

How Pesabook Helps Home and Office Cleaning Services
Running a home or office cleaning service involves managing appointments, tracking payments, and maintaining customer satisfaction — tasks that can quickly become overwhelming without the right tools. This is where Pesabook comes in as a game-changer.
- Effortless Payment Collection: Pesabook allows cleaning services to collect payments instantly via mobile money, card payments, or bank transfers. This ensures cash flow is steady without chasing overdue payments.
- Automated Invoicing: With Pesabook, you can send professional invoices and receipts automatically, saving time and reducing manual errors.
- Real-Time Transaction Tracking: Cleaning businesses can track all payments and outstanding balances in one place, simplifying financial management and planning.
- Improved Customer Experience: Clients can pay conveniently from their phones, enhancing satisfaction and encouraging repeat business.
- Secure & Reliable: Pesabook offers secure transactions, giving both service providers and clients peace of mind.
- Multi-User Access: For teams handling multiple locations or staff, Pesabook allows shared access while maintaining privacy and control.
By integrating Pesabook into your cleaning service, you streamline operations, reduce administrative burdens, and focus more on delivering sparkling clean spaces for your clients.
Ready to simplify your cleaning service payments and boost your business?
Start using Pesabook today and experience hassle-free transactions that keep your operations running smoothly.
👉 Sign up for PESABOOK now and take the first step toward smarter payment management!
