How much does it cost to start a cleaning business in Canada?

Our guide cites $60 in Ontario through the Ontario Business Registry (valid five years); in BC it is $30 for a name request plus $40 to register. Edit it to match your province.

Free from the CRA. Kept here so the total is complete.

The guide carries no fixed figure. Solo residential work usually needs no insurance by law, but commercial clients ask for proof of commercial general liability before they hire you. Get three quotes and use your own. Multiplied by 12 in the yearly total.

Covers theft by an employee in a client's home or office, which is different from liability insurance for damage. Not required by law; clients with keyed access or cash on site may ask for it. A broker who handles cleaning businesses can quote one alongside your policy.

Your biggest equipment purchase. Most solo cleaners start with one solid vacuum and build the kit from paying work.

All-purpose cleaner, microfibre cloths, mops heads, garbage bags, gloves. Start small and restock as jobs come in.

Gas, transit, or your vehicle's share, whichever it costs you to reach clients for a month.

Can be near-zero with word of mouth and a free listing, or a few hundred for a simple site and printed flyers.

Uniform, bookkeeping software, municipal business licence, police record check fee, WHMIS course. Whatever else is on your list.