I have been working for a janitorial service for about 5 years now and I want to start my own janitorial service. I have been busy pricing equipment, chemicals etc. I have been reading about the bidding process, how to do a walk through etc. What I want to know is how to find out the cleaning rates for my area. It has been suggested that I call local janitorial services and ask what they charge, but they are going to want to come out and do a walk through. Is there a demographic somewhere the gives the cleaning rates for a specific area?

Hi, milespetra!

In what location or locations do you want to work, please?

It will be helpful to know that.

Thanks!

Spokane Washington

Hi again, milespetra!

Are you wanting to do residential, commercial and other types of cleaning like apartments and clean-outs and construction also, etc.

Thanks!

I want to do commercial

I've let Stringer know about your thread here, milespetra! I just sent him an email.

He is the owner of a very large janitorial/cleaning service in the Chicago, IL area. His advice is as good as gold and is second to none! As a matter of fact, he's one of the best in the country!

Thank you for the clarification as to the type of cleaning that you want to get into as well as to the location where you would like to clean.

I can help you with developing your business with marketing and advertiseing, as can Stringer.

I would love to stay and discuss these things with you more tonight, but I need to play for church in the morning. So, I need to get ready for that and get to bed.

I'll be on tomorrow night at least by 9:00 P.M. your time. I'm sure that Stringer will have responded to you in the meantime.

Also, in the meantime, you might want to put the word cleaning into the search at or toward the top of the page to see what other threads there are where this type of activity have been discussed on this site. It's extensive...

Thank you for your understanding, and I'll look forward to working with you at a later point in time!

Thanks!

Thanks Cloug.

Hi Milespetra, I know of nothing better than doing your own thing, to borrow a saying; "if you love what you are doing then you will never have to 'work again in your life."

I need you to understand a few things first;

Pricing varies all over the country; competition, economy, supply and equipment costs, labor, union or non-union, metropolitan vs suburban and rural areas, etc.

And any suggestions that I may make for pricing is influenced by these factors and the final decision for your pricing is just that a suggestion, so in the end you are responsible for your own pricing.

I would be happy to assist where I can Milespetra, please respond to the areas in 'blue' above and below. Also add anything that will assist such as what was your position with the previous company, what exactly is your experience level so we have a starting point? Do you have management, sales and admin experience?

Also, another primary factor in pricing is: what type of building (Medical, warehouse, general office, retail, restaurant, etc.). And the specifications can vary on a per job basis, this also heavily influences your pricing. What markets are you contemplating? Or is that even a factor at this point? Medical requires much more diligence however is a market that is not 'over crowded.'
Will you be a full service company; stripping and refinishing hard floors, cleaning carpets, windows, handling bio waste in medical buildings, etc.

I usually compute my price considering three factors;

Square footage.

Total costs including loaded labor, taxes, admin, supplies, equipment plus profit.

And finally knowing exactly what your local competition is doing with their present pricing attitude. This is only available when you keep your ear to the ground, do an 'after the bid' interview with the prospect (win or lose), reading and listening all you can relative to each of those companies and staying abreast of any curves.

Please respond and we can progress from there.

Thanks,

Stringer

Thanks, Stringer!

Your posts concerning this are always very informative and helpful, based upon extensive professional experience over many years!

I'll look forward to actually visiting with you in person, soon! We just need to work out the times and dates.

Thanks!