A cleaning business is a business that engages in cleaning activities. Cleaning services is a niche idea in the janitorial services industry and players in this line of business are usually up and doing to meet up with cleaning demands. Cleaning services encompass a wide range of services such as window washing, floor cleaning, vacuuming, furniture cleaning, carpet cleaning, air duct cleaning, water damage restoration, and other similar services.
Between 2011 and 2019, the market for janitorial services in the United States grew substantially, reaching a value of 77.25 billion dollars. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the industry’s size shrank to 72.66 trillion dollars in value in 2020.
The market for cleaning services worldwide was estimated to be worth $55,715.0 billion in 2020 and is anticipated to grow to $111,498.8 billion by 2030, recording a CAGR of 6.5 percent from 2021 to 2030. The floor care category is the largest contributor to the industry.
How to Start a Cleaning Business in Texas
Table of Content
Conduct Market Research
You should never launch a cleaning business without first completing market research because doing so is essential to the business’s success. Market research offers essential information about your industry and competitive environment. It can inform you of how the target clients and customers you wish to reach view your company.
You may use it to figure out who your consumers are, where they are, and which ones are most likely to buy from you. In essence, extensive market research will enable you to comprehend the mindset of your target market and adjust to their needs in order to win their loyalty.
a. Who is the Target Market for Cleaning Businesses in Texas?
- The public sector; government ministries, agencies, and parastatals.
- Organized private sector
- Households
- Facility managers
- Restaurants
- Hotels and Motels
- Residential areas
- Lounges
b. Is Cleaning Business a Profitable Business in Texas?
The cleaning business is indeed a profitable business. Available data shows that the market size of the Cleaning Services industry in the US increased faster than the Consumer Goods and Services sector overall.
c. Are There Existing Niches in the Industry?
Yes, there are existing niches when it comes to the cleaning business and they are;
- Residential Cleaning Services.
- Commercial Cleaning Services.
- Janitorial Cleaning Services.
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Services.
- Sanitization and Disinfection.
- Green Cleaning Services.
- Pressure Washing Services
- Pool Cleaning Services
- Window Cleaning Services
d. Who are the Major Competitors?
- A & A Cleaning Services
- Polished Cleaning Services
- Dallas Janitorial Services – Commercial Cleaning and Janitorial Services
- Bellah Cleaning Company
- Prestige Janitorial Services
- Texas Cleaning Services
- Easy Breezy Cleaning Service
- Detail Cleaning Services
- Katy Cleaning Services
- Jan-Pro
- The Cleaning Force
- Extreme Clean
- KAS Cleaning Services
- Vanguard Cleaning Systems of Dallas-Fort Worth
- Revive Cleaning Company
- Trustworthy Cleaning Service – Cedar Park
- Daltex Janitorial Services, LLC
- Katura Cleaning Services
- Longoria’s Cleaning and More, LLC
- Hydro-Clean Services, Inc.
e. Are There County or State Regulations or Zoning Laws for Cleaning Businesses in Texas?
No, there are no county or state regulations and zoning laws for cleaning businesses in Texas, but players in this industry are expected to work with the existing regulations governing such businesses in the county or state where their business is domiciled.
f. Is There a Franchise for Cleaning Business?
Yes, there are franchise opportunities for cleaning businesses. Here are some of them;
- Maid Right Franchising LLC
- Two Maids & A Mop
- Home Cleaning Centers of America
- Jantize America
- The Boardwalk Cleaning Co. Franchise LLC
- Maid Simple House Cleaning
- ANB Clean Franchising LLC
- Fish Window Cleaning Services Inc.
- Men In Kilts Window Cleaning
- Buildingstars Commercial Clean.
g. What Do You Need to Start a Cleaning Business in Texas?
- A Feasibility Report
- Business and Marketing Plans
- Business Licenses and Permits
- Office Facility
- EIN (Employer Identification Number)/Federal Tax ID Number.
- A Corporate Bank Account
- Employees
- Startup Inventory
Choose a Memorable Business Name
When looking to start a business, before you can begin to file the necessary documents with the constituted authorities or start your website, it is necessary that you come up with a name that you will be recognized with. It is essential that the name you come up with can easily be pronounced, is unique and easily memorable.
Some of the catchy business name ideas suitable for a cleaning business are;
Creative Cleaning Business Name ideas
- Clean Net® Commercial Cleaning Company, Inc.
- Lehigh Acres® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Clean Nation® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Rick Nelson™ Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Prince Wallace® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Blue Brush® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Frank Jonhson® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Tribute Anchorage® Cleaning Services Company, LLC
- Lincoln Boer® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Wendy Brown® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Ralph Williams® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Bourn Mort® Cleaning Services Company, LLC
- Colly Bonny® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Dennis Longs® Commercial Cleaning Company, LLC
- Daniel Bruce® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Coral Helixes® Industrial Cleaning Company, Inc.
- Gordon Mikel® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Clean and Shine® Commercial Cleaning Company, LLC
- Straus Gabby® Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
- Cloak Clandestine© Cleaning Services Company, Inc.
Register Your Business
a. What Type of Business Structure is Best for Cleaning Business in Texas?
Despite the fact that there are a number of options when it comes to choosing a business structure for a cleaning business, an LLC is the one that the majority of players in this industry choose. Entrepreneurs will often think about forming an LLC in order to defend themselves in court.
Please keep in mind that an LLC will require an EIN if it is required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below or if it has any employees. The majority of newly formed single-member LLCs that are considered disregarded businesses must obtain an EIN.
b. Steps to Form an LLC
- Choose a Name for Your LLC.
- File Articles of Organization.
- Choose a registered agent.
- Decide on member vs. manager management.
- Create an LLC operating agreement.
- Comply with other tax and regulatory requirements.
- File annual reports.
c. What Type of License is Needed to Open a Cleaning Business in Texas?
- General Business License
- Chemical Handler’s Certificate
- Fire and Safety Permit (Fire certificates)
- Zonal Permits
- Signage Permit
- State Occupational Licenses
d. What Type of Certification is Needed to Open a Cleaning Business in Texas?
You don’t need any certifications to open a cleaning business in Texas.
e. What Documents are Needed to Open a Cleaning Business in Texas?
These are some of the basic legal documents that you are expected to have in place if you want to legally run a cleaning business in Texas;
- DBA
- EIN
- Business and liability insurance
- Federal Tax Payer’s ID
- State Permit and Building Approval
- Federal Export Licenses
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Business License
- Business Plan
- Employment Agreement (offer letters)
- Operating Agreement for LLCs
- Insurance Policy
- Online Terms of Use
- Online Privacy Policy Document
- Contract Document
- Company Bylaws
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
f. Do You Need a Trademark, Copyright, or Patent?
Normally, you might not need to register a trademark if you want to open a cleaning business. This is true because the nature of the business allows you to successfully manage the firm without having any reason to sue anyone for using your intellectual property.
Cost Analysis and Budgeting
a. How Much Does It Cost to Start a Cleaning Business in Texas?
When it comes to starting a cleaning business, the startup costs vary and they could range from $20,000 (if you are operating from home) to over $150,000. This is so because the cost of renting and equipping the facility may be on the high side depending on the city.
b. What are the Costs Involved in Starting a Cleaning Business in Texas?
- The total fee for registering the business in the United States of America – $750.
- Legal expenses for obtaining licenses and as well as accounting services totaling – $3,500.
- Marketing promotion expenses – $3,500
- The cost of hiring a business consultant (writing of business plans inclusive) – $2,500.
- Insurance (general liability, workers’ compensation, and property casualty) coverage at a total premium – $5,400.
- The cost of accounting software, CRM software, and Payroll Software – $1,500
- The cost for payment of rent and business office – $52,000.
- The cost for facility remodeling – $10,000
- The cost of cleaning equipment and tools – $40,000
- Other start-up expenses including stationery – $1,500
- Phone and utility deposits will cost – ($2,500)
- Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $30,000
- The cost for start-up inventory – $18,000
- The cost for store equipment (cash register, security, ventilation, signage) – $3,150
- The cost for the purchase of office furniture and gadgets – $8,000.
- The cost of launching an official website – $600
- The cost for our grand opening party – $3,000
- Miscellaneous – $2,500
c. What Factors Determine the Cost of Opening a Cleaning Business in Texas?
- The niche and size of the cleaning business
- The choice of location
- The required licenses and permits
- The cost of branding, promotion, and marketing of the cleaning business
- The cost of furnishing and equipping the facility
- The cost of insurance
- The cost of registering the business
- Source of your supplies and ongoing expenses
- Cost of recruiting and training your staff
- The cost for the purchase and customizing of uniforms
- The cost for the grand opening of the cleaning business
d. Do You Need to Build a Facility? If YES, How Much Will It Cost?
Building a new office space is not required, but if you have the necessary funding, it will benefit your cleaning business.
e. What are the Ongoing Expenses of a Cleaning Business?
The ongoing expenses of a cleaning business will include the labor cost for the workers, lease payments for the equipment and van(s), insurance, purchase of supplies, telephone and internet subscription, fueling, and the amount allocated to the monthly marketing efforts.
f. What is the Average Salary of your Staff?
- Manager (Owner) – $55,000 Per Year
- Accountant (Cashier) – $35,000 Per Year
- Cleaners – $30,100 Per Year
- Utility Truck Driver -$30,000 Per Year
g. How Do You Get Funding to Start a Cleaning Business
- Raising money from personal savings and sale of personal stocks and properties
- Raising money from investors and business partners
- Sell shares to interested investors
- Applying for a loan from your bank/banks
- Pitching your business idea and applying for business grants and seed funding from the government, donor organizations, and angel investors
- Source for soft loans from your family members and friends.
Write a Business Plan
a. Executive Summary
Coral Helixes™ Cleaning Services Company, Inc. is a standard cleaning services business that is incorporated under the law of the United States of America. Our head office will be located in a densely populated residential estate in the heart of Houston, Texas.
At Coral Helixes™ Cleaning Company, Inc., we are passionate about the pursuit of excellence and financial success with uncompromising services and integrity which is why we have decided to start our own cleaning services business. We are quite optimistic that our values and quality of service will help us drive our cleaning services business to enviable heights and also help us attract the number of clients that will make the business highly profitable.
b. Products and Service
- General house cleaning
- Parking lot sweeping
- Snowplowing
- Drain, duct, and gutter cleaning
- Parking lot and driveway washing
- Swimming pool and spa pool cleaning
- Equipment cleaning and maintenance
- Chemical adjustments
- Other related cleaning services.
c. Mission Statement
Our mission as a cleaning services company is to create a highly successful, profitable all-around cleaning services company that offers high-quality services in our neighborhood and to set the bar for a perfect cleaning services company not only in the State of Texas but also across the United States and Canada, where we intend to sell our franchise.
Vision Statement
Our vision is to establish a standard cleaning business that will be among the top 3 cleaning businesses in Texas.
d. Goals and Objectives
The goals and objectives of a cleaning business are to clean and sanitize facilities and the environment so as to make the environment clean and healthy.
e. Organizational Structure
- Manager (Owner)
- Accountant
- Cleaners
- Utility Truck Driver
Marketing Plan
a. SWOT Analysis
Strength:
- Ideal location
- Excellent operational history
- Availability of the latest and easy-to-operate commercial cleaning machines and equipment
- Accurate estimates with no hidden costs
- Excellent customer testimonials.
Weakness:
- Not enough existing clientele to run at full capacity immediately
- We will need a loan to purchase commercial cleaning equipment and related accessories
- The owner is currently running the business solo
- Lack of economies of scale.
Opportunities:
- Build upon existing clientele
- Online market, new services, new technology, and of course the opening of new markets.
Threat:
- Loans diminish profitability until they are paid off
- The first year will be financially tight while we gain customers and pay off loans
- Competition in the area could increase
- Management of employees requires time, money, and efforts
- The regulating department could change its regulatory status and decide to enforce strict regulations that can strangulate new businesses.
b. How Do Cleaning Businesses Make Money?
Cleaning businesses make money from offering the following services;
- General house cleaning
- Parking lot sweeping
- Snowplowing
- Drain, duct, and gutter cleaning
- Parking lot and driveway washing
- Swimming pool and spa pool cleaning
- Equipment cleaning and maintenance
- Chemical adjustments
- Other related cleaning services.
c. Payment Options
- Payment via bank transfer
- Payment with cash
- Payment via credit cards
- Payment via online bank transfer
- Payment via check
- Payment via mobile money transfer
d. Sales & Advertising Strategies
- Introduce your cleaning business by sending introductory letters alongside your brochure to corporate organizations, hotels, schools, households, and other key stakeholders throughout the city where your cleaning business is located.
- Advertise on the internet on blogs and forums, and also on social media like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to get your message across
- Create a basic website for your business so as to give your business an online presence
- Directly market your cleaning services
- Join local cleaning business associations for industry trends and tips
- Provide discount days for your customers
- Advertise your business in community-based newspapers, local TV and radio stations
- List your business on yellow pages ads (local directories) and online directories
- Encourage the use of word-of-mouth marketing (referrals)
Financial Projection
a. How Much Should You Charge for your Service?
It depends on the type of cleaning services offered, but on average, the costs range between $110 and $349, with a national average of $229 for a complete cleaning service.
b. How Much Profit Do Cleaning Business Owners Make a Year in Texas?
Many factors can affect the income of a cleaning business owner, but on average, it can start from $50,000 per year to over $120,000 per year.
c. What Factors Determine the Amount of Profit to Be Made?
- The capacity of the cleaning business
- The location the cleaning business is covering
- The management style of the cleaning business
- The business approach of the cleaning business
- The advertising and marketing strategies adopted by the cleaning business.
- The number of years the cleaning business is in business
d. What is the Profit Margin of a Cleaning Business?
The profit margin of a Cleaning Business is not fixed; to a large extent, it will depend on some factors that are unique to your location and of course, the men, machines, and materials needed to carry out the job.
e. What is the Sales Forecast?
Below is the sales forecast for a cleaning business. It is based on the location of the business and other factors as it relates to such startups in Texas;
- First Fiscal Year: $280,000
- Second Fiscal Year: $340,000
- Third Fiscal Year: $400,000
Set Up your Shop/Office
a. How Do You Choose a Perfect Location for a Cleaning Business in Texas?
- The demography of the location
- The demand for cleaning services in the location
- The purchasing power of businesses and the residents of the location
- Accessibility of the location
- The number of cleaning businesses in the location
- The local laws and regulations in the community/state
- Traffic, parking and security et al
b. What City is Best to Open a Cleaning Business in Texas?
- Plano, Texas
- Dallas, Texas
- Austin, Texas
- Fort Worth, Texas
- Houston, Texas
- San Antonio, Texas
- El Paso, Texas
- Arlington, Texas
- Corpus Christi, Texas
- Grand Prairie, Texas.
c. What Equipment is Needed to Operate a Cleaning Business?
- Commercial Pressure Washer
- Water Tank
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Steam Cleaner
- Buffer
- Buffer Heads
- Set of Microfiber Cloths
- Washing systems, such as a conveyor tunnel or self-service wands.
Hire Employees
When it comes to hiring employees for a standard cleaning business, you should make plans to hire a competent manager (owner), accountant, cleaners, and utility truck driver.
Launch the Business Proper
No cleaning company opens its doors for business without first hosting an opening party to formally launch the business. If you have a small budget, you may want to hold a soft opening party. If not, you may want to host a spectacular opening party for everyone within the area where your cleaning company will be situated.
In conclusion, a successful launch of the cleaning business will enable you to formally notify residents of your city that your cleaning company is open for business.
a. What Makes a Cleaning Business Successful?
- Choose a good location and facility to launch the business
- Offer a wide range of cleaning services
- Be deliberate with your marketing sales approach
- Encourage the use of word of mouth to promote your cleaning business
- Leverage all available online and offline platforms to promote your cleaning business
b. What Happens During a Typical Day at a Cleaning Business?
- The facility is opened, cleaned, and arranged
- The stocks are taken and cleaning supplies are replaced
- The facility is then opened for business
- When customers walk in they are attended to and the truck takes the required equipment, machines, and manpower to the site to carry out cleaning jobs.
- The office facility is closed for the day and accounts are balanced and the workers go home hoping to resume the next day.
c. What Skills and Experience Do You Need to Build a Cleaning Business?
- Attention to details
- Customer services skills
- Interpersonal skill
- Accounting and bookkeeping skills
- Business management skills
- Bargaining and bidding skill
- Work experience in the commercial cleaning and janitorial cleaning industry
- Experience in managing people
- Experience in business administration.