office cleaning services business plan

Cleaning Service Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs create business plans to start and grow their cleaning services businesses. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a cleaning services business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Cleaning Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your cleaning services business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a cleaning services business or grow your existing cleaning services business you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your cleaning services business in order to improve your chances of success. Your cleaning services business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Source of Funding for Cleaning Services Businesses

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a cleaning services business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable. But they will want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business.

Angel investors are wealthy individuals who will write you a check. They will either take equity in return for their funding, or, like a bank, they will give you a loan.

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Cleaning services business plan template.

Your business plan should include 10 sections as follows:

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of cleaning services business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a cleaning services business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of cleaning services businesses.

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the cleaning services business industry. Discuss the type of cleaning services business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of cleaning services business you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types:

• Residential : this type of cleaning services business offers general cleaning services to households. In addition to cleaning services for inside the home, this type of business may also offer exterior cleaning services.
• Janitorial : this type of cleaning services business serves both residential and commercial clients. These businesses may specialize in a particular niche, such as medical facilities.
• Carpet Cleaning : this type of cleaning services business clean rugs, carpets and upholstery for residential and commercial clients. Companies in the industry also provide a range of other services including dyeing used rugs, damage restoration services, ventilation duct cleaning and other cleaning services.

In addition to explaining the type of cleaning services business you operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include sales goals you’ve reached, new store openings, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the cleaning services business.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the cleaning services business industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy particularly if your research identifies market trends. For example, if there was a trend towards “green” cleaning services, it would be helpful to ensure your plan calls for eco-friendly product and service options.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your cleaning services business plan:

• How big is the cleaning services business (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your cleaning services business. You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your cleaning services business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: families, schools, apartment complexes, etc.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of cleaning services business you operate. Clearly residential customers would want different pricing and product options, and would respond to different marketing promotions than hospitals.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve. Because most cleaning services businesses primarily serve customers living in their same city or town, such demographic information is easy to find on government websites.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other cleaning services businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes businesses hiring internal janitorial staff, and people doing their own cleaning at home. You need to mention such competition to show you understand that not everyone who needs cleaning services will engage a cleaning business.

With regards to direct competition, you want to detail the other cleaning services businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be cleaning services businesses located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What products and services do they offer?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to stand outside your competitors’ locations and ask customers as they leave what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide superior cleaning services?
• Will you provide cleaning services that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you make it easier or faster for customers to book your services?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a cleaning services business plan, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : in the product section you should reiterate the type of cleaning services business that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific services you will be offering. For example, in addition to standard residential cleaning services, will you offer damage restoration services?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your cleaning services business. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. Discuss how your location might provide a steady stream of customers.

Promotions : the final part of your cleaning services business marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Reaching out to local bloggers and websites
• Social media advertising
• Local radio advertising
• Pay per click advertising
• Banner ads at local venues

Client Retention

Your cleaning service business plan should discuss not just how you will find customers in the first place, but how you’ll hold on to them and discourage them from switching to another firm. After all, it should be much less expensive to keep a customer than to market and sell to a new one. Some methods of retaining customers involve creating the perception of switching costs; that is, that they will lose money and time when switching to a new cleaning service. Others involve fine-tuning your customer service skills into a customer service system around retention.

Loyalty Program

Creating a loyalty program is a positive way of creating switching costs for your customers. For example, by offering a free cleaning after every 10 cleanings, or some specialty service when certain milestones are missed, your customers will worry about losing the value they have saved up that is only of use if they stay with your company.

Premium Customer Levels

Another related retention strategy is to reward the frequency of customer cleanings. For example, customers who order cleanings once a week and keep that up, can be offered entry into your “premium customer group”, marketed with a branded name to build interest. You can offer members of this group more leeway to schedule last minute cleanings, reschedule or cancel, additional perks, or priority customer service of some other kind. Clients who are almost at the point of qualifying may push themselves to reach that point in order to get these valuable perks.

Tracking Retention

Simply by tracking the numbers and percentages involved in your customer retention can yield valuable information about what you’re doing right or wrong and how successful new initiatives are over time. Statistics to track may include customer complaints, the average speed of complaint resolution, the percentage of customers in a given month who were using your services last month, 3 months ago, 6 months ago, a year ago, etc, and so on. When your staff is aware of these statistics and is given targets to work towards, the message that customer service and retention is a priority is heard loud and clear.

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your cleaning services business such as serving customers, procuring supplies, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to serve your 100th customer, or when you hope to reach $X in sales. It could also be when you expect to hire your Xth employee or launch in a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your cleaning services business’s ability to succeed as a business, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in the cleaning services business. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in cleaning services businesses and/or successfully running small businesses.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you serve 20 customers per week or 50? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Example 5 Year Annual Income Statement

Balance Sheets : While balance sheets include much information, to simplify them to the key items you need to know about, balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your cleaning services business, that will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50.000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Example 5 Year Annual Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt. For example, let’s say a company approached you with a massive $100,000 damage restoration contract, that would cost you $50,000 to fulfill. Well, in most cases, you would have to pay that $50,000 now for supplies, equipment rentals, employee salaries, etc. But let’s say the company didn’t pay you for 180 days. During that 180 day period, you could run out of money.

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a cleaning services business:

• Cost of equipment like vacuum cleaners, power washers, carts, vans, etc.
• Cost of maintaining an adequate amount of supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Example 5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include any insurance company affiliations or remediation licenses.

Cleaning Services Business Plan Summary

Putting together a business plan for your cleaning services business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the cleaning services business, your competition and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful cleaning services business.

Download Our Cleaning Services Business Plan PDF

You can download our cleaning services business plan PDF here. This is a cleaning company business plan template you can use in PDF format.

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You can download our cleaning service business plan PDF template here . This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

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Business Plan for a Cleaning Business: Complete Guide

• January 30, 2023

👇 Check all our resources on cleaning businesses 👇

Whether you’re looking to raise funding from private investors or to get a loan from a bank (like a SBA loan) for your cleaning business, you will need to prepare a solid business plan.

In this article we go through, step-by-step, all the different sections you need in the business plan of your cleaning business. Use this template to create a complete, clear and solid business plan that get you funded.

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary of a business plan gives a sneak peek of the information about your business plan to lenders and/or investors.

If the information you provide here is not concise, informative, and scannable, potential lenders and investors may lose interest.

Why do you need a business plan for a cleaning business?

The purpose of a business plan is to secure funding through one of the following channels:

• Obtain bank financing or secure a loan from other lenders (such as a SBA loan )
• Obtain private investments from investment funds, angel investors, etc.
• Obtain a public or private grant

How to write an executive summary for a cleaning business?

Provide a precise and high-level summary of every section that you have included in the business plan for your cleaning business. The information and the data you include in this segment should grab the attention of potential investors and lenders immediately. Ensure that the executive summary doesn’t exceed 2 pages in total.

The executive summary usually consists of the five major sub-sections that include:

• Business overview : introduce what services your cleaning business offers (commercial vs. residential cleaning), what type of customers you focus on (individuals, businesses, factories, etc.), any specific cleaning service you focus on (e.g. carpet cleaning), your company structure and, more importantly, how and why you want to start such a business today
• Market overview : the market overview section will contain an overview of the expected market size and growth of the cleaning industry in your area as well as your target customers. Another important part of any market overview is a clear and thorough analysis of your competitors
• People : introduce your company’s management and employee structure. Provide a brief (no more than a couple of sentences each) of the experience of the team. Also, speak about your hiring plans: who will you hire and who will report to whom?
• Financial plan : how much profit and revenue do you expect in the next 5 years? When will you reach break-even point and start making profits? Include here your key financials such as revenue, gross profits, and net profit
• Funding ask : what loan/investment/grant are you seeking? How much do you need? How long will this last?

Cleaning Financial Model

Download an expert-built 5-year Excel financial model for your business plan

2. Business Overview

The business overview section is sometimes called the company description and is one of the most important parts of the cleaning business plan.

Here, you will want to provide crucial information about your cleaning business, including your services, pricing structure , customers, and company structure.

a) History of the Project

This is a brief description of your business, outlining its origin and your reasons for venturing into this field. As one would put it, it answers a major question about business; why a cleaning company? 

When starting a cleaning business, you want to use all your best tools to show the lenders and investors that your passion is deeply built around the need to fill an existing market gap. For example, you would argue that many customers in your area need eco-friendly cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, or commercial kitchen cleaning services.

b) Business Model

You should be clear if you are opening an independent cleaning company or partnering. Also, make it clear if you are buying an existing franchise.

Franchising has an added advantage of simplicity, given an already established market base. However, every model has its risks and benefits. So, choose what’s best for your target market and long-term goals. 

c) Services

Don’t get it twisted. Cleaning companies offer a range of services to their consumers depending on the business location and demand. So, an important aspect of laying a solid foundation is to explain to your customers what they should expect from your business. In other words, what type of cleaning services do you intend to offer? 

The 2 main categories of cleaning services are: residential and commercial cleaning.

Residential cleaning targets private residences and homes. If you choose this option, you can specialize in home maintenance, move-in and move-out cleaning, deep cleaning, green cleaning, and residential event cleanups. 

On the other hand, commercial cleaning suits businesses and requires significant manpower, more space, and sophisticated equipment. You can’t run this business in some regions without enough vehicles to transport your equipment. 

If you plan to specialize in commercial cleaning, you can focus on general office cleaning tasks, large-scale specialized cleaning, construction cleanups, commercial kitchen cleaning, and hazardous waste cleaning.

d) Pricing Strategy

Another important part of the business overview section is your pricing structure. It should be as clear as possible because investors will rely on it when assessing your financial need.

Most cleaning companies in the US set their rates per square foot, per room, per hour, or as a flat fee. And the standard national hourly cost of house cleaning services in the US ranges from $50 to $90 per hour per cleaner.  

e) Target Customers

Who is your ideal customer? And which cleaning services do they need? You might have already identified your target market if you can answer these questions correctly. 

For instance, if private residences and apartments dominate the region, many individuals will probably need residential cleaning services. Make sure you offer that.

Similarly, a busy city center with many offices and commercial properties will probably benefit from commercial cleaning services as mentioned above. Identifying your target market is one of the fastest ways to increase revenue potential after assessing the competition. 

f) Legal Structure

Finally, your business overview section should specify what type of business structure you want. Is this a corporation or a partnership (LLC)? Who are the investors? How much equity percentage do they own? Is there a Board of Directors? If so, whom? Do they have experience in the industry?

3. Market Overview

To run a successful business, you need all the facts that back your decision to start a cleaning company in the region at that time. Market analysis will help you identify the level of competition in the region and whether the investment is worth it. 

For example, offering commercial cleaning services in a residential setup would make little sense. Similarly, overpricing your services when the dominant population is low to middle-income earners won’t fast-track business growth. 

a) Cleaning Business Industry Status Quo

This section should answer two obvious questions about your cleaning business;

• What is the market size of the cleaning industry in your area? 
• How fast is the cleaning industry growing? 

Both questions will help you set realistic expectations when getting into this field, having analyzed the market trends and size. 

How big is the cleaning industry in the US?

It’s always good to start any market overview by assessing the market size at a national level.

Of course, the figures may not represent the actual status of the cleaning business in your region, but they offer a solid foundation for building a thriving business. According to the latest statistics, the cleaning service industry in the US had a value of $97.6 billion in 2022 . 

The staggering need for cleaning services means that the commercial cleaning sector will likely grow at a steady rate of 5.4% up to 2025 . Although this may be a good sign for setting up your cleaning business, you should also assess market growth in your area (see below).

How big is the cleaning industry in your area?

Getting the market data at the city level gives you a clearer picture of what to expect from the market. It may complicated, but you only need the total number of cleaning companies in your region and their services to assess your area’s market size.

For example, let’s assume you want to get into the carpet cleaning business. With close to 32,000 carpet cleaning businesses in the US, and a total market value of $4 billion (carpet cleaning US market), we can safely assume each carpet cleaning business generates $125,000 in sales per year on average.

Now, assuming there are 25 competitors in your area, the estimated market size of the carpet cleaning industry in your area is $3.1 million.

How fast is the cleaning industry growing in your area?

You may need to analyze multiple factors to determine the growth rate of the cleaning industry in your region. Sometimes, this involves a few calculations to get an actual figure when drawing your conclusion. 

For example, if the region had 120 cleaning companies in 2020, which increased to 150 in 2022, you can assume that the industry is growing at a steady rate of 12% per year. 

Pay attention to all factors that may directly impact the growth rate, including a population influx, increased demand, and increased income potential. 

However, don’t be shocked if you notice a successive drop in the demand for cleaning services in the region. This is possible even when the national statistics show otherwise. Its part and parcel of the business and could indicate that this isn’t the right time to launch a cleaning company. 

b) Cleaning Business Competitor Analysis

Another crucial step in the business plan of your cleaning company is to assess the existing competition. There are a couple of questions to guide you here, including;

• How many cleaning companies are there in your region?
• What services do they offer (residential, commercial cleaning, or both)?
• What’s the average price of hiring a cleaning company in the region?
• What’s the total number of individuals employed by a typical cleaning company in the region? 
• How many customers do they serve per week/month? 

Why do you need a competitive analysis in the business plan of your cleaning business?

Assessing the competition in the area where you plan to start your cleaning business will allow to better understand whether there is sufficient demand, and whether you are well positioned to take market share from competitors.

For example, starting a new business would make perfect sense under the following circumstances;

• There’s a clear market gap that you can fill in the region (For example, offering a service that other companies might have missed, like eco-friendly/green cleaning) 
• There are no or inadequate cleaning companies in the region. This would present the perfect opportunity to tap into the market potential and grow a thriving business. 

c) Cleaning Business Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section is almost similar to your target audience. However, this is your chance to prove to the lenders that your target market is real and available. You can use the following questions to analyze your client base; 

• Which individuals need cleaning services in the region? 
• What’s the average income of the individuals in the region? (This is also important when determining your pricing structure)
• Which cleaning services are they interested in?
• How often do they need cleaning services? (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Are they more likely to benefit from commercial or residential cleaning services?

Usually, the level of competition in the region also influences your customer analysis. So, that should be clear to help you determine the market demand or predict the success of your cleaning business.

4. Sales & Marketing

The sales and marketing strategy sums up your plans for acquiring new clients. Here are a few helpful questions to guide you:

• Which marketing channels are best suited to your business (online vs. offline marketing)?
• Do you have a unique selling point? If so, what is it?
• What is your marketing budget for the first months / year?
• How can you track the success of your marketing strategy?
• Do you plan to offer any promotions to attract new customers? 

Cleaning Business Marketing Channels

You can use the following channels for marketing your cleaning business locally;

• Pay-per-click campaigns (e.g. Google ads)
• Email, SMS marketing
• Social media content & ads 
• Word-of-mouth advertising
• TV and radio advertisement

What are your Unique Selling Points (USPs)?

A unique selling point is what puts you ahead of the rest. It’s no secret that you will face stiff competition from established cleaning companies in the field. So, how you set yourself apart matters. Some factors to consider include;

• Price : Cheaper services than your competitors
• Location : Your proximity to the target market gives you a slight edge over the rest
• Quality : Stellar cleaning services with modern equipment will attract more clients

5. Management & People

You must address 2 things here:

• The management team and their experience/track record
• The organizational structure: different team members and who reports to whom?

a) Management

Small businesses often fail because of managerial weaknesses . Thus, having a strong management team is vital. Highlight the experience and education of senior managers that you intend to hire to oversee your commercial cleaning business.

Describe their duties, responsibilities, and roles. Also, highlight their previous experience and explain how they succeeded in their previous roles.

It is also important that you explain how their experiences and qualifications help you in offering the services you are proposing. If they have specialized training and education (such as carpet cleaning, industrial cleaning, etc.), add that information too.

b) Organizational Structure

Even if you haven’t already hired a senior manager and any other relevant staff members, you must provide a flowchart of the organizational structure defining the hierarchy of reporting as shown below.

6. Financial Plan

The financial plan is perhaps, with the executive summary, the most important section of any business plan for a cleaning company.

Indeed, a solid financial plan tells lenders that your business is viable and can repay the loan you need from them. If you’re looking to raise equity from private investors, a solid financial plan will prove them your cleaning business is an attractive investment.

There should be 3 sections to your financial plan section:

• Your historical financials (only if you already operate the business and have financial accounts to show)
• The startup costs of your project (if you plan to start a new cleaning business, purchase new equipment, etc.)
• The 5-year financial projections

a) Historical Financials (if any)

In the scenario where you already have some historical financials (a few quarters or a few years), include them. A summary of your financial statements in the form of charts e.g. revenue, gross profit and net profit is enough, save the rest for the appendix.

If you don’t have any, don’t worry, most new businesses don’t have any historical financials and that’s ok. If so, jump to Startup Costs instead.

b) Startup Costs

Before we expand on 5-year financial projections in the following section, it’s always best practice to start with listing the startup costs of your project.

For a cleaning business, startup costs are all the expenses you incur before you start making sales. Luckily, these expenses are rather low for cleaning companies and mostly include the cost to purchase equipment and the vehicle you will use to transport them.

As an example, it costs on average $73,500 – $167,500 to start a small commercial cleaning business with 2 vans and 4 employees. We have laid out below estimates for the key startup costs you can expect for a cleaning business.

Note that these costs are for illustrative purposes and may not be fully relevant for your business. For more information on how much it costs to start and run a cleaning business, read our article here .

c) Financial Projections

In addition to startup costs, you will now need to build a solid 5-year financial model for your cleaning business.

Your financial projections should be built using a spreadsheet (e.g. Excel or Google Sheets) and presented in the form of tables and charts in the business plan of your cleaning business.

As usual, keep it concise here and save details (for example detailed financial statements, financial metrics, key assumptions used for the projections) for the appendix instead.

Your financial projections should answer at least the following questions:

• How much revenue do you expect to generate over the next 5 years?
• When do you expect to break even?
• How much cash will you burn until you get there?
• What’s the impact of a change in pricing (say 20%) on your margins?
• What is your average customer acquisition cost?

You should include here your 3 financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement). This means you must forecast:

• The number of customers over time ;
• Your expected revenue ;
• Operating costs to run the business ;
• Any other cash flow items (e.g. capex, debt repayment, etc.).

When projecting your revenue, make sure to sensitize pricing and the number of customers as a small change in these assumptions will have a big impact on your revenues.

7. Funding Ask

This is the last section of the business plan of your cleaning business. Now that we have explained what your company is about, the services you offer and to whom, what’s your strategy, where you go and how you get there, this section must answer the following questions:

• How much funding do you need?
• What financial instrument(s) do you need: is this equity or debt, or even a free-money public grant?
• How long will this funding last?
• Where else does the money come from? If you apply for a SBA loan for example, where does the other part of the investment come from (your own capital, private investors?)

If you raise debt:

• What percentage of the total funding the loan represents?
• What is the corresponding Debt Service Coverage Ratio ?

If you raise equity

• What percentage ownership are you selling as part of this funding round?
• What is the corresponding valuation of your business?

Use of Funds

Any business plan should include a clear use of funds section. This is where you explain how the money will be spent.

Will you spend most of the loan / investment in paying your employees’ salaries? Or will it cover mostly the cost for the lease deposit and the renovation?

Those are very important questions you should be able to answer in the blink of an eye. Don’t worry, this should come straight from your financial projections. If you’ve built solid projections like in our Cleaning financial model template , you won’t have any issues answering these questions.

For the use of funds, we also recommend using a pie chart like the one we have in our financial model template where we outline the main expenses categories as shown below.

Privacy Overview

Starting an Office Cleaning Business: Your Definitive Guide

Starting your own office cleaning business can be a rewarding and profitable venture. With the right planning, strategy, and execution, you can establish a successful cleaning business that caters to the needs of commercial clients. 

To start your own office cleaning business, conduct market research, define services and pricing, obtain licenses, invest in quality equipment, develop a marketing strategy, and prioritize exceptional customer service. Expand your service offerings and adapt to market changes to stay relevant.

Table of Contents

Conduct Market Research

Before embarking on your journey in the office cleaning industry, conducting comprehensive market research is paramount. This crucial step allows you to gather essential information that will shape your business strategy and set you up for success.

Start by identifying your target market. Determine the types of businesses or organizations that require office cleaning services. Consider factors such as the size of the companies, their specific cleaning needs, and their location. This knowledge will help you tailor your services to meet their requirements effectively.

Understanding the demand for cleaning services in your area is vital. Analyze the local market to ascertain the level of competition, the current demand for office cleaning, and any potential gaps or niches that you can capitalize on. This information will guide you in positioning your business and developing a unique selling proposition that sets you apart from competitors.

Competitor analysis is another crucial aspect of market research. Identify and study existing office cleaning service providers in your area. Analyze their offerings, pricing strategies, target market, and customer satisfaction levels. This analysis will help you identify areas where you can differentiate your services, offer additional value, or improve upon existing offerings to attract clients.

Define Your Services and Pricing Structure

When establishing your office cleaning business, it is crucial to determine the range of services you will offer to clients. This includes defining the specific tasks and areas you will cover. Common services typically include dusting, vacuuming, mopping, restroom sanitation, window cleaning, and general surface cleaning.

In addition to defining the services, it is essential to develop a pricing structure that aligns with your business goals. Consider factors such as the size of the office, the scope of work required, and the frequency of cleaning. Larger offices may require more time and effort, while smaller ones may have specific cleaning needs.

To set competitive yet profitable pricing, research the market rates in your area. Evaluate what other office cleaning businesses charge for similar services and take into account your own expenses, including labor, equipment, and supplies. Striking a balance between affordability for clients and ensuring profitability for your business is key.

Moreover, consider offering flexible pricing options, such as different packages or add-on services, to cater to varying client needs. This allows you to accommodate a range of budgets while providing clients with options that meet their specific requirements.

Regularly reassess your pricing structure to adapt to changes in the market, cost fluctuations, and the value you provide to clients. By offering competitive and profitable pricing, you can attract and retain clients while ensuring the financial sustainability and growth of your office cleaning business.

Acquire the Necessary Licenses and Permits

Before launching your office cleaning business, it is crucial to navigate the legal and regulatory landscape by contacting your local business regulatory authorities. They can provide valuable information regarding the licenses and permits required to operate your business in compliance with local laws.

These licenses and permits can vary depending on your location and the specific regulations governing commercial cleaning services. It is important to understand the specific requirements and ensure that you obtain the necessary documentation to operate legally.

In addition to licenses and permits, it is also important to consider obtaining certifications relevant to the cleaning industry. While not always mandatory, certifications can enhance your credibility, demonstrate your commitment to quality, and differentiate your business from competitors. Look into certifications such as the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) or Green Seal certification for environmentally friendly cleaning practices.

Insurance is another critical aspect to safeguard your business and protect your clients from potential liabilities. General liability insurance is typically recommended to cover accidents, property damage, or other unforeseen incidents that may occur during your cleaning operations. Worker’s compensation insurance may also be necessary if you have employees.

Check out this article about residential cleaning business.

Create a Business Plan

Developing a comprehensive business plan is a crucial step when starting your office cleaning business. It serves as a roadmap for your venture, helping you organize your thoughts, define your goals, and make informed decisions. Additionally, a well-crafted business plan increases your chances of securing funding and attracts potential investors who want to see a clear and viable plan for your business.

Your business plan should include several essential sections. Start with a compelling business concept that outlines your mission, vision, and unique value proposition. Conduct a thorough market analysis to understand your target market, competition, and industry trends. This will enable you to identify opportunities and position your business effectively.

Include a detailed marketing strategy that outlines how you will reach your target audience, differentiate your services, and acquire clients. Clearly define your target market segments and the channels you will use to promote your business.

Financial projections are crucial for demonstrating the financial viability of your business. Include realistic revenue forecasts, expense projections, and cash flow statements. This will give you a clear understanding of the financial aspects of your business and help potential investors evaluate its potential profitability.

Lastly, outline your operational procedures, including staffing plans, equipment requirements, and quality control measures. This demonstrates that you have considered the operational aspects of running your office cleaning business.

Invest in Quality Cleaning Equipment and Supplies

Investing in high-quality equipment and supplies is essential to deliver top-notch cleaning services in your office cleaning business. The right tools not only improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your cleaning tasks but also contribute to the overall professionalism and satisfaction of your clients.

Consider the specific equipment needed for your services, such as vacuum cleaners, mops, brooms, dusters, and window cleaning tools. Research reputable brands and suppliers to ensure that you invest in reliable and durable equipment that can withstand the demands of daily cleaning operations.

Cleaning solutions are another critical aspect of your supplies. Look for eco-friendly, effective, and safe cleaning products that meet industry standards. Microfiber cloths are highly recommended for their superior cleaning performance and ability to trap dust and dirt effectively.

Safety gear is essential to protect your cleaning staff. This may include gloves, goggles, masks, and non-slip footwear. Prioritize the well-being of your employees by providing them with the necessary protective gear.

Regularly maintain and replace your equipment and supplies as needed to ensure optimal performance. Upgrading to more advanced tools and innovative technologies can also enhance the efficiency and quality of your cleaning services.

Hire and Train Staff

As the demand for your office cleaning services grows, expanding your team becomes essential. When hiring additional staff, prioritize individuals with experience in the cleaning industry and a strong attention to detail. Look for candidates who demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.

Develop a comprehensive training program to familiarize new employees with your cleaning protocols, customer service standards, and safety procedures. Provide thorough instructions on how to perform various cleaning tasks, use equipment properly, and adhere to industry best practices. This training will ensure consistency in service delivery and maintain the quality standards of your business.

Regularly monitor and evaluate the performance of your cleaning staff. Conduct periodic performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and address any areas for improvement. Recognize and reward outstanding performance to motivate your employees and foster a positive work environment.

Effective communication is key to maintaining a strong team. Encourage open dialogue, listen to employee feedback, and address any concerns or issues promptly. Creating a supportive and collaborative work environment can enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

Develop a Marketing Strategy

To effectively promote your office cleaning business, it is crucial to develop a robust marketing strategy that combines both online and offline channels to reach your target audience.

Start by building a professional website that showcases your services, testimonials from satisfied clients, and clear contact information. Ensure your website is user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for search engines to improve your online visibility.

Leverage social media platforms to engage with potential clients and build brand awareness. Create compelling content, share cleaning tips, before-and-after pictures, and client success stories. Engage with your audience by responding to comments, messages, and inquiries promptly.

Consider traditional marketing methods as well. Distribute flyers or brochures to local businesses, offices, and community centers. Attend local networking events to connect with potential clients and establish valuable business relationships.

Invest in online advertising such as Google Ads or social media advertising to increase your online presence and target specific demographics in your area.

Utilize search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to improve your website’s visibility on search engines, ensuring that potential clients can easily find you when searching for office cleaning services.

Measure the effectiveness of your marketing efforts by tracking website traffic, leads generated, and conversion rates. Adapt your strategies based on the insights gained to optimize your marketing campaigns.

Focus on Exceptional Customer Service

Exceptional customer service is a cornerstone of success for your office cleaning business. Fostering positive client experiences and building strong relationships are crucial for client satisfaction, loyalty, and generating valuable word-of-mouth referrals.

Promptly respond to client inquiries, whether through phone calls, emails, or social media. Show attentiveness to their needs and demonstrate that you value their business. Be professional, courteous, and empathetic in all interactions.

Address any concerns or issues promptly and efficiently. Actively listen to client feedback, take their concerns seriously, and strive to find solutions that meet their expectations. Communication is key in resolving issues and maintaining client satisfaction.

Regularly check in with clients to ensure their ongoing satisfaction with your services. Seek feedback on their experience, and proactively address any areas for improvement. Going the extra mile to exceed expectations, such as conducting follow-up calls or providing additional cleaning touches, can leave a lasting positive impression.

Building strong relationships with clients fosters trust and loyalty. Demonstrate your reliability, consistency, and commitment to quality in every interaction. Personalize your service by remembering individual client preferences and addressing them accordingly.

Positive word-of-mouth referrals are invaluable for growing your business. Satisfied clients are more likely to recommend your services to others. Encourage referrals by offering incentives or referral programs that reward clients for recommending your business.

Learn the things you need in starting your janitorial cleaning business by checking out this article.

Expand Your Service Offerings

To expand and diversify your revenue streams in the office cleaning business, it is important to consider offering specialized cleaning services in addition to your core office cleaning offerings. By providing additional services, you can tap into new markets, attract a wider range of clients, and increase your revenue potential.

Consider expanding into services such as carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, or floor maintenance. These specialized services often require specific equipment, expertise, and training. Stay updated with industry trends to identify emerging needs and opportunities in the market. Conduct market research to assess the demand for these services in your area and understand the pricing dynamics.

Upselling specialized cleaning services to your existing office cleaning clients can be an effective strategy. Inform them about the benefits and value-added services you can provide, such as deep carpet cleaning or floor waxing and polishing. This approach not only increases your revenue but also strengthens your relationship with clients and positions you as a one-stop solution for their cleaning needs.

Ensure that you have the necessary equipment, tools, and knowledge to deliver these specialized services with excellence. Invest in training your staff or consider hiring specialized technicians if required.

Monitor and Adapt to Market Changes

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving office cleaning industry, staying ahead of market changes is vital for the success of your business. To remain competitive and relevant, it is important to continuously monitor industry trends, keep a close eye on competitors, and adapt your services and strategies accordingly.

Stay informed about emerging trends and developments in the cleaning industry. This includes advancements in technology, sustainable cleaning practices, and changing customer preferences. Subscribe to industry publications, attend conferences or webinars, and network with professionals to stay updated and gain valuable insights.

Regularly assess and analyze your competitors to understand their offerings, pricing strategies, and marketing tactics. Identify areas where you can differentiate yourself by offering unique value propositions or specialized services. This analysis helps you stay competitive and positions your business strategically in the market.

Embrace technology advancements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your cleaning services. Explore innovative cleaning techniques, equipment, and software solutions that can streamline your operations, improve productivity, and deliver superior results.

Continuously seek feedback from your clients and adapt your services based on their evolving needs. Embrace client-centric approaches and listen to their feedback to tailor your offerings and service delivery accordingly.

Starting your own office cleaning business requires careful planning, dedication, and a commitment to delivering outstanding services. By conducting thorough market research, developing a solid business plan, investing in quality equipment, and implementing effective marketing strategies, you can establish a successful and profitable office cleaning business.

Remember to prioritize exceptional customer service, adapt to market changes, and consistently strive for excellence. With the right approach, your office cleaning business can thrive and become a trusted provider in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i handle pricing negotiations with potential clients.

Clearly communicate the value and quality of your services, showcase your expertise, and be open to negotiating terms that work for both parties while ensuring profitability for your business.

Can I offer additional services beyond basic office cleaning?

Yes, you can expand your offerings to include carpet cleaning, floor maintenance, window cleaning, or other specialized services based on client demand and market opportunities.

Is it important to have a written contract with clients?

Yes, having a written contract ensures clarity regarding services, pricing, terms, and expectations. It protects both parties and helps prevent misunderstandings or disputes.

To learn more on how to start your own cleaning business, check out my startup documents here.

Please note that the contents of this blog are for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Any action taken based on the information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk. Additionally, all images used in this blog are generated under the  CC0 license of Creative Commons, which means they are free to use for any purpose without attribution.

About the author. Entrepreneur and Cleaning Business Fan.

Hi! I am Shawn and I am a happy individual who happens to be an entrepreneur. I have owned several types of businesses in my life from a coffee shop to an import and export business to an online review business plus a few more and now I create online cleaning business resources for those interested in starting new ventures. It’s demanding work but I love it. I do it for those passionate about their business and their goals. That’s why when I meet a cleaning business owner, I see myself. I know how hard the struggle is to retain clients, find good employees and keep the business growing all while trying to stay competitive.

That’s why I created Cleaning Business Boss: I want to help cleaning business owners like you build a thriving business that brings you endless joy and supports your ideal lifestyle.

How to write an effective cleaning services business plan

Key takeaways

• Write your executive summary last to create the most compelling start
• Include an actionable business strategy and clear financial plan to prove your growth potential
• Frame your cleaning business in a positive light—especially for lenders and others outside your team—but always be realistic

Cleaning your house—sweeping, mopping, vacuuming—are chores everyone has to do but few people love. It’s no wonder thousands of homeowners and business owners across the country outsource their cleaning every year. With a strategic cleaning services business plan , you can start a profitable new business that makes the most of this demand.

Here are six key sections you need to include in your business plan template to help you successfully start your cleaning company .

1. Executive summary

Every cleaning services business plan starts with a compelling executive summary that offers a concise overview of its contents.

First impressions are important, and the executive summary is your first chance to introduce your business and explain your purpose. If you’re sharing your business plan outside of your team—perhaps to lenders or potential business partners—it’s crucial to make your summary as enticing as possible. If not, they may not even read the rest of your plan. 

Even if you’re only sharing your business plan within your management team, a strong start gives busy managers the key facts about your business. This allows them to understand and implement your purpose and values until they have time to sift through the more detailed parts of your business plan. An executive summary also helps excite your team about the business they’re helping to build.

A solid executive summary should include:

• A brief intro to your business
• Your mission statement , which is a short, powerful phrase that defines what you do (for example, “to provide healthier, safer workspaces for professionals”)
• What makes you stand out, as compared to other cleaning services
• An overview of your business strategy and financial plan

Keep your summary brief and put the most impressive facts forward. This section should be no more than one page long, so make sure to leave out unnecessary minor details or flowery language. You can go into much greater detail with the rest of your business plan , which should be at least 30 pages long .

Some business owners find it better to write the executive summary last, which allows you to easily narrow down the best points to highlight and saves time on later revisions.

2. Business description

Your business description section is the place to talk about the details of your company and what it does best. Start off with a paragraph or two that provides details about:

• Your company’s purpose: Are you a commercial cleaning company or a residential cleaning business ?
• Your company history: Are you a startup ? If not, how long have you been in business? What experience do you bring to the table? 
• Your location: Where do you operate? What area do you serve? Do you have office space?
• Your team: How many employees do you have? How many people work in the front office? How many are on your janitorial team?
• Your objectives: What specific, measurable goals do you have? You can update your cleaning business plan over time, but choose 1–3 goals you’ll focus on for the next three years, such as “increasing net profits by 110% and reaching 75% growth within our first year .”

Target market

No cleaning business can be the perfect fit for everyone. Be specific about the clientele you want to serve, including your ideal client’s demographics and interests. Explain the problems they’re facing that may lead them to search for a cleaning company .

As an example, a house cleaning service may specifically target upper-middle-class families with children and busy work lives. They need a cleaning company so they can have more time to relax and be with their kids.

If you’re not sure what types of clients you want to focus on yet, do some research on other cleaning businesses in your area. Who are their typical clients? Are there any noticeable gaps you could fill? Are there less saturated parts of your local cleaning industry you could enter?

Value proposition

Your value proposition explains why you’re uniquely suited to serve your target market . You can use this part of your cleaning services business plan to highlight your greatest strengths—for example, if your team members are cleaning industry veterans or if you use particularly high-quality or eco-friendly products.

Cleaning services

It’s crucial for you to describe each type of cleaning service you offer. If you offer carpet cleaning , you may give some brief insight into what carpet materials you can clean and what carpet cleaning plans you offer. If you offer window cleaning services , specify whether you work with high-rises or only single-story buildings.

3. Market analysis

As the owner of a cleaning business , you need to keep an eye on trends in your industry and immediate market. The market analysis section of your cleaning services business plan shows your investors and partners both your knowledge and ability to succeed by answering questions like:

• What is the current state of the cleaning industry ? Is demand or spending projected to grow? Who is seeking services right now?
• Who are your competitors? Who are their potential customers ?
• What opportunities and challenges will you face entering the market?
• Despite the challenges, what gives you a competitive advantage? For example, you may be entering a saturated market, but you could still be the only office cleaning service in your area focused on serving small businesses .

Answer these questions as accurately as possible and back them up with thorough research and data. While you should always aim to put your cleaning business in a positive light to impress potential lenders, partners, and others, your business plan also serves as a guiding document for your company so it should be realistic. Your management team will benefit from understanding the actual challenges they’re facing and how you plan to overcome them.

4. Business strategy

Growth is essential for every company. In this portion of your cleaning services business plan , you’ll flesh out exactly the actions you’ll take to achieve that growth.

A great business strategy includes two components:

Pricing strategy

How you price your cleaning services can have a significant impact on your sales and your ability to reach your target audience. If you’re a new business , it can also affect your ability to attract new customers.

If you’re trying to attract money-conscious clients, it makes sense to offer coupons and deals on your services when you’re first launching your business. Coupons and deals can get their attention quickly, allowing you to make them loyal to your brand before you charge full price—which may still be at or below typical prices in your market. 

On the other hand, if you want to position yourself as a luxury cleaning business, your potential customers might not be seeking competitive pricing and be willing to pay more for higher-quality janitorial services .

Learn about nine pricing strategies you can implement in your business.

Sales and marketing strategy

The other essential component of your cleaning business strategy is your sales and marketing strategy , which explains how you intend to grow your cleaning company through driving business and making sales. This is where you can explain:

• How you’ll generate leads
• How you’ll engage those leads and drive them toward a purchase
• How you’ll keep engaging and retaining customers over time

This section should include all of the strategies you’ll use to promote and market your cleaning business (with details), such as running social media ads, claiming your Yelp Business Page , sending emails, or using traditional marketing like direct mail or print ads.

Most business plans will also include a sales forecast here that explains the results you expect to see based on your marketing efforts.

Learn how to reach new customers, cultivate customer loyalty, and elevate your brand with this guide on online marketing for small business .

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5. Management summary

The management summary of your cleaning services business plan details how your company will operate on a day-to-day basis. A strong management summary will prove your team’s competence as a whole. Below are some subsections to consider including in this part of your plan.

Business structure

This section is relatively simple—just explain who owns your company and what business structure you have ( sole proprietorship , LLC, S corporation, etc.). If you have any other stakeholders, such as employees with equity in your business, make sure to provide this information too.

Management structure

The people behind the wheel of your business are the ones who shape its direction the most. That’s why your business plan should provide a brief biography of each member of your leadership team, as well as their relevant experience. Highlight all of their education and credentials, along with any relevant career accomplishments. For example, if you have 10 years of experience as the operations manager of a national cleaning company, highlight that.

Operations plan

Create a visual organizational chart for readers ( these free templates can help), so potential investors can easily see the hierarchy structure within your company. How do your cleaning technicians receive assignments? Do you have a customer service representative taking calls? Expand on how your cleaning service functions in individual departments and as a complete unit.

6. Financial plan

Writing a business plan doesn’t have to cost any money unless you hire a business consultant to write it for you, which usually costs at least $1,500. However, as you’re writing your plan, you do need to be aware of the costs of running your business.

Use this section to describe what expenses you’ll face as a business. Separate any startup costs (like LLC formation costs ) from ongoing operational costs (like rent, payroll, and cleaning equipment expenses) to present a clear picture of your potential.

It’s critical to be highly accurate with your financial figures in your cleaning services business plan. Overestimating expenses is better than underestimating them so that you or your team aren’t surprised by any additional expenses later on. Do your research on average prices and expenses or even chat with other cleaning business owners if you’re not sure.

Using your sales forecast as reference, present your expected financials for the next three to five years. What will your profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, and other financial documents look like? Use charts and graphs with specific numbers whenever possible. You may want to work with an accountant on this step, as they can advise on what’s realistic.

Put your cleaning services business plan into action

Once your cleaning services business plan is complete, it’s time to start putting it into action. After launching your business, enact your business strategies. Your business plan should provide guidance for at least the next three years, though it’s perfectly normal to need to make adjustments to your objectives and strategies at any time. Get more tips on how to market your cleaning business to take your cleaning services to the next level.

The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and may not be suitable for your circumstances. Unless stated otherwise, references to third-party links, services, or products do not constitute endorsement by Yelp.

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How to Write a Commercial Cleaning Business Plan?

Writing a commercial cleaning business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section of the business plan intended to provide an overview of the whole business plan. Generally, it is written after the entire business plan is ready. Here are some components to add to your summary:

Start with a brief introduction:

Market opportunity:, mention your services:, management team:, financial highlights:, call to action:.

Ensure you keep your executive summary concise and clear, use simple language, and avoid jargon.

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2. Business Overview

Depending on what details of your business are important, you’ll need different elements in your business overview. Still, there are some foundational elements like business name, legal structure, location, history, and mission statement that every business overview should include:

About the business:

Provide all the basic information about your business in this section like:

• The name of the commercial cleaning services and the concept behind it like; commercial green cleaning, carpet cleaning, glass cleaning, industrial cleaning services, etc.
• Company structure of your commercial cleaning business whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership firm, or others.
• Location of your commercial cleaning and the reason why you selected that place.

Mission statement:

Business history:, future goals:.

This section should provide an in-depth understanding of your commercial cleaning business. Also, the business overview section should be engaging and precise.

3. Market Analysis

Market analysis provides a clear understanding of the market in which your commercial cleaning business will run along with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. Your market analysis should contain the following essential components:

Target market:

Market size and growth potential:, competitive analysis:, market trends:, regulatory environment:.

Some additional tips for writing the market analysis section of your business plan:

• Use a variety of sources to gather data, including industry reports, market research studies, and surveys.
• Be specific and provide detailed information wherever possible.
• Include charts and graphs to help illustrate your key points.
• Keep your target audience in mind while writing the business plan.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section of a janitorial services business plan should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

List the services:

• Briefly describe the precise cleaning services supplied by your commercial cleaning company, such as floor cleaning, washroom cleaning, and window cleaning. Emphasize any specialty cleaning services that the company provides, such as COVID-19 disinfection or green cleaning.
• Describe each service: For each service, provide a detailed description of what it entails, the time required, and the qualifications of the professionals who will provide the service. It may include the particular duties carried out, the tools used, and the cleaning agents employed.

Ensure customer satisfaction:

• Explain any guarantees or warranties that the company provides to assure client satisfaction, such as a promise to refund any money paid or to make good on any cleaning service flaws.

Overall, a business plan’s product and services section should be detailed, informative, and customer-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Develop your unique selling proposition (USP):

Determine your pricing strategy:, marketing strategies:, sales strategies:, customer retention:.

Overall, the sales and marketing strategies section of your business plan should outline your plans to attract and retain customers and generate revenue. Be specific, realistic, and data-driven in your approach, and be prepared to adjust your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

When writing the operations plan section, it’s important to consider the various aspects of your business processes and procedures involved in operating a business. Here are the components to include in an operations plan:

Hiring plan:

Operational process:, equipment and supplies:.

By including these key elements in your operations plan section, you can create a comprehensive plan that outlines how you will run your commercial cleaning business.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of the individuals responsible for running the commercial cleaning business. This section should provide a detailed description of the experience and qualifications of each manager, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Key managers:

Organizational structure:, compensation plan:, board of advisors:.

Describe the key personnel of your company and highlight why your business has the fittest team.

8. Financial Plan

When writing the financial plan section of a business plan, it’s important to provide a comprehensive overview of your financial projections for the first few years of your business.

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:, financing needs:.

Remember to be realistic with your financial projections, and to provide supporting evidence for all of your estimates.

9. Appendix

When writing the appendix section, you should include any additional information that supports the main content of your plan. This may include financial statements, market research data, legal documents, and other relevant information.

• Include a table of contents for the appendix section to make it easy for readers to find specific information.
• Include financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. These should be up-to-date and show your financial projections for at least the first three years of your business.
• Provide market research data, such as statistics on the size of the cleaning industry, consumer demographics, and trends in the industry.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Provide any additional documentation related to your business plans, such as marketing materials, product brochures, and operational procedures.
• Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the information they need.

Remember, the appendix section of your commercial cleaning business should only include relevant and important information that supports the main content of your plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This commercial cleaning business plan sample will provide an idea for writing a successful commercial cleaning business plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you are still confused about how to write an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, then download our commercial cleaning business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need a commercial cleaning business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful commercial cleaning business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your business.

How to get funding for your commercial cleaning business?

There are several ways to get funding for your business, but one of the most efficient and speedy funding options is self-funding. Other options for funding are:

Small Business Administration (SBA) loan

Crowdfunding, angel investors.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your commercial cleaning business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and idea better than you, so we recommend you write your commercial cleaning services business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your commercial cleaning business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any commercial cleaning business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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How to Start a Cleaning Business in 7 Steps

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If you're looking to start a new business with low overhead, the absence of typical operating costs and reliable demand, a cleaning business might be a good choice.

Cleaning services tend to have lower up-front costs than other ventures, and this is one of the few businesses you can start operating quickly with little capital, provided you’re willing to work hard for modest profit and gradual gains.

Excepting some specialized cleaning chemicals and equipment, most cleaning jobs will entail the same products as your own household chores. Formal training or certifications aren’t required for typical home and office cleaning, but that doesn’t mean the job is easy. If it were easy, there wouldn’t be such a large market for domestic cleaners. That said, cleaning can be a lucrative and rewarding business for individuals with a great work ethic and customer service demeanor.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to start a cleaning business.

Do your industry research

When you start mulling over how to start a cleaning business, make sure your work is worth paying for. Start with close friends or family — you might offer a free house cleaning in exchange for candid feedback and cleaning supplies. Alternatively, if you know someone who works as a cleaner, you could ask to accompany them on a job to make sure you have what it takes. The important thing is to make sure your personal cleaning standards meet the expectations of paying customers — the best way to do that is tackling a job for someone else.

You’ll also need to decide what kind of cleaning service you want to provide. Cleaning services range from one-person operations to national chains, and from the most basic light home cleaning to specialized services, like pressure washing and industrial carpet cleaning. If you have experience cleaning windows or another skilled service, it’s worth considering honing your business focus to your skills and resources.

Individual cleaners work primarily in personal residences, for a small number of clients — if you go this house cleaning route, you’ll spend less. Some independent contractors keep weekly appointments with a fixed schedule of clients and jobs. Other individuals are available for short-term or one-time services by the day or hour.

Finally, consider purchasing into an existing cleaning franchise opportunity . This option has its pros and cons — it might require a bigger upfront investment, but it will likely also offer a more streamlined process.

>> MORE: How to calculate startup costs

How much do you need?

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We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

How to start a cleaning business in 7 steps

Cleaning businesses range from individual home cleaners to specialist industrial cleaning services. It’s important when figuring out how to start a cleaning business to determine the focus of your service early on because the upfront investment you make depends on the size of your team, the cost of equipment, and competitive rates in your local market. Home-cleaning businesses larger than a few individuals will need more structure than a service you operate alone or on the side of another job.

Once you’ve established a target market, you can start to flesh out the details of your business plan and make arrangements for transportation and supplies. You’ll want to get the word out about your service as soon as you’re far along enough to begin taking on clients. Depending on your personal network, you might start with friends or acquaintances, and expand to a larger market with an online presence and marketing.

Step 1: Fund your cleaning business

Financing a new venture can be the most difficult part when it comes to starting a cleaning business from scratch. This often requires entrepreneurs to borrow money from friends or family, take out a business loan , or spend on credit. Depending on the scale of the business, startup costs for a cleaning service can be comparatively low. This means you can keep debt to a minimum when first planning a cleaning business from scratch, then expand operations and spending as you generate revenue.

Generally, the costs associated with starting a cleaning business include the price of cleaning supplies and products, advertising, cleaning business insurance , and business licenses and permits. Supplies can usually be purchased for less money at big-box retailers.

The items you need will depend on your business's specialty, but products most cleaners use include mops, window cleaner, latex gloves, paper towels, brushes and the like. Once you establish your business, you may even be able to buy directly from manufacturers.

Step 2: Choose your market

The clientele you pursue and services offered should be based on local demands, in addition to your personal abilities and access to transportation. For example, if you need to be able to walk to your cleaning jobs, establish a radius you feel comfortable commuting within and focus your market research on that area. Individuals with access to a car or public transportation have more flexibility and can start by searching online for existing businesses that offer similar services.

Competitor research is a fundamental part of planning any business, so when you're wondering how to start a cleaning business, it’s worth taking time to research cleaning businesses in your area. Keep an eye out for services that other businesses seem to be missing.

When just starting out, residential cleaning is easier to get into than commercial cleaning. The commercial-cleaning business is usually dominated by large janitorial companies, and they typically have more resources at their disposal. Within the residential cleaning sector, you can narrow your market down even further — such as apartments or single-family homes.

Also, when selecting your market, keep in mind that you'll more than likely be doing your initial jobs on your own. So this means being selective in terms of the clients you choose to work with. You might not want to take on a job where you're cleaning a large mansion on your own, as this will probably take more time than it's worth. Further, doing the jobs on your own will minimize costs and provide you with the flexibility to plan work around your schedule.

Step 3: Find a specialty — and stick to it

Success as a cleaner will come down to the quality of the service you provide, whether that’s expertise in a specialized area — like cleaning carpets or porcelain — or simply efficient and friendly service. Specialized equipment and services are only worth providing if you already have experience or access to necessary resources; otherwise, training, equipment, and other costs might outweigh your cleaning revenue.

Once you do get to the point where it makes sense to specialize, options you might consider include commercial kitchen cleaning, eco-friendly cleaning, and tile and grout cleaning.

Step 4: Plan the business budget

Supplies and transportation are the two major expenses of basic cleaning services. Depending on the services you offer, your cleaning expenses will vary from very low for an individual cleaner, to considerably more for a business with a multiperson team and company vehicle. Once you establish a transportation and backup plan, you can start to estimate the other costs of starting up your business.

Transportation

Transportation is essential to any mobile business like a cleaning service, and one of the most important prerequisites— before starting a job, you have to get there first.

Most cleaning services assume the responsibility of getting to and from cleaning jobs, so keep in mind that transportation arrangements and responsibilities will most likely fall on you.

The cost and amount of supplies you need to operate depends entirely on the services you offer and how many clients you have. If you’re cleaning a handful of private residences each week, you can buy supplies in bulk at retailers like Sam’s Club or Costco.

Some clients might prefer you to use their products. Wholesale vendors will likely require proof of your business’s legitimacy, but if you’re operating a bigger service, finding discounted prices from suppliers shouldn’t be a problem once you register the business.

Transportation and cleaning supplies are the main expenses for basic cleaning services, but equipment and other rentals will also add up. Unless you already own or have free access to equipment, special machines and cleaning agents for carpets, flooring, and exteriors can be costly rentals.

If you already know how to use a certain type of equipment, it’s worth investigating the costs of renting — you can always hold off on extra expenses until you’re more established.

>> MORE: 25 low-cost business ideas

Step 5: Register the business

The legal parameters around domestic services like house cleaning and babysitting aren’t always clear, especially when the service is just one individual and clients are paying in cash. The amount of registration and income reporting you need to do depends on the extent of your business (namely, your revenue).

Cleaning your aunt’s kitchen once a week in exchange for $20 doesn’t really constitute a business, so if you’re only providing services for immediate family, it’s probably safe to hold off on registering your business. If you’re making more than a few hundred dollars in a month, you need to use the formal channels for reporting income to the IRS.

You can choose to operate a cleaning business on your own as a sole proprietor or as a partnership with another individual, or you can set up a limited liability corporation if you want to separate your business and personal finances.

When considering how to start a cleaning business, you might also look into becoming a franchisee of a large cleaning services chain. The benefit here is that you already have built-in brand recognition, policies, and procedures. However, you won't have as much control over your business.

If you’re interested in working as a cleaner outside of homes, it’s worth noting that it’s much easier for private individuals to pay other individuals than it is for a business to pay an individual who is not an employee. Business registration and proper tax documentation are particularly important for cleaning services with corporate clients.

Commercial vs. consumer

Individuals working in private homes are classified as “consumer” cleaning services, whereas “commercial” cleaners like janitorial service providers have contracts with state or corporate entities.

1099 contractor

Depending on the services you offer, a local business might be willing to contract your services on a recurring basis. The IRS requires a business to provide a 1099 contract to individuals who provide services exceeding $600 annually.

When registering your business, you'll also need to pick a business name. You'll want to be thoughtful in the name you select for your business, as it is an important aspect of your marketing and branding efforts. The name you choose should reflect the services you provide, the values of your company, or some combination of both.

Step 6: Find and maintain clients

Increasingly, online forums and service platforms connect individuals with local cleaning businesses, but word-of-mouth still plays a big part in the domestic services industry. Consider asking clients who are particularly pleased with your cleaning services to share your Facebook page, or give them your business card to pass on to interested friends.

Since showing prospective clients your best work can be difficult, it’s a good idea to provide contact information of past customers who are willing to be available for references. Better yet, ask pleased customers to provide a written referral for your website.

Home cleaners often find new business through current clients. While you don’t want to rely on clients for new jobs, establishing a rapport with customers can help you build confidence, and in turn, they might let you know about potential opportunities.

An important part of finding and maintaining clients is having set rates that you can provide. According to HomeAdvisor, the average price to clean a single-family home is $120-$150.

These prices can be impacted by your location, level of competition, the services you offer, and other factors. In terms of your pricing model, there are three ways cleaning services will typically quote prices: by the hour, by the square footage of the area being cleaned, or with a simple flat rate.

Regardless of the pricing model you choose, it would be a good idea to do some market research to ensure your rates are competitive, especially when just starting out. What's more, you may also want to invest in a payment processor, such as Square, to help you accept payments for clients who want to pay via credit card. Just keep in mind that you will be charged fees for accepting credit card payments.

Step 7: Invest in advertising and expanding

Even if you rely on clients to find new customers, investing in an online presence for your service benefits your business in the long run. It’s important that current and potential customers can find you online — even if you don’t have a full website. Create a business Facebook page, and keep your contact information up-to-date.

Once you have an established service and roster of clients, you can sign up for a platform like Care.com , TaskRabbit , or Handy to make it easier for clients to find your business. Having customer reviews and a registered business will strengthen your online profile. For offline networking, consider printing business cards.

Start Your Dream Business

The bottom line

Cleaning may seem like a simple business, but it’s hard work. Before you make cleaning your side job or full-time career, it’s worthwhile to spend a few days “on the job” to ensure you’re cut out for the work.

With a cleaning service, you can incrementally take on more work and new customers as you get accustomed to the job. As you figure out your scheduling and accumulate regular customers, you’ll be able to optimize your time and spending, and continue to deliver excellent service, provided you take the right steps in advance.

This article originally appeared on JustBusiness, a subsidiary of NerdWallet.

On a similar note...

Office Cleaning Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Home Improvement » Cleaning Service » Office Cleaning

Are you about starting an office cleaning company? If YES, here is a complete sample office cleaning business plan template & feasibility report you can use for FREE .

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting an office cleaning business . We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample office cleaning service marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for office cleaning companies. So let’s proceed to the business planning section .

 Why Start an Office Cleaning Business?

The cleaning industry consists of two main market groups:   the consumer and commercial. The consumer industry comprises of residential maid services, along with carpet cleaners, window cleaners and a host of other cleaning services that may be needed on a less-frequent basis.

The commercial arena is ruled by janitorial services, which naturally delivers a broader range of services than the maid services sector, along with other cleaning companies, such as carpet and window cleaners that target businesses rather than individual consumers.

The office cleaning business have continued to grow in leaps and bounds and this is because of the way companies have continued to spring up in the united states of America, Every now and then there are businesses needing the services of office cleaners all over the world.

This is one of the reasons why the cleaning industry is on an all-time high. Another positive aspect of the industry is that within each category of cleaning businesses are market niches and operating styles that vary tremendously. This means you can build a company that suits your individual style and talents.

If you think you want to start little so as to keep costs at the barest minimum, then you may consider starting out first, otherwise you may think of hiring cleaners who will be on ground to cater for all these needs.  There is also another side of the business- and it is that you can build an extremely profitable business that will generate revenue very quickly.

Most office cleaning service businesses can be run on either a part-time or full-time basis or this can be either from home or from a commercial location.

Another important aspect of any start-up is a business plan. However, writing a business plan is usually not so easy, which is why most entrepreneurs usually hire a business plan writer to write one for them or go online to get a sample business plan template.

A Sample Office Cleaning Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The cleaning industry of which the office cleaning falls under provides several different services. Franchises in this large industry mostly fit into one of three areas: cleaning and janitorial services, carpet and upholstery cleaning services, and dry cleaning and laundry services.

In 2010 alone, there were about 50,000 cleaning services operating in the United States and about 9,000 carpet and upholstery companies, which fetched a total of about 40 billion dollars in annual revenue.

About 90 percent of the cleaning revenue is accounted for by cleaning companies, versus about 10 percent by carpet and upholstery. There were 30,000 companies in the laundry and dry cleaning business that brought in about 10 billion dollars in revenue last year, 70% of which were retail laundry and dry cleaning operations, and 30% of which were coin-operated laundry locations.

There were 824,394 workers in the cleaning industry in 2010.   About 7% of cleaning workers were self-employed.  There are both small and large cleaning companies.  But small companies tend to be restricted to residential cleaning, since large commercial cleaning requires many employees and specialized skills.

The economic depression of the last few years hit the cleaning industry as it hit most American industries, but the healthcare industry played a large role in managing to keep the cleaning industry profitable.  As the number of elderly Americans increased, there was a greater need for cleaning services.

Low vacancy rates in office spaces are important to the continuing success of both the cleaning and carpet cleaning sectors, as they depend on getting most of their business from offices and commercial buildings.  When office vacancy rates went up during the recent depression, business suffered significantly.

For residential cleaning, the economy is also important.  When incomes are lower, residents will choose to save money by putting off carpet cleaning.

Competition may come to cleaning services from larger catch-all companies who offer cleaning as part of a bundled program of many more services, such as parking, snow removal, and pest control. In-house janitorial services operated by buildings and management companies may also serve as competition.

The cleaning industry is one of the fastest growing service industries in the United States. It is predicted that cleaning services will experience a five percent growth rate between 2008 and 2018, and this growth will be largely due to the healthcare industry, where elderly care needs will only increase over that period.

In addition, personal consumption for cleaning, laundering and repair of clothing is predicted to increase at a compound annual rate of 3 percent from 2015 to 2019.

Just like any other business, the demand for cleaning services usually declined during recession period / economic downturn and this is due to the declining household spending on cleaning services and reduced demand from business clients.

As the economy grows, and income increases, there will be corresponding increase in the demand for cleaning related services such as house / residential cleaning.

Over and above, house / residential cleaning businesses all over the world are still enjoying good patronage particularly if they are well positioned and if they know how to reach out to their target market (residential estates and household et al).

2. Executive Summary

We are known as Edmond Office Cleaning Company. We are a registered and standard corporate cleaning business that is incorporated under the law of the United States of America. Our office will be located in a densely populated residential estate in the heart of Atlanta – Georgia, U.S.

We are strategically positioned in between a commercial center and a campus community and we are set to service the whole of the community.

Our basic service offering to our highly esteemed customers as a corporate cleaning company will rotate around general office cleaning,- maintenance, parking lot sweeping, drain & gutter cleaning, snowplowing, ventilation duct cleaning, chimney sweep services, window washing, drain, duct and gutter cleaning, pool maintenance, parking lot and driveway washing, and providing other cleaning services.

Although our intention of starting a corporate cleaning business is to offer only the above stated services, but we will not close our doors to diversification (additional services) as long as it does not affect our core services. In the bid to maximize our position as the leading corporate cleaning company in Atlanta – Georgia.

At Edmond Office Cleaning Company we are passionate in the pursuit of excellence and financial success with uncompromising services and integrity which is why we have decided to jump starts our own corporate cleaning business; we are in the industry to make a positive mark.

We are quite optimistic that our values and quality of service offering will help us drive our corporate cleaning business to enviable pinnacles and also help us attract the numbers of clients that will make the business highly profitable.

We are a company that will be poised at establishing good business relationships with our clients giving them value for their money and reasons for them to hire our services over and over again.

We are in the cleaning Industry to favorably compete with other leading brands in the industry both in the United States and other parts of the world. Our corporate business goal is to be among the top 10 house cleaning brand in the United States of America.

As a company, we are willing to go the extra mile to invest in some of the finest professionals we can find and also, we have put, process and structures in place that will ensure that we are always at the top of our game when it comes to excellent and detailed services deliveries. We have been able to secure permits from all relevant departments in Georgia.

We are quite aware that in order to become the number one choice in our city, we must continue to deliver quality corporate cleaning services and that is exactly what we will do. We are open to the use of latest technology in the corporate cleaning industry.

No doubt our excellent customer service and detailed cleaning services we offer will position us to always welcome repeated customers.

Edmond Office Cleaning Company is owned and managed by Mr. Edmond Layi and Family. Mr. Layi has well over 10 years of experience managing some of the leading corporate cleaning companies and industrial cleaning brands in different cities in the United States of America prior to starting Edmond office Cleaning Company.

3. Our Products and Services

Edmond office Cleaning Company is a standard and well – equipped corporate cleaning company that offers a wide range of services that revolves around the cleaning industry and other complementary services. We intend giving our customers every reason to always hire our services which is why we have customized our services.

Basically, our services will involve us going out to services of clients’ needs. These are the services we will offer as a house cleaning company;

• General office cleaning
• Environment maintenance
• Parking lot sweeping
• Snowplowing
• Ventilation duct cleaning
• Chimney sweep services
• Window washing
• Drain, duct and gutter cleaning
• Parking lot and driveway washing
• Providing other indoor maintenance services
• Other related cleaning services

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our Vision is to become the number one Office cleaning company in the whole of Atlanta – Georgia with active presence in major cities in the United States of America and Canada.
• Our mission as an office cleaning company is to develop a highly successful, profitable all round corporate  cleaning business which provides quality services in our community and to become a standard for an ideal office cleaning business not only in the State of Georgia but also throughout the United States of America and Canada where we intend selling our franchise.

Our Business Structure

We are quite aware that the success of any business lies in the foundation on which the business is built on, which is why we have decided to build our office cleaning company on the right business foundation.

As a matter of fact, we are set out to build a corporate cleaning business that will be a standard for the cleaning industry in the United States of America and Canada. We want to build a business of dedicated workforce who will go all the way to ensure that our customers are satisfied and they get value for their money.

In other to achieve this, we aware that it takes a business with the right employees and structure to achieve all what we have set to achieve, which is why will be putting structures and processes in place that will help us deliver excellent services and run the business on autopilot. The success of our office cleaning business will be anchored on the team not on any individual.

With the wide range of our service offerings and the plan to sell franchise, we are only expected to employ more than it is required to run a conventional house cleaning business. Definitely, we will have various employees to man the various services offering of Edmond Office Cleaning Company. Edmond Office Cleaning Company will employ professionals and skilled people to occupy the following position;

• Manager (Owner)

Accountant / Cashier

Marketing and Sales Executive

Client Service Executive

• Cleaners / Pressure Machine Operators (6)
• Truck / Van` Driver

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Manager (Owner):

• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals and payment of salaries
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Guarantees that the facility  is in tip top shape and conducive enough to welcome customers
• Prepares budget and reports for the organization
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Regularly hold meetings with key stakeholders (clients and member of the board) to review the effectiveness of the business Policies, Procedures and Processes
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Carries out staff induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Superintends the smooth running of the daily activities of organization.
• Classifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts; participates in the structuring and financing of projects; assures the completion of projects.
• Carves winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Develops, executes and evaluates new plans for expanding increase sales
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Accomplishes cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for the organization
• Responsible for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Guarantees compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for Cristobel House Cleaning Company
• Serves as internal auditor for Prime Cristobel House Cleaning Company.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Achieves administrative duties assigned by the manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products and, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to clients when they make enquiries

Cleaners / Pressure Machine Operators (6):

• Responsible for handling core services that revolve around general house cleaning, swimming pool cleaning & maintenance, parking lot sweeping, snowplowing, ventilation duct cleaning, chimney sweep services, window washing, drain, duct and gutter cleaning, pool maintenance, parking lot and driveway washing, chimney sweep services, providing other indoor maintenance services and other industrial cleaning services et al as requested by clients
• Maintains a clean working area by sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning of glass doors and windows, etc. if required.
• Ensures that toiletries and supplies don’t run out of stock
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the manager.

Truck / Van Driver:

• Responsible for transporting equipment, supplies and workers to project site
• Runs errand for the organization
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the manager,

6. SWOT Analysis

Corporate cleaning business is one of the many businesses that can easily generate business deals with little stress as long as they are well located and equipped to carry out their services. We are building a standard office cleaning business with variety of services which is why we have decided to subject our business idea (company) to SWOT Analysis.

Ordinarily we can successfully run a normal corporate cleaning business without the stress of going through the required protocol of setting up a new business including writing a detailed business plan, but because of the nature of the kind of house cleaning business we want to establish, we don’t have any option other than to follow due process.

We employed the services of Mr. Dary Hickmann, an HR and Business consultant with bias in startups to help us conduct SWOT analysis for our company and he did a pretty job for us. Here is a of the result we got from the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Edmond Office Cleaning Company Atlanta – Georgia;

Edmond office Cleaning Company is centrally located in a densely populated residential estate in Atlanta – Georgia; our location is in fact one of our major strength. We are also one of the very few cleaning companies in the whole of Atlanta – Georgia that is well equipped to carry out a wide range of services as it relates to corporate cleaning.

Another strength that counts for us is the power of our team; our workforce and management. We have a team that is considered experts in the house cleaning industry, a team of hardworking and dedicated individuals.

Edmond Office Cleaning Company is a new business which is owned by an individual (family), and we may not have the financial muscle to sustain the kind of publicity we want to give our business and also to attract some of the well – experienced hands in the cleaning industry.

• Opportunities:

We are centrally located in one of the busiest area in Atlanta – Georgia and we are open to all the available opportunities that the city has to offer. Our business concept also positioned us to be a one stop shop in the cleaning industry.

The truth is that there are no standard and well – equipped corporate cleaning businesses within the area where ours is going to be located; the closest house cleaning company to our proposed location is about 6 miles away. In a nutshell, we do not have any direct competition within our target market area.

Some of the threats that is  likely going to confront Edmond Office Cleaning Company is unfavorable government policies , seasonal fluctuations, demographic / social factors, downturn in the economy which is likely going to affect consumers spending and of course emergence of new competitors within the same location where ours  is located.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

The corporate cleaning market is a market that is dependent on loads of factors. The fact that it helps keep our environment clean and also help in saving energy gives room for people to patronize the business. As a matter of fact, it is now common and trendy to find house cleaning companies and industrial cleaning companies leveraging on ‘Climate Change and Save Energy’ to market their services.

Of course office cleaning business responds to the increase in household spending and improvement in the economy which is why it is trendy to find house cleaning businesses and industrial cleaning businesses located around areas where residence and businesses can show that they can afford the services.

Another common trend in the cleaning industry is that in the bid to survive global economic melt – down and to ensure steady flow of income to effectively run the business, most house / residential cleaning companies engage in other related services.

Some of them even go as far as establishing a car wash, snow removal services and a carpet cleaning business simply because they all fall within same line of business.

8. Our Target Market

Before choosing a location for our office cleaning business, we conducted our feasibility studies and market survey and we were able to identify those who will benefit greatly from our service offerings. Basically those who will benefit from our service offering are office, facility managers, hospitals, hotels, hostels and government et al.

They cut across various different sectors of the economy. Below is a list of the people and organizations that our cleaning services are designed for;

• The government (government guest house and housing estates
• Facility managers
• Restaurants
• Hotels and Motels
• Residential areas
• Camp grounds
• Retail locations
• Medical facility (Hospitals)

Our competitive advantage

Cleaning business is an easy to set up business that does not require formal training to achieve; anybody can set a cleaning business if they have the required startup capital and informal training on how to operate the various presser washers.

It means that the possibility of office cleaning businesses springing up in the location where ours is located can’t be ruled out. We are aware of this which is why we decided to come up with a business concept that will position us to become the leader in Atlanta – Georgia.

Our competitive edge is that we are a standard and well – equipped cleaning business that has loads of complimentary business offerings that can easily assist us in attracting both corporate and individual customers within the radius of our business operations.

We can confidently say that the location of our corporate cleaning business will definitely count as a positive for us amongst any competitor that might start a house cleaning business or any other related cleaning business in same location where ours is located.

For the time being, Edmond Office Cleaning Company has no real competitors that can compete with the quality of services we offer and our business offerings et al. Our customer service will be customized to meet the needs of all our customers.

Lastly, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category (startups office cleaning business and other related cleaning businesses in the United States) in the industry. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Sources of Income

Edmond office Cleaning Company is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the cleaning industry and we are going to go all the way out to ensure that we do all it takes to attract both individual clients and corporate clients on a regular basis.

Cristobel House Cleaning Company will generate income by offering the following services;

• General corporate cleaning
• Pool maintenance

10. Sales Forecast

One thing is certain; there would always be corporate organization and individual clients who would need the services of cleaning business.

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Atlanta – Georgia and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income / profits from the first six month of operations and grow our office cleaning business and our clientele base.

We have been able to critically examine the office cleaning industry – market and we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. The sales projection is based on information gathered on the field and some assumptions that are peculiar to similar startups in Atlanta – Georgia.

Below is the sales projection for Edmond office  Cleaning Company, it is based on the location of our business and of course the wide range of related services that we will be offering;

• First Fiscal Year-: $200,000
• Second Fiscal Year-: $450,000
• Third Fiscal Year-: $750,000

N.B : This projection is done based on what is obtainable in the office  cleaning industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same additional related services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

The marketing strategy for our Cleaning Company is going to be driven basically by excellent customers service and quality service delivery.

We will ensure that we build a loyal customer base. We want to drive sales via the output of our jobs and via referral from our satisfied customers. We are quite aware of how satisfied customers drive business growth especially businesses like office cleaning and related services.

Edmond office Cleaning Company is an office cleaning business that is strategically located and we are going to maximize the opportunities that is available which is why we spend more to locate the business in a location that will be visible and accessible to our target market.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be well equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of our Cleaning Company.

Our goal is to grow Edmond Office Cleaning Company to become the leading cleaning company in Atlanta – Georgia which is why we have mapped out strategy that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with in the corporate cleaning industry.

Edmond office Cleaning Company is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our office cleaning business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to corporate organizations, and key stakeholders in Page – Arizona.
• Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in offices, libraries, public facilities and train stations et al.
• Use friends and family to spread word about our business
• Post information about our cleaning company and the services we offer on bulletin boards in places like schools, libraries, and local coffee shops et al
• Placing a small or classified advertisement in the newspaper, or local publication about our house cleaning company and the services we offer
• Leverage on referral networks such as agencies that will attract clients who would need our customized services
• Advertise our cleaning company in relevant magazines, newspapers, TV stations, and radio station.
• Attend relevant expos, seminars, and business fairs et al to market our services
• Engage in direct marketing approach
• Encourage the use of Word of mouth marketing from loyal and satisfied students
• Join local chambers of commerce and industry to market our services.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

Edmond office Cleaning Company is set to create a standard for residential cleaning business in Atlanta – Georgia and throughout the United States which is why we will go all the way to adopt and apply best practices to promote our business.

Good enough there is no hard and fast rule on how to advertise or promote a house cleaning business. The challenge is that most house cleaning companies do not have the required money to pump into publicity and advertising. The cash they have will be reserved to take care of overhead and operational cost.

We will ensure that we leverage on all conventional and non – conventional publicity and advertising technique to promote our house cleaning business. Here are the platforms we intend leveraging on to promote and advertise Cristobel House Cleaning Company;

• Encourage our loyal customers to help us use Word of Mouth mode of advertisement (referrals)
• Advertise our house cleaning business in relevant magazines, local newspaper, local TV stations and local radio station
• Promote our business online via our official website
• List our business on local directories (yellow pages)
• Sponsor relevant community programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook , twitter, et al to promote our brand
• Install our Bill Boards on strategic locations
• Direct coupon mailing approach
• Engage in road show from time to time in target communities
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our customized clothes, and all our official cars and trucks are customized and well branded.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

Our pricing system is going to be based on what is obtainable in the house cleaning industry, we don’t intend to charge more (except for premium and customized services) and we don’t intend to charge less than our competitors are offering in Atlanta – Georgia.

Be that as it may, we have put plans in place to offer discount services once in a while and also to reward our loyal customers especially when they refer clients to us. The prices of our services will be same as what is obtainable in the open market.

• Payment Options

At Edmond office Cleaning Company, our payment policy will be all inclusive because we are quite aware that different clients would prefer different payment options as it suits them. Here are the payment options that we will make available to our clients;

• Payment by via bank transfer
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via check
• Payment via bank draft
• Payment via mobile money
• Payment with cash

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will help us achieve our plans with little or no itches.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

In setting up any business, the amount or cost will depend on the approach and scale you want to undertake. If you intend to go big by renting a place, then you would need a good amount of capital as you would need to ensure that your employees are well taken care of, and that your facility is conducive enough for workers to be creative and productive.

This means that the start-up can either be low or high depending on your goals, vision and aspirations for your business. The tools and equipment that will be used are nearly the same cost everywhere, and any difference in prices would be minimal and can be overlooked.

As for the detailed cost analysis for starting a standard house cleaning company; it might differ in other countries due to the value of their money. We have been able to pull cash that will be enough for us to successfully launch a standard house cleaning company in Atlanta – Georgia, US. These are the key areas where we will spend our start – up capital on;

• The Total Fee for Registering the Business in Atlanta – Georgia – $750.
• Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and permits – $1,500.
• Marketing promotion expenses (2,000 flyers at $0.04 per copy) for the total amount of $3,580 .
• Cost for hiring Business Consultant – $2,000.
• Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $30,800.
• Cost of accounting software, CRM software and Payroll Software – $3,000
• Cost for leasing a small office facility – $70,000.
• Cost for facility remodeling – $30,000.
• Other start-up expenses including stationery – $1000
• Phone and utility deposits – ( $3,500 ).
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $40,000
• The cost for Start-up inventory – $15,000
• Cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $13,750
• Cost of pressure washing and house cleaning equipment – $75,000
• The cost for the purchase of office furniture and gadgets (Computers, Printers, Telephone, TVs,  tables and chairs et al) – $4,000
• The cost of Launching a Website – $600
• The cost for our grand opening party – $1,500
• Miscellaneous – $10,000

We would need an estimate of $200,000 to successfully launch our office cleaning business in Atlanta – Georgia, US.

Generating Funding / Startup Edmond Office Cleaning Company

Edmond office Cleaning Company is a business that will be owned and managed by Mr. Edmond  Layi and Family. They are the sole financial of the business which is why they decided to restrict the sourcing of the start – up capital for the business to just three major sources.

These are the areas we intend generating our start – up capital;

• Generate part of the start – up capital from personal savings and sale of his stocks
• Generate part of the start – up capital from friends and other extended family members
• Generate a larger chunk of the startup capital from the bank (loan facility).

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings $80,000 and soft loan from family members $20,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $100,000 from our bank. All the papers and document has been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the numbers of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of the employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business (company), then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Edmond Office Cleaning Company is to build a business that will survive off its own cash flow without the need for injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running.

We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to offer our house cleaning services a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are well prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Edmond office  Cleaning Company will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner.

As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of three years or more. We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List / Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check: Completed
• Business Registration: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Securing Point of Sales (POS) Machines: Completed
• Opening Mobile Money Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Acquiring facility and remodeling the facility: In Progress
• Conducting feasibility studies: Completed
• Generating capital from family members: Completed
• Applications for Loan from the bank: In Progress
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents and other relevant Legal Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Graphic Designs and Printing of Packaging Marketing / Promotional Materials: In Progress
• Recruitment of employees: In Progress
• Purchase of the Needed pressure washing machines and industrial cleaning equipment, electronic appliances, office appliances and bar accessories: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: Completed
• Creating Awareness for the business both online and in the neighborhood: In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement (License): Secured
• Opening party / launching party planning: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with vendors – suppliers of all our needed cleaning accessories and supplies et al: In Progress

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Commercial Cleaning Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Commercial Cleaning Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Commercial Cleaning business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Commercial Cleaning businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Commercial Cleaning business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Denver Corporate Cleaning is a new commercial cleaning service that serves the Denver, Colorado area. We offer the best quality services in the industry and can work with any type of business that needs our services. We offer several cleaning services including office cleaning, emergency cleanings, sanitization, and carpet cleaning. With our stellar work ethic, high-quality cleaning services, and client focused service, we plan to be the #1 commercial cleaning company in the Denver area in the next five years.

Denver Corporate Cleaning is founded by Pedro Hernandez. Pedro has worked in several cleaning companies over the past twenty years, but was disappointed in the lack of good customer service that these companies provided. For years, Pedro has been planning his own business that will provide client focused service as well as a longer list of cleaning services than the competition. After years of planning, he is now ready to launch his business.

Product Offering

Denver Corporate Cleaning offers a full suite of commercial cleaning services for businesses located in Denver, Colorado. These services include office cleaning, breakroom cleaning, window cleaning, emergency cleaning, and sanitizing. Clients can order a one-time cleaning service or regular services that occur monthly, weekly, or daily. Long-term clients will be charged monthly for their plans.

Customer Focus

Denver Corporate Cleaning will provide cleaning services to businesses located in Denver, Colorado. We expect most of our clientele will be corporate offices, but we will also work with churches, gyms, restaurants, schools, and other establishments.

Management Team

Denver Corporate Cleaning is founded by Pedro Hernandez. Pedro has worked in several cleaning companies over the past twenty years, but was disappointed in the lack of client-oriented service that these companies provided. For years, Pedro has been planning his own business that will emphasize client focused service and provide a longer list of cleaning services than the competition. After years of planning, he is now ready to launch his business.

Success Factors

Denver Corporate Cleaning is primed for success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Professional cleaning services for an affordable price.
• Client-focused service where the owner will keep in touch with clients on a monthly basis.
• A referral program where clients can earn a free cleaning for every business they recruit.
• A focus on maintaining long-lasting relationships with our clients.

Financial Highlights

Denver Corporate Cleaning is seeking $225,000 in debt financing to launch. The funding will be dedicated to the office build out, purchase of initial supplies, working capital, marketing costs, and startup overhead expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office location design/build: $50,000
• Initial supplies and equipment: $50,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $50,000
• Working capital: $25,000
• Marketing: $50,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Denver Corporate Cleaning.

Company Overview

Who is denver corporate cleaning.

Denver Corporate Cleaning is a new commercial cleaning service that serves the Denver, Colorado area. We offer several cleaning services to the businesses located in the area including office cleaning, emergency cleanings, sanitization, and carpet cleaning. We are open to working with any business (including churches, gyms, and restaurants) but we expect much of our clientele will be corporate offices.

  Denver Corporate Cleaning is founded by Pedro Hernandez. Pedro has worked in several cleaning companies over the past twenty years, but wasn’t satisfied with the level of service these companies offered their clientele. Pedro has been planning his business for years and is now ready to launch.

He recently conducted a market analysis and consumer survey to see if the business would be in high demand. The results from these were very positive, with many consumers saying that they would be interested in hiring the company’s services as soon as the business launches.

Denver Corporate Cleaning’s History

After spending several years in the cleaning industry, Pedro Hernandez gained the knowledge, skills, and expertise to start his own commercial cleaning business. In April 2023, he quit his job at his employer and incorporated Denver Corporate Cleaning as an S Corporation.

Since incorporation, Pedro has achieved the following milestones for Denver Corporate Cleaning:

• Developed the company’s name, logo and website
• Finished the list of services the company will provide
• Determined equipment and inventory requirements
• Found a potential office location

Denver Corporate Cleaning’s Services

Denver Corporate Cleaning will provide the following services to our clientele:

• Office cleaning
• Breakroom/kitchen cleaning
• Emergency cleaning
• Sanitization
• Window cleaning
• Carpet cleaning
• Weekend services

Industry Analysis

Revenue for the commercial cleaning industry is expected to grow over the next five years. This growth is due partially by the increase in demand from businesses across all sectors. Businesses are expected to continue outsourcing cleaning activities to janitorial and cleaning service specialists. In particular, education, healthcare and medical-related industries, which outsource the majority of their cleaning requirements, will likely provide sustained demand for industry services. Most businesses save money by outsourcing cleaning services, so this will be a major factor in the industry’s growth.

According to Grand View Research, the contract cleaning services industry was valued at $343.34 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% from now until 2030. This shows that commercial cleaning services are still in great demand and will continue to be. Therefore, this is a great time to start a commercial cleaning business.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Denver Corporate Cleaning will serve the businesses located in the Denver area. Most of our clientele will include corporate offices, but we will also serve churches, gyms, restaurants, schools, and other establishments.

Customer Segmentation

Denver Corporate Cleaning will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Corporate offices
• Restaurants

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Denver Corporate Cleaning will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Denver Cleaning Solutions

Denver Cleaning Solutions is a local cleaning business that primarily services office buildings in downtown Denver. The company has a team of over 40 cleaners who provide a long list of services to their clients. These services include cubicle cleaning, office cleaning, breakroom cleaning, and sanitization. Unfortunately Denver Cleaning solutions suffers from high turnover which results in low quality services. Therefore, the company is seen as a low-end budget quality option and will not be a major competitor for clients who want higher quality services.

Smith Premium Family Cleaning Services

Smith Premium Family Cleaning Services is a family-owned company that has operated since 1990. They have a small, yet highly trained cleaning staff that cleans residential homes and commercial spaces located around the Denver area. As the name suggests, they offer premium services that have given them a great reputation, but also allow them to charge premium prices. Though Smith Premium Family Cleaning Services will continue to succeed, the company is small enough that we don’t expect them to be a major competitor.

Denver Maids

Denver Maids is a popular cleaning service that serves the Denver area. They clean both residential and commercial locations and offer a wide suite of services and contract options. They have more than 100 cleaners on staff and are fully equipped to manage hundreds of contracts throughout the year. Though most of Denver Maid’s contracts are for residential cleaning services, they also service many businesses, making them a strong competitor in the market.

Competitive Advantage

Denver Corporate Cleaning will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Client-focused service : Customer service is our #1 priority. Our entire mission is to provide high-quality client focused service that focuses on maintaining long-term relationships with our clients.
• Management : Pedro has significant experience in the industry and knows what it takes to offer the best cleaning services and keep clients happy. Pedro will interact with each client on a weekly or monthly basis to ensure they are completely satisfied with their cleaning service. He will ask for any constructive criticism in order to implement strategies beneficial to client retention and referrals.
• Referral Program : We will offer a referral program where clients can earn a free cleaning for every business and/or household they recruit.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Denver Corporate Cleaning will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Affordable and quality cleaning services
• Highly trained staff
• Wide variety of commercial cleaning services
• Ability to work with any commercial business in the area

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Denver Corporate Cleaning is as follows:

Referral Program

Denver Corporate Cleaning will implement a referral program that will reward an existing client with a free cleaning service if they recruit a fellow business to our services.

Social Media Marketing

The company will have several social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. These accounts will showcase pictures of our cleaning crew as well as a list of the services we provide. The company will use targeted marketing to appeal to our target demographics.

SEO Website Marketing

Denver Corporate Cleaning will invest funds into maintaining a strong SEO presence on search engines like Google and Bing. When a person types in “local commercial cleaning services” or “Denver cleaning services”, Denver Corporate Cleaning will appear in the top three choices.

Advertisement

Advertisements in print publications like newspapers, magazines, etc., are an excellent way for businesses to connect with their audience. Denver Corporate Cleaning will advertise its services in popular magazines and news dailies. Obtaining relevant placements in industry magazines and journals will also help in increasing brand visibility.

The pricing of Denver Corporate Cleaning will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when hiring our cleaning services.

Operations Plan

Denver Corporate Cleaning will utilize the following operations plan. Operation Functions:

• Pedro Hernandez will be the Owner of Denver Corporate Cleaning. He will oversee the general operations and keep in touch with all clients to ensure they are satisfied with the company’s services. To efficiently run the business, Pedro will hire the following:
• An Accountant who will manage all client invoicing, billing, and payables.
• A Human Resources Manager who will oversee all employee hiring, onboarding, payroll, retention, and benefits programs.
• A Training Manager who will develop and implement a strict cleaning protocol program that every employee will have to pass.
• 20 hourly cleaning professionals to provide cleaning services to our clients.

Milestones:

Denver Corporate Cleaning will have the following milestones complete in the next six months:

• 5/1/202X – Finalize lease agreement for office space
• 6/1/202X – Office build out
• 7/1/202X – Hire and train essential staff
• 8/1/202X – Begin marketing campaign
• 9/1/202X – Launch Denver Corporate Cleaning
• 10/1/202X – Reach break even

Denver Corporate Cleaning is founded by Pedro Hernandez. Pedro has worked in several cleaning companies over the past twenty years, but was disappointed in the lack of client-oriented service that these companies provided. For years, Pedro has been planning his own business that will emphasize client focused service. We will also provide a longer list of cleaning services than the competition. After years of planning, he is now ready to launch his business.

Since he has worked in the industry for decades, Pedro has in-depth knowledge of what it takes to provide premium cleaning services. Though he has never run a business, he will hire several staff members who will help him run the operations, marketing, management, and accounting aspects of the company.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Denver Corporate Cleaning will come charging our clients for our professional cleaning services. We expect most of our clients will stick with us long term, so we will charge them monthly for our services. Businesses that need a one-time cleaning will be charged the day of the cleaning.

The cost drivers for Denver Corporate Cleaning will include the overhead costs, salaries, cost of supplies, and marketing expenses.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Number Of Clients:
• Average Client Contract Per Month: $500
• Annual Lease: $25,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, commercial cleaning business plan faqs, what is a commercial cleaning business plan.

A commercial cleaning business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your commercial cleaning business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Commercial Cleaning business plan using our Commercial Cleaning Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Commercial Cleaning Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of commercial cleaning businesses , some examples include: General Commercial Cleaning, Healthcare and Lab Cleaning, and Damage Restoration.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Commercial Cleaning Business Plan?

Commercial Cleaning businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Commercial Cleaning Business?

Starting a commercial cleaning business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Commercial Cleaning Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed commercial cleaning business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your commercial cleaning business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your commercial cleaning business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Commercial Cleaning Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your commercial cleaning business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your commercial cleaning business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Commercial Cleaning Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your commercial cleaning business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your commercial cleaning business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful commercial cleaning business:

• How to Start a Commercial Cleaning Business

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Clean Office Pros

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

Introduction

Clean Office Pros is a new cleaning service specializing in office cleaning and serving the Kansas City, Missouri area. The business will sell office cleaning and related services to businesses with office spaces of any size. To that end, Clean Office Pros seeks funding for equipment and initial operations of the business.

The Company

Established in 2009, the business offers office cleaning, floor treatment, carpet cleaning, and window cleaning for businesses with office space in the Kansas City area. The business was founded by Paul Vinci and Reid Werbitt, cleaning industry professionals with decades of collective experience, who have pooled their resources to develop a new strategy for reaching and serving business clients. The business will operate out of a central office and storage facility and use the labor of trained cleaning crews to serve clients.

Services offered will be based around basic office cleaning scheduled on a monthly basis, which will be offered with extreme care for the client’s privacy, security, and assets. Additional services will be sold to the same clients to deepen their relationship with Clean Office Pros. Organizational services will be introduced in after three years. Services will be environmentally friendly, both in the products used and in their methods of disposal.

The market currently consists of 40,000 small, medium, and large office businesses. Healthy growth is expected for this market, especially for small offices which will be the initial target market for the business. Focusing on small offices will establish the reputation of the company by working with a variety of clients and will force the streamlining of operations.

Financial Results

The business expects to reach $1 million in annual sales in its second year of operation and begin to pay dividends to investing partners in its first year. Net profit of $70,000 will be achieved in the first year and will double in the second year. Break even will be achieved quickly partially due to the fact that the management is experienced with sales, marketing, and operations, and that all cleaning crews will be paid only for hours worked, reducing the payroll risk for the business.

Clean Office Pros seeks to establish itself as a leader in office cleaning in the Kansas City, MO area. Specific objectives we will seek to meet over the next two years include:

• To create a culture of productivity and resourcefulness for all staff by encouraging the best ideas and cleaning procedures to rise to the top and rewarding cleaning crew for their contributions.

Clean Office Pros seeks to ensure that businesses have a spotless office environment to support the work they do and forget their worries about office cleaning. The company values its employees to clean well and clean smart, listens to the needs of its client to do the job they need done, and responds to the demands of the environment.

Keys to Success

To become successful in the office cleaning business, Clean Office Pros must:

• Remember that the cleaning must meet or exceed client expectations to be considered done

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

Clean Office Pros is a office cleaning business located in Kansas City, MO. Established in 2009, the business offers office cleaning, floor treatment, carpet cleaning, and window cleaning for businesses with office space in the Kansas City area. The business was founded by Paul Vinci and Reid Werbitt, cleaning industry professionals with decades of collective experience, who have pooled their resources to develop a new strategy for reaching and serving business clients.

Company Ownership

Clean Office Pros is an S Corporation currently owned 51% by Paul Vinci and 49% by Reid Werbitt, the founders and directors of the company. Once additional investment has been contributed by angel investors, those investors will own 49% of the business, Paul Vinci will own 26% and Reid Werbitt will own 25%.

Start-up Summary

The startup expenses for the business reflect the legal permitting required in the state of Missouri, the legal agreements with additional investors and banks for financing, two month’s security deposit at an estimated $2,500 per month and one month’s rent for improvements to the office and storage facility, improvements including lighting fixtures, storage cabinets, and sinks, and office supplies and computer supplies for three workstations (two founders and one administrator).

Assets which must be purchased include office furniture and computers for the office, cleaning equipment including buffing machines, vacuums, and basic tools (mops, brooms, buckets, etc), and one delivery van.

Some of the larger pieces equipment can be purchased with seller-financing, such as the delivery van and buffing machines. Otherwise, it is most economical or required to pay for these expenses and assets in cash.

Services to be offered by Clean Office Pros will focus specifically on office spaces and include:

• Bathroom and kitchen area cleaning

In the future, Clean Office Pros will provide office organization and decluttering services through an interior designer. This service will be provided as an upsell to this foundation of services.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

The market for office cleaning in the Kansas City area includes small offices (1-5 employees), medium offices (6-20 employees) and large offices (21 employees and up). In the Kansas City area, businesses with offices are growing as the service sector increases, with a net of 3,000 new businesses established in 2008. Due to the economic renewal occurring in this community, this growth is expected to continue over the next two years. Small offices are targeted as well as large, although margins will be lower due to the increased amount spent on sales and travel relative to medium and large offices, because many small businesses will expand, giving Clean Office Pros a foothold in this market by the time competitors are willing to sell to them.

Market Segmentation

The market for Clean Office Pros is comprised of small offices, medium offices and large offices in the Kansas City area.

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Medium Offices: This group has a growing acceptance of the need for professional cleaning services and is concerned primarily about price.

Large Offices: This group accepts the need to outsource their office cleaning to professionals and is interested in working with vendors who can handle specific requests and take care to protect the information, security, and equipment within their office spaces.

Target Market Segment Strategy

Clean Office Pros will build its expertise from the ground up, by building a successful base of small-office clients, moving on to medium-office clients and then large-office clients. While larger clients will not be turned away as the business starts out, it is expected that they will be more likely to use Clean Office Pros services after its record of customer service and operational success is established by work with numerous smaller clients. Furthermore, by working with smaller clients first, the business will establish a foothold faster as they will not be competing directly with established cleaning companies at first, and will be able to work towards making this group more profitable through economies of scale and tight operations.

Clean Office Pros will not work for landlords, providing building janitorial services. Many firms specialize in this service already, and marketing janitorial services to buildings involves different promotional activities, operations, and cleaning skills, to a certain extent. By specializing in commercial office cleaning, Clean Office Pros will increase its ability to market to the many thousands of area businesses directly.

Service Business Analysis

The office cleaning industry includes many local companies as well as some national franchises. Services are purchased directly by business managers and owners for small businesses and by purchasing agents, office managers, and procurement specialists for larger businesses. Businesses desire ongoing relationships with cleaning vendors where they do not have to worry about the cleaning process, but will be concerned if they are paying higher than market rates. Businesses appreciate the ability of a company to quote monthly cleaning rates to make costs less variable, but also to handle special cleaning request as they arise. Cleaning vendors are sought out through internet searches, the yellow pages, and business referrals.

Financial analysts report that the commercial cleaning industry is recession resistant and highly stable. Commercial cleaning overall was an $80 billion industry in 2008 and is one of the fastest growing industries in the US, with projected growth to $150 billion per year by 2010.

Competition and Buying Patterns

The commercial cleaning industry is very fragmented with no one company owning more than 6% of the market. Franchises account for 10% of the market and local companies account for 90%. Top franchises include JAN-PRO Cleaning Systems, ServiceMaster Clean, MTOclean, the Cleaning Authority, and MARBLELIFE. Economies of scale for franchises are obtained through unified operations systems, national marketing campaigns, and somewhat through volume discounts from suppliers.

Customers seek out cleaning services based on a combination of reputation, price, and depth of services offered. While large offices value depth of services more so, smaller firms put a greater value on price.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

Clean Office Pros has selected the following priorities for its rollout strategy:

• To rapidly scale up organizational infrastructure, including cleaning crews, equipment, and vans.

Competitive Edge

Clean Office Pros will develop a competitive edge based on its utilization of the skills, ideas, and productivity of its employees. By encouraging and rewarding employee initiative and ingenuity to discover the best ways to clean well and smart, morale will be increased, making Clean Office Pros a more desirable place to work. The reputation of the firm as a great place to work will increase application rates and the strength of new hires, reducing the costs of turnover and training. Customer satisfaction will increase and costs will drop due to this focus on employee utilization.

Initial training by Reid Werbitt and Paul Vinci will be for cleaning crew heads. This will be ten hours of training in Clean Office Pros methods for experienced cleaning personnel. Cleaning crew heads will each provide ten hours of training, in turn, for new members of their cleaning crews when they are brought in to the business, based both on Clean Office Pros methods and basic cleaning skills (depending on the current skills of the crew member).

All client information about the cleaning will be transferred to a detailed job sheet which will be discussed with the cleaning crew head before reaching the job site. The cleaning crew head will go through a tour and inspection of the job site while the client is present to insure that the job sheet is complete and that all information about keys, security, and access is understood. Cleanings will always be run by a cleaning crew head and a crew of one to four members. After the crew have experience on a site, a cleaning crew head may move between a few job sites to supervise a greater number of jobs over one day.

Marketing Strategy

The marketing strategy for Clean Office Pros begins with its initial target market of small offices.

Promotional activities in the startup phase will include:

• Coupons for free trials for new businesses passed on through the local Small Business Development Center and Chamber of Commerce

From the startup period onward, the following promotional activities will be important:

• Local TV commercials

These ongoing promotional activities are reflected as marketing expenses on the Clean Office Pros Profit and Loss statement.

Sales Strategy

Sales will be managed by co-founder Reid Werbitt. Reid Werbitt expects about ten small business clients from his previous work at JAN-PRO to move to Clean Office Pros upon learning of their value proposition. This will account for a starting base of clients for the business.

The sales process will begin with a short phone conversation to go over the basics of the services offered and to qualify the customer as one interested in regular cleanings. An in-person meeting at the customer’s office will follow, after which a proposal for a monthly rate for cleaning will be given. A follow up with the client will occur after the first three regular cleanings to get additional feedback and to continue to adjust the directions to the cleaning crew.

As a partner in the business, Werbitt will be compensated through a base salary, dividends and appreciation of the company’s stock. After two years of operation, an additional salaried salesperson will be hired who will be compensated for sales through quarterly bonuses and Werbitt will remain sales manager.

Sales Forecast

Growth is expected to speed up rapidly over the first two years as small-office customers are sought out and sold to. After the first two years growth will slow as operations must be continually increased to allow for greater growth. However, the additional target market of medium and large offices will be accessed starting in the third year of operation. Sales will be driven by the basic office cleaning service. Based on the previous success of Reid Werbitt as a seller of commercial cleaning, these projections are reasonable, as Werbitt sold $2 million in cleaning services in his last full year at JAN-PRO. The additional services will be sold as add-ons to clients who purchase office cleaning. It is estimated that 50% of clients will purchase some additional services.

The forecast is also supported by the fact that, after the first year of operations, medium offices will be targeted as well, increasing the rate of growth as each sale will bring a higher square footage of space to clean.

Direct costs include the labor of cleaning crew members and the cleaning crew head, cleaning supplies and gasoline or other transit costs for crew and equipment. Cleaning Crew Head supervision of jobs is expected to cost 5% of sales and Cleaning Crew (Hourly) wages for the execution of cleanings is expected to cost 27.5% of sales.

To ensure that sales are profitable, Werbitt will not be compensated on commission by sales, but by profits, after a reasonable base salary. This will keep gross margins around the industry average of 68%.

Reid Werbitt will head the sales activities, including prospecting and networking to generate leads. Paul Vinci will manage the marketing and promotional activities including two trade shows (in January and February), the TV ad production (through a video production vendor), initial search engine optimization (through an SEO vendor), and the coupon campaign, which will cover three months of basic office cleaning for small-office clients.

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Paul Vinci and Reid Werbitt will be the initial managers of the company. Paul Vinci has ten years experience as store manager of a cleaning supply store, where he managed a staff of ten and was responsible for marketing, operations, and human resources. He will continue to manage those departments at Clean Office Pros and his title will be CEO.

Reid Werbitt will manage sales and be the lead salesperson for the early operations of the firm. He has ten years experience as an account executive for JAN-PRO, a commercial cleaning business. Werbitt’s title will be Chief of Sales.

Financial management will be through a part-time accountant during the early operations of the firm.

Personnel Plan

The business will begin with minimal salaried staff, with most work performed by the two founders. The founders will be compensated through reasonable base salaries and will receive compensation through dividends and the growth of the business.

In the first year, an accountant will serve the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In the second year, this will become a part-time position which will grow into a full-time position in the third year.

The operations assistant will be a basic administrative assistant focusing on the fulfillment of cleaning services, scheduling, quality assurance procedures, and human resources needs.

Total staff full-time equivalent on this chart include cleaning crew who work on an hourly basis and have their payroll assigned as costs of sales. One Cleaning Crew Head will be hired at the outset of the company, an additional Crew Head will be hired in the second year and a third in the third year. Each will oversee crews of one to four members, and can also supplement their supervision responsibilities as members of crews under other supervisors. Cleaning crew members will grow from five in number at the outset of the business to 11 on average in the second year and 16 on average in the third year. All of these hourly staff will be hired when at least 20 hours per week of work is available, but their overtime will be limited. The business will hire additional employees rather than use significant overtime.

Cleaning crew will receive healthy base salaries as well as quarterly bonuses based on performance ratings from both their supervising cleaning crew head and clients. Crew heads will receive performance ratings from the company managers and clients to determine their quarterly bonuses.

Once the company reaches a sustainable level of profitability, the owners want to offer a health benefits plan for their employees, but this is not included within the plan’s estimated expenses at this time.

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Clean Office Pros will grow significantly, even over the first three years of operation, by taking advantage of the opportunity presented by its first target market, small offices, and leveraging its success there with medium and large offices. Growth of about $300,000 is expected in sales from the first year to second and over $400,000 from the second year to third.

Financing for this growth will come from the free cash flows generated by the healthy margins in this business once break-even volume has been achieved in the first year.

By the fifth year of operation, the business will be well positioned for a strategic sale to a commercial cleaning franchise (one of the competitors discussed earlier) interested in expanding its expertise with small businesses. At this point an exit will be possible for investors and the original owners.

Start-up Funding

Start-up funding will come in part from the financing of the initial purchases (delivery van, computer and cleaning equipment), and from credit card debt.

Break-even Analysis

Each cleaning service offered has a healthy margin and a break even will occur around 552 units sold per month. This represents 512,000 square feet of offices or around 600 small business clients (or 400 small business and 100 medium business clients). At this point, work will be both over night and on weekends, with an average of 16 clients cleaned per day by shift workers. Six crews will be needed to provide this amount of service.

Projected Profit and Loss

Gross margins will remain relatively stable and grow slightly as better margin business (medium and large offices) is sought out and better prices are established with vendors for volume discounts. The first year will represent a net profit of $71,000 which will continue to grow.

Projected Cash Flow

Cash flow before dividends will be positive in the first year. Five months of negative cash flow are required for marketing activities to take hold before they show a greater effect on sales. Dividends can be paid out beginning in month nine to investors.

Accounts receivable will be collected in 30 days, but 45 days average has been given to be conservative.

Investment will be continually made in additional cleaning equipment and delivery vans to enable more cleaning crew to work. Furthermore, by the end of the first year, the office will expand to allow for additional storage and staff.

Projected Balance Sheet

The net worth of the business will grow significantly over the first three years of operation as the business will be primarily financed by its own earnings and not need to take on a great deal of new debt. The debt that is taken on will be financing for the purchases of new cleaning equipment and delivery vans, primarily.

Additional capital is not required over the first three years of operation as the free cash flows from the business will support the business.

Business Ratios

This table shows ratios for the three years of the plan compared to the janitorial services businesses of similar revenues. Clean Office Pros expects to improve on industry profitability, as shown in this table, even with slightly higher spending on S G A and advertising as a percentage of sales. Gross margins will be slightly better than the comparable industry gross margins.

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