How to Bid on Commercial Cleaning Jobs
Posted by Suji Siv @Clean Group on 2023-04-03
How to Bid on Commercial Cleaning Jobs
Many businesses and organizations require professional cleaning services to maintain a clean and hygienic work environment. As such, bidding on commercial cleaning jobs can be a lucrative business opportunity for companies in the cleaning industry. However, bidding on commercial cleaning jobs can be a competitive process that requires careful consideration of various factors. In this article, we will explore some tips and best practices on how to bid on commercial cleaning jobs, sourced from experts in the industry.
- Understand the Scope of the Project
Before submitting a bid for a commercial cleaning job, cleaning companies need to have a clear understanding of the project's scope. This involves assessing the size of the facility, the type of cleaning required, the frequency of cleaning, and any special requirements the client may have. A detailed understanding of the project's scope is critical in determining the amount of time, equipment, and personnel required to complete the job successfully.
To determine the scope of the project, cleaning companies should arrange a site visit with the client. During this visit, they can inspect the facility and assess the cleaning requirements. It's also essential to ask the client detailed questions about their expectations and any special considerations, such as green cleaning or high-security areas, to ensure that the bid accurately reflects the client's needs.
- Determine Your Costs
Once cleaning companies have a clear understanding of the project's scope, it's time to determine their costs. This involves calculating the cost of labour, equipment, and supplies required to complete the job. Cleaning companies need to consider all costs, including wages, taxes, benefits, and insurance, to ensure that they're not underbidding and ultimately losing money on the project.
It's also crucial to factor in any overhead costs, such as rent, utilities, and marketing expenses. These costs can significantly impact a cleaning company's profitability, and failing to consider them in the bid can result in financial losses.
- Research Your Competition
To ensure that their bid is competitive, cleaning companies need to research their competition. This involves understanding what other cleaning companies are offering in terms of pricing, services, and quality. By researching their competition, cleaning companies can determine a fair and reasonable bid that reflects the value of their services.
Additionally, researching the competition can help cleaning companies identify any gaps in the market that they can fill. For example, if their competition doesn't offer a particular service, cleaning companies can include it in their bid to differentiate themselves from their competition.
- Prepare Your Bid
Once cleaning companies have determined their costs and researched their competition, it's time to prepare their bid. The bid should be clear, concise, and include all the necessary information the client needs to make an informed decision.
The bid should include a detailed breakdown of the pricing, including the cost of labour, equipment, and supplies. It's also essential to provide a detailed description of the services included in the bid, such as dusting, vacuuming, and restroom cleaning. Any special considerations or requirements, such as green cleaning or high-security areas, should also be highlighted in the bid.
To make their bid stand out, cleaning companies can also include testimonials from satisfied clients or information about their certifications and training programs. These additional details can help build credibility and trust with the client.
- Follow Up and Build Relationships
After submitting the bid, it's essential to follow up with the client to address any questions or concerns they may have. Building relationships with clients is crucial in the cleaning industry, as it can lead to repeat business and referrals.
Cleaning companies should maintain open lines of communication with the client throughout the project to ensure that they're meeting the client's expectations. They should also conduct regular quality checks to ensure that the cleaning is up to the client's standards.
Building strong relationships with clients can also help cleaning companies get referrals and win new business. By providing quality service and maintaining open lines of communication, cleaning companies can build trust and credibility with their clients over time.
Bidding on commercial cleaning jobs can be a daunting task for cleaning companies, but by following these tips and strategies, they can increase their chances of winning new business. Understanding the scope of the project, determining their costs, researching their competition, preparing a clear and concise bid, and building relationships with clients are all critical factors in winning commercial cleaning jobs.
By taking the time to prepare a well-thought-out bid and building strong relationships with clients, cleaning companies can differentiate themselves from their competition and position themselves as trusted and reliable partner for commercial cleaning services. With these strategies in mind, cleaning companies can increase their chances of winning new business and growing their client base in the highly competitive cleaning industry.
Source facts about how to bid on commercial cleaning jobs:
- Industry Standard: The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) states that the industry standard for bidding on commercial cleaning jobs is between $0.05 to $0.25 per square foot. (Source: "Bidding and Estimating for Commercial Cleaning" by ISSA Cleaning Management Institute, published on ISSA's website on October 12, 2021.)
- Competition: According to an article on The Balance Small Business, competition can be intense in the commercial cleaning industry, which makes it crucial to carefully evaluate each bid. (Source: "The 5 Factors You Need to Know to Make Your Cleaning Business a Success" by The Balance Small Business, published on June 25, 2021.)
- Scope of Work: Chron emphasizes the importance of considering the scope of work when bidding on a commercial cleaning job. (Source: "How to Bid on a Commercial Cleaning Job" by Chron, published on August 27, 2019.)
- Pricing Strategies: The Janitorial Store provides tips for developing pricing strategies when bidding on commercial cleaning jobs, including factoring in profit margin and using a cost-per-square-foot formula. (Source: "Commercial Cleaning Bidding Tips" by The Janitorial Store, published on December 16, 2019.)
- Additional Costs: CleanLink advises commercial cleaning companies to factor in additional costs such as employee benefits and supplies when determining their bid. (Source: "Pricing and Bidding for Janitorial Jobs" by CleanLink, published on November 18, 2019.)