The cleaning industry offers various opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs to start their own business. Whether you’re interested in starting a residential cleaning business, launching a commercial janitorial cleaning service, or even tapping into the niche market of power washing, there’s a cleaning business model for everyone.
In this blog, we’ll explore different types of
✔ Cleaning businesses,
✔ Discuss strategies to automate and manage them, and provide
✔ Examples of real-life cleaning brands like Therasoothe Cleaning and Callegari,
which were successfully launched by Exter Marketing.
Different Types of Cleaning Businesses In USA
The cleaning industry is versatile, with various niches to cater to different customer needs. Here are some of the most common types of cleaning businesses you can start:
Residential Cleaning Business
A residential cleaning business focuses on providing cleaning services for homes. This can include:
- Regular housekeeping services (weekly, biweekly, or monthly).
- Deep cleaning services for kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
- Move-in/move-out cleaning services.
Many homeowners prefer hiring professional cleaners to save time and ensure their homes are well-maintained. This type of cleaning business is relatively low-cost to start, making it one of the most popular options.
Commercial Janitorial Cleaning Business
Commercial janitorial cleaning services cater to offices, schools, hospitals, and other public or commercial spaces. These services generally include:
- General cleaning tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, and sanitizing.
- Cleaning restrooms, lobbies, and common areas.
- Specialized cleaning, like carpet and window cleaning.
Commercial cleaning businesses often have larger clients and consistent, long-term contracts, making them highly profitable. With a good cleaning business plan, you can develop lasting partnerships with corporations.
Power Washing Business
A power washing business specializes in cleaning outdoor surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, building exteriors, and parking lots. Power washing is particularly effective for:
- Removing dirt, mold, and mildew from buildings and concrete surfaces.
- Preparing surfaces for painting or renovation.
The startup costs for a power washing business are higher due to the equipment needed, but this niche can be quite lucrative with high demand in both residential and commercial markets.
Specialized Cleaning Services
If you’re looking to stand out from traditional cleaning businesses, you might want to consider a specialized niche. Examples include:
- Carpet cleaning.
- Window washing.
- Post-construction cleaning.
- Medical facility cleaning (requires specialized training).
These niches often require specialized equipment or expertise, but they also offer higher profit margins and less competition.
2. Starting Your Residential or Commercial Janitorial Cleaning Business
Starting your own residential cleaning business or commercial janitorial cleaning service requires careful planning and strategy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started.
A. Market Research and Business Plan Development
Before you start your cleaning business, conduct thorough market research. Identify your target market, evaluate competitors, and estimate the demand for cleaning services in your area. Use these insights to develop a solid cleaning business plan, which should include:
- Business goals and objectives.
- Marketing strategies.
- Pricing structures.
- Financial projections.
B. Implementing Brand Communication Strategy
Branding plays a crucial role in establishing your cleaning business in the market. When ExterMarketing launched Therasoothe Cleaning, a residential and commercial cleaning brand, they focused on offering eco-friendly cleaning solutions and positioned the brand to attract health-conscious homeowners and business owners. This unique branding helped them stand out in the crowded cleaning industry.
Your cleaning business should have a memorable brand name, a strong online presence, and professional marketing materials like business cards and flyers.
C. Legal and Administrative Steps
Ensure that your cleaning business complies with local regulations. You’ll need to:
- Register your business with the appropriate authorities.
- Get the necessary permits and licenses.
- Purchase insurance to cover accidents or damages.
Don’t forget to draft client contracts outlining the services provided, payment terms, and liability disclaimers.
D. Service Checklists and Quality Control
A cleaning service checklist is essential to ensure consistency and quality in your work. Create a detailed checklist for each service package you offer, such as general cleaning, deep cleaning, or specialized services. Regularly review your work to ensure you meet your clients’ expectations.
3. Automate and Manage Your Cleaning Business
Running a cleaning business efficiently requires good management, and automation can make this easier. Using management software for scheduling, invoicing, and client communication will streamline your operations and save you time.
Tools to Help Manage Your Business:
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: Manage client information, track job progress, and communicate effectively with clients.
- Scheduling Tools: Automate bookings, manage staff availability, and avoid scheduling conflicts.
- Invoicing and Payment Solutions: Automate billing and offer clients easy payment options like credit cards, PayPal, or direct deposits.
You can use CRM’s Like Exterly.io To Automate Your Cleaning Business.
Exter Marketing successfully integrated these tools into the cleaning business Therasoothe Cleaning, helping to ensure smooth operations and satisfied clients.
4. Power Washing: A Niche with High Demand
Power washing is another lucrative niche within the cleaning industry. Specializing in cleaning exterior surfaces, power washing can be highly profitable, particularly in areas with high demand for outdoor cleaning services.
Starting a Power Washing Business
Exter Marketing launched Callegari, a successful power washing cleaning brand that focused on commercial spaces such as malls, hospitals, and office buildings. Power washing is highly effective for:
- Cleaning building exteriors, including brick and siding.
- Removing grime, mold, and mildew from sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.
- Prepping surfaces for painting or sealing.
Equipment and Costs
Starting a power washing business requires investment in professional-grade equipment, including pressure washers, hoses, and cleaning solutions. However, the return on investment is often high, as power washing commands premium pricing due to the equipment and expertise involved.
Marketing Your Power Washing Business
To grow a power washing business, marketing is key. Create targeted campaigns, showing before-and-after images to demonstrate the effectiveness of your services. Use cleaning service marketing strategies like SEO to ensure your business ranks high on search engines when potential clients search for power washing services in your area.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to start a residential cleaning business, commercial janitorial service, or a power washing business, the opportunities in the cleaning industry are vast. From market research and brand development to automating and managing your business, each step is essential for your success. Real-life examples, like Exter Marketing’s launches of Therasoothe Cleaning and Callegari, demonstrate how branding and strategy play key roles in building a profitable business of cleaning.
