What is COID registration and why is it important?

COID stands for the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. If you have any employees, you must register with the Compensation Fund. It covers your staff if they get hurt, sick, or die because of their work. Staying up to date with payments lets you get a Letter of Good Standing, which shows you're compliant and protects both your business and your employees.

What equipment and supplies are essential to start?

To start a cleaning company, you’ll need some basic tools and supplies. These include cleaning equipment like mops, brooms, vacuum cleaners, and buckets. You’ll also need cleaning products such as detergents, disinfectants, and glass cleaners. For safety and professionalism, make sure your team has protective gear like gloves, masks, and uniforms. Lastly, having a reliable vehicle is important for transporting staff and equipment to job sites.

What is the Central Supplier Database (CSD), and why should I register?

The CSD is a government database of suppliers. If you register your business on it, you can apply for government contracts and tenders.

Can I operate a cleaning business from home?

Yes, you can start a cleaning business from home. Just make sure you're following local rules and not causing any issues in your neighborhood.

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How to Start a Cleaning Company in South Africa

Q: How much capital do I need to start a cleaning business in South Africa?

Startup costs depend on the type of cleaning business you want to run. You can start a small domestic cleaning service with as little as R500 if you already have transport and basic supplies. But for a more professional setup—with equipment, staff, and marketing—you’ll likely need between R30,000 and R60,000. If you’re starting a larger or more specialised business, like commercial or industrial cleaning, costs can go over R100,000.

Q: Do I need a special license to operate a cleaning business in South Africa?

You don’t need a special license to offer basic residential cleaning—just register your business. But if you plan to offer specialised services like high-rise window cleaning, hazardous waste cleanup, or crime scene cleaning, you’ll likely need extra training or certifications. Always check with your local municipality or industry body to see what applies to your business.

Q: Is business insurance necessary for a cleaning company?

Yes, it’s a good idea to have insurance for your cleaning business. Public liability insurance covers you if something gets damaged or someone gets hurt while you're working. If you have staff, you’ll also need COID registration to cover work injuries. You may also want extra insurance for your equipment, vehicle, or services, depending on what you offer.

Q: How can I find clients for my new cleaning business?

Start by deciding who you want to clean for—like homes, offices, or a specific industry. Then get the word out by creating a website, using social media, and listing your business in online directories. You can also hand out flyers, network in your community, offer promotions, and ask happy clients to refer others. A good reputation for quality and reliability will help your business grow.

Q: What is the NCCA and should I join?

The NCCA (National Contract Cleaners Association) sets standards and supports cleaning businesses in South Africa. You don’t have to join to run your business, but many big clients—especially government or commercial—prefer working with NCCA members. Once you've been trading for 6 months, joining can help build your credibility and open more doors.

Here's everything you need to register your Cleaning Company, stay compliant, and hit the ground running.

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How to Start a Cleaning Company in South Africa

Why Start a Cleaning Company?

Starting a cleaning company in South Africa is a promising venture due to the consistent demand for cleaning services across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. With relatively low startup costs and the flexibility to scale, it's an accessible business for many entrepreneurs. The cleaning industry is expected to continue growing, offering ample opportunities for new entrants.

🪜 Step-by-Step: How to Start Your Cleaning Company

Follow these steps to launch your Cleaning Company successfully.

Register Your Company

Registering your business makes it official and gives you the documents you need to:

Open a business bank account
Hire employees
Sign contracts
Apply for tenders and government work

It’s the first step to running your company legally.

Cost:R880 (once-off)

required

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Get a Letter of Good Standing

Register with COIDA to protect your employees if they get injured or sick on the job. Once you're registered and up to date, you’ll get a Letter of Good Standing—often needed for tenders.

Cost:R1750

required

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Register with the CSD

The Central Supplier Database (CSD) is where businesses register to supply goods or services to the government. Signing up makes it easier for you to be seen and considered for government tenders.

Cost:R500 (once-off)

recommended

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Get a B-BBEE Affidavit

Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is a government program that supports economic transformation. If your company earns less than R10 million a year, you’ll likely qualify as an Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME), which means you only need a simple B-BBEE affidavit.

Cost:Free (if turnover < R10m)

optional

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Get a Tax Clearance Certificate

A Tax Clearance Certificate shows you're in good standing with SARS. It’s often needed when applying for tenders, funding, or doing business across borders.

Cost:R450 (yearly)

recommended

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Register with the NCCA

The NCCA (National Contract Cleaning Association) is the industry body for cleaning companies in South Africa. It sets standards, promotes professional practices, and helps businesses stay compliant with industry regulations.

Why register? If you register your cleaning company with the NCCA, it:

Boosts your credibility with clients and government institutions
Helps you qualify for contracts and tenders (especially with the government)
Keeps you informed about legal and health & safety requirements
Connects you with training and industry support

It’s not legally required, but it’s highly recommended if you want to grow and compete professionally.

Cost:From R6 000 (yearly)

optional

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about starting a Cleaning Company.

How much capital do I need to start a cleaning business in South Africa?

Startup costs depend on the type of cleaning business you want to run. You can start a small domestic cleaning service with as little as R500 if you already have transport and basic supplies. But for a more professional setup—with equipment, staff, and marketing—you’ll likely need between R30,000 and R60,000. If you’re starting a larger or more specialised business, like commercial or industrial cleaning, costs can go over R100,000.

Do I need a special license to operate a cleaning business in South Africa?

You don’t need a special license to offer basic residential cleaning—just register your business. But if you plan to offer specialised services like high-rise window cleaning, hazardous waste cleanup, or crime scene cleaning, you’ll likely need extra training or certifications. Always check with your local municipality or industry body to see what applies to your business.

Is business insurance necessary for a cleaning company?

Yes, it’s a good idea to have insurance for your cleaning business. Public liability insurance covers you if something gets damaged or someone gets hurt while you're working. If you have staff, you’ll also need COID registration to cover work injuries. You may also want extra insurance for your equipment, vehicle, or services, depending on what you offer.

How can I find clients for my new cleaning business?

Start by deciding who you want to clean for—like homes, offices, or a specific industry. Then get the word out by creating a website, using social media, and listing your business in online directories. You can also hand out flyers, network in your community, offer promotions, and ask happy clients to refer others. A good reputation for quality and reliability will help your business grow.

What is the NCCA and should I join?

The NCCA (National Contract Cleaners Association) sets standards and supports cleaning businesses in South Africa. You don’t have to join to run your business, but many big clients—especially government or commercial—prefer working with NCCA members. Once you've been trading for 6 months, joining can help build your credibility and open more doors.

Every great company starts with a first step.

We'll help you register, stay compliant, and get your business moving—without the stress.

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