If you are considering starting a cleaning business, there are several fundamental decisions you will need to make. Affordability, profitability, deciding if you want to go into a commercial or residential business. Also, choosing to operate as an independent business or a franchise establishment. These are some of the basic questions you to need to answer from the outset. Here are some things to consider with each:
Commercial vs. residential cleaning business
The first step in deciding what type cleaning business you want to pursue is knowing the difference between commercial and residential cleaning. As you can imagine, a residential cleaning service specializes in cleaning and sanitizing homes. Bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and floors are all areas of the home cleaned by these businesses, using brooms, mops, dusters and cleaning solutions. These businesses tend to have smaller staffs and operate at a slower pace than commercial cleaners.
Commercial cleaning businesses clean spaces such as offices, buildings or retail stores and can also involve janitorial service. There is a wider range of areas to clean, from floors and carpeting to bathrooms, workspaces and storefronts. Jobs tend to be greater in scope, require larger, industrial equipment and can involve specialized cleaning services to treat areas with water or fire damage.
Cost
Operating a cleaning franchise can be less expensive than many other businesses. That is mainly due to not having a physical location and taking your services to the customer. Initial costs for some cleaning franchises can range from $200,000 to $300,000, although they vary depending on company, location and if they offer commercial or residential cleaning services. Like all new businesses, you should account for certain startup expenses such as insurance, equipment and transportation.
Profitability
Due to the startup costs mentioned above, when starting a cleaning business, it is important to have enough cash flow to cover your initial expenses for at least several months. After taking these factors into consideration, it is possible for a cleaning business to start making money within several months. Once the business is established, a cleaning company can be very profitable. Again, factors such as the size of a customer base, marketing, staff size, service fees and operating a commercial versus residential business all determine how profitable a company will be.
Deciding to franchise with a commercial cleaning company enhances your chances for financial success. If you don’t have a background in the field, they provide instruction, training and ongoing support. Instead of venturing off on your own, a franchise provides you with a built-in customer base through the benefit of name recognition, regional or national marketing programs, as well as established procedures and guidelines already in place.
Enviro-Master is the leading commercial cleaning franchise organization with a unique focus on health and safety while servicing more than 30,000 businesses across the country each week. Collectively, Enviro-Master franchisees generated more than $54 million in revenue in 2018. Franchises like Enviro-Master give their owners the best chances for a successful and profitable career. In a growing industry with a constant demand for service, partnering with a commercial cleaning franchise provides you with the tools to succeed. If you would like to know more about a low-cost commercial cleaning franchise, click here to learn about franchise opportunities with Enviro-Master.
