With several houses, schools, companies, and churches outsourcing their cleaning services these days, starting a cleaning service company in Nigeria is a sure way to build a profitable business.
Until lately, the cleaning business has received less patronage. However, in the last couple of years, cleaning services; residential cleaning, maid service, and janitorial services have taken an upturn in Nigeria and all over the world.
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It is now dominated by thousands of small organisations who make millions by rendering residential and commercial cleaning services to people. By and large, the industry is becoming more populated, and guess what, little or no capital is required to start.
Are you looking to start a cleaning service company in Nigeria? This article comes in handy and provides you with everything you need to begin and become successful in the cleaning business.
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Cleaning Service Company
It is one of the few businesses that’s easy to start. Although highly competitive, less capital is required. As long as you can distinguish yourself from competitors with quality services, innovative ideas, marketing skills, credible business structure, specified niche, good public reputation e.t.c, you are on your way to making cool cash.
Also, it can be operated on a part-time or full-time basis, from your home or from a commercial office space. It’s a simple industry but, requires professionalism.
Let’s have a quick look at all you need to start a cleaning service company.
Step By Steps Plan On How To Start A Cleaning Service Company
Business Plan And Business Registration
A workable business plan is vital to the success of your business. It’s like an action plan which states your objectives with strategies to achieve them. A business plan outlines your goals and clarifies your intent.
Having a business plan for your cleaning service company will give you a guide and position you to access grants, bank loans, and other benefits tailored to entrepreneurs. If you already have the start-up capital, it is important to have a business model developed.
Also, you will need to register your business and get your business structured. You can register with the authorised Nigerian agency, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Depending on the ownership structure, you can register as a business name, Partnership or Limited Liability Company. ReDahlia will help make the process seamless for you.
Choose A Niche
The cleaning services industry is broad. Starting out and servicing all and sundry could make you a jack of all trade and master at none. Therefore, it is recommended that you choose a niche as you are starting out. As you grow, you can decide to expand.
You can decide to offer a commercial or residential cleaning service in wide areas or offer a wide range of services to a very limited group. Whatever you decide, ensure to take cognizance of the prospective customers, your location and the competition around.
Also, you can do a quick survey to know the selling point of other cleaning businesses in your community. That way you can know where their strength lies and develop strategies that will help you put your best foot forward.
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Size Of The Business
Are you looking to start alone or with some staff? What type of service do you want to render? How many people do you want to service? Answering these questions will define the size of the business.
If you decide to start alone, it means that you are going to start really small and will do all the work, both the administrative and the cleaning work. On the other hand, if you decide to hire more hands from inception, you have to factor the cost of recruitment, salary, benefits, etc.
In all, the size of the business will ultimately depend on the initial capital investment at hand. Whichever way, ensure you render professional service and appear professional.
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Location
Having a physical office or a virtual office address is highly important for this kind of business. However, starting a residential cleaning service does not require an office, as you can start from home and store your equipment in your house. Moreso, your customers may not visit you as the job has to be done on-site.
On the other hand, commercial cleaning services or janitorial services require an office space. Since you are serving commercial clients, there may be a need for them to visit your office space.
In choosing an office space, choose a location that’s easily accessible to prospective clients and ensure you have a nice reception area where visitors can be received. Also, your office space should have storage space for your equipment.
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Have A Business Card
Having a business card is one of the best promotional tactics of any business. Create a visually appealing business card that gets a second look. Your business name, logo, email address, website address and contact information should be visible on your business card.
Get An Insurance
Talk to your insurance agent and get a package that covers you and the business. The insurance policy you choose should be able to cover your business in case of an accident, damage to clients’ property, etc.
As much as you pray that such incidents do not occur, you have to adequately protect yourself, your staff and your business.
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Create A Pricing Structure
Your pricing has to be competitive. You have to take account of your labour cost, overhead cost, and then input profit. If you don’t have a knack for numbers, you may hire the services of an accountant or research to find out how’s done.
If you don’t get the pricing right, you may end up pricing your service low and losing on potential revenue or pricing yourself too high and run the risk of losing the job to other bidders.
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Marketing
One of the ways to get customers is by promoting your business to the right audience. Be sure to create a website and open social media pages. Also, design flyers, banners, and other marketing materials.
In addition, give your business card to strategic people who can patronise or refer clients to you.
You can also offer coupons and discounts, ask for referrals and advertise on your van (if there is any).
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Types of Cleaning Services Company
Like we mentioned, the cleaning service industry is broad. Different kinds of cleaning require different tasks, equipment, and a somewhat different approach.
Some types of cleaning services are; Industrial cleaning, general house cleaning, drainage cleaning, specialized roof cleaning, real estate cleaning, post-building/construction cleaning, window cleaning, car cleaning, laundry services, fumigation/pest control, carpet/upholstery cleaning, and many others.
I will go ahead and explain some of the types of cleaning businesses you can start:
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Residential Cleaning Business
This is the most popular type of cleaning service. With the high increase in demands with corporate jobs these days, a lot of Africans outsource home cleaning, cooking, washing, and other domestic chores. This shows that there’s a market for cleaning services.
Your service can be rendered daily, weekly, or monthly depending on your clients. It involves general house chores and tidying of the entire environment and may include: dusting, surface cleaning, toilet washing, mopping, sanitizing, polishing, vacuuming of the entire home, etc.
Post-renovation cleaning of residential houses falls under this category also. As your business grows, you can add other services like window cleaning and laundry services.
Trust is important in this type of business. For your clients to let you into their home and have you do your work unsupervised, you must have earned their trust.
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Commercial/Office Cleaning Services
This is a highly lucrative business, especially in urban areas. It is also called janitorial services. It involves cleaning an entire office building and its premises. Your clients range from schools to hotels, airports, hospitals, real estate, government organisations, market areas, etc.
The service can be rendered daily or on weekends at a time when services will not be interrupted by workers. Activities to be done include mopping, emptying trash cans, cleaning windows, doors, bathrooms, etc.
Office cleaning requires teamwork and a proper functioning system for execution. You will need to have a trusted and reliable team who can faithfully discharge their duties.
As long as you are confident in delivering a credible job, and can meet the needs of your clients, you can venture into this area of cleaning. If you structure your business and deliver excellent service, you will expand in no time.
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Laundry Services
The laundry business is the most common of all the cleaning services today. Several people want to wear clean ironed clothes but do not have enough time to wash and iron them.
Anyone can venture into the laundry business as long as they understand what the business entails.
However, it requires a high level of professionalism and can be a bit capital intensive because of the expensive equipment needed. Some of the equipment include; washing machine, pressing iron, pressing table, hanger, bucket e.t.c.
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Carpet/ Rug Cleaning
Carpet cleaning is challenging to start and needs tactics to stand out from the competition. It includes a thorough cleaning, deodorizing, and sanitising of carpets in commercial and residential buildings.
Carpet cleaning requires expertise and equipment like heated carpet extractor machine.
Swimming Pool Cleaning
This is a specialised kind of cleaning which requires experience. With the increase in pools in private homes, specializing in swimming pool cleaning is a good area to venture into.
Your services will be tailored around hotels, schools, clubs, recreation centres, etc. Although, it requires little physical effort, however, the equipment needed is a bit costly. Some of the swimming pool equipment are robotic cleaner, pressure-side cleaner, suction side cleaner, etc.
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Car Washing
In this modern age, car washing service is a lucrative business to venture into. With millions of cars hitting Nigerian road daily, you can be rest assured that hundreds of cars visit car wash centers on a regular. Venturing into the car wash business will bring a consistent and stable income especially during rainy seasons.
A strategic location is very key to this kind of business. Also, you have to be professional and trustworthy.
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Cleaning Service Equipment
As stated, running a cleaning service company requires less capital when compared to most kinds of businesses in Nigeria. Again, the equipment you will need will depend on your niche.
Some of the basic cleaning items are;
- Brooms
- Mops
- Napkins/hand towels
- Toilet Brush/Toilet bowl cleaner
- Bucket
- Sponge
- Vacuum cleaner
- Brush
- Protective gloves and mask
- Potable extractors
- Biodegradable chemicals
- Office Van
- Bin bags
- Detergent/washers
- Wet floor signs
- Door signs
- Disinfectant
- Furniture polish
- Ladder
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Conclusion
A cleaning service company is one of the lucrative businesses to start anywhere around the world. Everything we mentioned is important and will guide you, but they do not guarantee success.
Success in any business is built on hard work, determination and grit.
Do you run a cleaning business or are you thinking of starting a cleaning service company? We will like to hear your thoughts in the comments.
83 thoughts on “How To Start A Cleaning Service Company In Nigeria”
I really appreciate your insightful lecture. I’m planning to set up my cleaning company will really need your support.
Thank you Balarabe,
We have a program that will prepare you to launch your business with expert guidance. Learn all about it here – https://www.entrepreneurs.ng/start-your-business-in-30-days/
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Great
Thank you, Glory.
We have a program that will prepare you to launch your business with expert guidance. Learn all about it here – https://www.entrepreneurs.ng/start-your-business-in-30-days/
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I really impressed with your vital information on cleaning services,and I am thinking on how to venture into it, you really encourage me, thanks so much.
Hello Mustapha,
We are glad you found the content insightful.
We have a program that will prepare you to launch your business with expert guidance. Learn all about it here – https://www.entrepreneurs.ng/start-your-business-in-30-days/
Please, take a look at all the different ways we can work with you and increase your success here: https://entrepreneurs.ng/services/
And reach out to us on WhatsApp- 08038874148.
This is so insightful and helpful. I would want to start am in Abuja, will need further guidance pls.
Hello Trust,
Thank you for reaching out to us. Please reach out to us about your guidance here- WhatsApp- 08038874148.
We have a program that will prepare you to launch your business with expert guidance. Learn all about it here – https://www.entrepreneurs.ng/start-your-business-in-30-days/
Please, take a look at all the different ways we can work with you and increase your success here: https://entrepreneurs.ng/services/
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Hi,I want to setup a cleaning service
Hello Faith,
We are glad you want to start the cleaning business.
We have a program that will prepare you to launch your business with expert guidance. Learn all about it here – https://www.entrepreneurs.ng/start-your-business-in-30-days/
Please, take a look at all the different ways we can work with you and increase your success here: https://entrepreneurs.ng/services/
And reach out to us on WhatsApp- 08038874148.
This has been my dream of owning a cleaning company. I ll b very grateful sir/ ma’am if my dreams comes to reality. Thank you
This is first-class information.
So much value I got
Would like to see your post regularly.
Thanks much
Thank you, Pat.
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This is a first class information.
So much value I got
Thanks much
I am resident in Owerri, Imo State and I really want to start up Residential/Industrial Cleaning Services. I need help.
Hello Ikechukwu,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
Please reach us on WhatsApp- 08038874148.
Thank you.
Thanks for putting me through. I want to start a cleaning service business.
Thinking of starting this a long time now and don’t know how to go about but with this your article, I can start and hopefully I get to attend a workshop also.
Thanks for this insightful…
Hello Damilare,
We are glad you found the content insightful.
You can reach us directly on WhatsApp- 08038874148.
Thank you.
This will really go a long way for me,its very insightful , i just registered a cleaning company to start off this year, with all have read from your write up,am really looking forward to a lucrative business.
We are glad we could help.
Thank you.
I Love your write up, please I will love to start up a cleaning service and I will need your help on how to go about it,thanks.
Thank you Abibote.
Please reach us directly on WhatsApp- 08038874148.
Thank you.
This is very helpful but there should be a price range in which someone can use to start the business.
Thank you for reaching out to us.
Please reach us on WhatsApp- on 08038874148 if you want us to prepare the business plan for you.
Thank you very much. The information I got here is indeed satisfactory.
I intend to start a cleaning company. So, the information is indeed helpful. Thank you
Thanks a lot I want to start my own cleaning company..
Great resource! Really appreciate this.
I currently own a Laundry biz and thinking of how to grow the business and the thought of setting up a cleaning service came up. I want to register the business name first then come back here for more information.
Do you offer business plan service. I would need that.
Hello Ikwu,
We are glad you found the content insightful.
Yes, we offer business plan writing.
Reach us directly on WhatsApp- 08038874148.
Thank you.
Wow,this is very helpful.Thank you very much.
We are glad you found the content useful, Oluwafemi.
We have a program that will prepare you to launch your business with expert guidance. Learn all about it here – https://www.entrepreneurs.ng/start-your-business-in-30-days/
Please, take a look at all the different ways we can work with you and increase your success here: https://entrepreneurs.ng/services/
And reach out to us on WhatsApp- 08038874148.
This right up helped me but I still need blush up to be successful in my field am going for commercial cleaning services.
Thank you for reaching out to us. Please reach out to us on WhatsApp – 08038874148 to book a strategy session.
Thank you.
This is really resourceful. Thanks
Thank you for the information,I want to start a cleaning service…
Thanks for the intel
This is educating; I want to start one.
Thanks for your information
I want to start a cleaning company
This info goes a long way in teaching me all I needed to know as regards the cleaning service business of which I intend to start soonest. Please is it a must to get all the cleaning items before starting? What are the basic equipments I need to purchase before I start?
This is actually helpful.
I was thinking of starting a cleaning business in my neighborhood and later extend it to another level. Thank you so much for this… 🙏🙏🙏
Thanks, I really appreciate. Am trying to set up cleaning service.
I’m thinking of starting one, and this has been most insightful.
Thank you.
Your article is highly insightful.
Thanks so much.
I want to start mine
Good luck with that!
Hello,
Your write-ups were very helpful, though I’ve been in this business for 2years. But I was actually working for a company, I want to set up mine with the idea and the ready working staffs I have been able to gather.
This is indeed very helpful. Thank you so much.
I love all the insight in your write up. It is a step in the right direction. Hopefully, I’m starting my cleaning service no matter how small.
Hello Chidinma,
Thank you for reaching out to us. We are glad you want to start your business. Do let us know about your progress.
Thank you.
Thanks for this piece of information. It will really guide me towards my ambition in the cleaning service.
Very helpful, the guidelines are top notch.. thank you
I’m about to start a cleaning service company I think this is helpful
Dear Uduak,
We’re glad you want to start your business. Please let us know how the process how. We are here if you need us to build a business model for you.
I want to start a cleaning service company. I really do need guidian on how to go about it
Hello Lizzy,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
You can book a session with us through business@entrepreneurs.ng or by reaching us on 08038874148
Thank you.
I need help setting up a residential and commercial cleaning service company I have registered the company
Hello Jennifer,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
Yes, we can help you set up your cleaning business. Please reach us on WhatsApp- 08038874148.
Thank you.
I want to start my cleaning services and I found guidelines through this. Thanks alot.
Hello Deborah,
We are glad you found the content insightful. Let us know how your business adventure goes.
I’m on my way to start a cleaning services company.
Hello Sani,
We’re glad you love the content. Congratulations! please, share your progress with us.
I want to start a cleaning company and I think this helps alot
Thank you, Victor. We are glad you found the content insightful.
I am about to start a cleaning service company, and everything I read was so helpful. Even as a start, in the future you will need all those things mentioned in cleaning service equipment. Thanks.
I’m about to go into cleaning service full-time and this helped alot
Thank you very much
Hello Odun,
We are glad you found the content insightful.
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Thank you.
Great and very insightful.
Thank you, Maxwell, for the kind words.
Please, do us a favour; share the content with your network so it can have a wide reach.
Thank you.
I am going into cleaning services this year. I have found your article so helpful as a guide.Thanks
Hello Kemi,
This means a lot to us. Let us know the process of the business. Thank you.
I find this write up interesting, it will propel me to start working on cleaning service as business.
Hello Festus,
We’re glad you found the content insightful. Here, https://www.entrepreneurs.ng/35-business-ideas/ you will find other business ideas you can start.
Thank you.
Hello, I’m thinking of starting a Cleaning business in Nigeria, i really find this epistle helpful, thanks!
This info will go a long way to helping me set my priorities Right.
Thank you very much for the info.
Hello Vincent,
We’re glad you found the content very useful. Please know that we have a comprehensive guide coming out soon that contains the strategies and investment cost of starting the cleaning service business and other businesses. We will send an email and also make the announcement on Entrepreneurs.ng once it’s launched. Thank you.
Thanks for the detailed information.
You are welcome Adetinuke.
Thank you so much , This info was really useful ?☺️
Thank you Thelma for reading. We are glad you found it insightful. If you are planning on starting the business, please keep us updated, we will like to learn about your progress.
Hi, I am thinking of starting a cleaning service company
Thank you for reading. Yes, you can start it with the information we provided in the content. If you want to consult us for a fee, then send a mail to business@entrepreneurs.ng. Thank you.
Your write up is very crucial as I can see and I want to start up a cleaning service company. My focus is post construction clean. Please advise on the basic steps for this.
Thanks
Hello Charles,
Thank you for reaching out to us.
Please book a consulting session with us by emailing business@entrepreneurs.ng or by calling 08038874148
Thank you.