How to Start a Cleaning Business in New Hampshire
Start a cleaning business in New Hampshire: $100 LLC fee, sales tax and license rules, local cleaner wages ($18.82/hr median) and a pricing example, with official New Hampshire sources.
This guide contains partner links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you. How we make money
New Hampshire at a glance for cleaning businesses
| LLC filing fee | $100 |
|---|---|
| Ongoing state report fee | $100 (annual) |
| Sales tax on cleaning services | No state sales tax |
| State cleaning license | Not required statewide |
| State minimum wage (2026) | $7.25/hr |
| Median janitor wage in New Hampshire | $18.82/hr |
| Median maid / housekeeper wage | $17.75/hr |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Fees and rules: official New Hampshire sources linked in each section. Verified October 18, 2026.
Step 1: Form your LLC in New Hampshire
An LLC keeps business debts and lawsuits separate from your personal assets, which matters in a job where you work inside other people's homes and buildings. In New Hampshire the state filing fee is $100, filed with the New Hampshire Secretary of State, Corporation Division. After that, the ongoing state report fee is $100 (annual).
The annual report fee is $100, with a $2 electronic handling charge when paid online. A $50 late fee applies if the annual report and fee are received after April 1; no franchise-tax minimum is identified.
You can file yourself on the state website, or have ZenBusiness or Northwest Registered Agent file it and track your report deadlines. Then get your free EIN at IRS.gov.
Compare: full New Hampshire LLC cost breakdown · LLC costs in every state
Step 2: Licenses and registrations
The supplied official results do not establish a state-level license specifically for general residential or commercial cleaning. Businesses must register with the Secretary of State, and a trade name must be registered when operating under a name other than the owner’s legal name; other activity-specific licenses or permits may apply. (source)
Also check your city and county. Many require a general business license or tax registration even when the state does not.
Step 3: Sales tax on cleaning in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has no general statewide sales tax, so ordinary residential and commercial cleaning or janitorial services are not subject to state sales tax. (New Hampshire source)
Step 4: Insurance and bonding
Commercial clients will ask for a certificate of insurance before you start. Cleaning businesses nationally pay a median of $59/month for general liability and about $9/month for a janitorial bond (Insureon). Once you hire in New Hampshire, check the state's workers' compensation rules. You can get a quote and download your own certificate from NEXT Insurance, or compare several insurers at once through Insureon.
Step 5: Price your work with New Hampshire wages
Price from labor hours. Here is a 10,000 sq ft office cleaned 5 nights a week, using the New Hampshire median janitor wage:
| Labor hours per visit | 4 (assumes 2,500 sq ft per hour) |
|---|---|
| Wage + 15% payroll costs | $18.82 → $21.64/hr |
| Labor + $5 supplies per visit | $91.56 |
| Direct cost per month (21.7 visits) | $1,987 |
| Price at 25% / 35% / 45% gross margin | $2,649 / $3,057 / $3,613 per month |
Walk the building before you quote: restrooms, kitchens and hard floors take longer than open carpet. See the full pricing walkthrough.
Step 6: Get your first clients in New Hampshire
Residential: set up a Google Business Profile, ask every client for a review, and lead with recurring weekly or biweekly pricing. Let clients book online with BookingKoala. Google Local Services Ads and Facebook ads can bring calls in the first month, as long as you answer leads within minutes.
Commercial: build a list of offices, medical practices and churches in your area, then use cold email, calls and drop-ins to book free walkthroughs. Send a written proposal within 48 hours; Jobber turns a walkthrough into a quote the client approves online. If you'd rather have walkthroughs booked for you, Redbird Leads runs cold email for commercial cleaning companies.*
*LocalBizDesk and Redbird Leads share an owner.
Step 7: Hiring in New Hampshire
The New Hampshire minimum wage is $7.25/hr, but the going rate is higher: the median janitor in New Hampshire earns $18.82/hr and the median maid or housekeeper $17.75/hr. If you set schedules and supply equipment, your cleaners are likely employees, not contractors (IRS rules). Gusto handles payroll tax filings and new-hire paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a cleaning business in New Hampshire?
The state LLC filing fee is $100. Add supplies and equipment (about $1,000 to $3,000 for residential, more for commercial) and insurance, which runs a median of $59 a month for general liability.
Do you need a license to clean houses or offices in New Hampshire?
The supplied official results do not establish a state-level license specifically for general residential or commercial cleaning. Businesses must register with the Secretary of State, and a trade name must be registered when operating under a name other than the owner’s legal name; other activity-specific licenses or permits may apply.
Is cleaning taxable in New Hampshire?
No, the state has no general sales tax. New Hampshire has no general statewide sales tax, so ordinary residential and commercial cleaning or janitorial services are not subject to state sales tax.
How much do cleaners make in New Hampshire?
The median wage is $18.82 an hour for janitors and building cleaners and $17.75 for maids and housekeepers (BLS, May 2025). The state minimum wage is $7.25.