Updated September 22, 2021
Written by
Benjamin Davis
Contributor
How-to-start.org
Experts interviewed:
Commercial cleaning and janitorial businesses are attractive to first-time business owners, because you can get started with almost no money, and you don't need any special skills or background – the work is straightforward, and the business is can be as small or large as you want it to be.
I interviewed three people who have been in the commercial cleaning business for a long time, and asked them what you should know about how to get started in the business, and how to run and grow your commercial cleaning business.
First, I wanted to know what background they came from – do people usually work in the industry first, before starting a business? Or is it common to just get started and learn as you go?
So I asked my three founders – how did you get started in the commercial cleaning business?
did you work with someone in the industry first? or did you just get started on your own?
is it an expensive business to start? what equipment do you need as a minimum, to start earning money?
Once you get your first client, you're all set to start getting some work done and generating some money.
I asked the three successful commercial cleaning operators how much you could expect to earn as you get started in this business, and as you get more established.
is it a profitable business to run? can you expect to earn a good income right away?
Commercial cleaning is exactly what you want it to be – there are companies doing millions of dollars a year in net profit, and there are owner-operators who run a small crew and make $100,000 a year. You can do as much or as little as you like.
But getting clients is where it all starts.
I asked my three successful commercial cleaning operators:
what works to get started in the business, and get your first client or contract?
Customers will often get bids from a few providers, and consider at least two or three service providers before they decide which one they'll hire.
I asked my three industry experts – how do customers choose a commercial cleaning business?
what do clients really care about? what are they looking for in a bid from a commercial cleaning business?
As soon as you get a website online or your Google Local Business listing up, you're going to start getting marketing calls and emails from people wanting to sell you all sorts of advertising services.
Some are great, and some are not.
I asked my three successful founders what their experiences were with methods of generating new business. I wanted to know what had worked well for them, and what had been a waste of money.
regular advertising? cold calling? sales letters? online advertising? what works, and what doesn't?
The experts agree that good SEO is the most important thing you can do in the long term – and it's never too early to start that. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll start generating and incoming flow of calls and enquiries from your website.
the staff that are doing the work are the backbone of the business – how do you hire good staff? do you train them?
To get a feel for how long it takes to do an office, the easiest way is to actually do one! Or, join a Facebook group where people are applying for janitorial jobs, and send them a direct message asking to interview them. People will typically help you if you just ask, so, ask them how long it would take them to do a particular job. And – you might get your first employee that way, too!
is there something that sounds like a good idea, but is actually a bad purchase?
is it a good lifestyle? are the hours super long? do you get plenty of time off?
Some industries – especially when there's a low barrier to entry – tend to attract more than their fair share of dodgy operators, which can lead to bad experiences for the customer.
I asked my three commercial cleaning experts:
are there shady operators doing things the wrong way? or is the industry mostly full of professionals?
In the commercial cleaning business – same as most businesses – it's always easier to get more revenue from your existing clients than it is to add new clients.
I asked my three experts what additional services a commercial cleaning business can offer, to increase revenue?
are there extras and add-ons? what do customers often request?
the three successful founders share their keys to success in this industry, based on their own experiences
The commercial cleaning business is easy to start – the demand is high, the costs to get started are low, and there's plenty of opportunity to make some serious cash.
I have spent over 100 hours learning everything there is to know about the commercial cleaning and janitorial business, by talking to industry experts and commercial cleaning operators. I have compiled it into the worlds most useful guide, How to Start a Commercial Cleaning Business. You can check it out here.
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