In this guide · 8 sections
- 01Who needs an NEA cleaning business licence
- 02NEA licence classes explained
- 03Progressive Wage Model and bizSAFE on your website
- 04How to display your licence and let buyers verify it
- 05Quote forms by site type and size
- 06Separate pages for commercial and home cleaning
- 07Do it yourself or get help?
- 08Frequently asked questions
Short answer
Show your NEA cleaning business licence class, number and expiry on a Licences page and in the footer, link to NEA's list of licensed cleaning businesses for verification, keep commercial and home cleaning on separate pages, and use quote forms that ask for site type, size, frequency and hours.
Who needs an NEA cleaning business licence
NEA's cleaning business licence page says businesses offering general cleaning services at premises or public places must hold a licence before starting work, even if cleaning is only part of what they do. The main sub-sectors are office and commercial, food and beverage, and conservancy (including Town Council public areas).
- Penalty for operating unlicensed: a fine of up to S$10,000, up to 12 months' imprisonment or both, plus S$1,000 a day for a continuing offence, under the Environmental Public Health Act 1987.
- Subcontracting: businesses that subcontract cleaning to licensed firms still need their own licence, and since 1 January 2024 so do businesses that supply cleaning manpower to other cleaning firms.
- Excluded work: NEA gives cleaning of domestic premises, façade cleaning and swimming pool cleaning as examples of excluded cleaning work that does not need the licence on its own.
- Service buyers: it is an offence for a buyer to engage an unlicensed provider for general cleaning, with fines of up to S$10,000 and S$1,000 a day for continuing offences.
That last point is why commercial buyers look for your licence on the website before calling.
NEA licence classes explained
From 1 January 2024, NEA split the licence into three classes, each valid for two years. NEA's December 2023 advisory says buyers will be able to make better-informed decisions based on licence class.
| Class 3 | Class 2 | Class 1 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | New cleaning businesses only | Any cleaning business | Any cleaning business |
| Renewable | No; must move to Class 2 or 1 | Yes | Yes |
| Paid-up capital or net worth | Not applicable | At least S$25,000 | At least S$250,000 |
| bizSAFE | Not applicable | Valid bizSAFE Level 3 | Valid bizSAFE Level 3 |
| Cleaner training (WSQ modules) | At least 2 modules | At least 2 modules | At least 3 modules |
NEA's page lists a licence fee of S$180 for applications submitted from 1 April 2026. Every licence application must include a progressive wage plan for resident cleaners, which brings in the Progressive Wage Model.
Progressive Wage Model and bizSAFE on your website
Commercial buyers, especially building managers and government agencies, increasingly ask about wages and safety in their tenders. Your website can answer before they ask.
- Progressive Wage Model (PWM): NEA says licensees must submit a progressive wage plan for resident cleaners that meets the wage levels and bonuses set by the Commissioner for Labour, on the Tripartite Cluster for Cleaners' recommendations. A short line such as 'We pay PWM wages to all resident cleaners' is a fair statement if true.
- bizSAFE: Class 1 and 2 licensees need at least a valid bizSAFE Level 3. Show the level and expiry date rather than just a logo.
- Training: state the WSQ modules your cleaners have completed if you hold Class 1; it is part of what the class signals.
How to display your licence and let buyers verify it
Create a Licences and Certifications page
Show the NEA licence class, licence number, licensee name (matching your ACRA name) and validity dates, plus bizSAFE and any ISO certificates.
Add the licence to the footer
A short line, such as 'NEA Cleaning Business Licence Class 2, No. xxxx, valid to dd/mm/yyyy', on every page.
Link to NEA's list
NEA publishes a list of licensed cleaning businesses. Link to it so buyers can check you in a minute.
Put it in quotes and proposals
Repeat the licence details in your quotation template so procurement teams have them on file.
Review at every renewal
Licences last two years. When you renew or move class, update the page, the footer and your templates the same day.
Quote forms by site type and size
Cleaning quotes depend on a handful of facts. Ask for them up front and your team can price without a site visit for simpler jobs.
| Field | Commercial cleaning | Home cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Site type | Office, F&B outlet, clinic, retail, warehouse, common areas | HDB, condo, landed |
| Size | Floor area in sq ft or sq m, number of toilets and pantries | Number of rooms and bathrooms |
| Frequency | Daily, weekly, ad hoc; number of cleaners and hours | One-off, weekly, fortnightly |
| Timing | Before or after office hours, weekends | Preferred day and time |
| Scope | General, carpet, high-level, post-renovation | General, deep clean, move-in or move-out |
| Contract | Start date, contract length, tender reference | Not usually needed |
Route commercial enquiries to whoever handles contracts and send home enquiries an instant reply with your rates. Our guide to automating lead follow-up from enquiry forms shows how. For home cleaning, letting customers pick a slot and pay online cuts back-and-forth messages.
Separate pages for commercial and home cleaning
Commercial cleaning pages should
- Lead with licence class, bizSAFE and PWM
- List sectors served and contract options
- Offer a detailed quote form or site visit
- Show a downloadable company profile
Home cleaning pages should
- Show clear prices or price ranges
- Offer online booking with time slots
- Explain what is included in each package
- Show reviews and your cancellation policy
Separate pages also help search: people search 'office cleaning Singapore' and 'house cleaning Singapore' very differently. Pair the website with a complete Google Business Profile, which drives many local home-cleaning enquiries.
Do it yourself or get help?
A builder template can cover a simple cleaning website. What makes it work is the licence page, clear quote forms and fast replies. Our guide to website costs in Singapore gives realistic budgets.
Our Business Website (S$1,490) builds up to 6 pages with a contact form, WhatsApp button and on-page SEO, which fits separate commercial and home pages plus a licences page. For home cleaning, the Online Booking System (S$390) lets customers book and pay for slots online with automatic reminders.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you provide general cleaning services at premises or public places, such as offices, commercial buildings, F&B outlets or conservancy areas. NEA requires a cleaning business licence before you start work. NEA lists cleaning of domestic premises, facade cleaning and swimming pool cleaning as examples of excluded cleaning work.
Since 1 January 2024, NEA issues three classes, each valid for two years. Class 3 is for new businesses and cannot be renewed. Class 2 needs at least S$25,000 paid-up capital and bizSAFE Level 3. Class 1 needs at least S$250,000, bizSAFE Level 3, more cleaner training and a recent cleaning contract.
Yes. NEA publishes a list of licensed cleaning businesses that service buyers can search. Link to it from your website's licences page, and show your licence class, number and validity dates so buyers can confirm your details quickly before engaging you.
Yes, for general cleaning services. NEA says service buyers who engage unlicensed cleaning businesses are liable to a fine of up to S$10,000 and S$1,000 for every day of a continuing offence. That is why commercial clients often ask for your licence before signing a contract.
It is better to separate them. Commercial buyers want licence details, safety certification, contract options and detailed quotes. Homeowners want prices, available slots, what is included and reviews. Separate pages also match how people search, which helps both pages rank.