Commercial Cleaning Franchise: Why It May Not Be Your Best Choice

Owning a cleaning franchise can be a smart choice for entrepreneurs who are looking for a stable, profitable business opportunity that offers flexibility and growth potential. But very few cleaning businesses are one-size-fits-all. They usually specialize in either residential or commercial cleaning.

As a commercial cleaning service, your jobs will be bigger, as will the fees you can charge. But finding work may be difficult. Companies looking for commercial cleaning services often require companies to bid for the job. Overbid and you won’t get the contract. Underbid and you may wind up working for less than you should.

Also consider many large businesses already have established relationships with other cleaning companies. It can be hard to break into this market and convince businesses to switch to your services.

The difficulty in finding jobs is just one of the reasons you may want to consider buying a residential cleaning franchise instead of a commercial cleaning one.

Consider the Costs of Ownership

Starting a commercial cleaning franchise requires you to buy some expensive equipment. You’ll need a commercial-grade vacuum cleaner as well as a floor polisher/scrubber, and maybe even a pressure washer if you plan to offer that service to your customers. The biggest expense for a residential cleaning company is their vacuum cleaner.

Finding Jobs and Employees

As we mentioned before, it sometimes can be difficult to find commercial cleaning jobs. Residential cleaning companies don’t have as much trouble, as the house cleaning industry is booming. According to Grand View Research, the residential cleaning industry is expected to grow at a rate of approximately 6% annually through 2027. Experts say the reason for this is the number of dual-income households who don’t have the time or desire to clean their own homes but have enough money to pay someone else to do it.

As there are always homeowners who are unhappy with their current cleaning service and looking to find other options, it’s fairly easy for residential cleaners to find new clients. And, because residential cleaners deal with individuals rather than companies, it’s easier to establish a personal connection with them and build a loyal customer base.

Residential cleaning services usually have an easier time attracting employees than commercial cleaners. Many people prefer the idea of working in someone's home rather than in a commercial setting. If you own a commercial cleaning company, your clients will require that your employees be licensed and bonded.

Typically, licensing involves completing a training program or passing an exam to demonstrate knowledge of proper cleaning techniques, safety protocols, and applicable regulations.

Bonding is a form of insurance that protects your clients in case of any losses caused by your employees, such as theft or property damage. To obtain a surety bond, you will need to work with a licensed insurance company or surety bond provider, who will assess the risk level of your business and determine the appropriate bond amount.

These procedures take time and money to complete; if an employee leaves, you’ll need to start over again with someone new.

The Demands of Commercial Cleaning

Another drawback of owning a commercial cleaning franchise is that the work can be physically demanding. Commercial cleaning often involves cleaning large buildings or spaces, which can be exhausting and time-consuming. And because commercial cleaning is often done outside of normal business hours, you may find yourself working late or weekend hours or having to deal with emergency situations at inconvenient times.

Consider Franchising with Two Maids

Given the potential drawbacks of investing in a commercial cleaning franchise, you may want to consider buying a residential cleaning franchise instead.

As with any franchise, you’ll want to find one with a well-known and trusted brand like Two Maids, where our business model was designed to not have to work nights and weekends. Two Maids also stands out in the crowded residential cleaning market with our unique pay-for-performance model. After each cleaning, the client rates the job on a scale of 1 to 10. The rating determines the rate of compensation for the people who cleaned the house. This encourages employees to perform at their absolute best and ensures that clients are completely satisfied.

Get Started with Two Maids Today

Avoid the headaches that come with owning a commercial cleaning business by investing in a Two Maids residential cleaning franchise. Request more information today and someone from our franchise development team will reach out to answer your questions and help you begin your journey to becoming a Two Maids franchise owner.