How to start an oven cleaning business

An oven cleaning business can have low start-up costs, meaning – aside from lots of elbow grease – it's possible to get up and running without feeling overwhelmed or needing to break the bank.

Read on for the lowdown on how to set up your oven cleaning business for success.

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What skills, knowledge or requirements do I need to start an oven cleaning business?

To start an oven cleaning business, you'll need to have excellent time management skills. You'll also need to be disciplined and dedicated, as you're in charge of your own hours and it's up to you to set your own schedule. Oven cleaning can be a physically demanding job; it's important that you (or whoever you hire) can physically manage the task.

Are there any courses or qualifications I need to complete?

There aren't any formal qualifications needed to set up this type of business, but there are many courses available online to help you learn new skills. Having a nationally recognised qualification will help you stand out from the crowd and will show customers you are operating a professional business.

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Equipment and software needed to start an oven cleaning business

Some of the key equipment you'll need includes:

• Effective oven cleaning solutions
• Scrapers
• Cloths
• A dip tank, to soak the oven's components.

You'll also want to purchase some computer equipment and software to keep the back-end of the business running smoothly. This may include a laptop or desktop, a business phone, basic accounting software and a printer.

What business structures do I need to consider first?

An accountant can help you choose the best business structure for your oven cleaning business (our guide has some great tips, too). The main business structures are sole trader, partnership and company and each one has its pros and cons depending on your personal circumstances.

Once you have chosen your oven cleaning business structure, you will need to get an ABN. When you have decided on a business name, it needs be registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Once registered under the Corporations Act 2001, there's typically no need to register in individual State or Territory jurisdictions.

What about licenses and legal documents?

Consult your local council about area zoning, health regulations, and whether you need to lodge an application before you can start your oven cleaning business. If your oven cleaning business operates as a sole trader, you can use your personal Tax File Number (TFN). However, partnerships and registered companies must apply for a dedicated tax number. Contact the Australian Tax Office for more information on taxes.

In the early days of your venture, you may well find you need help getting together some important legal documents. The good news is you can find legal templates as well as a host of legal support services online. Some of the leading online legal companies include Sprintlaw, Lawpath and LegalVision. Take a look in the table below for more.

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Name	Product	What's offered?	Starting price to become a member	Annual Fee from	Any free legal documents?
Lawpath		Legal documents and templates, Access to lawyers, Legal guides, Legal advice	$79 per month (billed monthly)	Essentials: $288	You can view samples for free and you can create your first document for free.	Choose an annual plan from just $288 and get unlimited revisions to your legal or business documents. Plus, unlock exclusive partner offers.	Go to site More Info		loading Fetching your data...
LawDepot		Legal documents and templates, Access to lawyers, Legal guides, Legal advice	$7.99 per month (prepaid for one year)	$59.88	You can view samples for free and you can create your first document for free.	Get free legal documents in five to ten minutes.	Go to site More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Sprintlaw		Legal documents and templates, Access to lawyers, Legal guides, Legal advice	$699 (or choose a free template)	$699	Some documents are free to download. Get access to all documents with a membership.	Pick between a fixed-fee package from $99 and a 12-month plan that unlocks a host of membership benefits for $699.	Go to site More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Legal123		Legal documents and templates, Access to lawyers, Legal guides, Legal advice	Varies per template	N/A	No	Get legal templates for any business type in Australia.	Go to site		loading Fetching your data...
LegalVision		Legal documents and templates, Access to lawyers, Legal guides, Legal advice	$199 per month (bill monthly)	N/A	Some documents are free to download. Get access to all documents with a membership.	Your business can take advantage of unlimited lawyer consultations, fast turnaround times and free legal templates with LegalVision.	Go to site More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Law Central		Legal documents and templates, Legal guides, Legal advice	Free for the Silver membership	Gold: $99	You can view samples and create your own document for free with the Silver membership.	Go to site		loading Fetching your data...

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How can I build up my customer base?

Word-of-mouth and personal recommendations are both fantastic ways to build up your customer base. Another effective yet hassle-free way of getting new customers is to use online job marketplaces. They provide a low-cost way to connect skilled professions with locals looking for tradespeople.

Some of the leading platforms on the market include hipages, Airtasker and Oneflare. All these online platforms work in a similar way; locals can post jobs that they need doing in the marketplace, and individuals or companies with the right skills can provide a quote to do the job. This is a great way to build up your local client base as an oven cleaning company.

How much should I charge my customers?

Oven cleaning businesses generally charge between $30 and $150; prices do vary quite a bit. Expect to pay more for large ranges and oven tops.

Here are the factors that dictate how much you charge customers for your oven cleaning services:

• How long it takes to clean
• The age of the appliance; some older ovens may take longer to be cleaned
• How long since the oven was less cleaned
• If it's a general clean or a specialist clean (such as a deep clean)
• How easy the oven is to access
• Your mark-up on the service
• Travel time to get to the job.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to clean an oven?

Oven cleaning can take just one or two hours. Exactly how long it takes you will depend on the quality of your equipment, when the oven was last cleaned and your level of experience.

Do I need insurance when starting an oven cleaning business?

You'll certainly want to look into public liability insurance to cover any accidents or damage that may occur while you work at a customer's property. If you take on employees, consider workers' compensation insurance to cover them.

You may also want to consider business vehicle insurance, income protection insurance and business interruption insurance. Read more in our guide to business insurance.

Do I need uniforms for my oven cleaning business?

Uniforms are a great way to make your oven cleaning business seem more professional. It's not mandatory, but it will help your business seem more reputable. Uniforms are also a fantastic way to promote your business, especially if you wear them before and after work.