The cleaning industry is divided into consumer and commercial markets. On the consumer side of things, there are residential services such as maid services, carpet cleaning services, or window cleaning services. Commercial cleaning is a janitorial service that includes carpet and window cleaning, waxing and stripping floors, as well as more in-depth cleaning that is needed by larger businesses. Both residential and commercial cleaning services normally opt to purchase wholesale cleaning supplies as opposed to purchasing retail.
The first step in starting a cleaning business is deciding whether the focus will be on cleaning commercial buildings or on residential buildings. This will play a large role in determining the equipment and supplies that will be purchased. It is not unrealistic to expect to be able to service multiple markets successfully.
The cleaning business is not glamorous. While it is true that advancements in the technology used in both cleaning supplies and appliances has grown over the past few years, it is still a hands on business. However, a cleaning business can be very profitable and can generate revenue quickly. A cleaning business can be operated on a full-time or a part-time basis. It is also something that a person can do out of their home, or they can rent a commercial location.
Since owning a cleaning business allows a person to have a level of flexibility, it appeals to a lot of people who have different goals. Cleaning is a large industry that has a lot of different markets and niches inside it. This allows a person to tailor their services to meet the customer base they feel they can serve in the best way. It allows a business owner to create a company that fits their individual style and meets their talent. If a person wants to do all of the work on their own, they can keep their business small. However, if they see themselves as more of an administrator, they can grow their business and have teams doing the cleaning work for them.
Individuals who enjoy working outdoors could focus on things like window cleaning and pressure washing. Those who want to focus on lighter cleaning may have a residential maid service. Those who are looking for heavier cleaning work can get involved in disaster restoration or in construction clean up.
There are very few industries that offer the range of choices and opportunities like the cleaning industry. There are also very few industries that are expected to grow as much as the cleaning industry.