Deciding Your Type of Cleaning Business

I have been the Founder and Owner of Heaven Scent Home Cleaning, a residential cleaning company in Minnesota for 28 years! When I hear “cleaning company,” I think of many different things. And to be honest, there are so many different types that it’s a very broad term to simply say “cleaning company.”

I think when we all start our cleaning companies, we have a type of cleaning in mind that we like to do or think would be more lucrative. Let’s take a deep dive and look into the vast types of cleaning services that are offered today. The two most traditional are residential and commercial – both have their own benefits and challenges.

Residential cleaning offers busy families a way to save time by hiring a cleaning person or company. The person model generally is a more affordable option, but comes with some risks for both the homeowner and cleaner.

The cleaner’s risk is that they will have to spend more time in each home, making it difficult to have a lot of customers. This risk for the homeowner is based on feedback I have heard. At times they can be undependable and under the homeowners’ feet for a longer amount of time, which can be a dealbreaker for some clients who now work remotely from home.

The commercial cleaning market is expansive with a lot of different services and clients to choose from, whether it’s office buildings or grocery stores, restaurants or daycares, doctor’s offices or apartment complexes.

The pro of commercial cleaning is that you can get long-term, large contracts and a stable income. The challenge is hiring the staff willing to come in at night, and making sure that especially women cleaners are safe taking out trash at night, and entering and exiting safely.

And then there are many new niche cleaning scenarios that weren’t options when I founded my company 28 years ago. Here are a few:

1. Airbnb Cleaning

Airbnb cleaning is a great way to start a new business with no marketing required. You can sign up and simply verify your information to start cleaning for them on demand.

2. Crime Scene Cleaning

Crime scene cleaning is a very lucrative and sensitive market. You have to have biohazard certification in place. Then, you register with the county you live in to be a vendor for them.

3. Vacation Home Cleaning

Vacation home cleaning is a great seasonal gig if you want to earn extra money – many lake resort areas are always looking for seasonal cleaning help!

4. Make-ready Apartment Complex Cleaning

Make-ready cleaning is a great fit if you are available and able to work with apartment complexes to get their vacant units cleaned and ready for the new tenants; this usually needs to be done pretty quickly.

5. New Construction Cleaning

New construction cleaning – I saved the best for last! This is a great fit if you are a detailed person who can remove fine dust and stickers from windows, and clean windows and floors well. This opportunity is great because you can get big government contracts.

All 5 of these newer cleaning professions have the potential to be very lucrative, but you have to be willing to adapt to the different scenarios and challenges that come into play with each of these.

There is no right or wrong type of cleaning business; it is up to each owner and what they feel is a good fit for them. I know people who have cleaning businesses in all of the above-mentioned areas, and every single one works hard to provide an essential service. Consider some of the factors I mentioned, decide which cleaning business is right for you, then put your gloves on, roll up your sleeves, and get to work!

Virtual Bid App is always here to support you and your business. Download the app in your App Store today to start connecting with clients quickly and easily from your own home with our premier in-app video feature.

Now go take a bite out of grime!

Sincerely,

Robin Crocket

CEO & Founder of Heaven Scent Home Cleaning & Virtual Bid App