On the surface, a commercial cleaning business sounds like a great idea ― but is it the right business for you? The cleaning industry can be lucrative among both residential and commercial clientele, but when it comes to investing, it’s not a one-size-fits-all sector. If your investment comes down to a residential vs. commercial cleaning business, do you know which you’d choose, and why?
Pros and Cons
What do you lean toward when weighing the key aspects of a residential vs. commercial cleaning business? Let’s take a closer look.
Residential Cleaning Businesses
- Better Hours: Most residential cleaners operate within regular business hours, Monday-Friday, although some may choose to work Saturday.
- Lower Startup Costs: Generally, no specialized equipment or training is needed. A Merry Maids franchise, for instance, has an initial investment between $126,880 and $165,610.
- Personal Connection: You and your staff have the opportunity to build more intimate relationships with clients, which leads to customer loyalty.
- Reliable Scope of Work: Usually, you’ll follow the same general checklist for each job.
Commercial Cleaning Business
- Nights and Weekends: Because businesses don’t want to inconvenience customers and employees, your cleaning hours will mostly fall on nights and weekends.
- Specialty Training and Equipment: Depending on the nature of the commercial space, you may need specialized equipment and training for your staff.
- Higher Startup Costs: Commercial cleaners must account for a wider variety of job types that could require specialized equipment and training, as well as specially formulated chemicals designed for larger spaces.
Franchise Your Cleaning Business
If you’ve settled the residential vs. commercial cleaning business debate and decided to stake your claim in the $18.8 billion residential cleaning industry , congratulations ― you’ve made a smart decision! Take the next step by investing in a franchise with Merry Maids.
Franchising offers many advantages over starting your own business. Franchisors have a proven business model, comprehensive training, ongoing support, and the backing of a trusted brand name, which makes it easier to achieve success and grow your business.
Examine the Numbers
| Merry Maids* | |
|---|---|
| Startup Costs | $126,880-$165,610 |
| Franchise Fee | $55,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 7% |
| Net Worth Requirement | $150,000 |
| Minimum Liquidity | $70,000 |
| Average Gross Sales, top quartile | $1,261,553 |
| Franchising Since | 1980 |
| No. of Units | 1,640 |
*For full details, see our latest franchise disclosure document
Training and Support
At Merry Maids, you’ll receive pre-opening online training in addition to a 10-day training course at our Memphis headquarters. You’ll be assigned a dedicated Business Development Consultant, who is there to help you make the right decisions for running your business. Our continuous hands-on support also includes marketing assistance, regular workshops, and conventions.
Why Choose Merry Maids
With 45 years of experience, and backed by our parent company, ServiceMaster Brands, since 1988, Merry Maids is an optimal choice for anyone seeking a proven and reliable low-cost cleaning franchise . We view our franchisees as true partners, and we’re invested in your success. Merry Maids has prime territories available throughout the U.S., as well as Asia and Western Europe.
With an increase in the number of $100,000 households , market analyst IBISWorld reports, the demand for residential cleaning services has also increased. Why not join the success of one of the leading brands in the industry?
Qualified franchise candidates need no industry experience, thanks to our extensive training and support. We’re looking for people with a passion for customer service and a dream of running their own business.
We’re committed to diversity and inclusion, and we’re an excellent choice for entrepreneurs seeking a reliable and supportive business model.
For more information about how to get started with your own Merry Maids franchise, submit this form today.