Starting a cleaning business in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island, including filing fees, licenses, insurance, labor laws, and local tips.
Why Start a Cleaning Business in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is the smallest state in the country. But its small size is a big advantage. The state packs over one million people into just 1,214 square miles.
That makes Rhode Island the most densely populated state. Dense population means more homes close together. You can clean more homes per day with less driving.
The state also has strong tourism. Newport draws wealthy visitors all summer. Beach towns fill up with vacation rentals.
These create steady cleaning work from spring through fall.
Read our general How to Start a Cleaning Business guide first. This Rhode Island guide adds the state-specific steps you need on top of those basics.
How Do You Choose a Business Structure?
Your first decision is how to set up your business. Rhode Island offers two main choices for new cleaning companies.
Sole Proprietorship
This is the simplest way to start. You do not need to file with the state. Rhode Island treats you as a sole proprietor when you start doing business.
If you want a business name, you must file a trade name. You file this with the Secretary of State. You also file with your city or town clerk.
The downside is no personal protection. If something goes wrong, your personal savings are at risk.
Limited Liability Company
A limited liability company is the better choice. It keeps your personal money separate from your business. If a client sues, your personal savings stay protected.
To form one in Rhode Island, file Articles of Organization. You do this through the Secretary of State website. The filing fee is $150.
Filing online costs $156.
You must file an annual report each year by November 1. The annual report costs $50. If you miss this deadline, the state may dissolve your company.
Choose a limited liability company. The $150 filing fee is a small price for protecting your personal assets. You go into people's homes every day — the liability protection is worth it.
- Rhode Island Secretary of State — File your limited liability company or search existing business names
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.
Rhode Island State Taxes
Rhode Island has a progressive state income tax. The rates are 3.75 percent, 4.75 percent, and 5.99 percent. The rate you pay depends on how much you earn.
If you form a corporation, the tax rate is 7 percent. There is also a minimum tax of $400. Most cleaning businesses use a limited liability company, not a corporation.
Cleaning Services and Sales Tax
Good news for cleaning businesses. Rhode Island has a 7 percent sales tax. But cleaning services are not taxable.
The sales tax only applies to listed goods and certain services.
House cleaning and office cleaning are not on the taxable list. You do not need to collect sales tax on your cleaning work. Dry cleaning and laundry services are taxable, but regular cleaning is not.
- Internal Revenue Service — Apply for a free Employer Identification Number (never pay for this)
- Rhode Island Division of Taxation — State tax registration and information
What Licenses and Permits Do You Need?
Rhode Island does not require a special cleaning license. There is no statewide cleaning industry registration. This is simpler than many other states.
You do need to register your business with the state. File your limited liability company or trade name with the Secretary of State.
Local Business Licenses
Some cities and towns require a local business license. Providence requires one for all businesses. Check with your city or town clerk to find out what you need.
Fees vary by location. Most local licenses cost $25 to $100 per year. You may also need a home occupation permit if you run the business from your house.
Rhode Island does not have a janitorial employer registration like some other states. You do not need a special state permit to hire cleaning workers. Just follow the standard employer rules for taxes and insurance.
- Rhode Island Secretary of State — Register your business and file trade names
- City of Providence — Local business license information for Providence
What Insurance Do You Need?
Insurance protects you from one bad day ending your business. Rhode Island has strict rules about certain 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 by Rhode Island law for all employers with one or more employees. You buy it from private insurance carriers. Sole proprietors and partners are exempt and cannot buy coverage voluntarily
- Temporary disability insurance — Required for all Rhode Island employers. This is a unique state program. You withhold a small amount from each employee's paycheck and send it to the state
- Surety bond — Protects clients if an employee steals something. Not required by the state, but many clients will ask for it. Costs $100 to $500 per year
- Commercial auto insurance — Needed if you use a vehicle for business. Rhode Island requires $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries. You also need $25,000 for property damage
Sole proprietors and partners cannot voluntarily buy workers' compensation insurance in Rhode Island. This is unusual. In most states, you can choose to buy it for yourself.
In Rhode Island, you simply cannot. Make sure you have strong general liability coverage instead.
For more details on each type of coverage, read our Cleaning Business Insurance Guide.
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training — Workers' compensation and temporary disability insurance requirements
What Are Rhode Island Labor Laws?
Rhode Island has strong worker protection laws. If you plan to hire workers, you must follow these rules from day one.
Minimum Wage
The Rhode Island minimum wage is $15.00 per hour. The state has scheduled increases coming. The rate will rise to $16.00 per hour.
It will then increase to $17.00 per hour.
Rhode Island does not allow local cities to set their own minimum wage. The state rate applies everywhere. Check the Department of Labor and Training website for the current rate.
Tipped Workers
If your workers receive tips, the tipped minimum wage is $3.89 per hour. But their tips plus wages must equal the full minimum wage. If tips fall short, you must make up the difference.
Most cleaning workers do not receive regular tips. Plan to pay the full minimum wage for all cleaning staff.
Employer Taxes
When you hire employees in Rhode Island, you pay state employer taxes. These include:
- State unemployment insurance — Rates vary based on your industry and claims history. New employers pay a set rate until they build a track record
- Temporary disability insurance — You withhold this from employee paychecks. The state sets the rate each year. You send these payments to the Department of Labor and Training
- Workers' compensation insurance — You buy this from a private carrier. Rates depend on your payroll size and claims history
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training — Wages, workers' compensation, and temporary disability insurance
What Safety Rules Apply?
Rhode Island does not have its own state safety agency. Federal workplace safety rules cover all employers in the state. The nearest federal office is in the Providence area.
Hazard Communication
You must keep Safety Data Sheets for every cleaning chemical you use. Train your workers on what chemicals they handle. Show them how to use products safely.
Explain what to do if there is a spill or skin contact.
Personal Protective Equipment
Give your workers the right safety gear. This includes rubber gloves, eye protection, and non-slip shoes. You must provide this gear at no cost to your employees.
Injury Reporting
Keep a log of any workplace injuries. Report serious injuries to the federal safety office. Train your workers to report injuries right away.
Quick reporting protects both you and your workers.
- Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration — Workplace safety rules and standards for all employers
How Do You Set Cleaning Prices in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's cost of living is above the national average. You can charge solid rates for cleaning work. Factor in your insurance, taxes, supplies, and labor costs when setting prices.
Typical pricing ranges in Rhode Island:
- Home cleaning (hourly) — $30 to $55 per hour depending on your area
- Home cleaning (flat rate) — $130 to $350 for a standard 3-bedroom home
- Deep cleaning — $200 to $450 depending on home size and condition
- Move-in or move-out cleaning — $250 to $500 or more
- Office cleaning — $0.07 to $0.18 per square foot, or $25 to $60 per hour
- Vacation rental turnover — $75 to $200 or more per turnover
Prices at the high end are common in Newport and the East Side of Providence. Lower rates are more typical in Pawtucket, Woonsocket, and smaller towns.
Use our Price Calculator to find the right rate for your area. For detailed pricing methods, read our Pricing Guide.
For detailed city-by-city pricing data, see our full Cleaning Business Prices in Rhode Island guide.
What Cleaning Niches Are Profitable in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has cleaning niches that do well because of the state's unique market. Here are the top options:
Newport Mansions and Luxury Cleaning
Newport is famous for its historic mansions and wealthy residents. Luxury vacation rentals fill the area. Yacht owners and summer visitors need premium cleaning.
You can charge top rates for high-end work in Newport.
Providence University Cleaning
Providence has Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. It also has Providence College and Johnson and Wales University. Student housing has high turnover each semester.
Campus offices and common areas need regular cleaning. This creates year-round work in the capital city.
Beach Town Vacation Rentals
Narragansett, Westerly, and Watch Hill draw beach visitors every summer. Block Island is a popular day trip. Vacation rental owners need fast turnover cleaning between guests.
This seasonal work pays well from May through September.
Dense Residential Market
Rhode Island has many multi-family homes and condos. Cities like Warwick, Cranston, and East Providence are tightly packed. You can clean more homes per day because of short drive times.
Route-based cleaning works very well here.
Healthcare Facility Cleaning
Rhode Island has several major hospitals. Rhode Island Hospital, Miriam Hospital, and Women and Infants Hospital all need cleaning. Medical offices need special cleaning too.
This niche pays well but requires extra training.
Summer is the busiest time for cleaning in Rhode Island. Beach rentals, tourism, and student move-outs all happen at once. Build extra capacity for the summer rush.
Then focus on residential and office cleaning in winter.
How Do You Market a Cleaning Business in Rhode Island?
Getting clients in Rhode Island follows many of the same steps as anywhere. But a few strategies work especially well here.
Google Business Profile
This is the most important free marketing step. Set up your Google Business Profile with your city, services, hours, and photos. Ask every happy client for a Google review.
Most Rhode Island residents search online before hiring a cleaner.
Nextdoor and Local Facebook Groups
Rhode Island has tight-knit communities. People trust word of mouth. Join Nextdoor and local Facebook groups for your area.
Share helpful cleaning tips. When someone asks for a cleaner, your name will come up.
Partner with Property Managers
Rhode Island has a large rental market. Property managers need cleaning between tenants. Vacation rental owners need turnover cleaning.
Offer special rates or a referral bonus. One good partnership can keep you busy for months.
Connect with Real Estate Agents
Real estate agents need move-out cleaning for listings. Rhode Island's busy housing market creates steady demand. Build relationships with agents in your area.
They will send you work whenever they have a new listing.
For a complete marketing plan, read our Marketing Your Cleaning Business guide. Also check out How to Get Cleaning Clients Fast.
How Much Does It Cost to Start in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is affordable compared to many Northeast states. Here is a breakdown of what to expect:
- Limited liability company filing — $150 (one-time, $156 online through the Secretary of State)
- Annual report — $50 per year (due by November 1)
- Local business license — $25 to $100 per year (varies by city or town)
- General liability insurance — $400 to $1,200 per year
- Workers' compensation insurance — Varies by payroll (only if you have employees)
- Cleaning supplies and equipment — $200 to $500 to start
- Marketing (initial) — $100 to $500
What Is on Your Rhode Island Startup Checklist?
Here is a step-by-step list to follow. Complete each item before moving to the next:
- Choose your business structure — Form a limited liability company through the Secretary of State ($150)
- Get an Employer Identification Number — Apply free at the Internal Revenue Service
- Open a business bank account — Keep personal and business money separate
- Register with the Division of Taxation — Set up your state tax accounts at the Division of Taxation
- Check local license requirements — Contact your city or town clerk
- 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 Rhode Island costs
- Set up your Google Business Profile — This is your most important marketing tool
- Book your first clients — Tell friends, post on Nextdoor, join local groups
- Get workers' compensation insurance — Required before your first employee starts work
- Set up temporary disability insurance — Register with the Department of Labor and Training before hiring
What Are the Best Tips for Rhode Island?
Here are practical tips from successful Rhode Island cleaning business owners:
- Use the small state to your advantage — Rhode Island's compact size means short drives between jobs. Plan tight routes and clean more homes per day
- Target Newport in the summer — Newport's wealthy visitors and vacation rentals pay premium rates. Build relationships with property managers before summer starts
- Build university connections — Contact housing offices at Brown, Providence College, and other schools. Student move-out cleaning is steady seasonal work
- Focus on multi-family homes — Rhode Island has many condos and apartment buildings. One building can give you several clients in one location
- Offer beach rental turnover cleaning — Vacation rental hosts in Narragansett and Westerly need fast, reliable cleaning. They pay well for weekend turnovers
- Know your temporary disability insurance duties — This is unique to Rhode Island. Set up payroll withholding correctly from day one
- Network with local businesses — Rhode Island has a tight-knit business community. Join your local chamber of commerce and attend networking events
- Get your systems in place early — Use software like MaidProfit for scheduling, quoting, and invoices. Good systems free you up to focus on cleaning and growing
What Are the Guides for Nearby States?
Thinking about expanding to a nearby state? Each state has different rules and fees. Check our other New England state guides below.
- How to Start a Cleaning Business in Connecticut — Cleaning taxable at 6.35 percent, Fairfield County luxury market, high minimum wage
- How to Start a Cleaning Business in Massachusetts — Biotech and university cleaning, Cape Cod tourism, highest filing fees
- Connecticut Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Connecticut
- Massachusetts Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Massachusetts
Where Do You Find Rhode Island Government Resources?
Here is a complete list of every government website mentioned in this guide. Bookmark these for later.
- Rhode Island Secretary of State — Register your business, file articles, search names
- Rhode Island Division of Taxation — State tax registration, income tax, sales tax information
- Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training — Wages, workers' compensation, temporary disability insurance, unemployment
- City of Providence — Local business license information for Providence
- Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration — Workplace safety rules (no state program in Rhode Island)
- 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 Rhode Island Cleaning Business Today
Rhode Island is a great state for a cleaning business. The dense population means short drives and more clients per day. Newport and the beaches bring premium seasonal work.
And the startup costs are lower than many nearby states.
Start by forming your limited liability company and getting your Employer Identification Number. Get insured, check your local permit needs, and set prices that cover your costs. Then focus on getting your first clients through Google, Nextdoor, and local partnerships.
Every successful cleaning company in Rhode Island started with one owner and one first client. The steps in this guide give you a clear path. Take action today.