Are you curious about the cleaning business? Perhaps you’re interested in knowing how much cleaners make. Well, you’re in the right place. From residential and commercial cleaning to specialized services such as carpet cleaning and window cleaning, the industry is huge with the potential for substantial earnings.
But how much does a cleaning business actually make?
First of all we’re going to dig deeper into an overview of the industry, types of cleaning businesses, and factors affecting how much a cleaning business make a year. Additionally, the article will cover profitability factors and tips for growing a successful business.
Whether you’re starting your own cleaning business, looking to scale your existing operations, or simply interested in the financial aspect of this business, we’ve got you covered.
So, let’s roll our sleeves and uncover the truth about how much do cleaners make.
Overview of the Cleaning Industry
Cleaning is something that can’t be taken for granted today.
Why?
Because in the post-pandemic era, cleaning is the best way to ensure the safety of homes and businesses from viruses.
High-traffic areas and touch points are hot spots for bacteria and viruses. Infections can spread rapidly from these places through touch and respiratory action. It’s the primary way through which the coronavirus spreads.
With regular cleaning of high-risk areas and surfaces, up to 99.99% of pathogens are eliminated to keep the place safe.
What is the outlook of the cleaning industry today?
Deep Cleaning
At first, homes and commercial places need deep cleaning at least once a month. This involves more intense cleaning of hard-to-reach areas missed during regular cleaning. High-risk places need deep cleaning at least once a week or more depending on the traffic.
Green Cleaning
There’s growing demand for cleaning processes involving equipment, methods, and supplies certified to be sustainable. These cause minimal impact on the environment. Green cleaning is free from toxic products to protect the environment and people around.
High-Tech Cleaning Solutions
New-gen cleaning solutions and equipment are becoming popular for being faster and more efficient.
High-tech solutions in the cleaning industry include:
- Electrostatic sprayers
- Robots
- Artificial Intelligence
- Antimicrobial surface coatings
The high-tech solutions clean all corners and hard-to-reach areas using minimal water and zero chemicals. Additionally, they instantly dry the place making it ready for use immediately.
Use Of Software
As the world continues to go digital, successful cleaning businesses rely heavily on the use of cleaning business software. This allows quoting, invoicing, scheduling, dispatching, communicating, and reporting. The software allows better management of clients and technicians in the field.
Some important cleaning industry stats include:
- About 80% of households are expected to use a housecleaning service by 2024
- House cleaning is expected to be worth $40.38 billion by 2025
- The cleaning industry is expected to grow by 10% by 2026
- According to BLS, employment in cleaning services is expected to grow by 10% by 2026
- Statista analysis predicted cleaning services to generate $49.5 billion in 2023
Types of Cleaning Businesses
Cleaning services are essential in maintaining hygiene, cleanliness, and a healthy environment. There are different kinds of cleaning businesses to cater to the needs of homeowners and small business owners.
Let’s look at some types of cleaning businesses.
Residential Cleaning
This type of cleaning focuses on cleaning homes and residential properties. Residential cleaning services include tasks such as:
- Dusting
- Vacuuming
- Mopping
- Kitchen and bathroom cleaning
- General tidying up
- Changing bed linens
Commercial Cleaning
It’s a cleaning service for commercial establishments such as retail stores, offices, restaurants, and other commercial properties. The tasks involved in commercial cleaning include cleaning floors, carpets, restrooms, windows, and common areas. Other tasks may include disinfection and sanitization of high-touch surfaces.
Pressure Washing
Also known as power washing, it involves the use of high-pressure water spray to remove grime, dirt, mold, mildew, and other debris from various surfaces. Pressure washing is suitable for exterior surfaces, patios, gates, walls, outdoor furniture, vehicles, and equipment.
Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning
People are always moving in or out of homes, apartments, or offices. Move-in cleaning involves sanitization and deep cleaning of new living spaces. Move-out services involve cleaning and preparing the premises for the next resident.
Deep Cleaning
Spaces need thorough cleaning apart from regular cleaning. The process includes cleaning hard-to-reach areas, neglected spaces, and spaces that need extra attention. Other tasks involved in deep cleaning include scrubbing grout, deep carpet cleaning, and cleaning vents.
Janitorial Services
This type of cleaning involves daily or routine cleaning in commercial properties. Janitorial services are for schools, office buildings, hospitals, and other public spaces. Tasks involved include cleaning and restocking restrooms, dusting, emptying trash, vacuuming, and other general cleaning duties.
Earnings for Cleaning Business Owners
As a cleaning business owner, understanding the dynamics of earning in the cleaning industry is crucial for success and profitability. Furthermore, maximizing how much small cleaning companies make requires careful consideration of factors such as services offered, pricing strategy, and business location..
Factors Affecting Earnings
Whether considering a career in the cleaning industry or a business owner in the industry, knowing how much do cleaners get paid per hour is essential.
Consider the following.
Business Size and Location
Larger cleaning companies have more resources to handle bigger projects leading to more earnings. Bigger companies have more opportunities for career growth. This positively impacts how much does a cleaner get paid per hour. Smaller cleaning companies are more flexible but have fewer resources, limited contracts, and fewer employees.
Geographical location affects how much profit does a cleaning company make since it impacts demand. Areas with a high population have more demand for cleaning services. Metropolitan areas have higher costs of living and higher wages for cleaning professionals, unlike remote locations.
Services Offered
The services offered affect how much do commercial cleaning companies charge in various ways. The type and complexity of the service determine earnings. More complex tasks that need specialized equipment and skills command higher rates.
In addition, demand for particular services also affects earnings. For instance, high-demand services such as maintaining sanitation in the post-pandemic period have higher earnings. Moreover, businesses that offer a range of services tend to earn more than those that offer a particular service.
Here’s a breakdown of some cleaning services and potential charges.
| Service | Expected earnings |
|---|---|
| Window cleaning | $149 to $250 |
| Gutter cleaning | $146 to $289 |
| Post construction cleaning | $280 to $700 |
| Disinfection | $140-$300 |
Pricing Strategy
How a business sets and manages its pricing directly impacts how much do professional cleaners make.
Here’s a breakdown:
- Competitive pricing– high prices scare away customers while very low prices lower earnings
- Profit margins – higher pricing leads to higher profit margins which encourage further investment. Lower pricing lowers profits leading to lower earnings for professionals.
- Perceived value – very low pricing gives an impression of low-quality services and may lead to lower earnings. High prices without commensurate value lead to dissatisfaction and low demand leads to lower earnings.
- Price flexibility – different pricing options based on customer needs affect the volume of jobs and overall earnings. Rigid pricing may discourage return customers which negatively impacts earnings.
- Price adjustments – the ability to adjust pricing to match prevailing market conditions boosts how much do cleaning services make. Failure to adjust results in reduced profitability accordingly.
Hourly, Monthly, and Yearly Earnings
In the cleaning industry, earnings are structured hourly, monthly, and yearly. These payment structures have advantages and considerations for business owners and employees.
Let’s look at each in detail.
- Hourly earnings – how much do cleaners make per hour depends on actual hours worked. Employees work depending on their availability and preferences.
- Monthly earnings – how much does a cleaning business make a month disregards the hours worked. The structure is predictable and stable allowing budgeting and planning.
- Yearly earnings – This is how much a cleaning business makes a year.
Profitability Factors for Cleaning Businesses
Profitability is an essential aspect of the business. Careful management of various factors ensures that cleaning operations generate revenue exceeding costs for a profitable bottom line.
In a modern business landscape, effective understanding and implementation of profitability factors are essential for business success and sustainability.
Calculating Profit Margins
Determining profit margins allows for understanding the financial health of a business. It also allows making informed decisions about expenses, pricing, and profitability.
The profit margin is a percentage of the revenue that remains after deducting all expenses of providing cleaning services.
Here are the steps to calculate profit margins.
- Determine revenue– calculate total revenue from the business including one-time cleaning fees, recurring service charges, and any additional income.
- Identify direct costs – compile all expenses and costs such as labor costs, cost of supplies, equipment, transport, and subcontractor fees.
- Calculate gross profit – subtract direct costs from total revenue to get the gross profit. The amount doesn’t include indirect costs such as overhead expenses.
Total Revenue-Direct Costs+Gross Profit.
- Determine overhead expenses– these are indirect costs not directly related to cleaning services. They include insurance, office supplies, rent, marketing, and general administrative costs.
- Calculate net profit– subtract the total overhead costs from the gross profit to determine net profit. This is the profit the business earns after deducting all direct and indirect expenses.
Gross Profit-Indirect Costs + Net Profit
- Determine profit margin – this involves dividing the net profit by the total revenue. A lower profit margin indicates lower profitability or higher expenses.
(Net Profit/Total Revenue) x 100 + Profit Margin
Conclusion: Is a Cleaning Business Profitable?
A cleaning business is profitable when managed with careful consideration of the target market, pricing strategy, marketing efforts, and customer retention. Success comes with the use of payment software such as Field Complete, diligent planning, strategic execution, and regular price adjustment to optimize profitability and long-term success.
Factors to Consider
If you’re thinking of starting a cleaning business and how much can a cleaning business make, here are some considerations.
Business Structure
Deciding on the business’s legal structure is important. The options include sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC). Each structure has its pros and cons. Ensure to do your homework to choose one that suits you better.
Target Market
Do your homework to find out the demand in your target area. Determine the market size, competition, and gaps to capitalize on. The target market impacts how much does a commercial cleaning business make a year or how much does a cleaner make per hour.
Services To Offer
Do you want to offer a specialized service or comprehensive services? The service offered impacts how much do commercial cleaners charge. Offering a range of services increases earning potential.
Pricing Strategy
The pricing strategy must consider costs, desired profit margins, and local market rates. Factors such as labor costs, supplies, equipment, taxes, and overheads impact how much do commercial cleaning companies make. Striking a balance between being competitive and profitable is crucial.
Equipment and Supplies
You must consider the type of cleaning equipment and supplies you’ll use. Green cleaning services are growing popular and set you apart from the competition. Additionally, modern cleaning equipment is more efficient and time-saving.
Marketing and Advertising
A marketing and advertising plan is essential to market your cleaning business. The options may include a website, social media, content marketing, search engine optimization, and traditional advertising options. An ideal marketing strategy considers your target customers and competition.
Financial Management
You need a system for managing your business. A good idea is to use billing and invoicing software. This will ease bookkeeping and record keeping. It allows sending quotes, invoices, and receiving payments. Having an efficient financial management system in place boosts how much do cleaning business owners make.
Tips for Building a Successful Cleaning Business
- Develop a solid business plan
- Research and understand your market
- Establish a strong brand
- Offer excellent customer service
- Have a strategic marketing plan
- Price your services competitively
- Focus on operational efficiency
- Prioritize customer service and retention
- Stay updated with industry trends
Building a successful cleaning business takes time, effort, and careful planning. Following these tips and continuously evaluating and adjusting strategies makes a significant difference in how much does a cleaning business make a month.
