How to Get Commercial Cleaning Contracts

Cleaning commercial buildings such as malls bring in steady income.

Growing from a small cleaning operation to a company that regularly lands large commercial contracts takes dogged determination and the willingness to pound pavement, slog through cold calls, reach out into your community and spend time developing a strong brand that will appeal to a new client base. By using tried-and-true methods along with creative approaches, your company can expand its clientele without taking too much time away from the business at hand.

Instructions

1. Create a website. Hire a professional designer as well as a copywriter. In your copy, stress why companies should choose your crew over others. Describe the qualities of your business, such as promptness, speed, efficiency, professionalism, the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products and/or the cost of your services.

2. Contact management at facilities such as assisted living centers, apartments and condominiums, sports complexes private concert halls, independent hotels and bed and breakfasts, office parks and shopping centers. Offer one or two free hours of your service as an enticement and proof of your willingness to secure their business.

3. Get involved with small business organizations and meetings to network with potential clients and spread the word about your services. Stress that hiring independent companies benefits the local economy. Attend chamber of commerce meetings, neighborhood block parties and other community events as a way to make a name for your business.

4. Create bold fliers to post on bulletin boards at businesses and community centers. Look for spaces at high-traffic locations such as supermarkets, church and synagogue community boards, fitness centers and coffee shops.

5. Browse the websites of city and state agencies to hunt for government contracts for cleaning administration buildings, school grounds and military campuses. In April 2010 a Dayton, Ohio, cleaning service persevered through a six-month negotiation and landed a $2.8 million contract to do custodial work at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

6. Call festival promoters and inquire about cleaning up after events such as street fairs, carnivals or concerts. While these jobs often fall to city workers, promoters sometimes must provide a clean-up crew as part of their contract.

7. Search online classified ads for cleaning gigs to keep work flowing between commercial contracts. These smaller jobs might not be the steady work you’re looking for, but they might help spread the word about your services and help you land bigger clients.

References

• Dayton Business Journal: Cleaning Firm Nabs $2.8 M Base Contract

Resources

• Start A Cleaning Business: Cleaning Tips
• Entrepreneur: Starting A Business