What do I have to do to start a residential cleaning business?

You need to have capital to start a business, you will need a business plan, knowledge of how much equipment, space and employees cost. What your states laws are regarding insurance for the company, you will have to set up a legal entity (sole proprietership, LLC, SCORP), register your business, register your business name.

Typically your local SBA (small business association) can help you figure out how to write your business plan and where to find information on tax laws et al.

There is a lot to starting any business from the ground up. What's most important is making sure you cross all your T's and dot all your I's.

Get a license in those cities, towns, counties or in the state where you will perform services. Some govt entities require a license and others do not. Buy liability insuance for you operations, liab ins for any veh registered in your businesses name. If you plan to use a personal veh, check with your auto ins carrier and discuss how you plan to use your veh in your business. Buy workers compensation if you have employees and if your state requires that you carry workers compensaton insurance. If you want, buy coverage or your businesses equipment for damage, theft or destruction of your equipment (A commercial lines buffer, floor machine may cost you $ 1500 and you decide it's an asset woth insuring vs the cost of the insurance. As to bonding, I know of no govt entity that requires you purchase a surety bond - you may want to purchase a fidelity bond if you have property or money that your employees, if any employees, may take illegally. You may want a "third party fidelity" bond for advertising reasons to advertise that you are "bonded" - it would cover dishonest acts of employees only that cause your customers a financail loss but will probably contain a "conviction" clause that simply means your cust cannot simply accuse your employee of dishonesty - he / she must seek and be succuessful in a court of law convicting your employee of the illegal act of stealing. Have a business plan to incude how you will obtain customers, what type of work you will do and how much you will charge. Anticaple expenses, cash flow also. Determine if you have the capital (money) to finance your cleaning business until it begins to generate profit. And plan to work hard ! Good luck.