Residential Cleaning
Weekly Cleaning – This is a full home, quick, surface level cleaning. A weekly cleaning will usually take place while the family is home. Your cleaning crew will need to be mindful of this and perform their duties with as little disruption to the client as is possible. Tasks they may perform include Dusting or handwashing the following:
- Ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Baseboards
- Blinds and window sills
- Lamps and lampshades
- Picture frames and household decor
- Dust and polish furniture
- Wood moldings
- Empty wastebaskets
- Bathroom counters
- Mirrors
- Sinks
- Kitchen countertops and backsplash
- Wipe down outside of appliances
- Scrub shower/bathtub and tile
- Degrease stovetop
- Make beds and change sheets
- Microwave interior/exterior cleaned
- Vacuum or dust stairs
- Vacuum and/or mop all floors
- Water inside plants
Deep Cleaning
- Dust and wash air vents
- Wipe down doors and door frames
- Dust picture frames and household decor
- Wipe down exterior kitchen/bathroom cabinets from top to bottom
- Scrub baseboards
- Windowsills
- Stairs
- Wood moldings
- Vacuum and handwash blinds
- Vacuum curtain tops
- Wipe down ceiling fans and light fixtures
Move In/Move Out Cleaning
Things To Consider:
- This is someone’s home. Taking a respectful, professional, and detail oriented approach goes a long way. Remember, its not just about providing a service. It is also about making sure the client is comfortable having you in their home.
- Clients may have preferences on cleaning products. You may need to factor this into how you bill them for services.
- Billing. One of the big differences between residential and commercial cleaning is that you bill on the day of service. Depending on how you receive payments, your income can vary.
Commercial Cleaning
Commercial cleaning focuses on cleaning large commercial and retail spaces. It can include but is not limited to cleaning:
- Office buildings
- Grocery stores
- Convenience stores
- Schools
- Daycares
- Restaurants
- Banks
A business may need cleaning on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Cleaning usually takes place at night after all employees and customers have left the property. The tasks performed by a commercial and residential cleaning are very similar. Cleaning tasks will vary from space to space but typically include the following:
- Ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Baseboards
- Blinds and window sills
- Lamps and lampshades
- Picture frames and office decor
- Dust and polish furniture
- Wood moldings
- Empty wastebaskets
- Wipe down bathroom counters
- Polish mirrors
- Clean sinks
- Wipe down countertops and backsplash if applicable
- Degrease outside of appliances if applicable
- Shower/bathtub and tile if applicable
- Degrease stovetop if applicable
- Microwave interior/exterior cleaned if applicable
- Vacuum or dust stairs
- Vacuum and/or mop all floors
- Water inside plants
- Wax or polish floors
You can keep cleaning times short by negotiating a more frequent cleaning schedule. The more often your cleaning crew is in the space the less work it will take to maintain a clean and professional environment for your client. Otherwise, it may be necessary to hire a larger crew to ensure a quick turn around.
Things to Consider:
- Security. You will be cleaning professional spaces. These spaces often contain proprietary or otherwise sensitive or valuable information and materials. Ensuring the safety and security of your client’s office space is vital to providing excellent service. Your client may expect you to have a certain level of insurance or a bond to cover losses or damages in the event of a theft. They may also require you to agree to certain security measures, including a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA).
- Bidding for Contracts. While some commercial companies will buy your services outright, many will open up a bidding process. During this process you will need to submit a proposal. This should detail the services you provide and the expected monthly charges. This is a highly competitive process and may require some negotiations.
- Cleaning Time. Another difference between a commercial and residential cleaning business is the cleaning time. You may be cleaning some very large spaces. Your client will not be in the building during the cleaning service. You will have some time to adjust to the cleaning time with each new space. As long as the cleaning is complete before the start of business, you’re golden!
Weighing your options between a commercial and residential cleaning business can an exciting time for you as an entrepreneur but it can also seem pretty intimidating. Debbie Sardone is the owner and founder of a million dollar maid service business. She has consulted for more than 350 residential cleaning business owners around the world. She also has experience training more than 1000 business owners, employees and trainers. If you are ready to start a commercial or residential cleaning business with advice from America’s Top Cleaning Business Development Expert, give Debbie a call today!