How to make money as a cleaner in Ireland - practical steps

Where paying customers actually come from

Real, paying cleaning customers in Ireland come from a few steady sources. Neighbours and local word of mouth are among the simplest - people who see you working locally or get a recommendation from someone they trust. Workplaces and small local businesses often need after-hours or regular cleaning. Schools, sports clubs and community centres hire cleaning contractors for regular or one-off work. Online search and local listings increasingly bring enquiries from people who look for a cleaner in their area. Finally, landlords, letting agents and people who run short-term rentals use cleaners between lets.

• Neighbours and local word of mouth
• Small businesses, shops and workplaces
• Schools, clubs and community facilities
• Landlords and rental hosts
• Online search and local listings

How to set a first price and talk about money

Start by estimating how long a typical job will take and what costs you need to cover - travel, cleaning materials, equipment wear, and time to go between jobs. Decide whether you will charge by the hour or a fixed fee per clean - both are common. When you set a first price, be clear to clients about what is included and what would cost extra, for example oven cleaning, windows or deep cleaning.

When you talk money with a new client, use clear language: give a written (text or email) estimate, say whether the price is per hour or per job, and explain any extras. Consider asking for a first-time booking deposit for larger jobs or a clear cancellation policy for one-off work. Keep records of estimates and final invoices for your own bookkeeping.

What the first ten customers usually look like

The first ten customers for many cleaners are a mix of people who are easiest to reach. Expect neighbours, friends of friends, someone from your workplace, and at least a couple of one-off jobs found online or through a local group. Some will become regular weekly or fortnightly clients, others will be single cleans for lettings or moves.

Do not assume the pattern will be identical for everyone. You may get a steady domestic client quickly, or you may find small business work that pays differently and needs different timing. Track who you get work from so you can focus your time on the channels that actually bring bookings.

What to sort out when taking money as an independent person in Ireland

There are a few administrative steps and checks you should make with the right authorities. For taxation and declaring income, contact Revenue (revenue.ie) and ask how to register as self-employed, how to submit income tax returns, and what your obligations are for PRSI and preliminary tax. For questions about business names and company structures, contact the Companies Registration Office (CRO) and ask whether you need to register a business name or form a company.

Also check insurance and bank arrangements. Ask an insurance broker about public liability insurance and cover for tools or damage. Speak to your bank about receiving business payments into your account and whether they require a business account. Keep accurate invoices and receipts - Revenue will expect you to keep proper records for tax purposes.

What tends to go wrong in the first months

New cleaners commonly run into a few predictable issues. Underpricing is common - you may forget to include travel time and supplies. You may have cancellations or clients who change the job on the day and expect the original price. Time management between bookings can be harder than expected, and cash flow can be bumpy if clients pay late.

To reduce these risks, write simple terms - what the price covers, cancellation rules and whether you charge for late changes. Keep a small float for supplies and one or two days of expenses. Use appointment confirmations and consider a deposit for larger or one-off jobs.

How a Websta profile fits into your plan

A Websta profile gives you a single page you can send to anyone and that can be found through the platform. On Websta you get a profile page that looks like a website, with services, prices, photos, a contact form and online booking, and a marketplace where people nearby find providers by service and place and can post a task for providers to make offers on. Card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe; the provider sets the prices.

On the platform the catalogue category is "cleaners", the country is "Ireland" (countryCode "IE") and the marketplace path is "/marketplace/cleaning". Use your profile link in messages, local Facebook groups, or on business cards - it’s a consistent place to show what you do and let people book or contact you.

Practical next steps you can take this week

Make a short list of the services you want to offer and write one clear price or a clear pricing method. Ask two neighbours or contacts if they need a one-off or trial clean - these early jobs give you feedback and references. Contact Revenue and an insurance broker to ask the specific registration and insurance questions mentioned above. Finally, set up a simple online profile link you can share so enquiries come to one place.

• Decide service list and pricing method
• Book a few trial customers locally
• Check registration and tax with Revenue
• Ask an insurance broker about public liability
• Create a shareable Websta profile link