A typical commercial cleaning company in the US that's still open after three years brings in $20.8k a month ($250k a year) and keeps about $13 of every $100. That leaves about $32.5k a year.
The top 10% make more than $66k a month. The bottom 10% make under $6.6k.
Thinking of starting a commercial cleaning company?
- Typical cost to start
- $5.3k
- Still open after 3 years
- 62%
Monthly revenue by year
For businesses still trading at each point.
| Year | Bottom 25% | Typical | Top 25% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $4,300 | $8,800 | $17,800 | $33,600 |
| Year 3 | $11,400 | $20,800 | $38,200 | $66,000 |
| Year 5 | $14,300 | $27,100 | $51,400 | $91,500 |
Year 3 monthly revenue
How much does it cost to start?
Typical cost to start: $5,300.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Equipment & chemicals | $1,600 |
| Insurance | $900 |
| Vehicle costs | $1,400 |
| Uniforms & PPE | $300 |
| Website & sales materials | $700 |
| Software & payments | $500 |
Where the money goes
Share of revenue for a typical business in year three.
How many survive?
62% are still trading after three years, and 52% after five. These are the reasons owners gave for closing:
What the successful ones do
- No single client above 25% of revenue
- Priced by the square metre with yearly uplift clauses
- Paid staff above market to cut turnover
How to start one, step by step
Verified commercial cleaning companies on HumDays
Why Spotless never lets one client be more than 20% of revenue
Spotless cleans 64 offices and community buildings in Dublin, and no client is allowed to be more than a fifth of revenue. That rule, plus contracts priced per square metre with an inflation uplift, has kept it growing 16% a year.
Garrido Limpiezas
“The team runs the contracts now. I'm selling to someone who wants to grow it.”
Questions people ask
Is a commercial cleaning company profitable?
Usually, if it survives. A typical commercial cleaning company in the US keeps about $13 of every $100 in sales by year three, which on typical sales leaves about $32.5k a year. 38% close within three years.
How much does it cost to start a commercial cleaning company?
The typical cost to start is $5.5k. The biggest items are equipment & chemicals and insurance.
How long until a commercial cleaning company makes a profit?
A typical business had its first profitable month after 5 months. Side-hustle starts took about two months longer.
Why do commercial cleaning companies fail?
The most common reason owners give is “lost an anchor client” (29% of closures), followed by “underpriced contracts” (25%).
Is a commercial cleaning company seasonal?
Steady all year. Survivors plan cash around the quiet months.
Ask commercial cleaning owners
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