Contract Maintenance & Cleaning

You can start a contract maintenance and cleaning business for less than $100 and turn it into a multimillion-dollar venture. But do not fall for the hype that cleaning is easy and anyone can do it. Typically, a successful contract maintenance and cleaning company owner will start out cleaning and grow to training employees to clean while he sells. While it may sound easy, it is hard work and requires strategic thinking to get the most bang for your sweat. Get the facts before you leap.

Quick Start

You can start a home-based cleaning service with what is under your kitchen sink. Seek small office contracts until you gain more experience and get your name out there. Develop your image with no-cost business cards and letterhead that you can get on the Internet. Set meetings at your customer's place of business and provide excellent customer service. It will not matter how small you are if you do all that you say and your customers are more than satisfied. Then word of mouth becomes your best marketing tool.

Recession-Safe

Demand for cleaning services remains high even in times of recession. Owners need to attract tenants. Tenants need to attract customers. A sparkling clean image plays a major role in both instances. During a recession building owners have to work harder to compete, and that includes focusing on details like having a sparking clean place of business.

Potential

The commercial maintenance and cleaning market was worth $74 billion in 2007 and will continue to grow by an average annual growth rate of 7%, according to market research publisher Marketdata Enterprises, a market research publishing firm. The industry is very competitive with 527,000 businesses, mostly small operators. Corporations are downsizing and outsourcing more services, including cleaning, to decrease costs. Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI), representing the contract maintenance and cleaning industry, expects janitorial services to grow faster than almost any other service category.

Considerations

Consider some issues before taking the leap. While small accounts may want just daily janitorial services, corporations often want everything--cleaning services, carpet and floor maintenance, HVAC maintenance, security, window cleaning, ceiling cleaning, landscaping--from a single vendor. Another challenge is motivating employees and avoiding high employee turnover. Competition is high.

First Steps

Develop a start-up plan before you leap to help ensure your success. Choose a name that says what you do and how you do it. Decide if you will work from home or rental space. Figure out what services to offer and what supplies and equipment you need. Determine what your target market is and how to reach them. Learn how to quote a job or purchase a software program to do it for you.

References

• Building Service Contractors Assoc. Int'l
• Marketdata Enterprises