Starting a cleaning business in Kansas typically costs $1,000 to $5,000 depending on your business structure and insurance needs. Each state has different rules for registration, taxes, and workers' compensation. This guide covers everything you need to start a cleaning business in Kansas, including filing fees, licenses, insurance, labor laws, and local tips.
Why Start a Cleaning Business in Kansas?
Kansas is an affordable state to start a business. The cost of living is low. Registration fees are reasonable at $160 for a limited liability company.
The Kansas City metro area on the Kansas side is growing fast. Overland Park, Olathe, and Lenexa have booming suburbs. These areas create strong demand for cleaning services.
Kansas also has military bases and college towns. These create steady, year-round work for cleaning businesses.
Read our general How to Start a Cleaning Business guide first. This Kansas guide adds the state-specific steps you need on top of those basics.
How Do You Choose a Business Structure?
You need to decide how to set up your business. Kansas offers two main choices for cleaning companies.
Sole Proprietorship
This is the simplest way to start. You do not file anything with the state. Kansas considers you a sole owner right away.
If you want a business name, file a trade name with the county register of deeds. The fee is usually about $25.
The downside is you have no personal protection. If something goes wrong, your personal savings are at risk.
Limited Liability Company
This is the better choice for most cleaning businesses. It keeps your personal money separate from your business. If a client sues, your personal savings stay protected.
To form one in Kansas, file Articles of Organization. You do this online through the Secretary of State website. The filing fee is $160.
Kansas requires an annual report each year. The fee is $55 and it is due by April 15.
Choose a limited liability company. The $160 filing fee protects your personal assets. You enter people's homes every day — the liability protection is worth the cost.
- sos.ks.gov — File your Articles of Organization for a limited liability company
- Annual Reports — File your $55 annual report (due April 15)
How Do You Get an Employer Identification Number and Tax Accounts?
An Employer Identification Number is a free number from the federal government. You need it to open a business bank account. You also need it to file taxes and hire workers.
Apply for free at the Internal Revenue Service website. You get your number right away when you apply online.
Kansas Income Tax
Kansas has a state income tax. Rates range from 3.1 to 5.7 percent. Your cleaning business income passes through to your personal tax return.
You may need to make quarterly estimated payments. The Kansas Department of Revenue handles all state tax filings.
Cleaning Services and Sales Tax
This is important: cleaning services are taxable in Kansas. The state sales tax rate is 6.5 percent. Local taxes can add 1 to 4 percent more.
The combined rate can reach about 10 percent in some areas. You must collect sales tax from your clients on every job. File returns with the Kansas Department of Revenue.
Get a free sales tax registration before you start charging clients.
Cleaning services are taxable in Kansas. Get your sales tax registration before your first job. Collect tax from clients and file on time to avoid penalties.
- irs.gov — Apply for a free Employer Identification Number (never pay for this)
- ksrevenue.gov — Kansas Department of Revenue — business registration and sales tax
What Licenses and Permits Do You Need?
Kansas has no statewide business license. There is also no special cleaning license at the state level. This keeps things simple.
However, most cities require a local business license or permit. Requirements vary by where you are located.
Local Business Licenses
Each city in Kansas sets its own license rules. Wichita, Overland Park, and Topeka all have different requirements. If you serve clients in multiple cities, check each one.
Fees are usually low. Most range from $25 to $150 per year.
Sales Tax Registration
Since cleaning services are taxable, you need a sales tax registration. This is free from the Kansas Department of Revenue. Apply online before you start charging clients.
- ksrevenue.gov — Free sales tax registration application
What Insurance Do You Need?
Insurance protects you from one bad day ending your business. Kansas requires some types of coverage. Here is what you need.
- General liability insurance — Covers property damage and injuries at a client's home or office. Costs $400 to $1,200 per year. Every cleaning business needs this
- Workers' compensation insurance — Required in Kansas for all employers. You must get coverage before your first hire starts work
- Surety bond — Protects clients if an employee steals something. Not required but highly recommended. Costs $100 to $500 per year
- Commercial auto insurance — Needed if you use a vehicle for business. Kansas requires minimum liability coverage on all vehicles
For more details on each type of coverage, read our Cleaning Business Insurance Guide.
Workers' compensation is required in Kansas for all employers. Get coverage before your first employee starts. Fines for not having coverage can be severe.
What Are Kansas Labor Laws?
If you plan to hire workers, you need to follow Kansas labor laws from day one.
Minimum Wage
Kansas follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The state does not set a higher rate.
Most cleaning businesses pay $10 to $16 per hour to attract good workers. The Kansas City metro area needs higher pay to compete.
Worker Classification
Kansas follows federal standards for worker classification. You must decide if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. Cleaning workers who follow your schedule usually count as employees.
Classifying them wrong leads to fines and back-pay penalties. When in doubt, hire them as employees.
Unemployment Insurance
When you hire employees, you must register for unemployment insurance. Register through the Kansas Department of Labor. New employers pay a starting rate.
- dol.ks.gov — Kansas Department of Labor — unemployment insurance and employer information
What Safety Rules Apply?
Kansas uses federal workplace safety rules. The state does not have its own safety agency. Federal offices in Kansas oversee workplace safety.
Hazard Communication
You must keep Safety Data Sheets for every cleaning chemical you use. Train your workers on each product they handle. Show them what to do if a spill or skin contact happens.
Injury Prevention
Have a plan to prevent common cleaning injuries. Slips, falls, and chemical burns are the main risks. Train your workers before they start cleaning.
Keep records of all training you provide.
Severe Weather Safety
Kansas is in Tornado Alley. Severe storms and tornadoes are common from spring through summer. Know shelter locations at every job site.
Have a weather alert plan for your team. Stop work and seek shelter when warnings are issued.
How Do You Set Cleaning Prices in Kansas?
Kansas has an affordable cost of living. Prices here are moderate compared to coastal states. The Kansas City metro supports higher rates.
Typical pricing ranges in Kansas:
- Home cleaning (hourly) — $22 to $48 per hour
- Home cleaning (flat rate) — $110 to $260 for a standard 3-bedroom home
- Deep cleaning — $180 to $400 depending on home size
- Move-in or move-out cleaning — $200 to $450
- Office cleaning — $0.05 to $0.14 per square foot
Prices in Overland Park and the Kansas City area run at the high end. Wichita and smaller cities tend toward the lower end.
Remember to add sales tax on top of your prices. Use our Price Calculator to find the right rate for your area.
For detailed city-by-city pricing data, see our full Cleaning Business Prices in Kansas guide.
What Cleaning Niches Are Profitable in Kansas?
Kansas has cleaning niches that do especially well. The state's mix of suburbs, military, and colleges creates many options.
Military Base Housing
Kansas has Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth. Military families move often and need cleaning at each transition. This is steady, repeat work year-round.
McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita also creates demand. Build relationships with housing offices for referrals.
College Town Cleaning
Lawrence is home to the University of Kansas. Manhattan has Kansas State University. Wichita State adds more demand. Students and faculty need regular cleaning.
Move-out cleaning at the end of each semester is especially busy.
Kansas City Metro Suburbs
The Kansas side of the Kansas City metro is booming. Overland Park, Olathe, and Lenexa have affluent homes. Families here pay premium rates for quality cleaning.
This is the highest-paying market in the state.
Post-Construction Cleaning
Kansas suburbs are adding new homes every year. Each new home needs cleaning before owners move in. This specialty pays well and has consistent demand.
Commercial Office Cleaning
Wichita and Kansas City have major business districts. Office buildings need nightly cleaning. Land one large contract for stable monthly income.
Kansas winds blow dust and dirt into homes constantly. Sell regular dusting and floor cleaning packages. Monthly deep-dust service is an easy add-on that Kansas clients appreciate.
How Do You Market a Cleaning Business in Kansas?
Getting clients in Kansas follows many of the same steps as elsewhere. But a few strategies work especially well here.
Google Business Profile
This is the most important free marketing step. Set up your profile with your city, services, and photos. Ask every happy client for a Google review.
Most people search online before hiring any service.
Nextdoor and Local Facebook Groups
Kansas residents are very active on Nextdoor and Facebook. Join groups for your service area. Share helpful cleaning tips.
When someone asks for a cleaner, your name will come up.
Partner with Property Managers
The Kansas City suburbs and college towns have large rental markets. Property managers need move-out cleaning between tenants. Offer them a referral bonus.
Connect with Military Families
Families near Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth need reliable cleaners. Join military spouse groups online. Word of mouth spreads fast in military communities.
For a complete marketing plan, read our Marketing Your Cleaning Business guide and How to Get Cleaning Clients Fast.
How Much Does It Cost to Start in Kansas?
Kansas is affordable to start a cleaning business. Registration fees are moderate and the cost of living is low.
- Limited liability company filing — $160 (one-time, through the Secretary of State)
- Annual report — $55 per year (due April 15)
- Trade name — About $25 (if using a different business name)
- Sales tax registration — Free (required since cleaning is taxable)
- Local business license — $25 to $150 per year (varies by city)
- General liability insurance — $400 to $1,200 per year
- Workers' compensation insurance — Required once you hire (rates vary by payroll)
- Surety bond — $100 to $500 per year (recommended)
- Cleaning supplies and equipment — $200 to $500 to start
- Marketing (initial) — $100 to $500
What Is on Your Kansas Startup Checklist?
Follow these steps in order. Complete each one before moving on.
- Choose your business structure — Form a limited liability company at sos.ks.gov ($160)
- Get an Employer Identification Number — Apply free at irs.gov
- Register for sales tax — Apply free at ksrevenue.gov
- Open a business bank account — Keep personal and business money separate
- Get your local business license — Check your city or county requirements
- Buy general liability insurance — Get at least $1 million in coverage
- Buy cleaning supplies — Start with the basics and upgrade as you grow
- Set your prices — Use our Price Calculator and factor in Kansas sales tax
- Set up your Google Business Profile — This is your most important marketing tool
- Book your first clients — Tell friends, post on Nextdoor, reach out to property managers
- Get workers' compensation before hiring — Required for all employers in Kansas
- Register for unemployment insurance — Required before your first employee starts
What Are the Best Tips for Kansas?
Here are practical tips for success in Kansas.
- Start solo to keep costs low — The $160 filing fee is reasonable. Work alone until you have enough clients to justify hiring
- Always collect sales tax — Cleaning is taxable in Kansas. Build it into your quotes so clients know the total upfront
- File your annual report on time — The $55 report is due April 15. Late filing costs $80 extra. Set a calendar reminder
- Price based on your market — Overland Park and the Kansas City area support higher prices. Smaller towns need lower rates
- Plan for severe weather — Kansas gets tornadoes, hail, and ice storms. Have a weather plan and be ready to reschedule jobs
- Target the Kansas City suburbs — This is the fastest-growing and highest-paying market in the state
- Serve military families — Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth create steady demand year-round
- Keep great records — Sales tax audits happen in Kansas. Track every dollar from day one
- Use MaidProfit to manage bookings — Track jobs, invoices, and sales tax with one tool
What Are the Guides for Nearby States?
If you serve areas near the Kansas border, these guides may help.
- Missouri Guide — Start a cleaning business in Missouri
- Nebraska Guide — Start a cleaning business in Nebraska
- Oklahoma Guide — Start a cleaning business in Oklahoma
- Colorado Guide — Start a cleaning business in Colorado
- Nebraska Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Nebraska
- Missouri Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Missouri
- Oklahoma Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Oklahoma
- Colorado Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Colorado
Where Do You Find Kansas Government Resources?
Here is a complete list of every government website in this guide. Bookmark these for later.
- Kansas Secretary of State — Register your business and file formation documents
- Kansas Department of Revenue — Sales tax registration and state tax filing
- Kansas Department of Labor — Unemployment insurance and employer information
- Internal Revenue Service — Free Employer Identification Number application
- Small Business Administration — Free counseling and local assistance for small businesses
What Other Guides Can Help Your Business?
These free guides cover topics every cleaning business owner needs. They work hand-in-hand with this state guide.
- How to Price Cleaning Services — Set profitable rates with flat-rate and hourly formulas
- Cleaning Business Insurance Guide — General liability, bonding, and the coverage you need
- How to Get Cleaning Clients Fast — Fill your schedule with paying clients
- Marketing Your Cleaning Business — Online and offline strategies that bring real results
- Cleaning Business Taxes and Deductions — Every deduction you can claim and how to file
- How to Get Cleaning Contracts — Find and win residential and commercial contracts
- How to Hire and Train Cleaning Staff — Where to find workers and how to keep them
Start Your Kansas Cleaning Business Today
Kansas makes it affordable to start a cleaning business. Reasonable fees and a low cost of living keep your startup costs down.
Start by forming your limited liability company. Get your Employer Identification Number and sales tax registration. Buy insurance, find your local licenses, and set your prices.
Then focus on getting clients through Google and local partnerships.
The growing Kansas City suburbs, military bases, and college towns create steady demand. Every successful Kansas cleaning company started with one owner and one first client. Take action today.