Every month, people across the Valley ask us some version of the same question: ‘How do I actually start a cleaning business?’ — or open a cleaning company, launch a cleaning service, or turn a side hustle into something real. It’s a fair question: commercial cleaning is one of the most accessible paths to business ownership there is. Low startup costs, recurring revenue, and demand from every office, clinic, gym, and school in a metro that keeps growing.
At JAN-PRO, we’ve certified and launched cleaning business owners across the Phoenix area through our commercial cleaning franchise in Phoenix, so we’ve seen what separates the businesses that make it from the ones that stall out in year one. Here’s the honest version of what it takes, whether you go independent or start with a franchise behind you.
How Do You Start a Cleaning Business in Phoenix?
At a high level, starting a commercial cleaning business in Phoenix comes down to seven steps:
- Choose your niche: commercial (offices, medical, gyms) or residential; commercial offers recurring contracts and steadier revenue
- Register your business entity with the Arizona Corporation Commission (LLC is the most common structure for new cleaning businesses)
- Handle tax registration and licensing: requirements vary by city and service type, so verify your obligations with the Arizona Department of Revenue and the City of Phoenix
- Get insured and bonded: general liability insurance and a janitorial bond are what commercial clients expect before they’ll sign
- Buy commercial-grade equipment and products: not retail supplies that fail under nightly use
- Learn professional methods: disinfection dwell times, cross-contamination control, floor chemistry; this is what clients are actually paying for
- Win your first accounts: the hardest step, and the one where most independent startups stall
Each step is doable on your own. The difference between the independent path and the franchise path is how much of this list you have to figure out alone.
What Does It Cost to Start a Cleaning Business?
Commercial cleaning is one of the lowest-cost businesses you can start, but “low cost” isn’t “no cost.” Independents typically need to budget for entity formation and insurance, commercial equipment (a quality HEPA vacuum alone runs far more than a retail model), an initial product inventory, vehicle costs, and marketing to land those first accounts, with no revenue guaranteed while you search for them.
A franchise structures those costs differently: you invest in a defined plan that includes training, certification, equipment guidance, and — the part independents underestimate most — help securing initial customers. JAN-PRO of Phoenix offers multiple franchise plans at different investment levels, so the entry point can match your budget and goals rather than the other way around.
Why Phoenix Is a Strong Market for Commercial Cleaning
We’re biased, but the numbers back it up: Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing metros in the country, and every new office park in Chandler, medical building in Scottsdale, or warehouse in the West Valley is a future cleaning contract. The desert itself works in your favor too — constant dust, monsoon-season grime, and year-round pollen mean Valley buildings can’t skip cleaning the way businesses in milder climates sometimes try to.
Commercial cleaning also holds up when other industries don’t. Offices, medical facilities, schools, and gyms need cleaning in every economy — it’s a service that gets budgeted, not a luxury that gets cut.
Independent Startup vs. Cleaning Franchise: The Honest Comparison
Going independent means keeping every dollar and making every decision — and also making every mistake at your own expense: underpricing your first bids, buying the wrong equipment, learning disinfection protocols by trial and error, and spending nights cleaning and days cold-calling for the next account.
Starting as a JAN-PRO franchisee trades some of that independence for a system that’s been refined since 1991:
- Certification before you clean. Our five-week certification program trains you in the JAN-PRO Signature Clean methodology — disinfection, floor care, and the quality standards commercial clients audit against. You start as a trained professional, not a beginner learning on a client’s building.
- A brand that opens doors. When you bid as JAN-PRO, you carry the credibility of a leading commercial cleaning brand, which matters most in your first year, when an unknown name is your biggest obstacle.
- Initial customers, not just a logo. Franchise plans include support in securing your starting accounts, so you begin with revenue instead of a marketing budget and hope.
- Flexibility to grow at your pace. Multiple franchise plans let you start part-time alongside a job or go all-in from day one, with ongoing support either way.
The honest part: a franchise isn’t for everyone. If you want to build every system yourself and answer to no methodology, independence is the right call. If you want the shortest path from “I want to own a business” to “I have paying accounts,” that’s exactly what the franchise model was built for — and you can request more information on our Phoenix franchising page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a cleaning business in Phoenix with no experience?
Start with training before you start with clients. Independents can pursue industry certifications on their own; JAN-PRO franchisees complete a five-week certification program in the JAN-PRO Signature Clean methodology before serving their first account, so no prior cleaning experience is required.
Do I need a license to start a cleaning business in Arizona?
You’ll need to register your business entity with the Arizona Corporation Commission, and tax and licensing obligations vary by city and the services you offer. Verify your specific requirements with the Arizona Department of Revenue and your city before you launch, and note that JAN-PRO franchisees get guidance through this setup as part of onboarding.
Is a cleaning franchise worth it compared to starting independently?
It depends on what you’re optimizing for. Independents keep full control and build everything from scratch; franchisees pay for a proven system, brand credibility, certification, and help landing initial customers. For most first-time business owners, the fastest route to reliable revenue is the deciding factor.
How do I become a JAN-PRO franchisee in Phoenix?
Call JAN-PRO of Phoenix at (602) 438-1000 or visit our franchising page. We’ll walk you through the available franchise plans, investment levels, and the certification process, and help you choose the plan that fits your goals.
Ready to Start Your Cleaning Business in Phoenix?
You now know the steps. The only question is whether you take them alone or with a system behind you. Call JAN-PRO of Phoenix at (602) 438-1000 or explore our franchising options to see which plan fits your goals. We’ve helped people across the Valley go from “thinking about it” to running their own commercial cleaning business — and we’d be glad to show you how.
About the Author
Carter James
Carter James is Vice President of Strategy & Development, leading growth strategy, acquisitions, and multi-market expansion within a facility services platform. His background includes corporate strategy, M&A integration, and franchise development. He partners with senior leadership to drive disciplined execution, scalable operations, and long-term value through data-driven, high-accountability leadership.