Dubai boasts many gleaming skyscrapers and office blocks. Cleaning all that floor space is a major operation, making commercial office cleaning services a vital sector in the UAE.
There is no shortage of commercial spaces that need cleaning – and it’s a lucrative niche for entrepreneurs. A great business opportunity, in other words!
In this article, we’ll cover the following topics:
- Commercial office cleaning business in the UAE – an overview
- Steps to start a commercial office cleaning business in Dubai, UAE
- Cost of starting a commercial office cleaning business in Dubai, UAE
- How to grow a commercial office cleaning business in the UAE
- Working with Trade License Zone
Commercial office cleaning business in the UAE – an overview
The UAE has three primary cleaning services: residential, commercial, and industrial. A commercial office cleaning business can only provide its services to commercial clients.
Setting up a commercial office cleaning business in Dubai means you’ll need to apply for a commercial business license.
The commercial cleaning industry continues to grow year-on-year in the UAE. Dubai is not only an international tourist destination but also one of the world’s leading economic hubs. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for office cleaning has more than doubled.
Steps to start a commercial office cleaning business in Dubai, UAE
Starting a commercial office cleaning business in Dubai is a straightforward process. The following section outlines eight essential steps.
Step 1: Partner with Trade License Zone
When starting a commercial office cleaning company in Dubai, you should first partner with Trade License Zone. Our professional team will manage all aspects of your trade license application, company registration, and setup process so you can begin trading.
Step 2: Choose a name for your commercial office cleaning business
Choosing a name for your company is a straightforward process, but you must abide by the UAE government’s rules.
The business name must adhere to the UAE’s naming policies, including that a business name cannot include offensive or profane language or references to Allah or Islam.
Trade License Zone will help you choose and register your commercial office cleaning business name with the UAE’s Registry Office.
Step 3: Appoint an LSA
To start a commercial office cleaning company, foreign nationals (such as entrepreneurs and investors) must appoint a Local Service Agent (LSA).
The LSA does not hold any stake in the business or take any profits but serves as an intermediary between the company and the UAE government. LSAs are paid a set fee for their services. An LSA must be an Emirati national.
Step 4: Select your business activities
All companies must have trade licenses to operate in the UAE. These regulate the types of business activities companies can do. The type of trade license determines the business activities permitted, and Dubai’s Department of Economic Development issues those trade licenses. In this case, a commercial office cleaning license is necessary.
Failure to list all your business activities on your trading license may result in penalties. Partnering with a company formation expert such as Trade License Zone will ensure that your trading license application and business activities are aligned.
Step 5: Decide on a business jurisdiction
The UAE has two main business jurisdiction types – free zone and mainland. Each has specific company formation regulations and benefits that determine how a business can operate in Dubai and the UAE.
The business activities you’ve selected for your company’s trade license determine the company formation setup.
Free zone companies are the most popular and cost-effective of the two types of business jurisdiction in Dubai. They offer foreign nationals 100% ownership of their companies, but additional steps (such as opening a branch) are necessary for a commercial office cleaning business to trade within the UAE legally.
A mainland company setup allows you to trade within the UAE market without extra steps. However, a local sponsor (an Emirati citizen) must hold 51% of the company’s shares.
Selecting the correct business setup for your commercial office cleaning business might seem complicated. When you contact the expert team at Trade License Zone, we will help you to choose the best company setup formation to start trading as soon as possible.
Step 6: Apply for your trade license
You can now apply for your trade license. All trade license applications are made to the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED). For this critical step, you can trust Trade License Zone to avoid any errors or mistakes.
Step 7: Apply for your visa
Once you’ve completed the trade license process, you can apply for your UAE residency visa to live and work in Dubai. Your trade license may entitle you to sponsor the visas of family and staff, depending on the conditions of the trade license.
Step 8: Open your corporate bank account
Opening your commercial office cleaning business corporate bank account is the final step before you can begin trading. For advice and assistance with this vital step, contact Trade License Zone‘s helpful team.
Cost of starting a commercial office cleaning business in Dubai, UAE
The cost of starting a commercial office cleaning business in the UAE is around AED 10,000 to AED 20,000. This cost varies depending on several factors, such as the trade license cost, office space rental, staff, visas, various government fees and approvals, and cleaning equipment.
For a more accurate figure, reach out to the professional team at Trade License Zone for a free quote.
How to grow a commercial office cleaning business in the UAE
We have helped many businesses successfully launch onto the UAE market. These are the tried-and-tested methods of growing your commercial office cleaning business in the UAE:
Tip 1: Digital Marketing
Create a website for your commercial cleaning business and ensure it is visible on Google for potential customers to find your services.
Tip 2: Create a Referral Programme
A referral programme is one of the best ways of growing your commercial office cleaning company’s client base. Setting one up is simple, and each successful referral is rewarded with a price discount or another loyalty benefit.
Tip 3: Networking Events
Dubai boasts a rich business networking ecosystem. At these networking events, you’re more than likely to meet other companies’ key decision-makers who will help you set up new contracts.
Working with Trade License Zone
When you partner with an expert such as Trade License Zone, business setup in the UAE is a streamlined process. Partnering with Trade License Zone will save you from the frustration of unnecessary delays or rejections and simplify the entire process of setting up your commercial office cleaning business in Dubai.
All companies in the UAE must hold a valid trading license to operate legally. Trade License Zone’s professional team will manage all aspects of your trade license application, company registration, and setup process to guide you through the documentation required by the various UAE government authorities so you can begin trading.
The specialists at Trade License Zone can get started as soon as you provide us with some basic documentation. After that, sit back and let our team take care of the rest. We’ll manage your trade license application, communicate with all relevant local departments and authorities, and report when you’re ready to launch your new company. It really is that simple.