In today's challenging economic landscape, business owners need innovative ideas on how to grow their cleaning companies. The commercial cleaning industry, once considered stable and straightforward, is now evolving rapidly due to technological advancements, changing client expectations, and global events like the recent pandemic. According to IBISWorld, the janitorial services industry in the US was valued at $91.8 billion in 2023, a growth rate of 1.2% per year on average between 2018 and 2023. This slow-growth market favors cleaning companies that innovate and diversify, especially in an economy with recession concerns.
This article will explore 11 creative ways to grow your cleaning company. These strategies are designed to increase your revenue streams, enhance your value proposition, attract a broader client base, and position your company as a comprehensive facility management solution.
Diversification is crucial for growth and stability: Expanding into specialized services creates multiple revenue streams, broadens the client base, and improves customer retention. For example, the eco-friendly cleaning market is projected to reach $174.47 billion by 2031, growing at a 7.67% annual rate.
Emerging markets offer significant growth potential: Areas like indoor air quality services (expected to reach $11.9 billion by 2027) and specialized disinfection services are rapidly growing. In a 2021 survey, 70% of consumers said they'd be more likely to patronize businesses using trusted cleaning products.
Strategic implementation is critical to successful expansion: A measured approach to growth includes assessing current strengths, conducting market research, investing in training, and starting with pilot programs. Forming partnerships and ensuring proper licensing are crucial steps in expanding.
Multiple revenue streams: Offering various services reduces dependence on any single offering. This financial strategy can help your business weather economic downturns or seasonal fluctuations in demand.
Broader client base: Different services attract different types of clients. By diversifying, you can appeal to a wider range of businesses, from small offices to large industrial complexes.
Improved customer retention: When you offer multiple services, clients are likelier to stick with your company for all their needs rather than hiring multiple vendors.
Strategic Cross-Selling Advantage: By leveraging an existing customer base, you can introduce new services to customers who already trust your brand, reducing the pressure to acquire new customers.
Adaptability to market changes: The cleaning industry is subject to trends and shifts in client priorities. A diverse service offering allows you to adapt quickly to these changes.
Competitive differentiation: In a crowded market, offering unique or comprehensive services sets you apart from competitors who may only provide basic cleaning.
Let's explore the 11 innovative add-on services that can grow your cleaning company.
Specialized cleaning services require expertise and equipment that justify premium rates, differentiating your company from general cleaners. This niche focus attracts clients with unique needs and creates barriers to entry for competitors. It enables higher-value contracts and, as you build a reputation, allows you to establish long-term partnerships, increase profit margins, and strengthen your overall market position.
Let’s examine five opportunities for specialized cleaning services.
Biohazard cleanup is a critical service that requires specialized training, equipment, and certifications. These services can include:
You'll need to invest in proper staff training and obtain the necessary certifications to offer this service. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides guidelines for biohazard cleanup that you must follow. Chronotek Pro’s HR tools allow you to store and track certifications.
Medical facility sanitization has become a high-demand service with an increased focus on infection control, especially in healthcare settings. These services can include:
To excel in this area, familiarize yourself with regulations like those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and invest in hospital-grade disinfectants and equipment.
Manufacturing plants often have unique cleaning needs that go beyond standard janitorial services. These needs can include:
To offer this service, you may need to invest in specialized equipment, such as pressure washers, industrial vacuums, and safety gear for your staff.
Data centers require meticulous cleaning to prevent dust accumulation and static electricity, which can damage sensitive equipment. This service involves:
You'll need to train your staff on the unique requirements of data center environments and invest in the proper cleaning technology.
Clean room environments, typical in tech and pharmaceutical industries, require extremely high standards of cleanliness. This service includes:
To offer this service, you'll need to invest in training and specialized equipment and possibly achieve relevant certifications like those offered by the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST).
Specialized cleaning is a strategic way to grow your cleaning business in a market with limited competition.
This significant growth indicates a substantial market opportunity for eco-friendly cleaning services. Here are two ways you can grow your cleaning company:
Capitalize on the rapidly growing eco-friendly market by introducing green cleaning solutions, attracting environmentally conscious clients, and establishing your company as a sustainable industry leader. This comprehensive green approach includes:
Elevate your company's status in the industry by positioning yourself as an expert in sustainable cleaning practices. Offer specialized consulting services to share your expertise in eco-friendly cleaning methods with other businesses. Such consulting services could involve:
Staff members should obtain green cleaning or sustainability certifications to offer these services effectively.
Let’s discuss three add-on services you could offer to grow your cleaning company.
Expand your service portfolio by offering comprehensive disinfection solutions that address the heightened hygiene concerns today, especially in high-risk environments or during disease outbreaks. Experts anticipate the global antiseptic and disinfectant market to grow 10.8% annually from 2024 to 2030. Your expanded services could include:
Train your team to use EPA-approved disinfectants and cutting-edge disinfection tech expertly. You'll boost service quality and give your staff the confidence to tackle any cleaning challenge head-on!
Indoor air quality has become a major concern for businesses, with increasing awareness of its impact on employee health and productivity. Offer comprehensive air purification services that go beyond standard cleaning, such as:
Partner with air quality experts or HVAC professionals to offer comprehensive services in this area.
Provide peace of mind to your clients by offering regular testing for bacteria and viruses on high-touch surfaces, demonstrating your commitment to their health and safety. This proactive approach to hygiene management could involve:
Invest in reliable testing equipment and train your staff to conduct tests and interpret results accurately. Use Chronotek Pro to track the time and labor costs of each type of cleaning to determine which ones are the most and least profitable.
Here are four additional services your commercial cleaning business could offer:
Provide essential maintenance services to keep office spaces in top condition:
Ensure your staff is adequately trained and licensed for these tasks. For liability reasons, establish clear boundaries on job complexity and consider partnering with specialized contractors for more involved repairs. This service helps businesses maintain a professional appearance and prevent minor issues from becoming costly problems.
Enhance your floor care offerings with comprehensive cleaning solutions:
Invest in professional-grade equipment and thoroughly train your staff on various cleaning techniques and safety protocols. These advanced services can improve indoor air quality, extend the life of flooring and furniture, and enhance the overall office appearance. Professional carpet cleaning can remove about 98% of pollutants and dirt from carpets.
Provide comprehensive window cleaning services to enhance building aesthetics and visibility:
Invest in proper safety equipment and provide rigorous training for high-rise work. To meet diverse client needs, offer flexible scheduling options, including recurring service plans. Regular window cleaning not only improves appearance but also extends the lifespan of windows and maintains energy efficiency.
However, be diligent about tracking time on window cleaning jobs, especially for high-rise buildings, like our commercial cleaning customer, Kevin. His workers' comp company discovered that a part of his business was washing windows on the exterior of high-rise buildings, and they raised his rates by more than 25%. That's a steep increase for any small business owner. He called us for help, and fortunately, Kevin had been using our GPS time clock app to track the amount of time his employees spent on each type of project. We helped him pull reports to prove that his high-rise window washing time was less than 2% of his overall work. His workers' comp insurer lowered his rates!
Offer professional exterior cleaning services to maintain property appearance and safety:
Invest in commercial-grade pressure washing equipment and eco-friendly cleaning solutions to deliver top-quality service. Your staff should receive comprehensive training to clean effectively while protecting various surfaces. Throughout the year, consider offering tailored seasonal services, such as pre-winter preparations or spring renewal packages, to maximize value for your clients.
Effective waste management is becoming increasingly crucial for businesses looking to improve their sustainability profile. Companies are recognizing that proper waste handling reduces their environmental impact, enhances their reputation, and can lead to cost savings in the long run.
Here are three opportunities to grow your cleaning company by diversifying into waste management.
Assist businesses in establishing and maintaining effective recycling programs to reduce waste and improve sustainability. Offer comprehensive services, including:
By implementing these services, businesses can significantly reduce their environmental impact while lowering waste disposal costs.
With the growing focus on sustainability, offices with cafeterias or food service areas can significantly reduce their environmental impact by implementing composting services. This initiative not only diverts organic waste from landfills but also promotes a culture of environmental responsibility. Consider:
By implementing these services, businesses can reduce their waste footprint while lowering disposal costs and improving their sustainability profile.
Each year, about 50 to 60 million tons of e-waste are generated as businesses regularly upgrade their technology. These routine upgrades create a growing need for responsible disposal because e-waste contains toxic materials like lead, cadmium, and beryllium. To address this market, consider offering services such as:
Consider partnering with certified e-waste recycling facilities to ensure proper handling and disposal of electronic waste. This approach contributes to environmental sustainability and helps businesses meet regulatory obligations while protecting sensitive data.
Here are three ways to break into the indoor air quality market:
Provide comprehensive HVAC maintenance services to boost indoor air quality and system efficiency. Services such as:
Proper certifications are crucial for this specialized service. Consider partnering with licensed HVAC professionals or investing in staff training and certifications to offer these valuable maintenance options. Regular HVAC cleaning can significantly improve workplace health and energy costs.
Mold issues are common in many buildings and can pose serious health risks. Offer mold remediation services, including:
Please make sure your staff is adequately trained in mold remediation techniques and safety protocols. This expertise will protect your employees and instill confidence in your clients. By offering these services, you'll address a critical need in the market and position your business as a comprehensive solution for maintaining healthy indoor environments.
With increasing awareness of allergies and asthma, allergen reduction services are in high demand. You can offer services such as:
Consider partnering with allergy specialists to develop effective allergen reduction protocols. This collaboration can enhance your services' credibility and may lead to referrals from healthcare providers, expanding your client base.
Offer comprehensive pest control services, including:
Offering these services may require obtaining pest control licenses and certifications. Partnering with or acquiring an existing pest control company could allow for rapid expansion into this area.
First impressions matter; well-maintained landscaping is essential to a property's curb appeal. By offering these essential services, you'll help clients create inviting outdoor spaces that leave a lasting positive impression:
Winter weather can pose significant challenges and safety risks for property owners. By providing reliable snow removal services, you'll help clients maintain safe, accessible properties even in harsh conditions:
A well-maintained parking lot is crucial for safety, accessibility, and overall property value. Offering these services helps clients protect their investment and ensure a positive experience for visitors:
Invest in appropriate equipment and ensure proper insurance coverage for these services. These offerings can be particularly attractive to retail and commercial property managers, providing year-round value and helping you become a one-stop solution for property maintenance needs.
Events of all sizes require meticulous cleaning before, during, and after to ensure a professional and hygienic environment for attendees. Specialized event cleaning services cater to these unique needs, offering tailored solutions for various types of gatherings.
Here are two suggestions for specialized event cleaning that can help grow your cleaning company:
Comprehensive cleaning services are crucial for creating a positive first impression and maintaining a pristine venue throughout the event. These services typically cover:
Events can be unpredictable, and swift response to unexpected messes is essential for smooth operations. A reliable cleaning service can handle various unforeseen circumstances, including:
These specialized services often command premium rates due to their short-notice nature and the high level of expertise required. Clients value the peace of mind that your company will handle cleaning emergencies promptly and professionally.
Offering these services may require specific licenses and certifications for handling various cleaning agents and potentially hazardous materials. Partnering with or acquiring an existing company specializing in event cleaning could allow for rapid expansion into this lucrative market segment.
Offer premium cleaning services for luxury homes, including:
Provide thorough cleaning services for:
Partnering with real estate agencies and property management companies can secure steady work in this niche. These partnerships can provide recurring business and help establish your company as a trusted service provider in the real estate industry.
Offer regular cleaning services for:
- Company cars and vans
- Delivery vehicles
- Executive transportation
Corporate fleet cleaning often involves establishing regular cleaning schedules and may require your team to work on-site at company parking facilities. This work can lead to stable, long-term contracts with predictable income, which is essential for growing your cleaning business.
Provide specialized cleaning for:
- Buses and trains
- Taxis and ride-share vehicles
- Airport shuttles
These services require attention to high-traffic areas and may involve working during off-hours. Public transportation cleaning often means working overnight or during early morning hours when vehicles are not in service. This level of service can command premium rates but also requires a flexible workforce.
Expanding into vehicle cleaning can open up opportunities for large-scale contracts with government agencies, transportation companies, and corporations, providing a stable foundation for your business growth.
Investing in proper training and equipment is essential to ensure high-quality service delivery. Consider starting with a pilot program to test new offerings, allowing you to refine your approach before full-scale implementation. As you roll out new services, focus on effective marketing to existing and potential clients. Update your online presence and consider offering introductory specials to encourage uptake.
As your commercial cleaning company diversifies into new services, tracking the time on each is critical to determine the profit winners and losers. Chronotek Pro's detailed reporting and job-specific time-tracking features allow you to analyze the efficiency and profitability of each new service offering, helping you make data-driven decisions about where to focus your expansion efforts.
Key points to remember:
Follow a thoughtful, measured approach to expansion. Leverage tools like Chronotek Pro's GPS mobile app for on-site clock-ins and accurate billing to grow your cleaning business sustainably, maintaining quality while meeting market demands.
The cleaning industry is evolving rapidly due to technological advancements, changing client expectations, and global events. By strategically diversifying services, tapping into emerging markets, and implementing thoughtful expansion strategies, cleaning businesses can increase revenue streams and position themselves as comprehensive facility management solutions.
This strategic approach drives growth and builds resilience in a competitive landscape. With the janitorial services industry in the US valued at $91.8 billion in 2023 and growing at 1.2% annually, there's a significant opportunity for innovative cleaning companies to capture market share and thrive in this expanding sector.
As owners look to grow their cleaning companies, efficient workforce management becomes crucial. Solutions like Chronotek Pro's employee timekeeping system are vital in supporting expansion strategies and providing the necessary tools and support to manage a growing team effectively.