How to Start a Cleaning Service in Hawaii (2026)

Last updated: February 26, 2026

Starting a cleaning service in Hawaii is more straightforward than in many states – there is no state-level cleaning or janitorial license required. Your primary obligations are registering your business entity with the DCCA, obtaining a General Excise Tax (GET) license from the Department of Taxation, and complying with Hawaii’s worker-protective laws the moment you hire staff. The GET applies to all gross receipts from cleaning services at a combined rate of 4.5%, which you can pass on to customers if disclosed separately.

Cleaning Service Requirements in Hawaii at a Glance

Requirement	Agency	Cost	Timeline
LLC Formation (Articles of Organization)	DCCA Business Registration Division	$50	3-5 business days
GET License (Form BB-1)	Hawaii Dept. of Taxation	$20 (one-time)	5-7 days online; 4-6 weeks mail
EIN (Federal)	IRS	Free	Immediate (online)
Workers’ Compensation Insurance	DLIR / Private carrier	Varies	Required before hiring first employee
UI Registration	Hawaii DLIR	Free	Register within 20 days of first hire

How to Start a Cleaning Service in Hawaii (Step by Step)

Step 1: Choose Your Business Structure and Form Your Entity

Most cleaning service owners in Hawaii operate as a sole proprietor, LLC, or partnership. An LLC provides personal liability protection and costs $50 to form through the DCCA Business Registration Division (BREG).

• Sole Proprietor: No state registration unless operating under a trade name. Get a trade name registration at DCCA BREG for $50 if you want to operate under a business name other than your legal name.
• LLC: File Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) at hbe.ehawaii.gov. Fee: $50. Annual report: $15/year. Processing: 3-5 business days.
• Registered Agent: Required for LLCs. Must have a physical Hawaii address. You may serve as your own if you have a Hawaii address, or hire a commercial service ($49-$150/year).

Step 2: Obtain Your GET License

The General Excise Tax (GET) license is Hawaii’s primary business tax registration – it functions as the equivalent of a sales tax permit in other states but applies to all gross receipts, not just product sales. All cleaning service revenue is subject to GET.

• Form BB-1: File the State of Hawaii Basic Business Application online at Hawaii Tax Online (hitax.hawaii.gov). One-time registration fee: $20. Online processing: 5-7 business days; mail processing: 4-6 weeks.
• GET rate: Cleaning services are taxed at the standard GET rate of 4.0% (state) plus 0.5% county surcharge = 4.5% combined. This surcharge applies in all four Hawaii counties through 2030.
• Passing GET to customers: You may pass the GET on to your customers if you disclose it as a separate line item. The standard pass-on rate for the surcharge counties is 4.166% (slightly less than 4.5% to account for the gross-receipts compounding). More info: tax.hawaii.gov/geninfo/get.
• Filing frequency: Depending on your gross income, you will file GET returns monthly, quarterly, or annually. The Department of Taxation will assign your filing frequency when you register.

Step 3: No State Cleaning License Needed – But Check County Requirements

Hawaii has no state-level occupational license specifically for cleaning or janitorial services. This means:

• No occupational license fee, exam, or application at the state level for cleaning work
• No minimum training or certification requirements under Hawaii state law
• Commercial cleaning contracts with government facilities or large corporations may require bonding (typically $10,000-$25,000 janitorial bond) as a contract condition – not a legal requirement

County-level business registration is not uniformly required in Hawaii (unlike some states). However, if you operate in the City & County of Honolulu, check whether any local business registration applies to your specific situation. Contact the Honolulu Department of Customer Services for guidance.

Step 4: Get Business Insurance

Hawaii law requires workers’ compensation insurance for any business with at least one employee – even part-time or seasonal workers. This is required before you bring on your first hire.

• Workers’ Compensation: Purchase from any Hawaii-licensed insurance carrier. The DLIR Disability Compensation Division administers the program. Contact info: labor.hawaii.gov/dcd.
• General Liability Insurance: While not legally required for sole cleaning operators, general liability coverage ($1 million per occurrence is standard) protects against property damage claims from client premises. Most commercial cleaning contracts require proof of GL coverage.
• Janitorial Bond: A fidelity or janitorial bond ($5,000-$25,000) covers theft by employees on client premises. Not required by Hawaii law but frequently required by commercial clients and helps build trust with residential customers.

Step 5: Register as an Employer

If you hire employees, register with the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) within 20 days of your first hire.

• Unemployment Insurance: Register at labor.hawaii.gov/ui. New employer rate: 2.40% on the first $64,500 per employee per year (2026, Schedule C).
• New Hire Reporting: Report new hires to the Hawaii New Hire Reporting program within 20 days of the hire date. Report through the Hawaii DLIR employer portal.
• State Income Tax Withholding: Withhold Hawaii state income tax from employee wages and remit through Hawaii Tax Online.

Cost to Start a Cleaning Service in Hawaii

Item	Cost	Notes
LLC formation (Articles of Organization)	$50	DCCA BREG; $25 optional expedited processing
Annual report (year 1)	$15	Due annually; deadline based on LLC formation quarter
Registered agent service	$49-$150/yr	Required for LLC; free if you serve as your own agent with HI address
GET license registration	$20	One-time fee; Form BB-1 via Hawaii Tax Online
General liability insurance	$500-$1,500/yr	Typical for small cleaning company; varies by revenue and coverage
Janitorial bond	$100-$300/yr	Optional but recommended; $10,000-$25,000 bond face value
Cleaning equipment and supplies	$500-$2,500	Vacuums, mops, buckets, chemicals, uniforms

Estimated total startup cost: $1,200 – $5,000

Related Hawaii Business Guides

• How to Start a Food Truck in Hawaii
• How to Start a Landscaping Business in Hawaii
• How to Start an HVAC Business in Hawaii

← Back to all Hawaii business guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license to start a cleaning business in Hawaii?

No state-level cleaning or janitorial license is required in Hawaii. Your primary requirements are a GET license from the Department of Taxation ($20 one-time fee) and, if forming an LLC, the $50 formation fee at DCCA BREG. If you hire employees, you also need to register for UI tax with DLIR and carry workers’ compensation insurance.

Does the GET apply to cleaning services in Hawaii?

Yes. Cleaning and janitorial services are subject to Hawaii’s General Excise Tax at the standard rate of 4.0% (state) plus a 0.5% county surcharge in all four counties, for a combined 4.5%. You may pass this tax on to customers as a separate line item disclosure. File GET returns on the frequency assigned by the Department of Taxation (monthly, quarterly, or annual based on revenue).

How much does it cost to start a cleaning business in Hawaii?

Startup costs for a Hawaii cleaning service are modest: $50 for LLC formation, $20 for a GET license, $15 for the first annual report, and $49-$150/year for a registered agent if needed. Add general liability insurance ($500-$1,500/year) and initial cleaning equipment ($500-$2,500). Total first-year investment typically runs $1,200 to $5,000 depending on whether you hire employees and the scope of your initial equipment needs.

Do I need workers’ compensation for a cleaning business in Hawaii?

Yes, once you hire your first employee – even part-time. Hawaii requires workers’ compensation for any employer with one or more employees, which is one of the broadest mandates in the country. Purchase coverage from a Hawaii-licensed insurance carrier before bringing anyone on staff. Contact the DLIR Disability Compensation Division at labor.hawaii.gov/dcd for a list of authorized carriers.

Can I operate a cleaning business as a sole proprietor in Hawaii?

Yes. Sole proprietors do not need to register a business entity with the state unless operating under a trade name other than their legal name (DBA costs $50 at DCCA BREG). However, you still need a GET license ($20) and must comply with all employer requirements if you hire help. Many solo cleaners start as sole proprietors and form an LLC later for liability protection as the business grows.

What insurance do I need for a cleaning business in Hawaii?

Hawaii law requires workers’ compensation once you hire anyone. Beyond that, most cleaning businesses carry: (1) general liability insurance ($1M per occurrence is typical) to cover property damage or injury claims at client locations, and (2) a janitorial bond ($5,000-$25,000 fidelity bond) to protect against employee theft at client premises. Commercial clients typically require proof of both before signing contracts.