How to Start a Cleaning Company in Dubai: Cost, License & Step-by-Step Process

Key Takeaways:

• Dubai’s cleaning industry is booming, driven by households, offices, hotels, and real estate, making it a highly profitable sector for well-planned businesses.
  
  
• Success depends on choosing the right business model, obtaining proper licenses, following compliance rules, and hiring staff gradually to avoid common pitfalls.
  
  
• With expert guidance, market insights, business planning, and compliance support, first-time entrepreneurs can start a cleaning company confidently and build a solid foundation for long-term growth.

A Business Consultant’s Guide to Opening a Cleaning Company in Dubai

If you’ve ever lived in Dubai, you know one thing: this city doesn’t slow down. With more apartments, offices, and families moving in every month, it’s no surprise the cleaning industry is one of the busiest and most profitable sectors here. Over the years, we’ve helped dozens of entrepreneurs set up cleaning companies in Dubai, and those who worked with experienced business setup consultants in Dubai and followed the right structure, pricing model, and hiring plan scaled far faster than they expected.

If you’re wondering how to start a cleaning company in Dubai, this guide will walk you through the costs, licensing process, required approvals, and the steps most first-time business owners get wrong. We’ll also share practical insights from real clients we’ve worked with, so you can start strong, stay compliant, and avoid the usual headaches. Let’s break it down in a simple, clear, and business-focused way.

Why Cleaning Companies are Thriving in Dubai in 2025

The UAE cleaning industry is a booming market, with its overall services sector valued at around $2 to $6 billion in 2024, projected to reach $9 to $44 billion by 2030-2033.

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Cleaning services are not optional in Dubai, they’re part of everyday life. Here’s why:

• Households rely heavily on cleaners because most residents work long hours.
  
  
• Real estate is booming, so demand for move-in/move-out cleaning never slows down.
  
  
• Offices outsource all cleaning, so commercial contracts bring consistent revenue.
  
  
• Hotel apartments and holiday homes depend on quick, reliable cleaning teams.
  
  

• Expert experience: One of our long-time clients started with just two cleaners. Today, he runs a team of 48 and provides cleaning for three major property developers. The cleaning industry rewards those who stay organized, hire responsibly, and offer reliable services.

If you build a strong operational base from the start, the growth potential is massive.

Types of Cleaning Companies You Can Start in Dubai

Before discussing costs or processes, choose your business model. Your license will depend on it, and so will your hiring needs.

Home Cleaning Services

This is the most common entry point: flexible hours, predictable demand, and relatively low initial operational costs.

Commercial Cleaning

Offers higher revenue per contract but requires more staff. Ideal for offices, showrooms, and retail outlets.

Deep Cleaning Services

Involves specialized tools and trained staff. Higher pricing and fewer competitors, but it requires significant equipment investment.

Disinfection & Sanitization

Still in demand post-pandemic, especially for gyms, clinics, and nurseries.

Maid-On-Demand Services

App-based booking, subscription packages, and recurring revenue. Scaling is faster but requires stronger backend operations.

Facility Management Cleaning

Large contracts with towers, warehouses, or residential communities. The most profitable but also the most resource-intensive.

• Expert advice: After years in business consulting, we advise entrepreneurs to start with 1–2 service categories, not all. Too many founders overextend and burn cash early.

Cost of Starting a Cleaning Company in Dubai (Updated 2025)

Everyone asks the same question first: “How much will it cost me?” Here’s the honest, practical answer, including hidden costs most people forget.

License Cost

• Dubai Mainland: AED 12,000 to AED 18,000 ($3,270 to $4,900)
• Free Zone: AED 8,000 to AED 15,000 ($2,180 to $4,090)

Mainland is more expensive, but it allows you to hire staff freely and operate across the city. Nearly all successful cleaning businesses we’ve seen eventually move or start in the mainland because the staffing flexibility is a game-changer.

Office Space

Most authorities require an office or at least a flexi-desk.

• Ejari office (mainland): AED 15,000 to AED 25,000 ($4,085 to $6,810) per year
• Free zone flexi desk: AED 5,000 to AED 10,000 ($1,360 to $2,720) per year

A small office is enough, no need for a fancy setup.

Visa Costs

• Investor visa: AED 3,500 to AED 4,500 ($950 to $1,225)
• Employee visas: AED 4,000 to AED 6,000 ($1,090 to $1,635) each

Since cleaning companies depend heavily on manpower, plan this cost carefully.

Staff Costs

This varies based on salaries, accommodation, transportation, and insurance.

Expect AED 2,000 to AED 3,000 ($545 to $820) per staff member per month, depending on your arrangements.

Equipment

Basic cleaning kits are inexpensive, but deep cleaning equipment can cost AED 3,000 to AED 12,000 ($820 to $3,270) depending on quality.

Total Estimated Startup Cost

• Mainland: AED 45,000 to AED 80,000 ($12,250 to $21,780)
• Free Zone: AED 20,000 to AED 45,000 ($5,445 to $12,250)

If you’re serious about growth, the mainland is the more scalable choice.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start a Cleaning Company in Dubai

Here is the most important part: how to start a cleaning company in Dubai from scratch, following a clean, compliant, and profitable setup.

We’ve simplified this into the exact steps we take clients through:

Step 1: Choose Your Cleaning Activities

This determines what you can legally offer. You can choose from the following:

• Expert tip: Choose carefully, changing activities later costs time and money.

Step 2: Pick Mainland or Free Zone

• Expert insight: Quick rule of thumb we use with clients:

• Choose mainland if you need staff, want commercial contracts, or plan to scale.
• Choose a free zone if you're offering admin-level services (e.g., coordinating cleaning services) or starting lean.

Step 3: Pick Your Trade Name

Avoid names with country names, religious references, and abbreviations that don't match initials. Keep it simple and service-focused.

Step 4: Get Initial Approval

This confirms you’re allowed to open the company. It’s quick and usually done in 24 to 48 hours.

Step 5: Get Dubai Municipality Approval

This is mandatory for all cleaning activities. They check:

Step 6: Choose an Office Space

Even a small office is fine, as long as it meets municipality requirements.

Step 7: Issue Your License

Once approvals and payments are complete, your cleaning license is issued.

Step 8: Apply for Your Investor Visa

This allows you to stay in the UAE, open a bank account, and hire employees.

Step 9: Hire Cleaning Staff

For cleaning companies, this is your biggest ongoing operational responsibility.

• Expert tip: Hire gradually, start with 2–4 staff, fill their schedules, and then expand.

Step 10: Start Operations

You can begin offering services once:

• Your company card is ready
• Staff visas are issued
• Insurance is active

If you follow these steps, you’ll avoid 90% of the common mistakes we see first-time founders make.

Compliance Rules Every Cleaning Company Must Follow

Compliance is not optional in Dubai. Cleaning companies must meet several standards to avoid penalties.

Health & Safety

Staff must be trained in handling chemicals, safe cleaning practices, and client privacy.

Accommodation Requirements

If you provide staff accommodation, it must follow Dubai Municipality standards.

Insurance

Highly recommended: workers' insurance and public liability insurance.

Operational Guidelines

Staff must wear uniforms, their staff ID must be visible, and transportation must be safe and compliant.

• Expert experience: One client ignored the ID rule, and a single complaint cost them a fine. Simple mistakes can be expensive, so build compliance into your daily routine.

How to Market Your Cleaning Company in Dubai (What Actually Works)

Dubai’s cleaning industry is competitive, but the good news is: most cleaning companies market themselves poorly. If you get this part right, you’ll stand out immediately.

Here are strategies that consistently work:

Google Maps Optimization

It’s free and brings steady leads. Add:

• Photos
• Packages
• Service list
• Real customer reviews

Subscription Packages

Dubai customers love monthly plans because they simplify life. Offer:

• Weekly cleaning packages
• Monthly deep-clean add-ons
• Office maintenance packages

Partner With Real Estate Companies

Property managers constantly need reliable cleaners.

Focus on Speed

Quick response = higher trust. Most cleaning companies reply late, so your customer service can be your biggest advantage.

Build an Instagram Presence

Before/after photos perform exceptionally well.

Provide Female and Male Staff Options

Some customers prefer one or the other.

Common Mistakes Business Owners Make (And How to Avoid Them)

After years of experience with the industry, these are the mistakes we see repeatedly:

Mistake 1: Hiring Too Many Staff at the Beginning

Start small and fill schedules first.

Mistake 2: Ignoring Municipality Rules

This leads to fines, shutdowns, and complaints.

Mistake 3: No Clear Pricing Strategy

Underpricing will drain your cash flow, whereas overpricing will push clients away. Find a balance and adjust as you grow.

Mistake 4: No Standard Operating Procedures

Simple SOPs avoid misunderstandings and unhappy clients.

Mistake 5: Weak Staff Training

Skill level directly impacts repeat business.

How to Start a Cleaning Company in Dubai with RadiantBiz

When you start a cleaning company in Dubai with RadiantBiz, our consultants provide specialised support tailored for first-time entrepreneurs. 

The process begins with an initial assessment, where we help you understand the cleaning market, identify demand trends, and offer mentorship from industry specialists who have experience in Dubai’s service sector.

We also guide you in preparing a robust business plan, a key document that Dubai authorities often request for new businesses. 

Beyond planning, our consultants help you set a realistic budget, align your resources with your business goals, and avoid the common pitfalls many first-time cleaning business owners encounter, such as overstaffing, underpricing, or ignoring compliance requirements. 

With this structured approach, you start your cleaning company on a solid footing and increase your chances of long-term success in Dubai’s competitive market.

FAQs

1. Is a cleaning company profitable in Dubai?

Yes. With constant demand from homes, offices, and real estate companies, cleaning businesses see consistent revenue and quick scalability.

2. Do I need Dubai Municipality approval for cleaning services?

Yes. All cleaning companies, home, commercial, deep cleaning, and maid services require municipality approval before operating.

3. Can a foreigner open a cleaning company in Dubai?

Absolutely. Foreigners can fully own cleaning companies in the Dubai mainland and free zones, as long as all approvals and operational requirements are met.

Start Strong – Your Path to a Successful Cleaning Company in Dubai

Starting a cleaning company in Dubai can be one of the most rewarding business decisions you make, especially in a market where demand is constant and growing. 

Now that you know how to start a cleaning company in Dubai, the next step is simple: plan your structure, choose your setup route, and start your license process confidently.

Whether you’re starting small or aiming to scale fast, set up your business properly from day one. It will save you money, protect your operations, and help you grow faster.

Seek our professional on-the-ground guidance, contact us via mail at info@radiantbiz.com, WhatsApp‬, or call us at +971521322895‬!