business plan for janitorial cleaning

Sample Janitorial and Commercial Cleaning Business Plan

Example commercial cleaning & janitorial service business plan.

This is a comprehensive tutorial on putting together a sample janitorial & commercial cleaning service business plan. This template can be used by cleaning services, janitorial service, commercial cleaning specialty and carpet cleaning businesses.

The goal was to write out a custom business plan using practical information and cover the main topics.

Some of the topics were too big and we had to use an introduction and then provide a link to the full resource. Every section has a link to view details of specific sections.

The plan divided into 6 sections:

• Business Description

Table of Contents

Commercial Cleaning- Janitorial, Carpet Cleaning, VCT, Tile, Office Cleaning

In the executive summary we list all the main sections and then give a brief description of the topic.

• Business Description – Next Door commercial cleaning service located in Toledo Ohio and was incorporated as an S Corp July 2020. We are currently in the start up stage with August 1st 2020 as our first day of business. We currently have 3 employees, one marketing person and 2 cleaning technicians. ND currently leases 5 000 sqr feet of office and warehouse space out of Toledo. Our current target market is employers with 50- 100 plus employees, primarily professional offices with cleanable office space of 10,000 sqr feet minimum.
• Services – Next Door will provide daily cleaning services to local businesses including an emphasis on specialty cleaning services such as : Carpet cleaning, hard tile cleaning, VCT waxing, furniture and general disinfecting. Most businesses don’t have the time to recruit, hire and especially training cleaning staff. It can take 3-6 months to train a good cleaner, this is time, money most businesses would rather devote to their specialty and their clients and not on maintaining a clean building.
• Marketing – The company is going to use Account Based Marketing, what this means is weighting our budget to best payoffs. The strategy is to shift our resources to the biggest payoff and not market to every business equally. Some businesses will spend $1200 year, while others might spend $50k. We want our marketing plan to reflect that . This can really hit home – if we apply 80% of our effort to just 20% of our leads (our Key Accounts) we will receive 80% of the  rewards.
• Management – As we grow especially in commercial services where its common for businesses to have 10, 20 and even hundreds of employees. We want to avoid this first slide of every employee, every customer, invoice, equipment question coming to you directly. This is guaranteed to fail eventually and create lots of stress in the process.
• Operations – Commercial cleaning employee manual or handbook, this can be used for janitorial, carpet cleaning and commercial cleaning services. The purpose of this sample is to share some topics and general information to include in an employee manual.
• Financial – The financial part is the final part of the business plan and here we will use charts, graphs and spreadsheets mainly to map out a long term successful future.

1.Business Plan- Summary

Next Door commercial cleaning service located in Toledo Ohio and was incorporated as an S Corp July 2020. We are currently in the start up stage with August 1 st 2020 as our first day of business. We currently have 3 employees, one marketing person and 2 cleaning technicians. ND currently leases 5 000 sqr feet of office and warehouse space out of Toledo.

Our current target market is employers with 50- 100 plus employees, primarily professional offices with cleanable office space of 10,000 sqr feet minimum.

Client sustainability is going to be the main variable to consider when deciding which business to market to. We want to be thinking of industries that will be in business for the next 20 years.

Medical, clinics, doctor, technology, professional services like architect, law, financial. We see these as basic services that will survive the ups and downs of the macro economy. The main threat long term is the use of remote workers but we feel this is still a long ways out in large numbers.

Next Door plans to be diverse offering daily building cleaning services and also high margin specialty services. We believe this mix will balance our revenue/profits out over long term macro changes.

1.1 Industry Overview

Currently the retail sector of the industry is a mess and very difficult to make work. As more people continue to buy online retail stores continue to close stores and significantly cut back on cleaning budgets.

Right this second hospitality is also in shambles with pandemic and government ordered shutdowns or limitations on capacity. This includes restaurants, hotels, leisure, etc. We believe there will be permanent damage to this sector and will stay away for the first couple years. Even when they do get back on their feet they will be keeping budgets tight.

Industrial businesses are hit and miss, really depends on the specific product they make. This will be a sector ND will keep in the marketing mix

Medical, including hospitals clinics and doctor services are always needed and with an aging population only will be needed more. The only risk long term is more doctors using online tools to speak with patients but they will always need to see patients face to face somewhat.

Professional services including technology, lawyers, engineers, management, etc is one of the safest in our opinion long term. These are services that can’t be replaced easily by future robots. These services require thinking and not just repeating tasks. The risk is remote staffing but we feel in large numbers there will always be enough office space needed.

Commercial Property Management is currently experiencing a lot of financial problems with 20-30% of tenants not paying leases. We will be avoiding this sector over the short term.

1.2 Company Description

Next Door is an S Corporation formed in the state of Georgia with 2 shareholders Jason & Lisa Jones. The state or city does not require any special permits or licenses. The company will provide building cleaning services to other businesses.

The office/shop is located in between 2 main thruways giving access to all areas throughout the metro area within 30 minutes. This was a major reason for choosing this location, it is centrally located. Also with commercial cleaning businesses we needed warehouse space to hold various equipment and store misc cleaning products.

 Office is currently leased for 5 years.

Most cleaning staff will report directly to the buildings they service and not come to the office often. The office will be staffed with marketing, management and human resources. Supervisors will share workspace in the office but mainly work in the field at client buildings.

Because of this we only needed 3000 sqr feet of office space and 2000 sqr ft of warehouse.

Mission Statement Our goal is to provide a clean and healthy environment for our customers through state of the art cleaning technology and a commitment to customer service Method Clean Biz

Safety is a priority for our customers and employees, while in your facility we follow a detailed health & safety program, This insures quality service, happy employees and competitive prices.

One of the things Next Door wants to be about is safety, this is as a value proposition for marketing but also be aggressive in training, supervising employees through monthly safety meetings. We feel this is a topic that will be important in the forseeable future.

Also the large employers we target are generally the ones that care about safety. Under 50 employees you will start to see the topic be less and less important.

1.3 History and Current Status

The company is a start a up and we don’t have any history to share. Jason and partner Lisa Jones started the company August 1 st 2020. Jason has worked in the commercial cleaning industry for 20 years as a former franchise owner, operations manager and salesperson for 2 different businesses in the industry.

Lisa is a former office manager and salesperson for a landscaping service for 7 years with an MBA from Georgia University.

Jason feels after 20 years in the industry with practical real life experience in various management roles that the industry is changing and one variable is to focus more on high margin project work to combine with lower margin cleaning contracts.

Lisa has an MBA and can add the business structure needed to grow and sustain long term growth.

Both have experience in sales specifically in the service industry and know how to market, sell contracts.

1.4 Goals and Objectives

The goal is to build the business to about $1.5 million in sales with an owner benefit of about 20% which equals about $300k in benefits, wages and profit for the shareholders. The timeline is 5 years with a slower rate in the first 2 years while they are building the core infrastructure and then dramatically scale that up in years 3-5 after the core is solid.

One of the experiences Jason has had is small businesses growing too fast too early and then crashing because they don’t have enough management in place. Often owners try to do everything themselves and burn out.

1.5 Critical Success Factors

The key to success in the cleaning industry is human resources, people. Recruiting, hiring, training and supervising staff and also developing management, supervision talent in house. We feel the best way to grow and sustain it long term is by developing our cleaners into supervisors.

Each lead person is creating the next lead person. Trying to hire supervisor’s from other cleaning businesses comes with a lot of challenges, some have bad habits to begin with that are difficult to change. Also run the risk they quit after a short time and have information about the internal workings of the business and client lists, training material etc.

Training and supervision will be key success factors. The challenge In the cleaning business is employees are working at the customers location, mainly unsupervised on an hour by hour basis. This is why hiring the right people in the first place is so critical and then getting them in a routine through training.

We will create a culture of everyone sticking together and supporting each other. With 90% of the workforce working remotely it becomes important we communicate with each other on a regular basis and trust each other.

There will be a big emphasis on communicating nightly through email, text, phone so employees are tuned in.

1.6 Company Ownership and Exit

The company has 2 shareholders with Lisa owning 40% of the shares and Jason 60%. Each has the option to buy the other out at an agreed upon price after 5 years. Shares cannot be sold to a third party unless agreed to by both.

Jason will hold the title of CEO and have direct authority over Operations dept. Lisa will have the title of President with administrative and Sales/Marketing directly reporting to her.

The long term plan is operate the business for approximately 15 years and sell to the general public splitting the sale price 60/40.

2. Services

Next Door will provide daily cleaning services to local businesses including an emphasis on specialty cleaning services such as : Carpet cleaning, hard tile cleaning, VCT waxing, furniture and general disinfecting.

Most businesses don’t have the time to recruit, hire and especially training cleaning staff. It can take 3-6 months to train a good cleaner, this is time, money most businesses would rather devote to their specialty and their clients and not on maintaining a clean building.

The 2 nd part is specialty work. Most businesses do not want to invest $10ks of dollars of capital into cleaning equipment that is used 1x month or maybe even only a couple times a year. Also the training of employees required, again for a task that might only need to be done a couple times a year.

Businesses would rather spend that capital on areas where there is a much bigger payoff.

2.1 Service Description

• Daily janitorial and office cleaning
• Carpet steam cleaning truckmount
• Carpet cleaning low moisture
• Hard surface steam cleaning including ceramic, porcelain and quarry tile
• VCT floor waxing, polishing
• Office furniture steam cleaning
• Disinfecting services

Daily Janitorial and office cleaning

The company feels the key to success in daily cleaning is one initial training and two communication. Often cleaning businesses are small and lack management talent, understaffed and overall desperate for bodies on any given day.

We feel the competitive advantage is in training cleaners not only the technical skills but also the importance of service skills. Often clients will like a cleaner and think they are the greatest in the world even if their technical skills are average.

NEXT DOOR wants to make this a key part of training cleaning staff. Some of the training elements will be uniform, appearance, communication with the client, body language, how to address complaints, safety equipment like wet floor signs, tone to use when speaking with clients, etc.

Training will take approximately 3-6 months with technical training only taking 30% of the time. The company feels not only will we have happier clients but cut down on employee turnover by reducing the stress. We feel by training employee’s customer service skills they will also feel like we care about them and want to see them succeed in life in general.

More than anything clients want to know you care and we want to focus on training staff to be proactive in relaying that message. Most clients understand people are human and will make technical mistakes. BUT it is unacceptable to not care about a client building or the staff that works in that building when they are paying you.

2 nd Key element is communication. Most cleaning employees work remotely and does not interact with management on a daily basis. This more than anything can lead to cleaners feeling like nobody is watching and worse nobody cares.

The company is going to be very aggressive in creating a communication system so we interact with every cleaner, every day in some way. Either by a supervisor stopping by, calling, texting or maybe even email in some situations. Our thinking currently is daily text alerts mixed with phone calls.

Carpet Steam Cleaning- Truckmount

The company will invest almost $40k in a van based carpet cleaning system. This system will allow us to steam clean carpets at a very high level of quality and production. With advanced systems we can have a 10 on quality and a 10 in production. This system can also clean up to 300 feet away from the van, targeting large employers we will need to work at great distances on a regular basis.

Carpet Cleaning- Low Moisture

An emerging and often overlooked service is using low moisture technology to clean carpets. With this service the company can sell high margin services at an affordable price. Often in larger buildings access can be a problem or they need the area turned over quickly, low moisture provides a quick 30 minute dry time.

Hard Tile Steam Cleaning

Using the van based carpet cleaning system we can quickly change tools and offer steam cleaning of various tools. This is another high margin service to offer and it makes the daily office cleaning a lot easier and quicker.

Often these areas are the toughest areas to clean: restrooms, lobbies, cafeterias and also the areas that receive the most complaints.

The long term goal is create a route just cleaning hard tile surfaces, the benefit is it’s a high margin service and also can help get our foot in the door to sell big monthly cleaning contracts.

VCT Floor waxing, Polishing

VCT flooring is usually located in high traffic areas like hallways, cafeterias and restrooms. We have found the overall appearance of a building can be greatly impacted by having shiny, clean looking floors. This can be accomplished by stripping old finish off and applying new or high speed polishing.

How clients “feel” about a cleaning service overall can come from how well a cafeteria floor looks. This is medium profit margin service in most cases because how labor intensive it can be. But can help greatly in the overall satisfaction of clients.

Office Furniture Cleaning

Office furniture is another high margin but niche service. The company will use the van based truckmount system in most cases to keep production high. This can include partitions, chairs and small sofas

2.2 Competitive Advantage

In section 2.1 we covered what we believe our competitive advantage is for janitorial and daily office cleaning.

Specialty cleaning services: carpet cleaning, upholstery, office furniture, VCT, hard surface cleaning has some of the same focus but there are two key points to make.

Two things we have found true with specialty services is most janitorial businesses are not very good at them. The main reasons are lack of training in staff and equipment. We believe in buying the highest production equipment available and spending considerable resources in training of technicians.

These two variables can give NEXT DOOR a significant advantage over competitors and get our foot in the door for janitorial services at client buildings of competitors.

#1 Using van based truckmounted system and also current low moisture carpet cleaning systems.

#2 Using dedicated technicians that have been through specialized training at certified organizations like the IICRC.

Often janitorial services will send general cleaners out to complete these tasks with limited training and modest equipment.

3. Marketing Plan

Marketing is a huge subject in itself, we already have a large section with a specific marketing plan. In this section we will give a brief overview and then the link to the full marketing plan.

3.1 Marketing Research

Toldeo Ohio metro area is the designated service area. Toledo has a total of 18,000 businesses but we need to narrow that number down to a manageable number.

Key Accounts – businesses with 100+ employees = 328

Businesses with 50 + = 659

Key Account total = 987 businesses

These represent where we will dedicate 75% of our budget and resources

Growth Accounts- businesses with 10 -50 employees = 4300

These are growing businesses that we will dedicate roughly 15% of our budget too. Remember some of them will grow to 50 employees over the long term.

Advertising – misc. advertsing will receive the smallest piece of the pie of 10%. This will include google, adwords, social media etc. The reason is we can’t control always who calls from a big advertising campaign, some will be big and most small but its still an opportunity for PR/Marketing and fill in gaps. 

3.2 Competitors- High Barriers To Entry

Part of our marketing strategy is coming up with areas that are difficult for our competitors to easily repeat. If there is one thing we know about human behavior its if something is easy everyone will do it. So we want to look for tactics that are very difficult for our competitors to do.

Difficult to do: targeting businesses with 50 plus employees is a key part of this strategy. Most commercial cleaning services will find it very hard to do consistently over long periods of time. One of the biggest reasons is patience, larger jobs take a lot more patience and lets face it most cleaners are not very patient and our current society is built for on demand.

EASY To Do:

• Lead generation service
• Google search adwords
• Facebook marketing

HARD To Do:

• Telemarketing
• Door to Door sales
• Highly Targeted Google display ads
• Direct Mail

3.3 Sales Plan

6 Simple Steps To Creating a Commercial Cleaning Sales Plan

How to create a commercial cleaning sales plan, this can apply to commercial cleaning, carpet cleaning and janitorial services. We are going to cover 6 steps to creating a dedicated sales plan we can follow every day, month and year. A sales plan is meant to be a living document that as we learn will be updated and improved over time.

Step 1 What is our objective or financial goal?

Step 2 What Resources are available, what is your commitment level?

Step 3 Targeting, who are the types of businesses you will focus on?

Step 4 Services, what services will you focus on?

Step 5 Activity Log- What physical actions will you take on a daily/weekly/monthly rotation

Step 6 Training- What Training do you need to accomplish your goals?

3.4 Pricing Strategy

Pricing Strategy- After deciding on a goal we then can create a pricing strategy.

Cost Plus – we figure our costs for a job and then add our gross margin. Our gross margin goals will be as follows

• Specialty cleaning  jobs including carpet, tile, furniture and VCT- gross profit- 70%
• Small cleaning jobs less than $10k per year- 60% profit
• Medium jobs- $10k – $30k per year – 50% profit
• Large Jobs- $30k plus- 40% profit

The reason is smaller jobs require much more office support in fill in staff, supervision, training, supplies, etc.

Larger jobs are self contained with a team leader working on site at a client building to provide all those tasks.Supervisor will inspect 1x week.

Square foot – sqr ft or unit pricing is best when you have experience with a specific service and type of client. Sqr ft pricing will be used using the above gross profit goals.

Time and Materials – or another way to use this is hours X hourly rate. This is often used when you are unfamiliar with a service or type of client building. This strategy will be used when we are unfamiliar with a job, misc tasks, obscure requests and 1x jobs.

3.5 Sales Strategy

Strategy section: objective is increase cashflow, measure by percentage increase, goal is 30%. How do I increase our cash flow? How does this change our sales strategy?

 In commercial cleaning, carpet cleaning or janitorial cashflow is extremely important, maybe the most important challenge we face. What happens whenever taking on a new project is we have costs of labor, chemicals, equipment, gas but might not see a payment for 30, 60 or even 90 days. First is the data or analytical part, we currently are at 22% and in previous months hovered around 24% but now need to greatly increase that.

How to: look at the current client list, is there a pattern with accounts that fall below our goals? Reduce invoice terms, is there a pattern of industries, sizes or areas that are paying in terms greater than 30 days net? Change our terms to 15 days net for all one time jobs, these are usually specialty cleaning services carpet cleaning, windows, small construction projects.

Over time I think most of us find certain industries have industry logic built in that it is commonplace to pay in certain invoice cycles. This is fine but something we have to think about as we grow.

For example you are currently cleaning a lot of property managers and they are all paying 60 days plus, that might be a situation where its time to stop marketing to that group and find a new target

3.6 Sales Forecasting

This is a quick video on using forecasting to determine when it is time to hire a new technician. Often us contractors wait until the last minute to hire new staff and that usually doesnt work out too well. Regardless if hiring a part, full time or casual employee its always best to plant the seed and start the process months before we actually need someone.

The easiest way is to create a table in word or spreadsheet in excel or just take a piece of paper and a pencil. This is an example of a sales forecasting table separate by 3 columns. Customer, estimate amount and probability or forecast.

In the first column list name of the customer or bid, examples medical building, restaurant and property management account. Second column list the gross amount of the bid, in this example we put $1000 dollars for medical, $12000 restaurant and $3000 for property management company. The total comes to $16,000.

To forecast list low,medium and high of 25 percent%, 50 percent % and 75 percent %. Now this is subjective, sometimes we win low % bids and lose bids we think we have nailed down, it happens.

At this point its time to start placing ads, time to collect and read resumes, interview the best applicants. You want to have all this pre-planned and set up 2 weeks, 2months and 4 months in advanced so when the work does come in you have a list of contacts to put in place.

4. Management

4.1 company organization.

As we grow especially in commercial services where its common for businesses to have 10, 20 and even hundreds of employees. We want to avoid this first slide of every employee, every customer, invoice, equipment question coming to you directly. This is guaranteed to fail eventually and create lots of stress in the process.

This second example is more of a traditional organizational chart for a commercial cleaning service, janitorial service. In this slide we show 3 departments: operations, sales and administration. You can see a big difference right away in this structure, instead of every employee reporting directly to you, now they report to the managers and the manager’s report to you.

The Operations Manager will have all the supervisors, team leaders, technicians, specialty cleaners and cleaning staff reporting directly to them.

Sales Person might have 1-2 assistants working for them setting appointments, sending out direct mail, emails etc. Often these can be part-time staff that either work inside sales setting appointments over the phone or outside sales/networker going door to door and attending events.

Office Manager or Administration might have the bookkeeper and 1-2 office assistants helping with employee interviews, HR, fact checking resumes etc. Note, some owners prefer to have the bookkeeper/financial staff next to them and report directly to owner and not under admin.

4.2 Professional Support

The company needs to make a list of various vendors, suppliers and professional services. Below is a starting list of vendors will need to hire.

• Accountant/ Tax
• Financial advisor
• Equipment supplier
• Day to day cleaning solutions supplier Main
• Back up supplier
• Payroll service
• Credit card
• Credit card processing
• Website hosting
• Digital marketing
• Design marketing
• CRM provider
• Technical consultants – IICRC or ISSA
• Business specialty consultants
• Phone service
• Van mechanic- tires, inspection, etc.

4.3 Management Structure

In this section we will show some examples of organizational charts to structure a commercial cleaning, janitorial or commercial carpet cleaning service.

5. Operations

5.1 employee handbook.

Commercial cleaning employee manual or handbook, this can be used for janitorial, carpet cleaning and commercial cleaning services. The purpose of this sample is to share some topics and general information to include in an employee manual.

** Note this is not a legal document and any employee manual should be customized and verified with a local consultant or lawyer based on your specific state laws.

Welcome to Commercial Cleaning Service!

On behalf of our big family of fellow associates, owner, vendors, customers and management we want to welcome you to our team.

At Commercial Cleaning Service, we believe that every associate contributes to our growth and are also rewarded equally. We want every team member to take pride in driving our van, wearing our uniform and serving our customers to the best of your ability.

This employee handbook is a simple way to describe the expectations of our team members and outline the policy and procedures we follow to provide the absolute best service experience possible.

All associates are expected to become familiar with the contents of this handbook in the first 30 days of employment and share all questions they may have with management.

Topics to be covered:

• Timekeeping
• Direct deposit
• Termination
• Phone usage
• Equipment usage

5.2 Recruiting, Hiring and Interview Process

How to hire employees for your commercial cleaning service. The goal is to create a flow chart to map out the hiring process, I find it very helpful to be able to see processes and map out the different steps involved. I feel it helps a lot in understanding and the actual follow through.

The 10 Essential Steps To Hiring Amazing Employees For Your Commercial Cleaning Service

• Job opening

Job Description

• Create Database

Find Recruits

Phone Interview

Onsite Interview

The first step is determining we have a job opening or several job openings and writing a job description. A job description has the basic tasks involved, hours/days, full time or part time, any certification or education requirements.

Identify the type of person we would like to hire. Some positions require a detail minded person while others need a lot of physical labor. It is our job to find good matches of the recruits with the position.

Before running ads we want to create a database to hold all of this information and make it easily searchable in the future. Often we will have several qualified candidates but only one opening currently and want to find the other candidates later on.

Run Advertisements

Decide where we will run advertisements on, for how long and what is our total budget. The best place to start is referrals of course by sharing on social media and through email blasts of our current database and reaching out to former candidates. Some options for advertising are indeed, monster, local newspaper.

Go over the resumes and score the best qualified candidates for contact.

I personally like the phone interview first to reach out and get a feel for the candidate, ask a couple basic questions and make sure they understand the job description.

This will depend on the position of course, next an onsite face to face interview. Also can meet in a coffee shop, some people prefer a relaxed setting so candidates are more comfortable.

Go over all the information and make a final decision.

This is where we have the new employee fill out required paperwork, insurance, sign off on employee manual’s and layout the next steps.

5.3 Safety Meetings

The goal of this template is to create a 12 step safety manual with meetings on a monthly basis covering different topics. Cleaning businesses encounter several situations at clients building’s, company shop, office and driving to commercial carpet & tile cleaning jobs.

12 Month Health & Safety

Month 1 Introduction

The purpose of this health and safety program is to establish company standards for working in client buildings, driving in company vehicles and working in company office/shop.

The company has identified 12 key topics to be covered in monthly safety meetings that all employees must attend. It is intended that this manual is a “living” document to be upgraded and added to with input from employees, owners and managers.

• Introduction
• PPE- personal protective wear
• Electrical Cords
• Work area signs, tape
• Vans/Equipment maintenance
• SDS Sheets, Chemical storage, mixing

5.4 Employee Compensation

Often, we try to reward employee behavior through bonus programs and focus on one specific performance at a time, for example an attendance bonus.

In this example instead, we are going to create a Balanced Scorecard using a point system. The difference is we will have 5 different performances instead of focusing on only one.

The points vary from poor to satisfactory to excellent and at the end of the review we will add the points up give a financial bonus based on the number of points.

The five variables we will be using in this bonus evaluation are

• Inspections
• Customer Survey or Review

The Top 5 Performance Evaluations

Attendance- Attendance will depend on if the employee is full time or part time. I think we definitely have to weight this somehow. We could deduct a point for every day missed but honestly anymore than 1 is too many and even 1 is not good.

On Time- I understand some cleaning jobs when they clock in doesn’t matter a lot but for project work like carpet cleaning, floor work, etc. often clients are waiting for us, so it is critical.

Inspections- This can be a weekly or monthly inspection you would normally have. To make this easier I would just use a 5 point system or grades A,B, C,D,F and then transfer that to the scorecard.

Equipment- will depend on the type of service, for office cleaners we will be mainly looking at floor machines and maintaining vacuums.

For project work though like carpet cleaning, tile cleaning the equipment is critical and cost upwards of $50k plus. In that case I would weight it much higher than an office cleaning position.

Customer Survey or Review- This will break down between residential and commercial cleaning services. With residential nowadays reviews have become very important in digital advertising.

5.5 Inventory

The company will use an inventory control system made with excel spreadsheets managed by the operations manager. Inventory will be made on a 30 day cycle and 14 day cycle when cashflow is tighter in the first 2 years.

• On site inventory will be delivered and maintained by the building supervisor on a weekly basis. Cleaners and team leaders are to submit to supervisor supply needs and supervisor hands in worksheet to operations manager.
• Specialty Cleaners working out of shop will complete an inventory checklist daily and hand in to operations manager.

5.6 Credit Policy and Cashflow

The company will extend terms to clients following the sales strategy explained above.

Standard 30 days net

Exceptions 60 day net

60 day plus only authorized by CEO

Specialty cleaning jobs recurring 15-30 day net

1x Specialty jobs due on receipt to 7 day net maximum.

The company will follow this policy regarding tracking accounts receivable and payable

Complete an aging receivable at least monthly to track how much of your money is tied up in credit given to customers, and to alert you to slow payment problems.

Also tracking accounts payable using the same format.

Current- 30 day- 60 Day- 60 day + – Charge offs

6. Financials

The financial part is the final part of the business plan and here we will use charts, graphs and spreadsheets mainly to map out a long term successful future.

The main topics we will cover are:

• Start up funds and 1 st year
• Income statement
• Break even point
• Balance Sheet

6.1 Start up and 1st Year

In this section we think about all the money we will need to start up including 1x cost and monthly cost.

GENERAL/ADMIN                           

BANKING FEES  $200.00                $15.00

CONSULT FEES   $500.00                $95.00

OFFICE SUPPLIES              $200.00                $60.00

LICENSE FEES      $150.00                $15.00

BUSINESS INSURANCE   $500.00                $380.00

TOTAL GENERAL/ADMIN              $1,550.00            $565.00

SUBSCRIPTIONS                $237.00

TOTAL OPERATIONS       $-            $237.00

MARKETING/PROMO                    

ADVERTISING    $1,500.00            $1,800.00

PROMO $300.00                $50.00

TOTAL MARKETING/PROMO       $1,800.00            $1,850.00

WEBSITE/MOBILE APP                  

DOMAIN              $1,000.00            $30.00

HOSTING             $-            $30.00

TOTAL WEBSITE/MOBILE APP     $1,000.00            $60.00

RENT/LEASE       $-            $750.00

PHONE $-            $137.00

ELECTRIC              $-            $237.00

GAS       $-            $150.00

WATER/SEWAGE              $-            $50.00

WASTE REMOVAL            $-            $40.00

REPAIR/MAINTENANCE $-            $200.00

SECURITY             $-            $25.00

Then Estimate what the first year will look like.

TOTAL START-UP COSTS $4,850.00

TOTAL RECURRING MONTHLY COSTS               (1 YR = 12 MO)        $87,612.00

TOTAL BUSINESS EXPENSES         $92,462.00

ESTIMATED FIRST-YEAR BUSINESS INCOME          $112,000.00

BUSINESS FIRST-YEAR PROFIT/LOSS         $19,538.00

AVAILABLE CASH/ SAVINGS/OTHER          $30,000.00

BUSINESS BALANCE        $49,538.00

6.2 Break Even Point

In this section we look at how much revenue we need to generate to break even every month. This can be tricky sometimes for beginners, we want to calculate using a fixed monthly cost like rent and also a percentage of cogs or cost of service.

Fixed Cost            $4,300

Cost of goods sold            $3,000

Number of Jobs 1

Average Job Price             $9,300

6.3 Income Statement

Our income statement is a profit and loss statement, looking at net income and then minus taxes to see net, net.

6.4 Cashflow

Cashflow statement is one of the most important financial metrics to follow for a commercial cleaning business. Just because we have invoiced a client doesn’t mean we physically have the money in the bank.

Often what can happen is cleaning services fall behind and then have to start borrowing large sums of money to stay alive each month.

6.5 Balance Sheet

Lastly is the balance sheet what do we own and what do we owe. Including intangible assets like intellectual property which is difficult to judge so be very conservative.

Propel Your Cleaning Business to New Heights

Free Cleaning Service Business Plan (Download PDF Sample)

Download Our Free Template to Get Started

A cleaning company business plan is a comprehensive document outlining your cleaning company’s objectives and explaining your marketing plan , cleaning services, and funding information. It serves as the blueprint for your cleaning business. 

• Savvy entrepreneurs create a business plan when starting a new business, and they continue to update it as their business grows. 
• A well-written business plan will guide you through your journey as a small business owner. It will help you make critical decisions as you work hard to reach your goals over the years.
• You’ll be able to glimpse the bigger picture and keep track of your progress when you’ve got it all written down.
• A business plan will significantly increase your company’s chances of success , setting a clear path to long-term growth and helping you plan efficient organizational processes. 

If you’re aiming to gain the trust of potential investors, a business plan is a must-have tool that will show them if your business is worth taking the risk.

We’ve created a downloadable cleaning services business plan PDF that you can easily edit to fit your needs. Get my sample template below:

Components of a Cleaning Services Business Plan 

Now that you understand the importance of a cleaning company business plan, the next step is to start creating your own. But there’s no need to worry! We’ve done much of the legwork to ease the process of creating a business plan for you. 

Our free downloadable cleaning services business plan PDF contains essential components to help you define your goals and make better business decisions. 

However, keep in mind that every business plan is unique. You can remove or add any section as you deem necessary to create the best business plan for your cleaning company. 

Include the following elements to get started in the right direction: 

1. Executive Summary 

The first part of a comprehensive business plan is an executive summary, which provides an overview of your company and summarizes your entire business plan.

Highlight what makes your cleaning business stand out from competitors in the cleaning industry. You can also describe the weaknesses and shortcomings of other cleaning firms and how your company aims to solve these problems. 

You can include the following information in your executive summary: 

• Owner’s experience
• Mission statement
• The leadership team and employees
• Financial and growth goals

2. Company Description 

• Why did you decide to start a cleaning services company?
• What particular problems are you trying to solve, and how do you intend to beat competitors in the cleaning industry?

Your company description is where you emphasize the strengths and competitive advantages of your cleaning business. 

3. Objectives

Set the best objectives that will help keep your cleaning business on the right track.

• Think about the key goals you want to achieve, whether to reach a certain amount of sales revenue or expand your operations to a broader service area.
• When you carefully define your main goals and objectives, you’ll be able to take the proper steps to get where you want to go. 

4. Market Analysis

Market analysis gives you an insight into your target market share, the needs and demands of your customers, and your competitors.

• Do some research about the cleaning company industry and what your competitors lack to know how your company can gain an edge over others.
• With proper market analysis, you can also analyze the need for funding from financial institutions and investors. 

5. Organizational Structure 

• Define the specific roles that need to be filled, such as cleaners, an office manager, and a project manager.
• You can also talk about hiring competent personnel as your company grows and outsourcing services for processes like digital marketing and accounting. 

6. Cleaning Services

An essential part of a cleaning company business plan is identifying the type of cleaning services you intend to provide: 

• Scope of Cleaning Services – Do you plan to focus on bidding on commercial janitorial jobs , residential cleaning, housekeeping, post-construction cleaning or all types?
• List of Specific Cleaning Services – Talk about your company’s services and prices, from interior home cleaning and damage restoration to industrial cleaning. 
• Benefits of Your Cleaning Services – How will your target market benefit from your company’s services? Think about the problems you’re trying to solve for your customers, like giving them a wide selection of cleaning services to reduce the need for hiring multiple contractors. 

7. Marketing and Sales 

To survive in a competitive industry, your cleaning business needs to employ tailored marketing strategies to help you stand out and beat competitors.

Outline your marketing and sales strategies to promote your cleaning services, gain leads, and ultimately boost sales. You should determine the number of clients you must win to achieve your cleaning company’s profit goals. 

The most effective marketing strategies for cleaning businesses include: 

• Online Marketing – Your objectives can include building an authoritative business cleaning service website design , using paid advertising like Facebook ads , leveraging social media, implementing email marketing, and maintaining an excellent reputation online. 
• Offline Advertising – Timeless strategies include direct mail, distributing pamphlets and flyers, connecting with the local community, and creating branded merchandise. 

8. Funding Requests 

• Add this section if you need additional funding for day-to-day functions and operational expenses.
• You can create a table outlining your cleaning company’s expenses, letting potential investors and lenders know precisely where their money will go. 

9. Financial Projections 

Your cleaning company business plan should have a realistic financial forecast based on your extensive market analysis and company goals.

• It should include well-researched financial projections for the future to demonstrate your targeted profits. 
• Try to include a cash flow estimate, capital expenditures, and approximate payrolls for the next few years.
• You can create an annual or quarterly target profit that your team can work to accomplish. 

Pro-Top : include a cash flow estimate, capital expenditures, and approximate payrolls for the next few years. You can create an annual or quarterly target profit that your team can work to accomplish. 

10. Appendix

Your business plan ends with an appendix where you add all relevant documents, definitions, legal notes, and other critical information.

• You can include resumes, certifications, bank statements, credit reports, charts, and other supporting documents. 
• Refer readers to this section anywhere in your business plan when necessary. For example: “See Appendix, page 5, for management team certifications.”

Example of a Cleaning Services Business Plan PDF

You can open or download our free cleaning business plan PDF below:

To get an editable version on Google Docs, enter your email below:

Why Does My Cleaning Company Need a Business Plan? 

You might think, “But making a business plan sounds like a lot of work! Do I really need it for my cleaning company?” The quick answer is: Yes, you definitely need that business plan!

As tedious as it sounds, preparing a strategic business plan is crucial to set yourself up for success and not get lost along the way. 

Take a look at the following key reasons why your business will benefit from a cleaning company business plan: 

Find Out If Your Cleaning Services Business Idea Is Viable

Creating a business plan will help you test if your business idea is feasible, saving you time, money, and energy. Many aspiring entrepreneurs believe they have outstanding ideas that could never fail.

However, around 20% of business startups fail during the first year due to a lack of planning, among other things. 

To survive the cleaning business startup phase, you must perform careful and methodical planning and create a well-developed business plan. It’s the key step between visualizing the concept for your cleaning company and turning your vision into a successful business. 

Increase Your Chances of Growth and Success 

The cleaning industry is enormous, and competitive residential and commercial cleaning businesses are everywhere. There’s always demand for cleaning services. Around 80% of households in the US are expected to use home cleaning services by 2024. 

Considering the competition you’ll be facing, it helps to create a business plan that will help you identify how your cleaning company will stand out. 

• Extensive planning will help you pinpoint your target market, determine your unique selling proposition, and develop a startup and operating expenses budget.
• This process will ultimately set your cleaning business up for long-term growth and success.

Secure Financing

Established financial institutions, lenders, and investors typically perform an extensive investigation before committing to an investment. With a solid business plan, you’ll be more likely to secure the funds you need to get your business up and running. 

Common Questions about Cleaning Company Business Plans

A business plan will help you determine if your cleaning business idea is viable, increase your chances of success, and secure financing.

An executive summary includes a mission statement, information about the leadership team, and financial goals.

Final Thoughts: Driving Your Cleaning Company’s Success With a Solid Business Plan 

Equipped with a well-researched business plan, you’ll have much higher chances of succeeding in the cleaning services industry. It’s also a valuable tool that can help you secure funding for your operational expenses as a cleaning startup. 

After downloading our free cleaning services business plan PDF, make sure to edit each section and include all essential information to create a comprehensive document.

Our free sample cleaning company business plan serves as an excellent starting point – a helpful template that you can personalize as necessary.

Written by Nelmie Jane Pardo

Nelmie Jane Pardo is a senior contributing writer who lends insight into digital marketing methods and business solutions. She regularly writes at BusinessHue to help business owners take their online marketing to the next level.

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How to bid a cleaning job in 2022: 9 simple steps, cleaning service marketing plan: promote your business in 2022 (pdf), free cleaning service proposal template (editable document).

Cleaning Business Plan Template (+Free PDF Download)

Read Time 8 minutes

Author Joanne Bratton

Published March 29, 2024

Table of Contents

Executive summary: Setting the foundation

Industry analysis: understanding the market landscape, marketing plan: promoting your cleaning services, financial plan: estimating costs and projections, operations plan: running a thriving cleaning company, set up your commercial cleaning business for success.

A commercial cleaning business plan can kickstart a new endeavor or clear the way for growth for an existing enterprise.

Crafting a comprehensive commercial cleaning business plan is pivotal to starting a new venture or fostering significant growth in an existing service. A well-structured business plan becomes a cornerstone for:

Making informed decisions

Setting objectives

Navigating the competitive commercial cleaning market

A cleaning company business plan isn’t a one-and-done task. You should regularly review and revise your business plan to evolve as your company grows to reflect your current vision, market, and financial targets.

This template provides a sample to help create a business plan.

An executive summary is an overview of your entire business plan.

While the executive summary is the first section of a business plan, most business owners find it makes sense to write it last. The executive summary often is one to two pages, but you should keep it as short as possible.

Essential components of an executive summary include:

Mission statement: Defines your company's mission, vision, and core values.

Company overview: Write a company description of services, locations, and number of cleaning staff. Include a short history of how the business started, names of owners, and business growth milestones.

Market synopsis: Provide an overview of your market, mentioning your commercial cleaning business's size and competitive advantages.

Financial elements: Summarize your business financials, including sales, profits, and projections for one to two years.

Future objectives: Outline your company’s plans for growth, such as offering new services, adding verticals, or expanding your service area.

Your executive summary must be clear and concise. If you’re seeking funding for your small business, the executive summary should demonstrate your cleaning company’s value to potential investors.

An industry analysis identifies the potential market for your commercial cleaning or janitorial services. This involves defining and comprehending key elements such as:

Target customers

Competition

Cleaning industry trends 

Customer’s changing demands

Customer analysis

Commercial cleaning companies perform a customer analysis to understand and meet customer needs. This research-based process identifies your potential client base's demographics, values, and behaviors.

To perform a customer analysis:

Gather information about your target market through your existing customer data, industry research, online tools such as Google Analytics, and social media surveys.

Segment your customers based on similar demographics, traits, preferences, and pain points.

Create customer personas, or fictional profiles, of your target customers and their specific needs.

Leverage your customer analysis to inform business services, products, and prices.

Customer relationship management (CRM) software assists market analysis by providing invaluable information about your customers and their buying journeys.

→ Aspire commercial cleaning business software helps businesses connect the dots with real-time customer data, feedback, and analysis. 

CRM data empowers companies to retain existing customers and expand their customer base by cultivating strong relationships with prospects and customers through:

Efficient communication

Personalized offers

Proactive support to address potential issues before they escalate

Competitor analysis

A competitive analysis identifies the competitors in your market. It helps you understand market demand and gives your business a competitive edge.

For instance, if you plan to specialize in carpet cleaning or window cleaning, you’ll want to know if competitors offer these services and what they charge.

Steps to perform a competitor analysis include:

Identify and gather information about your competitors.

Evaluate competitors’ services, service areas, prices, promotions, reputation, sales tactics, marketing strategies, target audience, and online presence.

Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your business.

Develop sales, marketing, and pricing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.

Once you know your customers and competitors, these assessments will help you develop effective marketing campaigns.

While a service business plan template provides a guideline for developing a marketing plan , it’s crucial to identify your company’s marketing goals and include methods to measure outcomes.

An effective marketing plan includes the following components:

Market research: Know your audience, their preferences, and their preferred online channels.

Marketing objectives: What do you want to accomplish? Increase cleaning contracts? Generate leads? The more specific your objectives, the better.

Marketing strategies: The marketing channels you use depend on your target audience. The most effective marketing campaigns use an omnichannel approach to share a consistent message online and offline.

Pricing strategy : A cleaning service pricing strategy should cover costs and include an appropriate profit margin. Your target market preferences and competitor pricing should also be factored into your pricing strategy.

Marketing budget: Determine the percentage of revenue for your marketing budget. Focus on the channels that deliver the best return on investment (ROI). You can adjust your budget depending on objectives, channels, and results.

Key performance indicators (KPIs): Measure marketing effectiveness with KPIs. These could include conversion rate, customer acquisition cost, cost per lead, customer lifetime value, and overall ROI. Track KPIs to make better marketing decisions and improve your ROI.

Review your marketing plan annually. Some businesses review their marketing strategy and budget quarterly to adjust as needed.

A solid financial plan ensures your commercial cleaning business doesn’t just stay afloat but thrives.

To get funding for business operations, you’ll need a realistic estimate of: 

Initial startup costs

Ongoing operational expenses

Financial projections 

A comprehensive, realistic financial plan shows potential partners and investors the value of your company and outlines business growth.

→ Include graphs and visuals in your financial plan to break down the numbers and easily communicate business information.

If you struggle with financial planning or creating budgets and forecasts, consider hiring a professional financial advisor.

The right business management software makes collecting accurate data in your initial months much easier to ensure your initial estimate and projections are sound. 

→ The earlier you can adjust operations and pricing to maintain profitability, the quicker you can set and achieve new goals.

The following sections provide more detail about key areas of a financial plan.

Calculating initial startup costs

Initial startup costs cover one-time expenses for a new cleaning or janitorial business.

While startup expenses vary based on several factors, the average cleaning service spends $3,500 on startup costs .

Startup costs may include:

Legal fees: If you seek the advice of legal professionals, you’ll need to budget for legal expenses.

Business licenses and permits: Check on local regulations because you may need to register in additional states if your business performs work or hires employees from another state.

Cleaning equipment: Equipment such as floor buffers, vacuums, brooms, mops, cleaning supplies , cleaning products, and other specialty equipment.

Office space and equipment: Property purchase or rental deposit for an office space and technology costs.

Company vehicles: Depending on the size of your company, you may use a fleet of branded company vehicles.

Operational software : Instead of implementing siloed solutions for different aspects of your business, look at comprehensive software capable of scaling with you as you build. 

You’ll also want to consider additional marketing and advertising dollars to spread the word about your business.

A clear understanding of operational expenses ensures you correctly price cleaning jobs and target realistic revenue goals.

Recurring expenses are costs you pay regularly to keep your business running. Ongoing expenditures include:

Employee payroll and benefits

Mortgage or rental payments

Office utilities

Business insurance

Vehicle insurance

Cleaning products and supplies

Equipment maintenance

Technology subscriptions

Some expenses may be fixed, such as the mortgage payment, while others may be variable, such as the cost of cleaning products. 

Follow a budget, use best-practice accounting procedures, and track expenses to make needed financial adjustments.

Aspire’s comprehensive business management software collects financials above the gross margin line and pushes them in a one-way data sync to your accounting platform so you have clean, accurate data to inform your business plan updates. 

Financial projections and realism

Financial projections predict business revenue over a certain period. Data-backed financial plans drive better business decisions and help you plan for the future.

A startup cleaning business uses projected financial statements to determine future revenue and expenses. Industry and market analysis data can provide a starting point. In the case of an established cleaning business, use your historical data to project a percentage of financial growth.

To create a financial projection, you’ll need the following financial statements:

Income statement: An income statement, or profit and loss statement (P&L), shows your income and expenses. Your income statement should cover one year.

Cash flow statement: This statement projects all incoming and outgoing expenses for one year. A break-even analysis shows you how much revenue you need to break even with your expenses.

Balance sheet: This document lists business assets and liabilities and shows a summary of a business at present. 

In financial projections, accuracy is key. You don’t want to inflate your numbers, fail to reach your goals, or underestimate and miss out on growth opportunities.

As your business continues to operate, it’s important to use the right software to capture accurate financial data to achieve financial objectives and increase the accuracy of future projections. 

Aspire commercial cleaning business software integrates purchasing, invoicing, accounting, and payroll for full financial visibility. Robust reporting allows you to drill into sales, financials, job costs, and KPIs.

With real-time data , you gain deeper insight into business performance and can develop more effective business growth strategies.

A business operations plan outlines how your company will deliver high-quality service and achieve operational goals.

As you create an operations plan, involve your management team for ideas and input. After all, your managers are the ones who provide on-the-job oversight and remain accountable for operational goals.

An operations plan includes these elements:

Determine operational goals: Set business and departmental  goals. For instance, you could set a goal to increase annual revenue by 20% or a sales goal of 10 new cleaning contracts monthly.

Create roles and job descriptions: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each position. This ensures accountability and the ability to measure performance.

Plan the how-tos: Detail business processes and workflows in every department so your team delivers consistent, efficient results. This includes investing in commercial cleaning business software to centralize data and streamline operations.

Track performance: Set KPIs to measure short-term goals and identify areas for improvement. Operational KPIs measure the performance of your operations, such as average contract amount, contract renewal conversion rate, closing percentage, and gross profit percentage by department. 

Aspire provides user-based dashboards so every role can see the KPIs relevant to their short- and long-term goals. Having accurate, real-time information fuels responsive management, building ongoing growth momentum.

Commercial cleaning business owners who optimize operations experience the greatest profitability and growth. Aspire commercial cleaning business software provides seamless workflows in every area of business, including:

Crew management

Job costing

Equipment and supply management

Streamlined processes reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve performance in your operations.

Creating a thorough commercial cleaning business plan sets the stage for business growth. But successful results rely on how well you execute your plan.

Aspire commercial cleaning business software provides industry-specific management tools to empower business owners to take control of operations. From simplified scheduling to accepting customer credit card payments online, Aspire’s advanced features give cleaning contractors full visibility into business operations and finances.

To get your business plan off the ground, implement the right tools to improve business and boost year-over-year growth.

Ready to see what Aspire can do for you? Request a demo to see Aspire features in action.

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How To Write a Cleaning Services Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for cleaning services businesses that want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every cleaning services business owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Cleaning Business Plan Template

What is a Cleaning Services Business Plan?

A cleaning services business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Cleaning Services Business Plan?

A cleaning services business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Cleaning Services Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful cleaning services business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a cleaning services business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your cleaning services company
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your cleaning services business, you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your cleaning services firm, mention this.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a cleaning services business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the cleaning services industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, the customers of a cleaning services business may include:

• Small businesses
• Commercial businesses
• Industrial businesses

List the needs and wants of each customer segment, as they relate to your cleaning services. For example, a small business owner may need their office cleaned on a regular basis, but may not have the time or resources to do it themselves. Conversely, a homeowner may want their home cleaned but may not be willing to pay for professional services.

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or cleaning services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or, you may promote your cleaning services business via word-of-mouth.

Operations Plan

This part of your cleaning services business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your product/service to customers? For example, will you do it in person or over the phone only?
• What infrastructure, equipment, and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a cleaning services business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include expanding to a new city or adding additional services.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific cleaning services industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss.

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Cleaning Services Business

Balance Sheet

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Cleaning Services Business

Cash Flow Statement

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup cleaning services business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Cleaning Services Business

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your cleaning services company. It not only outlines your business vision, but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

Now that you know what should be included in a cleaning services business plan, it’s time to get started on writing your own. The template we’ve provided can help you get started, but don’t forget to personalize it to reflect your unique company and its goals.   

Finish Your Cleaning Business Plan in 1 Day!

Wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Cleaning business plan?

With our Ultimate Cleaning Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

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How to write a cleaning business plan, with example

GorillaDesk Staff

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin

A house cleaning service business plan can help you get a loan. It’s also a roadmap to a successful cleaning company. But — 

There are seven key elements every business plan must have. It’s not hard to write one, but you’ll need to know the answers to some questions before you start.

See how to write a cleaning business plan below, along with tips, advice, and a sample cleaning business plan to get you off on the right foot.

What is a cleaning business plan?

A cleaning business plan is a document that shows why your business should exist, what it will do, how you’ll do it, and who you’ll do it for. It maps out your path to success, including financial projections, a market analysis, your services, and a description of your organizational structure.

Most banks will want to see a business plan before they’ll lend you money. Even if you don’t need a loan, a plan can guide you as you start and scale your business.

Pro Tip: If you’re just looking for the steps to create a successful cleaning company, one of the most important is to set your prices higher than you think. See our article on how to start a cleaning business for more.

The 7 parts of a cleaning business plan

Each cleaning service business plan has seven important parts. The best way to write your own plan is to read this article, then come back with a pen and notebook and jot down your best answers and to-do items. Writing the plan will be a lot easier if you’ve answered all the questions first.

1. Executive summary

Since you haven’t written your house cleaning business plan yet, you’ll skip this part for now. Then when you’ve finished writing the rest, you’ll come back and summarize your plan at the top.

• Your business name
• A very brief overview of your services
• Your mission and vision statements (see examples here and here )
• Why you’re writing the plan (for example, to get a loan or to increase your odds of success)

2. Company description

What is your company all about, and how will it be structured? Write about 100 words on:

• Your business structure ( LLC , corporation , sole proprietorship )
• The types of consumers you’ll serve
• A complete list of your service offerings (for example, cleaning homes and Airbnbs)
• Your business goals

3. Cleaning services you’ll offer

Re-list your service offerings, and this time, write a short description of each one. Include:

• Benefits to the customer of each service
• Why your services are better than the competition’s

4. Market analysis

This is where you show how much you understand the cleaning industry. Include:

• A list of your different types of customers (like property managers and homeowners)
• How many customers are in your area
• A detailed description of the other cleaning companies near you and their strengths and weaknesses

Pro Tip: Make it easier by introducing yourself to a few cleaning company owners and asking how-to questions. (You can find them by searching “cleaning business owner” on LinkedIn.)

5. Strategy

Describe your sales and marketing plan and how you’ll put it into action, including:

• Your operating hours and locations
• Your service area
• How many employees you’ll have, and where you’ll find them
• How you’ll find and connect with customers
• Your pricing
• Your costs, both fixed and per cleaning
• How the company will function (from getting a new customer to doing a cleaning and invoicing)

6. Leadership

Who’s in charge of your cleaning company, and what are they responsible for? Make:

• A list of your company’s leaders and job descriptions
• Names of the owners, what percent of the business they own, their background, and how much they’ll be involved
• Names and bios of any advisors or mentors who will help, including attorneys or other professionals

7. Financial plan and projections

You’ll most likely need to pay an accountant to help with creating financial projections. Create 3-year projections of:

• P&L statement
• Balance sheet
• Cash flow statement

You can see examples of all three projections below, at the bottom of the cleaning company business plan template below.

Pro Tip: Writer’s block? Tell ChatGPT the answers to the questions above, then ask it to write your plan up for you. Then read and adjust it to fit it to your business goals.

Example cleaning business plan

You can copy, paste, and edit this sample cleaning service business plan template to get started:

1) Executive Summary

Business Name: [Your Business Name]

Owner: [Your Name]

Location: [City, State]

Business Structure: Sole Proprietorship / LLC

Services Offered: Residential Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning, Seasonal Cleaning

Mission Statement: Our mission is to provide high-quality, reliable, and affordable cleaning services that make our clients’ homes healthier and more comfortable.

2) Business Description

A) Company Overview:

[Your Business Name] is a residential cleaning service committed to offering top-tier cleaning solutions to homeowners. We specialize in maintaining a clean, organized, and hygienic living space that enhances the well-being of our clients. Our services cater to a variety of needs, from regular upkeep to deep cleaning sessions.

B) Target Market:

Our primary target market includes busy professionals, families, and elderly individuals who require assistance with maintaining their homes. Our services are also ideal for property managers and real estate agents in need of cleaning services for move-in/move-out or post-renovation scenarios.

C) Unique Selling Proposition (USP):

We stand out by offering personalized cleaning plans tailored to each client’s specific needs. Our commitment to using eco-friendly products and methods sets us apart, ensuring a safe environment for children, pets, and allergy-sensitive individuals.

3) Market Analysis

A) Industry Overview:

The residential cleaning industry is a growing market with increasing demand due to busy lifestyles, dual-income households, and an aging population. The shift towards eco-friendly cleaning solutions is also driving growth.

B) Competitor Analysis:

• Competitor A: Offers basic cleaning services at low prices but lacks personalized service.
• Competitor B: Focuses on high-end clients with premium pricing but limited availability.
• Competitor C: Uses eco-friendly products but charges extra for this service.

C) Market Trends:

• Increasing demand for green cleaning services.
• Growing preference for personalized and flexible cleaning schedules.
• Rising use of online booking platforms for convenience.

D) Target Customer:

• Demographics: Ages 25-65, middle to upper-middle income, homeowners, renters, and property managers.
• Geographic: Residential areas within [City/Region].
• Psychographics: Value convenience, cleanliness, and a healthy living environment.

4) Services Offered

• Standard Residential Cleaning: Regular cleaning services including dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and bathroom/kitchen cleaning.
• Deep Cleaning: Comprehensive cleaning, including areas not typically covered in standard cleaning, such as baseboards, inside appliances, and behind furniture.
• Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning: Specialized cleaning service for homes being prepared for new occupants or post-move-out.
• Seasonal Cleaning: Deep cleaning services tailored to specific seasonal needs, like spring cleaning or pre-holiday preparation.
• Customized Cleaning Plans: Tailored cleaning schedules and services based on individual client preferences.

5) Marketing Strategy

A) Branding:

Develop a professional brand image with a clean, modern logo, and a user-friendly website. Emphasize your commitment to eco-friendly products and personalized service.

B) Marketing Channels:

• Online Presence: Develop a website with online booking options, service descriptions, and testimonials. Use SEO strategies to increase visibility.
• Social Media: Engage potential clients on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn with before-and-after photos, cleaning tips, and promotions.
• Local Advertising: Distribute flyers, post ads in local newspapers, and participate in community events.
• Referral Program: Offer discounts or free services for clients who refer new customers.

C) Pricing Strategy:

• Competitive Pricing: Set prices based on market research, offering competitive rates that reflect the quality and value of your services.
• Package Deals: Create cleaning packages for regular clients, offering discounted rates for long-term contracts.

6) Operations Plan

A) Location and Equipment:

• Location: Operate from a home office with a storage area for supplies and equipment.
• Equipment: Invest in high-quality cleaning tools, vacuum cleaners, mops, and eco-friendly cleaning products.

B) Staffing Plan:

• Initial Staffing: Start as a sole proprietor or with a small team. As the business grows, hire part-time cleaners or contract workers.
• Training: Provide thorough training in cleaning techniques, customer service, and safety protocols.

C) Operations Workflow:

• Client Consultation: Discuss client needs, schedule, and pricing.
• Service Delivery: Perform the cleaning service based on the agreed plan.
• Quality Control: Conduct follow-up checks to ensure client satisfaction.
• Billing and Payment: Use an invoicing system for easy payment processing.

7) Financial Plan

A) Startup Costs:

• Initial Equipment: $2,000
• Supplies (3 months): $500
• Marketing Materials: $1,000
• Website Development: $1,500
• Legal and Licensing Fees: $500
• Total: $5,500

B) Revenue Projections:

• Year 1: $50,000
• Year 2: $75,000
• Year 3: $100,000

C) Break-Even Analysis:

• Monthly Fixed Costs: $2,000
• Variable Costs per Job: $50
• Average Revenue per Job: $150
• Break-Even Point: 14 jobs per month

D)) Funding Requirements:

Seeking $5,500 in startup funding, which will be used to cover initial costs and establish the business.

• Legal Documents: Business license, insurance, contracts.
• Sample Cleaning Checklist: Detailed checklist for standard and deep cleaning services.
• Client Testimonials: Positive reviews from early clients to build credibility.

This house cleaning business plan template outlines the key steps and strategies for launching and growing [Your Business Name], positioning it as a trusted and reliable cleaning service provider in [City/Region]. With a focus on quality, customer satisfaction, and eco-friendly practices, we aim to build a loyal client base and achieve sustainable growth.

Once you’ve used the cleaning business plan template above to start your company, it’s time to grow it fast. Start by breaking up with bad customers. See our article on how to grow a cleaning business for more tips.

Grow your company with cleaning business software

To grow, you need an efficient system to schedule cleanings, plan your routes so you don’t spend all your time driving from place to place, and create fast quotes and invoices. So — 

Use a cleaning business CRM like GorillaDesk to handle it all for you. GorillaDesk is a full-featured field service software tool to trim your workload, tame your schedule, and handle your invoicing.

GorillaDesk is the highest-rated cleaning company software on top review sites like Capterra for good reason. Our exemplary customer service chats with you in three minutes on average, and our interface is legendary for its ease of use and full-featured power. Call for a free demo today.

★★★★★ “Man am I so glad I went with GorillaDesk. Can’t wait to see what this year holds for our company after seeing what the program did for us last year.” -Tawndra F., Business Owner

Try GorillaDesk Now

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Expert business plan and financial models

Commercial Cleaning Business Plan Template & PDF Example

• September 4, 2024
• Business Plan

Creating a comprehensive business plan is crucial for launching and running a successful commercial cleaning business. This plan serves as your roadmap, detailing your vision, operational strategies, and financial plan. It helps establish your commercial cleaning business’s identity, navigate the competitive market, and secure funding for growth.

This article not only breaks down the critical components of a commercial cleaning business plan, but also provides an example of a business plan to help you craft your own.

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or new to the service industry, this guide, complete with a business plan example, lays the groundwork for turning your commercial cleaning business concept into reality. Let’s dive in!

Our commercial cleaning business plan is crafted to address all key elements crucial for a thorough strategic outline. It specifies the business’s service protocols, marketing tactics, industry analysis , competitive positioning, organizational setup, and financial outlook.

• Executive Summary : Offers an overview of your commercial cleaning business concept, market analysis , management, and financial strategy.
• Operations & Location: Describes the operational aspects of your commercial cleaning service, including the range of cleaning services offered, the strategic importance of your location(s), and coverage area.
• Services & Pricing: Lists the types of cleaning services offered, such as office cleaning, industrial cleaning, healthcare facility sanitation, and specialized deep cleaning.
• Key Stats: Shares industry size , growth trends, and relevant statistics for the commercial cleaning market.
• Key Trends : Highlights recent trends in the commercial cleaning industry, such as the demand for eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning practices and the integration of advanced technology.
• Key Competitors: Analyzes main competitors in your area and differentiates your service in terms of cleaning standards, service range, and pricing.
• SWOT: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis specific to your commercial cleaning business.
• Marketing Plan : Details strategies for promoting your commercial cleaning service, including digital marketing, local advertising, and community engagement.
• Timeline : Key milestones and objectives from launch through the first year of operation.
• Management: Information on who manages the commercial cleaning service and their roles.
• Financial Plan: Projects the commercial cleaning service’s 5-year financial performance, including revenue streams from various cleaning services, profit margins, and major expenses. 

Commercial Cleaning Business Plan

Fully editable 30+ slides Powerpoint presentation business plan template.

Download an expert-built 30+ slides Powerpoint business plan template

Executive Summary

The Executive Summary serves as the gateway to your commercial cleaning business plan, presenting a succinct overview of your company and its offerings. It should articulate your market position, detailing the spectrum of cleaning services you provide, its operational base, scale, and the daily operational framework.

This section must also delve into your business’s integration within the local market, encompassing an analysis of the direct competitors in the vicinity, identifying who they are, and highlighting your business’s unique selling propositions that set it apart from these competitors.

Moreover, the summary should shed light on the management and founding team, delineating their roles and the value they bring to the company’s success. Additionally, a précis of your financial forecasts, including anticipated revenue and profit margins over the upcoming five years, should be included here to offer a transparent view of your business’s financial strategy.

Commercial Cleaning Business Plan Executive Summary Example

Business Overview

The  business overview  serves as the introductory facet of your executive summary. It outlines essential details such as the name of your cleaning service, its location, and the core operational aspects.

To carve a distinct identity in the market, emphasize your  unique selling proposition  ( USP ). Whether your focus is on eco-friendly cleaning solutions, specialization in specific industries like healthcare or retail, or providing a comprehensive array of cleaning services, the USP should be prominently featured. It’s the hook that sets your cleaning service apart in a competitive industry landscape.

Example: “Sparkling Solutions,” strategically positioned in [City Name], provides premier commercial cleaning services within a [x]-mile radius. Our comprehensive range of services includes office cleaning, industrial sanitation, healthcare facility maintenance, retail space upkeep, and specialized deep cleaning. We specialize in fostering clean, healthy, and inviting environments through rigorous standards and sustainable practices, defining our unique position in the market.

Market Overview

Demonstrating an acute understanding of the market is pivotal. This section delves into  market size , growth trends, and industry dynamics relevant to the commercial cleaning sector. Incorporate data-driven insights showcasing the potential of the industry, including market valuation, growth rates, and emerging trends.

Additionally, analyze the competitive landscape. Identify  key competitors  and elucidate how your cleaning service positions itself uniquely. Whether through unparalleled service quality, transparent pricing models, or specialized cleaning methodologies, showcase how your service stands out amidst competitors.

Example: Within the vast US commercial cleaning services market valued at approximately $90.1 billion in 2023 and projecting a compelling +5.5% CAGR, Sparkling Solutions operates within a competitive landscape characterized by diverse enterprises. Our keen focus on eco-friendly practices and harnessing advanced technology positions us uniquely among competitors within our [x]-mile operational radius, resonating with clients inclined towards sustainability and cutting-edge service delivery.

Management Team

Highlighting the expertise and background of your management team in the executive summary instills confidence in potential investors and partners. This section emphasizes the qualifications and experience of key team members, showcasing their instrumental roles in driving the cleaning service’s success.

Example: At Sparkling Solutions, our leadership is spearheaded by individuals boasting extensive expertise in commercial cleaning techniques and project execution. Their leadership ensures the delivery of stringent quality standards, fosters robust client relationships, and maintains excellence in our service provisions.

Financial Plan

The financial plan section provides a snapshot of your cleaning service’s fiscal goals and projections. Include revenue targets, profit margins, and a strategic overview of the financial trajectory.

Example: Sparkling Solutions is committed to reaching a significant milestone of $1.2 million in annual revenue, coupled with a commendable [13]% profit margin ( EBITDA ) by 2028. This financial aspiration is underpinned by a robust strategy encompassing prudent fiscal management, operational efficacy, and a relentless pursuit of superior service delivery that surpasses industry standards.

Services & Rates

Elaborate on the comprehensive range of cleaning services your business offers, from regular office cleaning and maintenance to specialized services such as deep cleaning, sanitization, and industrial cleaning.

Detail your pricing model , ensuring it aligns with the value and quality of services you deliver, and is competitive within the market you are targeting.

Emphasize any unique service packages, contractual discounts, or loyalty incentives that you offer to foster long-term business relationships, encourage repeat engagements, and enhance client retention.

Industry Size & Growth

Begin your Market Overview by analyzing the commercial cleaning industry’s size and its potential for growth. This examination is essential to comprehend the market’s breadth and to pinpoint opportunities for scaling your business.

Key Market Trends

Continue by discussing prevalent trends in the commercial cleaning sector, such as the growing emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning practices, the increasing demand for specialized sanitation services (especially in the wake of health crises), and the adoption of advanced cleaning technologies.

For instance, highlight the shift towards green cleaning products and methods, the heightened need for disinfection services in various sectors, and the integration of automation and smart technologies in cleaning operations.

Competitive Landscape

A  competitive analysis  is not just a tool for gauging the position of your commercial cleaning business in the market and its key competitors; it’s also a fundamental component of your business plan. This analysis helps in identifying your commercial cleaning business’s unique selling points, essential for differentiating your business in a competitive market.

In addition, the competitive analysis is integral to laying a solid foundation for your business plan. By examining various operational aspects of your competitors, you gain valuable information that ensures your business plan is robust, informed, and tailored to succeed in the current market environment.

Identifying Competitors in the Commercial Cleaning Industry

Identifying your competitors is the cornerstone of comprehending your commercial cleaning business’s position in the market. Begin by mapping out local cleaning companies and franchises that offer services akin to yours. Direct competitors could be specialized cleaning services targeting particular industries (e.g., healthcare or hospitality), while indirect competitors might include general maintenance companies that offer cleaning services among their repertoire.

Leverage online resources like business directories, Chamber of Commerce listings, and industry-specific platforms to gather a comprehensive list of competitors. Platforms like Google My Business and Yelp provide valuable insights through customer reviews and ratings, shedding light on competitor  strengths and weaknesses . For instance, if “Spotless Solutions” is praised for its efficient service and environmentally friendly practices in customer reviews, this highlights a competitive advantage to consider.

Commercial Cleaning Business Competitors’ Strategies

Analyzing competitors’ strategies involves delving into various aspects:

• Service Offerings:  Examine the range of services provided by competitors. For instance, if “Eco-Clean Services” has gained traction by emphasizing eco-friendly cleaning solutions, it signals a  market trend  toward sustainability that your business might consider capitalizing on.
• Specialization and Expertise:  Consider specialized cleaning techniques or expertise. A company focusing on medical facility sanitation might adopt different protocols than one specializing in office cleaning or post-construction cleanup.
• Pricing and Packages:  Compare pricing models and service packages offered by competitors. Are your rates competitive with those of “Budget Cleaners,” or do they align more with the premium services provided by “Elite Janitorial Solutions”?
• Marketing and Outreach:  Assess competitors’  marketing strategies . Do they heavily invest in digital marketing, have a strong online presence, or rely more on referrals and established client networks?
• Customer Relations and Satisfaction:  Evaluate customer experiences and satisfaction levels. “Sparkling Service Co.” might be known for exceptional customer service, prompt responses, and tailored cleaning solutions, influencing client retention and loyalty.
• Operational Efficiency and Technology Adoption:  Observe if competitors are leveraging technology or innovative methods to enhance efficiency, such as “Tech-Clean Innovations,” utilizing advanced cleaning equipment or software for scheduling and tracking services.

What’s Your Cleaning Business’s Unique Selling Proposition?

Reflect on your commercial cleaning business’s  unique value proposition . Perhaps your company specializes in green cleaning practices, using environmentally friendly products that are increasingly in demand. Alternatively, your focus could be on specialized cleaning for specific industries, such as high-tech office spaces or industrial facilities, filling a niche not adequately addressed by competitors.

Identify market gaps and emerging trends through client feedback and  industry analysis . For instance, if there’s a growing demand for COVID-19 disinfection services and few competitors specialize in this area, it presents an opportunity for your business to cater to a pressing need in the market.

Consider your operational strengths and the geographical market you serve. A cleaning business targeting corporate offices might emphasize professionalism and after-hours service flexibility, while a company focusing on residential cleaning might prioritize personalized service and flexible scheduling to suit homeowners’ needs.

Begin with a SWOT analysis for your commercial cleaning business, emphasizing Strengths (like a comprehensive range of cleaning services and a highly trained workforce), Weaknesses (such as limited brand recognition or the challenge of high initial investments), Opportunities (including the growing demand for hygienic and sanitized work environments), and Threats (like market competition or regulatory changes affecting cleaning standards).

Marketing Plan

Develop a marketing strategy that focuses on how to attract and retain business clients through methods such as B2B networking, targeted digital marketing campaigns, promotional offers for first-time customers, a strong online presence that showcases your services and testimonials, and participation in local business events or associations.

Marketing Channels

Utilize various marketing channels to reach potential clients and establish your brand as a reliable and reputable cleaning service provider.

Digital Marketing

• Website and SEO:  Develop a professional website optimized for local SEO to increase visibility in search engine results.
• Content Marketing:  Share informative blog posts, articles, or videos on cleaning tips, industry trends, and best practices.
• Social Media:  Use platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to showcase your expertise, share client testimonials, and engage with prospects.

Local Advertising

• Networking:  Attend local business events, trade shows, and chamber of commerce meetings to network and build relationships within the community.
• Local Publications:  Advertise in local newspapers, business directories, or industry-specific magazines.
• Direct Mail:  Send targeted mailers or flyers to businesses in your service area to introduce your cleaning services.

Promotional Activities

Attract potential clients and incentivize engagement with your cleaning services through promotional offers and activities.

• Special Offers:  Launch time-sensitive promotions or discounts for new clients or during seasonal periods to attract attention and encourage trial of your services.
• Referral Programs:  Create incentives for existing clients to refer new business by offering discounts or additional services for successful referrals, thereby expanding your customer base through word-of-mouth referrals.
• Free Demonstrations:  Offer complimentary cleaning demonstrations or trial services to showcase the quality and effectiveness of your work, establishing credibility and trust with potential clients.

Sales Channels

Sales channels  serve as crucial methods through which your commercial cleaning services are marketed and sold to clients, playing a pivotal role in revenue generation and ensuring customer satisfaction.

On-site Service Enhancement

Enhancing services directly on-site helps maximize revenue per client engagement:

• Specialized Add-Ons:  While discussing cleaning packages, propose additional services tailored to client needs, such as carpet stain removal or high-touchpoint sanitation. Tailoring add-ons based on client requirements enhances service value.
• Supplementary Cleaning Products:  Showcase and recommend specialized cleaning products during service visits, emphasizing their benefits. Educate clients on the advantages of using these products to maintain cleanliness between professional cleanings.
• Customized Packages:  Offer bundled cleaning services targeting specific needs, such as comprehensive office sanitation packages or specialized deep cleaning services for industrial facilities.

Online Sales and Convenience

Leveraging online platforms streamlines the sales process and offers convenient options for clients:

• Digital Booking System:  Implement a user-friendly online booking system on your website and social media platforms. Incentivize online bookings by offering discounts or priority scheduling.
• E-commerce Integration:  Sell cleaning supplies, equipment, or additional services through your website. Provide easy access for clients to purchase products and schedule additional services online.
• Virtual Consultations:  Offer online consultations to understand clients’ unique cleaning requirements. Provide tailored service recommendations and suggest suitable cleaning solutions based on virtual assessments.

Membership and Loyalty Programs

Initiating loyalty programs can foster repeat business and client loyalty:

• Membership Packages:  Create membership programs offering regular cleaning services at a discounted rate. For instance, offer monthly or quarterly packages that include a variety of cleaning services tailored to different business sizes or industries.
• Loyalty Rewards Program:  Develop a digital loyalty program where clients earn points for every service availed. These points could be redeemable for discounts on future services, encouraging repeat business and fostering client loyalty.

Strategy Timeline

Construct a detailed timeline that sets out key milestones for your commercial cleaning business’s launch, marketing initiatives, client acquisition, and scaling strategies. This timeline should provide a structured roadmap for achieving business growth and operational goals, ensuring that the business advances with clear objectives and measurable targets.

The Management section focuses on the commercial cleaning business’s management and their direct roles in daily operations and strategic direction. This part is crucial for understanding who is responsible for making key decisions and driving the commercial cleaning business towards its financial and operational goals.

For your commercial cleaning business plan, list the core team members, their specific responsibilities, and how their expertise supports the business.

The Financial Plan section is a comprehensive analysis of your financial projections for revenue, expenses, and profitability. It lays out your commercial cleaning business’s approach to securing funding, managing cash flow, and achieving breakeven.

This section typically includes detailed forecasts for the first 5 years of operation, highlighting expected revenue, operating costs and capital expenditures.

For your commercial cleaning business plan, provide a snapshot of your financial statement (profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow statement), as well as your key assumptions (e.g. number of customers and prices, expenses, etc.).

Make sure to cover here _ Profit and Loss _ Cash Flow Statement _ Balance Sheet _ Use of Funds

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Privacy Overview

Cleaning Service Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Home Improvement » Cleaning Service

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

Okay, so we have considered all the requirements for starting a cleaning business. We also took it further by analyzing and drafting a sample cleaning service marketing plan template backed up by actionable guerrilla marketing ideas for cleaning businesses.

So let’s proceed to the business planning section. As the business owner of a new cleaning business, you must spend your valuable time and resources in creating a business plan that will give you a head start in the industry and put you ahead of the competition curve from the onset.

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A Sample Cleaning Service Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

The cleaning industry is almost always moving up the ramp of growth. The expansion of the industry has been specifically rapid in the past several years and experts believe that this exponential increase in the growth is not likely to be stunted anytime soon, at least not in the near future.

As a result, now is a better time than ever for start-up cleaning companies to embark on a journey towards reaching the lands of success in the cleaning industry.

In other words, it is an opportune time for entrepreneurs to start thinking about how they can initiate a highly profitable and successful start-up cleaning company that will cater to the demands of hundreds and thousands of customers in the city and the country.

Our goal is to address the needs of the customers who are looking for top notch cleaning services at reasonable prices for their homes or their workplaces. This need of the customers will be addressed by providing them with the very best cleaning services that will be conducted by highly skilled cleaning professionals working in the united states of America in the state of Illinois.

The characteristics that will set our business apart from the rest will be the top quality of our services, the efficiency of our workers and the first class hospitality treatment that our clients can expect from our professionals every single time.

2. Executive Summary

• Current Situation

We are a start-up cleaning company that was established in the year 2011 in the state of Illinois. The principal owner of our company is Stephanie Ryder who currently serves as the President of the Executive Committee of our company.

Mrs. Ryder has brought several years of experience in the cleaning service industry into our cleaning company, and it is this experience of hers that has helped the company overcome odds during the initial stages of its operations. The key figure in our company who must be mentioned in the same breath as Mrs Ryder is her sister, Clementine Orton.

She contributes greatly to our customer service department, the bookkeeping sector as well as other areas of our business that requires the expertise and experience of someone as knowledgeable, proactive and dynamic as Ms. Orton.

At this current period of our time, the company is looking for some much needed additional equity capital that will be a perfect addition to our own equity investment. Therefore the company is now looking to sign a deal with a bank for funding our inventory and our receivables.

We have assured several clients, both corporate and residential clients, in cities across the state of Illinois, especially in the city of Chicago, to provide a host of different cleaning services in their commercial complexes and residential buildings so that they can live in a clean, safe and secure environment without the fear of having their homes and offices turned into a dirty and inhabitable environment.

Once the financial arrangements for our inventory and receivables funding are finalized by the bank, we hope to resume our cleaning services and expand our services to cities across the state where we are yet to explore and leave a mark on.

• Key Success Factors

When talking about the key success factors, it all comes down to the vision and the goals of our principal owner Stephanie Ryder. It is her energy, exuberance and efficacy to take a start-up company from the realms of oblivion to the echelons of the cleaning service industry that we count on most as the key success factor of our company.

In addition to that, we believe that we have an impressive social network that will allow the business to smoothly float from one client to the other without having redundant periods of unemployment between contracts.

Since the cleaning business is based heavily on service, our priority is to hire the best cleaning staff members available around the country, and therefore our recruitment managers have been well equipped to select the crème of the crop when it comes to assembling a team of money making staff.

We refuse to provide cleaning services that are incomplete and those that fail to meet the expectations of our endeared clients.

This will allow us to give the very best service and cleaning product selection to various clients across the state without being distracted by the very different product and service demands of general market outlets in the cleaning industry. All of this and more will allow your business to draw success towards itself and compete with the very best in the industry for bragging rights and dominant market positions.

• Financial Situation/Needs

A total sum of $300,000 is the minimum that we require to effectively initiate our business and open our doors to our valued clients that who are waiting to subscribe to our top notch services.

The majority portions of the funds we receive will be used to finance and streamline the business operations until we start generating sufficient amounts of revenue and making enough profit to finance our own operations and expand these operations beyond our expectations.

Till then, we must be reliant on external finances whether it be in the form of the funds that we received from the bank or the funds that have been granted to us by the principal owner Stephanie Ryder, the immediate members of the family, her relative, friends, co-workers and previous employers and business partners.

According to our estimations, within the next 2 years (give or take 3 months) the company will have enough clients and will be carrying out the required number of deals to generate healthy revenue and become profitable. Our calculations and research work also tells us that within 4 years of breaking even, the investors in our business will be able to retrieve the entirety of their funds and will be able to cash out with ease.

The founding partners of our company will have the option of purchasing the investment stake or substituting the replacement stake with extra bank funding after the completion of the first 4 years of full-fledged operations provided that the company breaks even and earns considerable profit.

3. Our Mission and Vision Statement

The vision of our company is rather quite simple. We hope to become the first name in the shopping list of homes and offices when they are looking for cleaning services that can lend them a helping hand in creating a beautiful living or working environment.

We will reward our clients for making us their first choice by providing them with cleaning services that are equal, if not better, than the best cleaning service available to them, and one that is certainly most affordable if the client decides to sign a long term contract with us. We do not want to simply become a provider of cleaning services or a supplier of cleaning products.

Rather, we want to be known as a team of cleaning experts who the entire state can rely on to keep their homes and offices sparkling clean and refreshed.

We want to help build a state where people no longer have to compromise with their living and working conditions courtesy of our cleaning services. A cleaner and greener world is certainly our primary objective for starting this start-up business.

• Securing verbal commitments from our first batch of commercial clients who are willing to sign a 6 months contract is complete.
• Securing verbal commitments from the batch of commercial clients who are interested to subscribe to our services for a trial period of 1 month is complete.
• Securing verbal commitments from the first batch of commercial clients who are willing to sign up for our services for a shortened term of 3 months is currently underway.
• A warehouse lease for 6 months has been signed.
• First written orders from suppliers for the next 6 months have been received.
• Purchase of vehicles necessary to transport cleaning products and equipments is currently underway.
• Full catalogue of services and products (used for conducting services) has been completed and revised.
• Presentation to potential investors who are looking to add their money in the investment pool is currently underway.
• Presentation to banks who will be interested to finance our operations and inventory is currently underway.
• Employee recruitment for 3 different cleaning teams is now complete.
• Employee training for 3 different cleaning teams is currently underway under the supervision of professional mentors and experts hired temporarily.
• Securing the insurance for the entire cleaning business is now complete.
• Devising the employee policy is currently underway and is being conducted by Stephanie Ryder and Clementine Orton.

4. SWOT Analysis

• Opportunities in the Cleaning Industry

The room for success in the cleaning industry is quite vast. As the number of commercial buildings and residential homes increase, the demand for cleaning services is likely to enhance along with it.

Furthermore, the healthcare industry and organizations in charge of advocating eco-friendly business practices makes it quite a necessity for businesses around the country to improve sanitation and hygiene standards in their workplaces which compels them to seek the services of cleaning companies.

Therefore, this market offers us terrific growth potential, which we are planning to capitalize on with all our expertise and ambition.

This market may not be the largest in the country, but it is certainly one where a newcomer like us will receive abundant opportunities to register progress in leaps and bounds as long as we have the correct business philosophy and are implementing the right business strategies.

• Threats and Risks

As a small cleaning firm that will be taking baby steps towards growth and development for at least the foreseeable future; we do not anticipate any major reactions from our future competitors upon the entry of our business in the industry.

We are expecting that our introduction into the industry will remain a low profile one and is likely to go unnoticed by some of the more major corporations which rule the cleaning service industry. We also do not think that some of the lesser known cleaning service companies that have been in the industry far longer than us will be have any distinct reactions to the initiation of our business.

However, in the case that they formulate plans to drive us further away from competition, we have come up with contingency plans of our own that will help us survive the threat of expulsion from the industry and assist us to overcome the risks that are associated with engaging in fierce competition with the experienced business owners of established commercial sector cleaning companies.

Competitive Strategies

• Key Competitive Capabilities

Most of the start-up cleaning companies have their sights set on the residential sector, mainly because of their lack of confidence and belief to compete with the major players in the commercial sector. This will not be the case with our company.

We will become one of the very few start-up companies in the state of Illinois which will focus all of its finances, resources and marketing strategies in climbing up the ladder in the cleaning industry and rapidly acquiring larger portions of the market share.

We will not have to compete with a big number of start-ups in the commercial sector, therefore our progress or advancement into the big leagues of the industry will not be hindered by too many competitive obstacles or hurdles in the way.

Our major advantage however lies in the incredible amount of expertise and experience that our principal owner Stephanie Ryder will be bringing into the equation.

As an entrepreneur who has had her fair share of successes and failures in the last decade, Stephanie will have a clear understand of the strategies and tactics that are required to get us across the finishing line ahead of others and avoid major disasters that our competitors may push us into.

The fact that we will be assembling a cleaning team of experienced professionals blended enthusiastic and energetic college students will allow us to achieve a working dynamic that will push our efficiency higher than that of other companies.

Basically, our company will form a cleaning staff that will strive to outwork and outsmart employees of other cleaning companies.

In an industry which is heavily reliant on service, the key is to employ workers who are willing to put in the best performance within the shortest period of time available. Our extensive and rigorous training programs will allow our workers to develop themselves, sharpen their skills at all times and stay updated with the latest developments in the world of cleaning products and equipment.

Our training facility for the workers will turn out to be a game changer and a breeding ground for the best workers in the cleaning industry in the country.

• Key Competitive Weakness

Our key competitive weaknesses stem from our lack of experience being a start-up company. We may have the best cleaning staff in the country assembled, but that will not allow us to strike deals with numerous clients at the same time.

Therefore, our availability is something that may compromise our revenue and income generation. We have a limited number of workers who will not be overworked severely according to the company policy.

Therefore, it will not be possible for us to bring in a massive number of clients every month. We hope to tackle this problem by finding ways to maximize our income and profit generation. That will allow us to employee more workers, even individual contractors with a part time schedule, and we can plan on increasing our portfolio of monthly or annual clients.

Since our current business plan ( which is based on the current financing and funding that is available to us ) only allows us to operate within the boundaries of the state of Illinois, our company will have limited reach unlike the other major corporations in the industry which are willing to provide their services all across the country.

Therefore, we will be missing out on a major chunk of the industry market which is outside the state of Illinois and that will result in a series of missed opportunities that could quite possibly hurt our finances considerably in the long run.

If we are to compete with the major names in the industry, we must generate enough income to expand our business beyond the borders of Illinois and give clients around the country an opportunity to be impressed by our top notch services.

5. MARKET ANALYSIS

• The Overall Market

Before you proceed, it is important to note that this is just an extract of our in-depth marketing plan. Here is the full sample cleaning business marketing plan template.

The overall size of the cleaning industry according to most estimates is somewhere around $750 million in the United States of America.

The state of Illinois is a major location in the industry mainly because of the highly industrialized and commercialized city of Chicago where cleaning services have become a necessity in nearly every neighbourhood that is flocked with commercial complexes and residential buildings.

The analysis of the cleaning industry be easily divided into two categories due to the distinct nature of the two kinds of services that cleaning companies in this industry concentrate on. The first is the commercial cleaning service and the second is the residential cleaning service.

The market analysis for both of them must be done separately because the nature and intensity of the demand in both of them are highly different.

Commercial clients usually demands cleaning companies that can provide them with state of the art janitorial services and garbage removal and disposal services. Residential clients on the other hand look for cleaning companies that can provide comparatively less heavy duty services such as carpet cleaning, upholstery, 6 hour maid services, vacuuming etc.

Changes in the Cleaning Industry Marketplace

During the time of the depression, the office rent rates went up and that comprised the ability of several corporations and large businesses to afford cleaning services. Since the depression faded way into oblivion, the office rent rates have somewhat become flatter and companies and corporations have regained the need and ability to subscribe to cleaning services.

With that being said, certain cities in the state of Illinois are experiencing a rise in rent of residential spaces. If the rates continue to rise in a similar fashion, then cleaning companies who cater to residential clients will be forced to make their prices more competitive and increase the efficiency of their projects.

This may sound like an intimidating scenario for most start-up cleaning businesses, but our company sees this as an opportunity to adapt, evolve and let the market changes mould our path to success.

One of the major changes that led to a boom in the cleaning industry in the recent years is the development and increased authority of the healthcare industry. Residing and working in unclean and filthy places posed several health hazards to residents and workers around the country.

This forces the home owners and corporate heads to resort to cleaning services, since their personal cleaning professionals unable to meet the standards that were set by the esteemed organizations in the healthcare industry.

As a result, cleaning companies were suddenly exposed to far more contracts than before, and most of the clients preferred to have long term arrangements with the cleaning companies instead of having a one off affair with the cleaning services.

One lesser known factor that influenced the growth of the cleaning industry is the ever increasing demand for aestheticism and visual appeal in homes and offices around the United States of America. People want their homes and offices to look good from both the inside and the outside. As a result, they cannot afford to have dirt and filth lying around in their office or residential space.

This prompted them to seek the professional help of cleaning services. Cleaning companies around the company are making sure that homes and offices retain and maintain the visual appeal with which they were built so that they do not become labelled outdated or unsuitable for future tenants.

Market Segments in the Cleaning Industry

Most cleaning companies do not provide an all encompassing service. The cleaning service itself can be divided into various segments, and the demand for these segmented services in the commercial or residential market is quite different from one another.

Some of the most common segmented services include janitorial services, maid services, window cleaning services, carpet cleaning services, dry cleaning, vacuuming, furniture polishing, washroom cleaning, waste removal and disposal etc.

We understand the diversity in the demand for these services across various platforms. For example, it would be erroneous for us to assume that the market demand for window cleaning in commercial complexes is the same as the market demand for window cleaning in residential homes in the suburbs of Illinois.

6. Our Target Market

One of the more impressive aspects of the cleaning industry is the endless possibilities it provides when it comes to the target market and customers.

Sure, each cleaning company that establishes itself in the cleaning industry has its own niche and therefore its own target market and clients. However, for a start-up company like ours, we had the luxury of choosing from a wide selection of target customers.

In the commercial sector, businesses ranging from small companies to large corporations are all in need of cleaning services of one kind or the other. Schools, colleges, libraries and other variants of educational institutions too require the assistance of cleaning companies to provide a cleaner, safer and health hazard free studying environment for the bright minds of tomorrow.

In the residential sector, there are those living modern day busy urban lives who hardly have time to make their bed and keep their shoes aligned. For them, maid services are perfect to restore some order in their homes and their lives. Then again, there are clients within the residential sector who are looking to provide their newborn children with a cleaner and safer abode.

This is when they call upon the cleaning service companies to help make their homes a better place for their children to live in. As far as our operations are concerned, we are looking to cater to the commercial clients simply because we believe that the post depression era in the United States will turn these clients into profitable prospects and accounts for us.

Since we are equipped with the right size of cleaning staff and the appropriate cleaning equipments, we believe that we can cover massive office spaces as long as the clients appoint us a reasonable deadline. Window cleaning services, janitorial services and waste removal services in collaboration with the city authorities will be the major concentration areas of our business going forward.

With that being said, we will be keeping a watchful eye on the residential sector and always be open to the idea of expanding our business if lucrative opportunities present themselves.

• Customer Buying Decisions

Whether or not a client will express their interest to subscribe to a cleaning service company will depend on two things. The first is the expertise and experience of the cleaning service company which is known to people in the neighbourhood, city or the state.

Secondly, the effectiveness and the efficacy of the marketing and advertising strategies that are created by the cleaning company. There can also be a third factor in the mix, and that is the company’s ability to impress their clients during trial periods of service, if there are any on offer.

Our company, being a start-up cleaning business, will lack the experience and renown that is required to draw in new clients.

However, what we lack in experience, we will make up with the high quality of services during the trial cleaning sessions that we will offer to our clients and also through the dynamism and strong appeal of our outbound and inbound marketing campaigns. We hope to build a brand that can consistently influence the buying decision of the customers in the industry.

7. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

• Marketing Strategy

Socialization will be at the centre of our marketing strategy. We believe that in order for our business to thrive, we must reach out to people and give them genuine reasons to subscribe to our services. Our brand of marketing will be an aggressive and effervescent one, where we will strive to convert every potential prospect into a client within a period of 30 days.

This is the reason why we will be channelling our resources towards inbound marketing, as it allows us to connect with potential clientele and stay in touch with them at all times.

Not only will be having our own website, blog and newsletter programs, but we will also be taking our business to the social media platform, where the goal would be to change people’s general perception towards cleaning service businesses and keep them informed about the advantages and benefits of hiring a cleaning service company, using both a direct and indirect (more subtle) approach.

Advertising Strategy

Our advertising strategy will be no less exuberant than our marketing strategy. We believe that it is all about forming a brand and enticing people to associate themselves with the brand in ways that appeal to them the most. Unlike other cleaning companies, we do not simply want to sell services that people can make use of. Instead, our goal is to sell experiences that people can thoroughly enjoy.

For example, our janitorial service advertisements will be specifically addressing the needs of those business owners who want to provide a wonderful working environment for their employees and thus curb down the number of complaints about their company’s working conditions.

• Sales Tactics

Once a client shows interest in our cleaning service, our sales team will be implementing a number of different tactics to retain the interest of the client and make sure that a contractual agreement is reached.

In order to do this, we will be offering our first time customers with various unknown complimentary services and discounts that will turn out to be a surprise package for them and will thus intensify their desire to contractually obligate us to clean their offices. The idea is to make the clients feel that they are getting more than what they are paying for.

Our approach to generating publicity for our business will be divided into three steps. The first step is to convince trade magazine to publish a feature on our start-up company and the potential of our services to change offices across the neighbourhood.

The second step is to send our representatives to the local radio stations to promote our business and educate listeners on what we have in store for them. The third and final step is to partner up with manufacturers of cleaning products and provide discounts on our services to people who purchase their cleaning products.

BUSINESS STRATEGIES

How to create a cleaning business plan (+ example)

• Jeremy Greenbaum

A business plan for your cleaning business is a structured and detailed document that outlines the goals, strategies and operational details of a venture focused on providing cleaning services to residential, commercial or industrial clients. This comprehensive plan serves as a roadmap for individuals starting a business in the cleaning industry, providing a clear outline of the company's objectives, target market, marketing strategies, service offerings, financial projections and growth plans.

This strategic blueprint assists you in pinpointing the unique features of your cleaning services and gaining a solid grasp of the competitive landscape. Learn how to create an effective business plan when starting a cleaning business by following the steps below. Also make sure to check out these service business examples to help you get started:

Not sure what type of cleaning business to start? Our guides to starting a pressure washing business, or starting a pool cleaning business are great for inspiration.

How to create a cleaning business plan in 6 steps

Creating a thorough cleaning business plan is essential for the success of your cleaning business ideas . It serves as a guide for your business, helps in attracting investors and funding, and informs your decision-making process. Here are the six main components of a cleaning business plan:

Executive summary

Business and domain names

Market analysis and research

Operations plan

Marketing and advertising plan

Financial plan

01. Executive summary

The executive summary of a cleaning business plan provides a concise overview of the entire plan. It highlights the key components of the plan, including the business's mission statement , objectives, target market , competitive advantage and financial projections. The purpose of the executive summary is to give readers a snapshot of the business plan's main points without delving into every detail. It serves as a tool to captivate the reader's interest and provide a quick understanding of the business's potential.

Example of an executive summary for a cleaning company: “SparkleClean Services is a professional cleaning company committed to delivering exceptional cleaning solutions to residential and commercial clients in the local area. Our mission is to create clean and comfortable environments that enhance the quality of life for our customers. With a team of trained professionals, eco-friendly cleaning products and a dedication to excellence, we are poised to become a trusted name in the cleaning industry.”

02. Business and domain names

Choosing a suitable business name and domain name is crucial for a cleaning business. A compelling name helps create a strong brand identity and builds trust with clients. Utilizing a business name generator (or specifically a small business name generator ) can inspire creative ideas. Note that your domain name should mirror your company name and be easily memorable. Before finalizing your name, ensure the domain is available and aligns with your brand image.

Learn more about registering your business , which you’ll want to do once you’ve landed on a business name and a legal structure.

Check out cleaning business name ideas for inspiration.

03. Market analysis and research

Market analysis and research are essential in understanding the cleaning industry's competitive landscape. Research should delve into market trends, customer preferences and competitors' strengths and weaknesses. This analysis aids in forming a targeted cleaning marketing strategy and identifying opportunities for differentiation. By understanding the market dynamics, the business can tailor its services and approach to effectively meet customer needs.

04. Operations plan

An operations plan outlines the operational aspects of the cleaning business. It includes details about location, premises, equipment and staffing needs. Determining the optimal location based on target clientele, securing suitable premises, acquiring necessary cleaning equipment and establishing a staffing plan are crucial components. This plan ensures efficient day-to-day operations and the ability to deliver consistent and high-quality services.

05. Marketing and advertising plan

The marketing and advertising plan outlines strategies for promoting the cleaning business. This includes defining the target audience, determining pricing structures and selecting effective advertising channels. For a cleaning business, local advertising, word-of-mouth referrals and digital marketing techniques can be effective. Leveraging social media, creating informative content and offering promotional deals can help attract and retain customers.

Need some help making a cleaning logo ? Check out these cleaning logo ideas and Wix’s free logo maker .

06. Financial plan

The financial plan is a critical section that details the business's financial projections, funding sources and timeline for profitability. It includes startup costs, revenue projections, anticipated expenses and potential profits. This section outlines how the business will be funded initially and sets a time frame for achieving profitability. It serves as a roadmap to ensure the financial health and sustainability of the cleaning business.

Thinking of starting another type of business? Check out some of these creative service business ideas  for inspiration.

Cleaning business plan example: FreshStart cleaning services

Below is an example of a business plan template for a fictional cleaning business named FreshStart. Feel free to use this template as a guide and tailor it to your business.

FreshStart Cleaning Services aims to provide top-quality residential and commercial cleaning solutions to clients in the local area. Our commitment to delivering exceptional results, using eco-friendly products and ensuring customer satisfaction sets us apart in the industry. With a dedicated team and a focus on exceeding expectations, we are poised to establish FreshStart as a trusted cleaning service provider.

02. Company and domain names

Company Name: FreshStart Cleaning Services

Domain Name: www.freshstartcleaning.com

The name "FreshStart Cleaning Services" reflects our commitment to revitalizing spaces and creating clean environments. The corresponding domain name, www.freshstartcleaning.com, aligns with our brand identity and provides a user-friendly online platform for clients to learn about our services and make inquiries.

Our market research highlights the increasing demand for professional cleaning services due to busy lifestyles and a heightened focus on cleanliness. We identified key competitors and analyzed their offerings, pricing strategies and customer reviews. This research guides our efforts to provide unique services that cater to specific client needs and preferences.

Location: strategically situated in a central location to access target areas efficiently

Premises: acquiring a small office space for administrative purposes

Equipment: investing in state-of-the-art cleaning equipment and eco-friendly products

Staffing: hiring trained cleaning professionals and conducting regular training for skill enhancement

Our marketing plan includes:

Local advertising: distributing flyers, posters and business cards in target neighborhoods

Digital presence: creating a user-friendly website with service descriptions, customer testimonials and a simple contact form

Social media: regularly posting cleaning tips, before-and-after photos and client testimonials to engage and attract clients

Referral program: encouraging satisfied customers to refer friends and family with incentives

Startup costs and funding

Equipment purchase: $5,000

Office setup: $2,000

Marketing materials: $1,500

Initial marketing: $2,000

Operational expenses (1st quarter): $8,000

Total startup costs: $18,500

Funding sources

Personal savings: $8,500

Small business loan: $10,000

Total funding: $18,500

Revenue projections

Year 1: $100,000

Year 2: $150,000

Year 3: $200,000

Equipment maintenance: $1,000 per year

Staff salaries: $60,000 per year

Marketing and advertising: $5,000 per year

Operational expenses: $20,000 per year

Profit and loss projection

Year 1 net profit: variable based on revenue and expenses

Time frame for profitability

FreshStart Cleaning Services anticipates achieving profitability within the first year of operation by effectively implementing marketing strategies , delivering exceptional services and building a loyal customer base.

Benefits of creating a cleaning business plan

When starting a cleaning business, creating a comprehensive and clear business plan is important for several key reasons:

Strategic guidance: A well-crafted business plan offers a strategic direction for the cleaning business. It defines the short-term and long-term goals, helping the business owner maintain a focused and organized approach to achieving these objectives.

Investor confidence: Investors and lenders often require a detailed business plan before investing or providing loans to a new venture. A comprehensive plan demonstrates the entrepreneur's commitment, professionalism and clear vision, thereby increasing the likelihood of raising money for the business .

Operational clarity: The plan outlines the day-to-day operations of the cleaning business, covering service offerings, scheduling, pricing, staffing and quality control measures. This clarity ensures smooth operations and consistency in service delivery.

Financial projections: A critical component of this type of business plan is the financial section, which provides projections for revenue, expenses, cash flow and potential profitability. These projections guide financial decisions, budgeting and resource allocation.

Risk management: A comprehensive business plan assesses potential risks in the cleaning industry and outlines strategies to mitigate them. This proactive approach helps the business anticipate challenges and formulate contingency plans to address them effectively.

Business growth and expansion: The plan outlines a roadmap for growth and expansion, including strategies for increasing service offerings, entering new markets and scaling operations. This forward-looking approach ensures the business remains adaptable and prepared for expansion opportunities.

Business website: A clear and comprehensive business plan also often includes plans for a business website. As you’re building your website with a website builder like Wix, your business plan can inform how you use your website for marketing, showcasing your services, receiving inquiries and building a professional brand image.

Learn more: How to make a business website .

Cleaning business plan FAQ

How do i determine my target market for a cleaning business.

To identify the target market for a cleaning business, conduct thorough market research focusing on local demographics like age, income, and family size. Consider targeting busy professionals, families, or elderly residents. Analyze competitors to find market gaps, and gather insights through surveys or community engagement to understand cleaning preferences and pricing willingness.

How do I estimate startup costs for a cleaning business?

What legal requirements must be met to start a cleaning business, what marketing strategies are effective for a cleaning business, what services should be offered in a cleaning business, how do i set pricing for residential and commercial cleaning services, what equipment and supplies are necessary for a cleaning business, how can i use technology to streamline cleaning business operations, more business types to consider.

Still trying to decide on the best type of business to pursue? Check out the below guides.

How to start an online business

How to start a consulting business

How to start a fitness business

How to start a service business

How to start a fitness clothing line

How to start a makeup line

How to start a candle business

How to start a clothing business

How to start an online boutique

How to start a T-shirt business

How to start a jewelry business

How to start a subscription box business

How to start a beauty business

How to start a frozen food business

How to start a DJ business

How to start a flower business

How to start a plumbing business

How to start a baking business

How to start a babysitting business

How to start a virtual assistant business

How to start a car wash business

How to start a food prep business

How to start a pool cleaning business

Looking to start a business in a specific state?

How to start a business in Arizona

How to start a business in South Carolina

How to start a business in Virginia

How to start a business in Michigan

How to start a business in California

How to start a business in Florida

How to start a business in Texas

How to start a business in Wisconsin

Want to create another type of business plan?

How to create a real estate business plan

How to create a flower business plan

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Starting a cleaning business? A good business plan will give you a leg up on the competition. To get an idea of what your business plan should look like, check out these sample business plans for cleaning services, janitorial services, carpet and upholstery cleaning services, and other related businesses.

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