Starting a cleaning business in Louisiana 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 Louisiana, including filing fees, licenses, insurance, labor laws, and local tips.
Why Start a Cleaning Business in Louisiana?
Louisiana offers unique opportunities for cleaning businesses. New Orleans alone draws millions of tourists each year. Vacation rentals need constant turnover cleaning.
The cost of living is low across the state. Starting a business is affordable with a $100 filing fee for a limited liability company. Labor costs are also lower than most states.
Louisiana uses parishes instead of counties. This creates a different local government structure. But the opportunity is the same: strong demand for cleaning in homes and businesses.
Read our general How to Start a Cleaning Business guide first. This Louisiana 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. Louisiana offers two main choices for cleaning companies.
Sole Proprietorship
This is the simplest way to start. You do not file anything with the state. Louisiana considers you a sole owner right away.
If you want a business name, file a trade name with your parish clerk of court. The fee varies by parish.
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 Louisiana, file Articles of Organization. You do this online through the Secretary of State website. The filing fee is $100.
Louisiana requires an annual report. The fee is $35 per year. This keeps your company in good standing with the state.
Choose a limited liability company. The $100 filing fee is affordable. You enter people's homes every day — the liability protection is worth the cost.
- sos.la.gov — File your Articles of Organization for a limited liability company
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.
Louisiana Income Tax
Louisiana has a state income tax. Rates range from 1.85 to 4.25 percent. Your cleaning business income passes through to your personal tax return.
You may need to make quarterly estimated payments. The Louisiana Department of Revenue handles all state tax filings.
Cleaning Services and Sales Tax
This is important: cleaning services are taxable in Louisiana. The state sales tax rate is 4.45 percent. Parish and local taxes can add 5 to 7 percent more.
Combined rates can reach over 11 percent in some areas. New Orleans has a combined rate of about 9.45 percent. Baton Rouge has a combined rate of about 10 percent. You must collect sales tax from your clients on every job.
Louisiana's sales tax system is unique. You must register with both the state and your local parish tax collector. Get both permits before you start.
Louisiana has some of the highest combined sales tax rates in the country. Register with both the state and your parish. Collect tax on every cleaning job to avoid penalties.
- irs.gov — Apply for a free Employer Identification Number (never pay for this)
- revenue.louisiana.gov — Louisiana Department of Revenue — state sales tax registration
What Licenses and Permits Do You Need?
Louisiana has no statewide business license for cleaning. There is also no special cleaning license at the state level. This keeps things simple.
However, most parishes and cities require local occupational licenses. This is one of the more important steps in Louisiana.
Parish Occupational License
Most Louisiana parishes require an occupational license. This is sometimes called a business license. Check with your parish clerk of court.
Fees vary by parish. Most range from $25 to $150 per year. You may need a separate license for each parish where you work.
Sales Tax Permits
Since cleaning services are taxable, you need sales tax permits. In Louisiana, you register at both the state and parish level. This is different from most states.
The state permit is free from the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Contact your parish tax collector for the local permit.
- revenue.louisiana.gov — State sales tax permit and business registration
What Insurance Do You Need?
Insurance protects you from one bad day ending your business. Louisiana 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 Louisiana for all employers with one or more employees. You must get coverage before your first hire starts
- 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. Louisiana 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 Louisiana for even one employee. Get coverage before your first worker starts. Louisiana also has higher auto insurance rates, so budget for commercial vehicle coverage.
What Are Louisiana Labor Laws?
If you plan to hire workers, you need to follow Louisiana labor laws from day one.
Minimum Wage
Louisiana has no state minimum wage law. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour applies to all workers.
Most cleaning businesses pay $10 to $16 per hour to attract good workers. The low cost of living means these wages go further in Louisiana than in high-cost states.
Worker Classification
Louisiana follows federal standards for worker classification. Cleaning workers who follow your schedule usually count as employees. Classifying them wrong leads to fines.
When in doubt, hire them as employees.
Unemployment Insurance
When you hire employees, register for unemployment insurance. Register through the Louisiana Workforce Commission. New employers pay a starting rate.
- laworks.net — Louisiana Workforce Commission — unemployment insurance and employer information
What Safety Rules Apply?
Louisiana uses federal workplace safety rules. The state does not have its own safety agency. Federal offices in Louisiana 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 happens.
Heat and Humidity Safety
Louisiana is hot and humid for most of the year. Workers face heat risks when cleaning without air conditioning. Make sure workers stay hydrated and take breaks.
Mold grows fast in Louisiana's humidity. Train your workers to spot mold and handle it safely. Some mold jobs require special equipment and training.
How Do You Set Cleaning Prices in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a low cost of living. Prices are lower than national averages. But New Orleans and Baton Rouge support higher rates.
Typical pricing ranges in Louisiana:
- Home cleaning (hourly) — $20 to $40 per hour
- Home cleaning (flat rate) — $90 to $230 for a standard 3-bedroom home
- Deep cleaning — $150 to $350 depending on home size
- Move-in or move-out cleaning — $175 to $400
- Vacation rental turnover — $80 to $250 per turnover (New Orleans)
- Office cleaning — $0.04 to $0.11 per square foot
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 Louisiana guide.
What Cleaning Niches Are Profitable in Louisiana?
Louisiana has cleaning niches that do especially well. The state's tourism and unique culture create special opportunities.
New Orleans Vacation Rental Cleaning
New Orleans draws millions of visitors each year. Thousands of vacation rental properties need turnover cleaning. The French Quarter and Garden District have especially high demand.
Baton Rouge Suburban Cleaning
Baton Rouge is the state capital with growing suburbs. Areas like Prairieville, Denham Springs, and Gonzales have new homes. These families need regular cleaning services.
Lafayette and Acadiana Region
Lafayette is a growing city in the heart of Cajun country. Oil and gas industry offices need commercial cleaning. Residential demand is growing in newer neighborhoods.
Lake Charles Casino and Industrial Cleaning
Lake Charles has casinos and a growing industrial sector. Hotels and entertainment venues need regular cleaning. Industrial offices in the area also need janitorial services.
Post-Storm Cleaning
Louisiana faces hurricanes and tropical storms. After storms, homes and businesses need deep cleaning. This specialty can bring in a lot of work in a short time.
Vacation rental cleaning in New Orleans can be very profitable. Build relationships with property managers who handle multiple listings. One good partnership can fill your schedule.
How Do You Market a Cleaning Business in Louisiana?
Getting clients in Louisiana follows the same steps as most states. Here are strategies that work well.
Google Business Profile
Set up your profile with your city, services, and photos. Ask every happy client for a Google review. Most people search online first.
Vacation Rental Platforms
If you serve New Orleans or other tourist areas, connect with vacation rental hosts. Many hosts look for reliable cleaners on local forums and social media.
Partner with Property Managers
Property managers in Louisiana handle large numbers of rental units. Offer them competitive rates for regular turnover cleaning. One contract can mean steady weekly work.
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 Louisiana?
Louisiana is affordable to start a cleaning business. Low filing fees and a low cost of living help keep costs down.
- Limited liability company filing — $100 (one-time, through the Secretary of State)
- Annual report — $35 per year
- Trade name filing — Varies by parish (if using a different business name)
- Sales tax permits — Free at state level (parish permits may have small fees)
- Parish occupational license — $25 to $150 per year (varies by parish)
- General liability insurance — $400 to $1,200 per year
- Workers' compensation insurance — Required once you hire (rates vary)
- 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 Louisiana Startup Checklist?
Follow these steps in order. Complete each one before moving on.
- Choose your business structure — Form a limited liability company at sos.la.gov ($100)
- Get an Employer Identification Number — Apply free at irs.gov
- Register for state sales tax — Apply at revenue.louisiana.gov
- Register with your parish tax collector — Get your parish sales tax permit
- Open a business bank account — Keep personal and business money separate
- Get your parish occupational license — Check with your parish clerk of court
- 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 Louisiana sales tax
- Set up your Google Business Profile — This is your most important marketing tool
- Book your first clients — Tell friends, connect with vacation rental hosts, reach out to property managers
- Get workers' compensation before hiring — Required for even one employee
- Register for unemployment insurance — Required before your first employee starts
What Are the Best Tips for Louisiana?
Here are practical tips for success in Louisiana.
- Register for both state and parish sales tax — Louisiana's dual tax system catches many new businesses off guard. Handle both before you start
- Target vacation rentals in New Orleans — Tourism creates year-round demand for turnover cleaning
- Budget for higher insurance costs — Louisiana has higher auto and general insurance rates. Factor this into your prices
- Prepare for hurricanes — Have a plan for weather emergencies. Post-storm cleaning can be very profitable
- Watch for mold — The humidity in Louisiana creates mold problems. Learn to spot it and handle it safely
- Get your parish occupational license early — Most parishes require this. Do not wait until someone asks for it
- File your annual report on time — It is only $35 per year. Do not forget or you risk losing your company status
- 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 Louisiana border, these guides may help.
- Texas Guide — Start a cleaning business in Texas
- Arkansas Guide — Start a cleaning business in Arkansas
- Mississippi Guide — Start a cleaning business in Mississippi
- Texas Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Texas
- Arkansas Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Arkansas
- Mississippi Cleaning Prices — Hourly rates and city-by-city pricing for Mississippi
Where Do You Find Louisiana Government Resources?
Here is a complete list of every government website in this guide. Bookmark these for later.
- Louisiana Secretary of State — Register your business and file formation documents
- Louisiana Department of Revenue — State sales tax permits and tax filing
- Louisiana Workforce Commission — 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 Louisiana Cleaning Business Today
Louisiana makes it affordable to start a cleaning business. Low filing fees and a low cost of living help you get started fast.
Start by forming your limited liability company. Get your Employer Identification Number and sales tax permits. Buy insurance, get your parish license, and set your prices.
Then focus on getting clients through Google and local partnerships.
The tourism in New Orleans, growing suburbs in Baton Rouge, and steady demand across the state create great opportunities. Every successful Louisiana cleaning company started with one owner and one first client. Take action today.