Opening a cleaning company in Bulgaria is one of the promising opportunities for starting your own business, as the offer of services in this area covers a wide range of needs — from cleaning apartments and homes to business objects and specialized services. Often, customers ask questions such as “How to start a cleaning business?”, “What are the requirements for a cleaning company?” and “How do I draw up a business plan for a cleaning company?”. Each of these aspects is important to the success of this type of enterprise and requires careful planning.
Starting a cleaning business requires first determining the form of the company and its scope. Will you focus on cleaning apartments, homes or office spaces? The pricing strategy should also be taken into account, with a key question often being “How to set prices for apartment cleaning?” or “How do I offer competitive home cleaning business services?”. A successful start depends on a clear definition of the target market and the development of an appropriate pricing policy that combines quality and affordability.
The first administrative step is the registration of a company. Opening a cleaning company requires the standard procedures, including registration with the Commercial Register and the National Revenue Agency. It is important to choose the appropriate name for the cleaning companyto be attractive and memorable, as well as reflect the main idea of the business. For example, the name may hint at reliability, speed and high quality of services.
Drawing up a business plan for a cleaning company is the next key stage. This plan should cover all aspects of the activity — from market analysis and target audience to the necessary resources and equipment. It should also include cost and revenue forecasts, as well as a marketing and advertising strategy. A frequently asked question is “What requirements should I comply with for a cleaning company?”. The answer includes providing the necessary equipment (vacuum cleaners, detergents, protective gloves, etc.), as well as training staff for safe and effective operation.
A successful start also requires special attention to the customer base. Apartment and home cleaning services often involve regular engagements, while corporate cleaning requires contracts with business customers. It is important to build trust by clearly presenting the services offered and competitive prices for cleaningto meet the needs of different customers. Maintaining high quality and professionalism is the key to building a good reputation and expanding the customer network.
Within the framework of this article, we will examine in detail all aspects of starting a cleaning company - from registration, drawing up a business plan to managing pricing and marketing. With the help of “Elan Consulting” you can get expert support for every stage of the process, both in Sofia and in Burgas, Pomorie, Karnobat, Sunny Beach and other settlements in Bulgaria. Whether you're starting a small business or planning to expand your business, we'll help you succeed in cleaning services.
Drawing up a business plan for a cleaning company is one of the most important steps towards starting a successful business in this area. A well-structured business plan will not only help you formulate your goals, but will also be a key tool in attracting investors or financing. It should cover all important aspects of the business — from market analysis to revenue and expense forecasts. Here's how to make a detailed business plan for a cleaning company:
The first part of the business plan is a brief summary, which should summarize the main idea of the business. For example, if you are going to focus on “apartment cleaning” or “business cleaning of homes”, you should specify this in the resume. Include the main purpose of the company, the services offered, the target market and the competitive advantage that will set you apart from the rest.
Choosing a name for a cleaning company is also an important step that can significantly affect the success of your business. The name should be attractive, easy to remember and related to your activity in order to stand out in the market and attract customers. Here's how to approach choosing a suitable name:
First of all, the name should reflect the essence of the services you offer. If your company specializes in cleaning homes, businesses, or specialized services such as deep cleaning after repairs, the name may include words such as “cleanliness,” “home,” “shine,” or “perfect.” For example, names such as “Glitter and coziness” or “Clean place” create associations with professionalism and reliability.
It is also important that the name is easy to pronounce and remember. Customers should be able to quickly find you and recognize you among the competition. Simplicity combined with originality is key — avoid complex constructions or strangers that can confuse customers.
The name may also include a geographic landmark if your goal is to position yourself in the local market. For example, “Sofia Chistota” or “Bourgas Cleaning” can highlight your commitment to a particular region, which will help clients associate you with the local community.
Another strategy is to add a personal element to the name. This can be your own name or a name that symbolizes the values of the business. For example, “Eco Cleanliness” can emphasize your focus on environmentally friendly and safe cleaning methods.
According to The Commercial Register Act, the company name must not duplicate already registered trade names. Therefore, it is advisable to check in advance in the Commercial Register whether the chosen name is free. In addition, if you plan to have a website, check the availability of a domain with the selected name.
The possibility of future advertising and branding is also of key importance. The name should be suitable for a logo and advertising materials, as well as for social networks. A short, memorable name with a positive message will help you position yourself better in the minds of customers.
Here you need to do a detailed study of the market. Start by defining your target audience — for example, households, businesses, or a combination of both. Study what services are most often in demand and what are the prices for cleaning apartments and business spaces in your region. Analyze competitors, paying attention to their strengths and weaknesses, and consider how your company can offer better quality or innovative services.
Specify in detail all the services that your cleaning company will offer. For example:
Describe how your company will be organized. How many employees will you hire at the beginning? Will you train staff on the safe use of detergents and equipment? Clearly allocate responsibilities — for example, who will manage finance, marketing and operations.
The financial part of the business plan should include detailed calculations of start-up capital, expenses and estimated income. To get started, take a look at:
A successful marketing strategy is the key to attracting customers. Explore various advertising channels, such as online platforms, social networks, flyers or even partnerships with real estate agencies. Consider offers that will attract customers, such as discounts on first cleaning or subscription plans for regular services.
Establish internal rules of the enterprise and think over who will be responsible for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. According to Consumer Protection Act, you must provide clear information about services and prices. If you offer specialized services, for example, post-repair cleaning, make sure that the detergents used meet safety standards.
Finally, include your vision for the development of the business. For example, after the first year, you may plan to expand services or increase staff. Also, set measurable goals — such as number of customers, monthly revenue, or market share.
Drawing up a business plan is not just a formality, but a tool for strategic planning and making informed decisions. If you need professional help in drawing up a business plan, Elan Consulting is here to assist you in drawing up an individual plan that will be the basis for the success of your cleaning company.
Opening a cleaning company in Bulgaria requires compliance with a number of administrative, legal and operational requirements that are important to ensure a lawful and successful activity. These requirements cover the registration of the company, compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards, the provision of appropriate equipment and the attraction of qualified personnel. Here are the main aspects to consider:
The first step is the registration of a company in the Commercial Register with the Registry Agency, according to the requirements of Commercial Law. It is necessary to choose the legal form of the company — most often ET (Sole Proprietor), EOOD (Sole Proprietorship with Limited Liability) or Ltd (Limited Liability Company) is chosen. The following documents are required for registration:
After registration in the Commercial Register, it is necessary to make a registration with the National Revenue Agency (NRA) to obtain a tax number and, if necessary, registration under the VAT Act.
2. Licenses and Permits
For most cleaning companies, specific licenses are not required, but it is important to comply with regulatory requirements for labor safety and the use of chemical substances. If the company uses preparations with potentially hazardous ingredients, compliance with the standards of The Law on Protection from the Harmful Effects of Chemical Substances and Mixtures.
3. Warehouse facilities and equipment
The cleaning company must have the appropriate equipment and supplies, including:
4. Staff training
Staff should be well trained in the use of cleaning machines and detergents to ensure safety and efficiency at work. According to the requirements of Labor Code, the employer is obliged to provide labor safety briefing to all employees.
5. Conclusion of contracts with customers
To ensure transparency and correctness in customer relations, it is advisable to draw up standard contracts for the services offered. Contracts must include details of the activities carried out, prices, deadlines and responsibilities of both parties. This is especially important for regular services, such as cleaning apartments or business objects.
6. Compliance with the Consumer Protection Act
According to Article 4 of Consumer Protection Act, companies offering services are obliged to provide customers with clear information about prices, the range of services and the cleaning products used. There should also be a policy for claims and compensation in case of dissatisfaction with the service.
7. Marketing and Advertising
Before starting an activity, you need to register your company in social networks, create a website and develop a marketing strategy. This will help you reach your target audience — be it households, offices or other business customers. Customers often search for information about “apartment cleaning prices” or “home cleaning business”, so it is important to use these keywords in your marketing materials.
8. Quality control and feedback
For the successful operation of the company, it is important to establish a quality control system. This may include regular inspections of service performance, customer feedback surveys and service improvement mechanisms.
The procedure for opening a cleaning company begins with the registration of the company in the Commercial Register at the Registry Agency, and you must choose the legal form of the business — most often sole proprietor (ET), limited liability company (LTD) or sole proprietorship with limited liability (EOOD). For registration, a sample application, an instrument of incorporation (for LLC and EOOD), document on contributed capital (for LLC and EOOD), as well as paid state fee are required. After registration in the Commercial Register, the company must be registered with the National Revenue Agency (NRA) for tax purposes, and upon reaching turnover above the legal threshold or in cases of international activity — also under the VAT Act.
The next step is to provide storage space for storing equipment and consumables, if the activity requires it. The room must comply with sanitary and hygienic requirements, especially if cleaning products are stored, which may contain potentially hazardous chemicals. To do this, documents of ownership or a lease agreement must be submitted, as well as the corresponding certificates of suitability for the premises.
Equipment and materials are also an important aspect of the procedure. The cleaning company must have professional vacuum cleaners, floor cleaning machines, detergents and personal protective equipment for the staff, all of which must meet safety standards. If the company offers on-site transportation, a means of transport registered according to the requirements must be provided.
Company personnel must undergo occupational safety training, according to the Labor Code, which includes the use of machinery and detergents, as well as instructions for hygiene practices. This step requires the preparation of internal protocols and the signing of employment contracts, as well as the registration of employees in the NRA.
The documents that are required to start the activity include a certificate of registration of the company, registration with the NRA, contracts for rent or ownership of the premises, invoices for purchased equipment and consumables, as well as documents for the provision of personnel. Depending on the specific services, compliance with the Law on Protection from the Harmful Effects of Chemical Substances may also be required if specialized cleaning agents are used.
Finally, in order to effectively start the activity, you need to submit an application for registration with the local municipality for obtaining permission to carry out commercial activities, as well as provide an advertising and marketing strategy to attract customers. Proper implementation of these steps will ensure legality and a successful start of your business. Elan Consulting can assist you in the entire process, including preparation of documents, legal support and advice for optimal management of the new company.
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The supply of cleaning agents is a key aspect of running a cleaning company, as the quality and safety of the materials used have a direct impact on the efficiency of services and customer satisfaction. Preparations can be purchased both from domestic suppliers and from specialized importers or manufacturers, but this requires compliance with legal requirements, especially if chemicals with increased risk are used.
You can buy cleaning products from:
Companies that use or store chemical preparations must comply with the safety regulations specified in The Law on Protection from the Harmful Effects of Chemical Substances and Mixtures. The main requirements include:
The manager of the company must ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for working with chemical preparations. According to The Occupational Health and Safety Act, the manager is obliged:
If the company uses preparations containing substances classified as hazardous, the manager must provide:
A cleaning company in Bulgaria is required to register under the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act when it reaches certain income thresholds or carries out specific types of activities that require mandatory registration. These are the three main hypotheses:
The first hypothesis is when the company achieves a taxable turnover of BGN 100,000 (this threshold is BGN 166,000 as of 01.01.2025) or more within the last 12 consecutive months. This threshold includes all income from taxable supplies, such as cleaning homes, offices or businesses. It is important to note that taxable supplies include both basic services and additional income related to the activity, such as the supply of consumables or extraordinary services.
The second hypothesis is related to the carrying out of intra-Community acquisitions. If the cleaning company acquires goods from suppliers in other Member States of the European Union worth more than BGN 20,000 within one calendar year, it is obliged to register for VAT, regardless of its total turnover. This hypothesis usually affects companies that purchase specialized equipment or consumables from other countries in the EU.
The third hypothesis concerns cases where the company provides services to taxable persons from other countries in the European Union. In this case, even without reaching the total threshold of BGN 100,000, the company is obliged to register under Art. 97a of the VAT Act in order to charge and report the tax according to the reverse charge rules that are applicable in the EU. This hypothesis is especially important for cleaning companies that serve international customers or conclude service contracts with foreign companies.
In each of these cases, VAT registration is mandatory, and failure to comply with the requirements can lead to serious penalties. Elan Consulting can assist you with the assessment of your obligations, the preparation of registration documents and the correct application of VAT regulations for your business.
Yes, the registration of a cleaning company can be carried out independently, but it requires careful compliance with specific legal regulations. According to Art. 3, para. 1 of the Commercial Law, any person who carries out commercial activities must register as a trader in the Commercial Register. This includes submission of an application, preparation of constituent documents (for Ltd. and EOOD), payment of state fees and compliance with registration procedures. Additionally, according to Art. 96, para. 1 of the VAT Act, the company is obliged to register for VAT if it reaches a taxable turnover of BGN 100,000 for the last 12 months.
One of the challenges in self-registration is the correct implementation of all procedures, such as choosing the legal form of the company (ET, Ltd, Ltd.), which is regulated by Art. 63 et seq. of the Commercial Law. Errors in documentation, such as incorrectly completed applications or lack of mandatory annexes, may result in refusal of registration by the Registry Agency, according to Art. 22, para. 5 of the Commercial Register Act.
If your company plans to use detergents containing hazardous chemicals, the provisions of The Law on Protection from the Harmful Effects of Chemical Substances and Mixtures, which requires registration of the substances used and compliance with the conditions of safe storage. The manager of the company, according to Art. 275 of the Labor Code, is responsible for ensuring health and safety at work, including training staff in the proper handling of preparations and equipment.
Trusting an expert or consultant can ensure that these procedures are performed flawlessly. Experts have experience with the requirements of Art. 4, para. 1 of the Consumer Protection Act, according to which all services must be provided transparently and in accordance with the regulatory framework. In addition, professional assistance can facilitate registration with the NRA, which is mandatory under Art. 8, para. 1 of the Accounting Act, and ensure compliance with accountability requirements.
In conclusion, while self-registration is possible, the use of expert services minimizes the risk of errors and ensures compliance with the law at every step of the process. “Elan Consulting” provides full support to Registration of companies, ensuring that your business will be built on a solid legal basis.
