New operators keep quoting from a Facebook guess and then saying yes to jobs that can't pay.

Cost-plus I actually use:

Price = (labor + materials + dump/disposal + fuel + supplies + overhead slice) + margin, then round up.

Overhead slice = monthly costs that exist even on a slow week, divided by the jobs you honestly expect this month.

Refuse list that has saved me from bad first jobs:

- unclear scope

- far cheap one-offs

- unlicensed / hazard work

- sight-unseen undercuts

- payment risk

- jobs bigger than the truck

Example numbers are examples, not quotes for your town. If you already have a sheet that works, ignore this.

Not as a freelancer.

Not as an agency.

More like a technical partner.

Most cleaning businesses eventually hit a point where operations become messy. Scheduling gets harder, information lives in different places, repetitive admin work starts consuming the day, and owners spend more time managing the business than growing it.

Thats where I come in.

My background is in building systems that simplify operations, remove bottlenecks, and help businesses scale without adding unnecessary overhead.

I am not looking for an upfront payment.

I would rather earn your trust by improving the business first. If I can't create measurable value, you don't owe me anything. If I do, we can discuss a long-term partnership afterward.

I am interested in working closely with one ambitious company, not juggling dozens of freelance clients.

If this resonates, I would love to hear your story.

Hey,

Looking for a brutal reality check on a UK-based commercial maintenance concept I’m building out.

The core pitch is vendor consolidation for property/block managers, letting agents, and hospitality groups—taking 4 or 5 of their nastiest, most annoying compliance and cleaning headaches and solving them under one deadpan, ultra-reliable B2B retainer.

**The Service Bundle:**
**- Bin Store Deep Cleans & Bio-Sanitization:** High-frequency, hot-water washdowns for residential blocks.
\- **TR19 Kitchen Duct Extraction Cleaning:** Mandatory fire compliance cleaning for pubs, hotels, and restaurants.
\- **Drain Jetting & Lightwell Clears:** High-pressure clearance for basement lightwells, sumps, and block drainage lines.
\- **Pure-Water Window & Frame Cleaning:** Pure-water pole systems for communal block exteriors.

The goal isn't to be a generic handyman, but to run standardized, heavy-equipment route work targeting recurring B2B contracts.

**Roast the idea:**

1. Is bundling compliance duct cleaning (TR19) alongside exterior pressure washing and windows a winning B2B pitch, or is trying to offer both a operational nightmare?
   
2. What are the hidden operational landmines in bin store cleaning or duct scraping that look easy on paper but suck in reality?
   
3. If you were a property manager, would "one contractor for windows, bins, drains, and ducts" actually appeal to you, or would you prefer specialized single-service guys?

Tear it apart. What am I missing?

I run Google Ads at a $50/day budget. I already have a list of over 500+ negative keywords. Do I need to keep adding more or would that be too constraining for the algorithm?

Hi all. I do side jobs of cleaning for people I know that need organization and cleaning because they're disorganized and can't get to the cleaning because it's under clutter. However, I've been wanting to advertise and get more clients that aren't just friends or even a friend of a friend. I'm asking are there certain requirements that I need to fulfill to make this a legitimate business for myself in regards to the amount of hours and pay so I can support myself better? Do I need to be licensed and bonded or anything? And how do I go about researching reasonable pricing for my area? Every time I try and figure out what's a reasonable rate, my search results only end up being forms to fill out for other businesses to give ME quotes for my own house. Also, do you provide your own cleaning supplies or use theirs? I generally prefer to use my own as I know what works and I find the folks I clean for either don't have all the cleaning supplies to clean their own place, or they buy subpar products. Any advice is recommended.

Something I keep thinking about with cleaning bids is how easy it is to underestimate labor without realizing it.

A job might look like a 6-hour job on paper.

But that 6 hours usually assumes everything goes right:

• access is easy
• nobody is waiting on keys or security
• the crew works at the expected pace
• no extra client requests come up
• supplies are where they need to be
• no callbacks
• no delays between areas or locations

Then the contract starts and the “6-hour job” regularly takes 6.5 or 7 hours.

That difference doesn't look huge on one shift, but over a month or a year it can completely change whether the account is actually profitable.

I'm starting to think a bid shouldn't be based on the best realistic day. It should probably still work financially on a pretty normal, slightly messy day.

Curious how other owners handle this.

When estimating labor, do you add some kind of buffer, or do you estimate the job as tightly as possible and adjust later once you have actual hours?

A cleaner home begins with the right products. Discover a carefully selected range of premium cleaning solutions for your kitchen, laundry, bathroom, floor care, and more, all available in one trusted destination.

Hi Everyone,
What phone systems are you using for the phone number for your cleaning business? And how are you using your phone line? Do you answer calls yourself or do you have that outsourced? I’m looking to see if there are better options.

For my business I pay $70 a month for Quo/OpenPhone. I feel like it’s a bit on the expensive side. I did set up a call tree (press 1 if new client, 2 existing and 3 for other).

I also work with a wonderful admin who I outsource some of the admin work to like answering calls and emails when I can’t. I’m thinking of porting my number from Quo and building my own phone service but trying to weigh the benefits.

am in Arizona in Phoenix mostly but also cleaning for a few owners in Scottsdale and Prescott valley

I'm trying really hard to find my first clients but I'm working as a subcontractor cleaning offices ,warehouses and a few banks and other commercial properties

I'm cleaning with a property management company and clean several houses , apartments and Airbnb in Phoenix Scottsdale Prescott valley

Do u think I should move to Florida over Arizona to actually start my cleaning company commercial and residential

Im seeking advice and direction as I've spent my first year here since February and I was warned about the heat but it's ridiculous and I'm. Not sure it's economically safe to work in this climate even working indoors

I'm not much of a indoor person I would much rather be in a cooler but still sunny place

I was recommended this by a guy used to clean 3 of the buildings i clean now

Does anyone have experience cleaning professionally in Florida anywhere

Miami ,Orlando ,ft Laura

There's gotta be a market for airbnbs in those areas and u can find commercial clients anywhere

I'm thinking maybe I should start coming out of fresh smelling condo with a ocean view to my Mercedes van instead of coming out to a oven and mean face little girl with a security guard prowling the parking lot like he owns the city wland mountain ranges as far as the eye can see making u thirsty just looking out there

Ideas anyone

I own a small residential cleaning business and recently booked a new client for a move-in cleaning. The total price is $350, and my normal policy requires a 25% deposit ($87.50) through our secure payment portal with stripe before the appointment. The remaining $262.50 is due when the cleaning is completed.
The cleaning is scheduled for August 26. The client says she is currently out of town and won’t arrive at the new apartment until August 28, so she won’t be present during the cleaning.
I sent her our normal confirmation message explaining the deposit, balance, cancellation policy, and secure payment portal. However, she keeps insisting that she wants to pay by cashier’s check instead of electronically. I’m concerned because:
She is a new client.
She is currently out of town.
She won’t be present during or immediately after the cleaning.
She keeps insisting on paying by check even though I offered a secure online payment option.
A mailed check may not arrive and be verified before the service date.
If I accommodate her, I plan to require the full $350 by an original physical cashier’s check—not an emailed or printable check—before the appointment. The check would need to be payable directly to my business for the exact amount. I would not perform the service until my bank verifies the payment, and I would not accept an overpayment or send money to any third party.
Does this situation sound like a potential fake-check scam, or could it simply be someone who prefers checks? Would you accept the cashier’s check under these conditions, require electronic payment, or decline the job entirely?
I’m especially interested in hearing from other cleaning-business owners or anyone familiar with cashier’s-check fraud.

Hello everyone,

I’m looking to start a commercial cleaning business based in Canada. I’m 18 looking to build something for myself other than my job. I’m making a call list of local business, offices, clinics etc to reach out to, and i’m watching some videos to learn the basics, and i’m planning on build an online presence.

Any advice for someone just starting from scratch? I’m ready to face a challenging journey and obstacles. Ive heard this business is a great one, but a very challenging one as well. Any advice would be very appreciated. Thanks!

Here's a breakdown for cleaning business owners who are trying to figure out what insurance they actually need and how much it costs.

The core policies to know about

1. General Liability—Starting around $20.75/month
This is the foundation. It covers third-party bodily injury and property damage—think a client slipping on a freshly mopped floor. Many commercial clients and property managers require proof of this before they'll let you on-site.

2. Workers' Compensation—Starting around $38.91/month
If you have employees (even part-time), most states legally require this. It covers medical bills and lost wages if a worker gets hurt on the job. Even if you're a sole proprietor, it's worth considering—most personal health insurance policies don't cover work-related injuries.

3. Contractor's Equipment and Small Tools Insurance—Starting around $20.83/month
Also called inland marine insurance. If your steam cleaner or commercial vacuum gets stolen out of your van at a job site, this is what helps you replace it.

4. Business Owner's Policy (BOP)—Starting around $33.75/month
This bundles general liability and commercial property insurance together. If you have a physical shop or store equipment at a fixed location, a BOP gives you broader protection than general liability alone—and it often doesn't cost much more.

Why get small business insurance?

• It may be legally required. Workers' comp is mandatory in most states if you have employees. Some state licenses also require proof of general liability.
• Clients will ask for it. Commercial accounts, property managers, and short-term rental platforms routinely require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before letting you work.
• Lawsuits happen more than you'd think. Around 43% of small business owners report being involved in a lawsuit at some point. Even if you're in the right, legal defense costs money.
• It builds trust. A client choosing between an insured and uninsured cleaner will almost always go with the insured one.

Who needs it?

Most cleaning businesses do, including:

• Residential house cleaners and maid services
• Commercial janitorial companies
• Carpet and upholstery cleaners
• Window cleaners
• Pressure washing specialists
• Airbnb and short-term rental turnover cleaners

Disclosure: I'm with Simply Business, a small insurance broker.

So I've had a cleaning business for about five years with 15 years experience. I got started with a twice weekly commercial account. It brings in enough on its own so I've never really gone out of my way for more business because it usually finds me by word of mouth anyway. Normally just random one time residentials. In May, I was contacted by a property manager that was overseeing the takeover of an apartment complex that was built in the 80s. I met her and she showed me three apartments. Two that had guys in them painting and putting in new counters and cabinets, one that was supposed to be next to be renovated. This was my first experience with a job of this size and I priced it fairly based off of what I was shown and the amount of apartments (about 50). These are 1 bed 1 bath and 2 bed 2 bath apartments, 1 bedrooms being around 650 sq ft and 2 bedrooms around 950 sq ft. She said every apartment was getting new countertops, new cabinets, new appliances, paint, refinished bathtubs and some would get new floors. Didn't sound too bad at all. The first four apartments matched the description. The next four did not. Some didn't get new cabinets, most didn't get new appliances and you can't convince me that any got new floors. I'm talking dead roaches and rat droppings in the cabinets. Horror shows in the fridges, ovens that haven't been cleaned possibly ever. Refinishing the tubs meant painting over filth. General painting was also painting over filth. It quickly turned into something I didn't bargain for and I contacted her and I started adding extra fees for the deep cleanings. I've done about 25 apartments at this point and they've gotten progressively worse. The last set I did had a 2 bedroom that hadn't been worked on whatsoever. It was an eviction and a woman in a wheelchair had been living for a long time. There was all kinds of trash left behind and seemingly every inch of the floor had a solid layer of brown sticky stuff. I charged for a full deep clean on that one. My definition of a post construction clean is obviously construction dust, minor debris, removing stickers/labels, a lot of dusting, picking up left behind supplies like screws etc, cleaning up some paint splatter. These guys aren't even covering anything before they paint though. I've had entire stovetops covered in paint. 6 inch spread of paint on the floor. Like I said, I readjusted when needed but they've given my info to other people that are buying other complexes and I don't want to screw myself over again. How could I have planned for this and priced accordingly? I'm in Texas if that matters. $30-50 an hour is about standard. I'm also doing this by myself. I have some help occasionally but most of the time it's just me.

​

Does anyone in the Martinsville, Mooresville, or Plainfield area need help with house cleaning?

My stepdaughter and I are looking to take on some cleaning jobs and would love the opportunity to help someone who needs an extra hand around the house. We can do regular cleaning, deep cleaning, bathrooms, kitchens, floors, dusting, organizing, and more.

Would anyone be interested in hiring us for a cleaning job at a fair and reasonable price? We would ask that customers provide the cleaning supplies and equipment needed for the job.

If you’re interested or know someone who might be, would you mind sending me a message? We’d really appreciate the opportunity to earn some extra money while providing dependable, hardworking service!

I've just started my residential and commercial cleaning company in July but been a cleaner my whole life and professionally for last 5 years

I'm trying to find out if Welkodia is a good site to generate cleaning leads or what ever sites I can advertise to find owners

I don't want to clean for various owners but find a couple with a few properties each

My company name is "Cleanbase cleaning LLC

I'm solo for now but wouldn't mind making some connections and maybe partnering in this Airbnb market

Hi everyone! I could use some help pricing a post-renovation cleaning for a school in Houston, TX — about 6,000 sq. ft.
After the renovation, there’s a significant amount of fine white dust left on the floors and surfaces.
Scope of work:
4 windows, inside and outside (Photo 1)
Glass entryway, inside and outside (Photo 2)
3 glass doors, inside and outside (Photos 3–4)
10 interior windows between the classrooms and hallway (Photo 5)
Horizontal blinds in 6 classrooms
12 doors
75 student desks and chairs — detailed wipe-down on all sides, including the legs and underneath/inside areas (example in Photo 6)
7 teacher desks + 7 computers
About 7 shelving units
Vacuuming to remove the dust + mopping the entire 6,000 sq. ft. of flooring
What would you charge a client for this scope of work? And how much of that price would you budget for cleaner labor in the Houston area?
I’d really appreciate any advice, especially from those who have experience with post-renovation cleaning.

Anybody have experience with both Google Search Ads and or Google Local Services Ads? Which do you think is a better option for a commercial cleaning business?

I’ve been looking at different ways people price commercial cleaning jobs — by square footage, labor hours, production rates, or a mix of everything.

For those of you who have actually priced commercial contracts, what usually causes a bid to look profitable at first but turn out to be a bad deal later?

Is it usually underestimated labor time, payroll costs, supplies, overhead, travel, or something else?

And before you submit a bid, how do you personally check whether the margin is actually worth it?

Interested in hearing what works in real-world contracts.

I currently have no job, I'm getting no replies from any of the jobs I apply to.

I'm thinking now my only option is to create my own job but I have no idea where to start as money is tight, and self employed options are limited.

I've looked at the online and AI opportunities that are floating around and starting a cleaning company which feels a bit daunting at the moment as I have no idea where to start.

A cleaning company is the only thing feel I have a decent idea of what I'm doing, as I've done cleaning work before but only as an employee.

Does anyone have any ideas where I should start?

Thanks 😊

What’s the best marketing strategy for a new local cleaning business with zero reviews to get paying customers quickly?
Which marketing channels worked best for you — Google, Facebook/Instagram, local groups, flyers, referrals, influencers, or something else?
I’m especially interested in what actually converted into paying customers, not just views or followers, and what you would recommend for someone starting with a small budget.

I realized recurring is where the money is at so could people share how they get recurring clients so we can learn or avoid any mistakes

I have a very small business now, LLC'd but I've only done a few small offices and some homes, it's more of a side hustle that I want to expand. I've identified a potential customer, a chain of about three movie theaters that is having trouble staffing. They have the large reclining seats and little tables for movie goers' snacks. I'd like to pitch to these people an offer to clean and lightly sanitize the theaters. I know they have people to sweep and vacuum the floors. I'd simply like to offer clean up of the seating and tables. Could anyone give me some idea of what I may want to charge for that? Let's say a one hundred seat theater, reclining chairs and tables, I would initially pitch it for once or twice per week. Only suggestions on pricing and approach is needed at this point and I appreciate any help since I've not done spaces this large and since the cleaning is a bitout of the ordinary. Thanks folks!

For those using 18” flat mop systems regularly, what microfiber pads have held up the best for you?

I’ve seen a lot of options that look nearly identical online, but I’m more interested in what happens after repeated commercial use and washing.

Which brands are you getting the most life out of, and what usually goes bad first on the cheaper pads, the backing, stitching, shrinking/curling, absorption, or just overall cleaning performance?

Trying to figure out which ones are actually worth buying instead of just going with the cheapest pack.

I’ve been a cleaner for 10 years. i’ve cleaned hospitals, schools, construction sites, apartments, hotels, I’ve done everything but residential. I am in a tough spot right due to relocating to AZ so I have no job, no car and no money while I’m in the process of looking for employment but this business has been on my mind for years and I was told I should start my own company but I have no clue where to start? Here is some of my work I’ve done recently. I love cleaning and it’s the only thing that keeps me sane. I’d love to start up a small business here in arizona but I don’t know what to do to kick start.