How to Write a Cleaning Business Plan – Simple Guide

How to Write a Cleaning Business Plan - Simple Guide

Do you intend to establish your own cleaning company? Would you want it to be a resounding success? If that's the case, you'll probably require a business strategy.

Many cleaning business owners believe that their firm does not require a plan, which is unfortunately erroneous. Not having a plan is like embarking on a journey without a map. Although you know where you want to go, you don't have the vision or the strategy to get there.

An effective cleaning business plan will assist you in defining, visualising, and achieving your objectives. Hence, it acts as a "roadmap" for your business.

Nevertheless, not everyone knows how to create an action-oriented business plan. If you're one, we've got you covered!

Below, we'll discuss how to write a purposeful business plan that'll help you corner the cleaning business market.

How To Write a Cleaning Business Plan

Why Write a Business Plan Anyway?

Have you ever taken an exam without studying? If yes, I can guarantee you had an awful experience. Plus, you regret it to date. Starting a business without a plan isn't any different.

If you don't prepare ahead of time or craft a master plan, you'll not only be unsuccessful but also find yourself fighting an uphill battle within few months. You may experience financial loss or end up earning a bad reputation in the market, which will perhaps crush your business dreams.

Additionally, a survey conducted by the National Australia Bank found that one-third of Australian small businesses fail because they don't have a business plan.

Therefore, a business plan is crucial for your business. In fact, considering making one is already your step number one in achieving your business objectives.

Also, many successful business owners today believe that a business plan helps them "sleep well at night." So, here's how it may help you.

  • It'll clear your thought process and ease your decision making
  • You'll be able to create a marketing roadmap (defining target customers, market, and product promotion)
  • You would catch up on the right talent at the right time.
  • It'll define your business management goals and provide structure to your organisation.
  • You'll better be able to summarise your skills and establish the finances you require.

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Writing an Action-Oriented Commercial Cleaning Business Plan

Before discussing the business plan template for your cleaning business, know that the "Business plan" is not a one-and-done task. Instead, you'd need to update it time and again to compete with the market.

In other words, keep your plan "ever-green." As your business evolves, instead of sticking to the same old plan, update and re-establish it.

Cover Page

Your cleaning business' cover page may serve as the "first impression," and you perhaps don't want it to be a bad one.

So, how exactly can you design a pre-eminent-looking cover page, and what details do you need to cover? Let's unveil a few.

First, you should consider the information that needs to be included in your cleaning service cover page. Here are some things you are required to cover.

  • Business name
  • Logo
  • Date
  • Contact information
  • Company's address
  • Your role in the commercial cleaning business

Second, you need to consider the design. Remember, "Less is more"; therefore, it's best to keep the cover page sleek and minimal. Bear in mind that you have your business plan executive summary to summarise the contents of your cleaning business.

Hence, no need to include unnecessary information on the cover page. Also, it shouldn't be too busy graphically either. Simply put, the design should not overcome the text. Otherwise, it'll be difficult to discern the information in the first go.

Furthermore, do not undervalue your business name; it functions as an identity for your company. Consider a unique and memorable company name.

Laslty, invest right in the logo. It serves as your cleaning business' visual identity. Consider hiring a professional who can design a simple yet powerful logo that looks distinctive.

Executive Summary

An executive summary is a synopsis of your entire business plan. As such, many business owners want it to be the last part and for the right reasons.

Crafting your executive summary at the end gives the most accurate picture of your business plan. As such, it provides an A+ description of the janitorial services you're offering. The Australian Government Support for Business also suggests writing the summary in the last.

Here's how you can keep it engaging.

Start With a BANG

Start with something that captures the reader's attention and tricks them into continuing reading. For example, include a relevant quote or thought-provoking stats regarding janitorial businesses.

Your audience should be encouraged to know more about your cleaning business. The reading should be thorough, yet it should not reveal everything.

Condense It Down

Your summary should highlight the best and most important features of your cleaning service, ditch unimportant details. Here's what you need to include.

  • Business Overview
  • Target market
  • Local competition
  • Marketing strategy
  • Financial highlights

Make It Stand Out

Make sure your summary has a clear and well-defined structure that is impactful. For instance, someone who has no prior knowledge of cleaning businesses should comprehend the primary elements of your company in the first read.

Keep It Positive

Keep the language optimistic. At this point, you do not need to discuss the potential challenges, risks, and stumbling blocks of your business. Instead, your tone should convey a sense of positivity.

Business Owner

In this section, you'll only discuss yourself. But what exactly will you include? Consider the following things.

Background/History: Do you have any prior experience in the cleaning business? Do you plan to train your employees? What skills are you bringing to your company?

Development: Do you plan to spread your business in the cleaning industry? What makes your strategies stand out among others in the business?

Business Overview

A business overview explains the operational structure of your cleaning company. Upon mere glance, your audience shall know how your company operates. This is particularly helpful for a person who seeks a job at your company.

Below are a few things you may discuss in your business overview.

What Cleaning Services Are You Offering?

Cleaning businesses aren't limited to laundry services. There is a lot you can offer like

  • Residential cleaning
  • Commercial cleaning
  • Carpet cleaning
  • Window cleaning
  • Swimming pool cleaning
  • Car washing
  • Chimney washing
  • Janitorial services

Nevertheless, make sure you opt for services that you're specialised in. Is it car washing, carpet cleaning, or pressure washing? Whatever it is, choose wisely. Make sure your employees are trained well, and you have prior knowledge about the cleaning services you're offering.

What Type of Cleaning Equipments Do You Use?

You're perhaps aware that each cleaning service has unique cleaning equipment. What cleaning equipment are you using for your company? (based on the services you're offering)

Mentioning your cleaning equipment is another way of earning the trust of your customers. They'd know that your brand doesn't operate on cheap cleaning products. Here are a few products you may want to invest in.

  • Glass cleaner
  • Disinfectant
  • Sanitiser
  • Washing liquid
  • Laundry detergent
  • Dishwasher chemicals
  • Mildew cleaner

Pro Tip: Make sure you test the products. Perhaps you do not want to ruin the home appliances or clothes of your customers. It'll be a huge dip in the business.

How Will Weather Affect Your Business?

Will the weather conditions affect your business? They perhaps will. Make sure you include it in the overview of your cleaning business plan. Rainy and stormy weather conditions have a huge impact on the services you're offering.

The Market

Considering the market is another critical step of your service business plan.

Location: Where will you provide the cleaning services? Is it limited to a specific area or a broader region?

What motivates the customers to purchase: Are you offering special discounts on special events? Or Is it your prompt service, despite the inclement weather, that motivates the customers?

Why will they choose your company? What special thing do you offer your customers that other cleaning business owners don't? How is it distinctive?

Sales made to date: This one is optional, but it does leave a good impression on your customers. More sales (with positive reviews) are pretty impactful.

Marketing Strategy

It all comes down to this. No matter how good your business plan is, all of your hard work could be for naught if you don't have a killer marketing strategy. First, you need to consider the method. Is it flyers, Google Ads, or email marketing?

Whatever you choose, make sure you describe how you'll implement it. Also, discuss how it will be useful for the audience and why.

For instance, if you plan to start your business at a remote location with low to no internet connectivity, you should prefer cleaning flyers instead of Google Ads. Again, the key is to target the desired audience.

Also, plan your budget. How much will the marketing exactly cost you?

Market Competitors

Before you analyse your market competitors, you must carry out market research. For example, you can carry out online surveys or SWOT analyses to know about your customers' needs. Also, it'll give you an insight into the feasibility of your service.

Once you've done your research, you need to do a competitor analysis. You are required to assess their weaknesses and strengths.

Consider the following questions when identifying your rivals:

  • Who's your local competition? (List 4-5 competitors)
  • Consider their cleaning services
  • Staff size (number of active employees)
  • Reflect on the prices
  • What services are they offering?
  • How do the customers view your competitors?
  • What are their strategies for business operation?
  • How will their strategies impact your business?
  • How much market share they own?
  • Are they a big threat to you?

Examining these questions keenly will help you devise a smart business plan. It will also ensure that you do not face unexpected challenges in the near future.

Start-Up Summary

Your start-up summary outlines the start-up costs of your assets and services. In other words, it calculates the value of your cleaning business.

Additionally, if you plan to apply for loans, this section, in particular, will determine whether you're eligible or not.

Start-Up Costs

To calculate legit overhead costs, you'd need to determine your start-up costs.

Once you've set up your cleaning charges, you can include your start-up costs in your overhead costs. You must pay attention to this section as skipping or doing it poorly can leave you with losses.

As you begin your start-up summary, make sure to cover all the start-up costs. It will help you know how much it'll cost you to buy the required equipment and chemicals to maintain your business.

Also, note that any products or equipment that you already own shall not be included in this section. This part is only meant to cover the things you need to buy.

Here are a few typical things that you might need.

  • Supplies for the office
  • Cleaning products and equipment
  • Funds to pay the cleaning staff
  • Uniform
  • Marketing charges (ads, websites,, etc..)

Consider and include all these things and their expenses in your summary. It'll help you create an effective and forceful financial plan for your cleaning company.

Long and Short-term Assets

Your long-term and short-term business assets should also be included in the start-up summary.

So, any assets that you already own will help your business in the long run. For instance, the company vehicles pretty much lie in the category of long-term assets.

Alternatively, short-term assets are the equipment you already own and they would benefit your cleaning company for a short period of time. Here are a few short-term assets that you're likely to own already.

  • Chemicals
  • Detergents
  • Vacuum cleaners
  • Sponge
  • Mop
  • Floor brush
  • Dusters

Although recording all your assets (especially the short-term) can be a challenging task, but it's a critical part of the procedure. Any assets that you already own give you an insight into what your company is worth.

Consequently, the more assets you have, the better your chances of making your firm successful.

Pricing Strategy

Want to go an extra mile with your cleaning business plan? You'll perhaps need to master the art of pricing the cleaning services.

This will earn you maximum profit and establish your business for the better. Consider the following things.

  • Hourly rate
  • Employee pay
  • Software expense
  • Taxes
  • Equipment cost
  • Overhead expense

Additionally, you also need to determine your profit goals. While this might be a bit time-consuming, it'll help you stand out among others in the cleaning business.

the Complete Cleaning Business Starter Kit

Get our FREE Comprehensive Start-Up guide, complete with a checklist, business card template, pricing calculator and Invoice template.

Management Summary

You cannot perhaps run your company if you do not consider this one. The management summary includes information about all the people "managing" your company.

You can discuss the people involved in developing your cleaning business and how the entire organisation is managed by them. Here's what needs to be included in the management summary.

The Team Leader

A team leader is responsible for selecting and organising the team. While we cannot ignore the role team as whole plays, one true leader serves as the company's backbone.

Here you'll need to include the details about your team leader. Try mentioning his background, credentials, and vision. Also, provide a summary on how the leader chose the management team (what things he considered?)

The Team Itself

In this section, you need to talk about your team. Here are a few things you may need to add up to the management summary.

  • The academic background of your managers
  • Any professional training or courses that they've had before Skills
  • Their experience in the related field
  • The accomplishments they have achieved while working for your company.
  • A few personal details (age, city or place they live in currently, their notable activities)

Outside Professionals (if any)

Most businesses require an outside professional for help. Hence, your cleaning business staff doesn't only include the people who work for you.

So, if you're taking the help of an outside professional, do not forget to mention him in your business plan. This will demonstrate to investors that you have covered all aspects of your firm.

Costs and Profits

Your management summary should also include the labour costs and profits. Take a look at few things below.

  • Employee pay
  • Your salary
  • Employees needed to reach your objectives
  • Labour costs

As a starter, you may not have enough clients to hire a cleaner, and that's perfectly alright. Remember that it does take a year or two for your business to establish, even if you devise a perfect business plan.

Once you have the clients and feel overworked, know that you need to hire a new cleaner.

Nevertheless, if you still can't afford to hire a new employee, you may want to revise your cleaning prices. Simply put, your cleaning prices might be low, so better raise them.

Financials

This is another challenging task for your business plan. If you do not consider this step, you may go bankrupt or leak the profits of your cleaning business.

Try to consult a financial advisor for this step, as he would guide you better regarding your business' failure or success.

Your finances can make or break your company; therefore, there is very little room for error. A little beyond it, and you'll lose all your money. Listed below are a few things that you may need to include in your financial plan.

  • A financial statement
  • Profit and loss projections
  • Forecasted sales
  • Personal management
  • Analysis of the break-even point
  • Funding for new businesses
  • Cash flow forecast

While you may not need to include everything in your business plan, the items listed above can step up your business game.

Creating a Budget for Your Business

Your cleaning business, like all other businesses, requires careful budgeting. In fact, budgeting is the key part of every company. This will prevent you from overspending and getting into debt later. Also, you won't have to worry about paying your employees either.

Consider the following rules.

  • Cut down on unnecessary costs. For instance, if you know a cheap yet effective cleaning brand, considering purchasing one.
  • Track your sales, profits, and expenses every month.
  • Consider hiring more cleaners and divide the paychecks instead of paying more to a single cleaner.
  • Avoid spending the profit that your earn.
  • When planning the budget, don't consider each penny that you have in your bank account.
  • Talk to a professional.

FAQ

What can I do to keep my cleaning business safe?

The cleaning business has its risks considering the hazardous chemicals found in the cleaning products. Catch on a few tips below to ensure safety for your cleaning company.

  • Make new solutions each time.
  • Avoid using harsh/strong chemicals
  • Check for the expiry date of products
  • Avoid mixing chemicals
  • Keep your chemicals in sealed containers
  • Maintain your electric appliances
  • Train your employees well

To ensure that you get only positive reviews and do not run into unexpected accidents, make sure to keep the chemicals in good condition and a safe place. Also, ensure that your team is well-versed in how to handle each product.

Do I need to get any training before I start my cleaning business?

When launching a cleaning business, there are no legal requirements for specialised certifications or qualifications. You'll be able to manage your business with ease as you gain skills and relevant experience over time. Nevertheless, if you want to get qualified to see yourself perform better beforehand, you can consider taking a course.

How can I quickly attract cleaning clients?

Surprisingly, you can get clients insanely fast if you research right, market right, and show commitment to your cleaning business. Consider following the tips below.

  • If you have a website, engage with your website visitors through live chat
  • Keep your website content up-to-date
  • Connect to your clients through social media (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, etc.)
  • Offer coupons and discounts (It'll surely attract new customers)
  • Last but not least, create an effective business plan (as discussed above)

Bottomline

If you have six hours to cut down a tree, spend the first four sharpening your axe. Simply put, do your homework for a successful business strategy before you step out in the market with your cleaning business.


It will clarify your objectives, allowing you to move forward with confidence. While it may appear to be a daunting task, our guide has broken down each step to help you take your company to the next level.

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the Complete Cleaning Business Starter Kit

Get our FREE Comprehensive Start-Up guide, complete with a checklist, business card template, pricing calculator and Invoice template.