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Business Plan for a Cleaning Business: Complete Guide

• January 30, 2023

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Whether you’re looking to raise funding from private investors or to get a loan from a bank (like a SBA loan) for your cleaning business, you will need to prepare a solid business plan.

In this article we go through, step-by-step, all the different sections you need in the business plan of your cleaning business. Use this template to create a complete, clear and solid business plan that get you funded.

1. Executive Summary

The executive summary of a business plan gives a sneak peek of the information about your business plan to lenders and/or investors.

If the information you provide here is not concise, informative, and scannable, potential lenders and investors may lose interest.

Why do you need a business plan for a cleaning business?

The purpose of a business plan is to secure funding through one of the following channels:

• Obtain bank financing or secure a loan from other lenders (such as a SBA loan )
• Obtain private investments from investment funds, angel investors, etc.
• Obtain a public or private grant

How to write an executive summary for a cleaning business?

Provide a precise and high-level summary of every section that you have included in the business plan for your cleaning business. The information and the data you include in this segment should grab the attention of potential investors and lenders immediately. Ensure that the executive summary doesn’t exceed 2 pages in total.

The executive summary usually consists of the five major sub-sections that include:

• Business overview : introduce what services your cleaning business offers (commercial vs. residential cleaning), what type of customers you focus on (individuals, businesses, factories, etc.), any specific cleaning service you focus on (e.g. carpet cleaning), your company structure and, more importantly, how and why you want to start such a business today
• Market overview : the market overview section will contain an overview of the expected market size and growth of the cleaning industry in your area as well as your target customers. Another important part of any market overview is a clear and thorough analysis of your competitors
• People : introduce your company’s management and employee structure. Provide a brief (no more than a couple of sentences each) of the experience of the team. Also, speak about your hiring plans: who will you hire and who will report to whom?
• Financial plan : how much profit and revenue do you expect in the next 5 years? When will you reach break-even point and start making profits? Include here your key financials such as revenue, gross profits, and net profit
• Funding ask : what loan/investment/grant are you seeking? How much do you need? How long will this last?

Cleaning Financial Model

Download an expert-built 5-year Excel financial model for your business plan

2. Business Overview

The business overview section is sometimes called the company description and is one of the most important parts of the cleaning business plan.

Here, you will want to provide crucial information about your cleaning business, including your services, pricing structure , customers, and company structure.

a) History of the Project

This is a brief description of your business, outlining its origin and your reasons for venturing into this field. As one would put it, it answers a major question about business; why a cleaning company? 

When starting a cleaning business, you want to use all your best tools to show the lenders and investors that your passion is deeply built around the need to fill an existing market gap. For example, you would argue that many customers in your area need eco-friendly cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, or commercial kitchen cleaning services.

b) Business Model

You should be clear if you are opening an independent cleaning company or partnering. Also, make it clear if you are buying an existing franchise.

Franchising has an added advantage of simplicity, given an already established market base. However, every model has its risks and benefits. So, choose what’s best for your target market and long-term goals. 

c) Services

Don’t get it twisted. Cleaning companies offer a range of services to their consumers depending on the business location and demand. So, an important aspect of laying a solid foundation is to explain to your customers what they should expect from your business. In other words, what type of cleaning services do you intend to offer? 

The 2 main categories of cleaning services are: residential and commercial cleaning.

Residential cleaning targets private residences and homes. If you choose this option, you can specialize in home maintenance, move-in and move-out cleaning, deep cleaning, green cleaning, and residential event cleanups. 

On the other hand, commercial cleaning suits businesses and requires significant manpower, more space, and sophisticated equipment. You can’t run this business in some regions without enough vehicles to transport your equipment. 

If you plan to specialize in commercial cleaning, you can focus on general office cleaning tasks, large-scale specialized cleaning, construction cleanups, commercial kitchen cleaning, and hazardous waste cleaning.

d) Pricing Strategy

Another important part of the business overview section is your pricing structure. It should be as clear as possible because investors will rely on it when assessing your financial need.

Most cleaning companies in the US set their rates per square foot, per room, per hour, or as a flat fee. And the standard national hourly cost of house cleaning services in the US ranges from $50 to $90 per hour per cleaner.  

e) Target Customers

Who is your ideal customer? And which cleaning services do they need? You might have already identified your target market if you can answer these questions correctly. 

For instance, if private residences and apartments dominate the region, many individuals will probably need residential cleaning services. Make sure you offer that.

Similarly, a busy city center with many offices and commercial properties will probably benefit from commercial cleaning services as mentioned above. Identifying your target market is one of the fastest ways to increase revenue potential after assessing the competition. 

f) Legal Structure

Finally, your business overview section should specify what type of business structure you want. Is this a corporation or a partnership (LLC)? Who are the investors? How much equity percentage do they own? Is there a Board of Directors? If so, whom? Do they have experience in the industry?

3. Market Overview

To run a successful business, you need all the facts that back your decision to start a cleaning company in the region at that time. Market analysis will help you identify the level of competition in the region and whether the investment is worth it. 

For example, offering commercial cleaning services in a residential setup would make little sense. Similarly, overpricing your services when the dominant population is low to middle-income earners won’t fast-track business growth. 

a) Cleaning Business Industry Status Quo

This section should answer two obvious questions about your cleaning business;

• What is the market size of the cleaning industry in your area? 
• How fast is the cleaning industry growing? 

Both questions will help you set realistic expectations when getting into this field, having analyzed the market trends and size. 

How big is the cleaning industry in the US?

It’s always good to start any market overview by assessing the market size at a national level.

Of course, the figures may not represent the actual status of the cleaning business in your region, but they offer a solid foundation for building a thriving business. According to the latest statistics, the cleaning service industry in the US had a value of $97.6 billion in 2022 . 

The staggering need for cleaning services means that the commercial cleaning sector will likely grow at a steady rate of 5.4% up to 2025 . Although this may be a good sign for setting up your cleaning business, you should also assess market growth in your area (see below).

How big is the cleaning industry in your area?

Getting the market data at the city level gives you a clearer picture of what to expect from the market. It may complicated, but you only need the total number of cleaning companies in your region and their services to assess your area’s market size.

For example, let’s assume you want to get into the carpet cleaning business. With close to 32,000 carpet cleaning businesses in the US, and a total market value of $4 billion (carpet cleaning US market), we can safely assume each carpet cleaning business generates $125,000 in sales per year on average.

Now, assuming there are 25 competitors in your area, the estimated market size of the carpet cleaning industry in your area is $3.1 million.

How fast is the cleaning industry growing in your area?

You may need to analyze multiple factors to determine the growth rate of the cleaning industry in your region. Sometimes, this involves a few calculations to get an actual figure when drawing your conclusion. 

For example, if the region had 120 cleaning companies in 2020, which increased to 150 in 2022, you can assume that the industry is growing at a steady rate of 12% per year. 

Pay attention to all factors that may directly impact the growth rate, including a population influx, increased demand, and increased income potential. 

However, don’t be shocked if you notice a successive drop in the demand for cleaning services in the region. This is possible even when the national statistics show otherwise. Its part and parcel of the business and could indicate that this isn’t the right time to launch a cleaning company. 

b) Cleaning Business Competitor Analysis

Another crucial step in the business plan of your cleaning company is to assess the existing competition. There are a couple of questions to guide you here, including;

• How many cleaning companies are there in your region?
• What services do they offer (residential, commercial cleaning, or both)?
• What’s the average price of hiring a cleaning company in the region?
• What’s the total number of individuals employed by a typical cleaning company in the region? 
• How many customers do they serve per week/month? 

Why do you need a competitive analysis in the business plan of your cleaning business?

Assessing the competition in the area where you plan to start your cleaning business will allow to better understand whether there is sufficient demand, and whether you are well positioned to take market share from competitors.

For example, starting a new business would make perfect sense under the following circumstances;

• There’s a clear market gap that you can fill in the region (For example, offering a service that other companies might have missed, like eco-friendly/green cleaning) 
• There are no or inadequate cleaning companies in the region. This would present the perfect opportunity to tap into the market potential and grow a thriving business. 

c) Cleaning Business Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section is almost similar to your target audience. However, this is your chance to prove to the lenders that your target market is real and available. You can use the following questions to analyze your client base; 

• Which individuals need cleaning services in the region? 
• What’s the average income of the individuals in the region? (This is also important when determining your pricing structure)
• Which cleaning services are they interested in?
• How often do they need cleaning services? (daily, weekly, monthly)
• Are they more likely to benefit from commercial or residential cleaning services?

Usually, the level of competition in the region also influences your customer analysis. So, that should be clear to help you determine the market demand or predict the success of your cleaning business.

4. Sales & Marketing

The sales and marketing strategy sums up your plans for acquiring new clients. Here are a few helpful questions to guide you:

• Which marketing channels are best suited to your business (online vs. offline marketing)?
• Do you have a unique selling point? If so, what is it?
• What is your marketing budget for the first months / year?
• How can you track the success of your marketing strategy?
• Do you plan to offer any promotions to attract new customers? 

Cleaning Business Marketing Channels

You can use the following channels for marketing your cleaning business locally;

• Pay-per-click campaigns (e.g. Google ads)
• Email, SMS marketing
• Social media content & ads 
• Word-of-mouth advertising
• TV and radio advertisement

What are your Unique Selling Points (USPs)?

A unique selling point is what puts you ahead of the rest. It’s no secret that you will face stiff competition from established cleaning companies in the field. So, how you set yourself apart matters. Some factors to consider include;

• Price : Cheaper services than your competitors
• Location : Your proximity to the target market gives you a slight edge over the rest
• Quality : Stellar cleaning services with modern equipment will attract more clients

5. Management & People

You must address 2 things here:

• The management team and their experience/track record
• The organizational structure: different team members and who reports to whom?

a) Management

Small businesses often fail because of managerial weaknesses . Thus, having a strong management team is vital. Highlight the experience and education of senior managers that you intend to hire to oversee your commercial cleaning business.

Describe their duties, responsibilities, and roles. Also, highlight their previous experience and explain how they succeeded in their previous roles.

It is also important that you explain how their experiences and qualifications help you in offering the services you are proposing. If they have specialized training and education (such as carpet cleaning, industrial cleaning, etc.), add that information too.

b) Organizational Structure

Even if you haven’t already hired a senior manager and any other relevant staff members, you must provide a flowchart of the organizational structure defining the hierarchy of reporting as shown below.

6. Financial Plan

The financial plan is perhaps, with the executive summary, the most important section of any business plan for a cleaning company.

Indeed, a solid financial plan tells lenders that your business is viable and can repay the loan you need from them. If you’re looking to raise equity from private investors, a solid financial plan will prove them your cleaning business is an attractive investment.

There should be 3 sections to your financial plan section:

• Your historical financials (only if you already operate the business and have financial accounts to show)
• The startup costs of your project (if you plan to start a new cleaning business, purchase new equipment, etc.)
• The 5-year financial projections

a) Historical Financials (if any)

In the scenario where you already have some historical financials (a few quarters or a few years), include them. A summary of your financial statements in the form of charts e.g. revenue, gross profit and net profit is enough, save the rest for the appendix.

If you don’t have any, don’t worry, most new businesses don’t have any historical financials and that’s ok. If so, jump to Startup Costs instead.

b) Startup Costs

Before we expand on 5-year financial projections in the following section, it’s always best practice to start with listing the startup costs of your project.

For a cleaning business, startup costs are all the expenses you incur before you start making sales. Luckily, these expenses are rather low for cleaning companies and mostly include the cost to purchase equipment and the vehicle you will use to transport them.

As an example, it costs on average $73,500 – $167,500 to start a small commercial cleaning business with 2 vans and 4 employees. We have laid out below estimates for the key startup costs you can expect for a cleaning business.

Note that these costs are for illustrative purposes and may not be fully relevant for your business. For more information on how much it costs to start and run a cleaning business, read our article here .

c) Financial Projections

In addition to startup costs, you will now need to build a solid 5-year financial model for your cleaning business.

Your financial projections should be built using a spreadsheet (e.g. Excel or Google Sheets) and presented in the form of tables and charts in the business plan of your cleaning business.

As usual, keep it concise here and save details (for example detailed financial statements, financial metrics, key assumptions used for the projections) for the appendix instead.

Your financial projections should answer at least the following questions:

• How much revenue do you expect to generate over the next 5 years?
• When do you expect to break even?
• How much cash will you burn until you get there?
• What’s the impact of a change in pricing (say 20%) on your margins?
• What is your average customer acquisition cost?

You should include here your 3 financial statements (income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement). This means you must forecast:

• The number of customers over time ;
• Your expected revenue ;
• Operating costs to run the business ;
• Any other cash flow items (e.g. capex, debt repayment, etc.).

When projecting your revenue, make sure to sensitize pricing and the number of customers as a small change in these assumptions will have a big impact on your revenues.

7. Funding Ask

This is the last section of the business plan of your cleaning business. Now that we have explained what your company is about, the services you offer and to whom, what’s your strategy, where you go and how you get there, this section must answer the following questions:

• How much funding do you need?
• What financial instrument(s) do you need: is this equity or debt, or even a free-money public grant?
• How long will this funding last?
• Where else does the money come from? If you apply for a SBA loan for example, where does the other part of the investment come from (your own capital, private investors?)

If you raise debt:

• What percentage of the total funding the loan represents?
• What is the corresponding Debt Service Coverage Ratio ?

If you raise equity

• What percentage ownership are you selling as part of this funding round?
• What is the corresponding valuation of your business?

Use of Funds

Any business plan should include a clear use of funds section. This is where you explain how the money will be spent.

Will you spend most of the loan / investment in paying your employees’ salaries? Or will it cover mostly the cost for the lease deposit and the renovation?

Those are very important questions you should be able to answer in the blink of an eye. Don’t worry, this should come straight from your financial projections. If you’ve built solid projections like in our Cleaning financial model template , you won’t have any issues answering these questions.

For the use of funds, we also recommend using a pie chart like the one we have in our financial model template where we outline the main expenses categories as shown below.

Privacy Overview

Cleaning Business Plan Template (+Free PDF Download)

Read Time 8 minutes

Author Joanne Bratton

Published March 29, 2024

Download the Guide

Table of Contents

Executive summary: Setting the foundation

Industry analysis: understanding the market landscape, marketing plan: promoting your cleaning services, financial plan: estimating costs and projections, operations plan: running a thriving cleaning company, set up your commercial cleaning business for success.

A commercial cleaning business plan can kickstart a new endeavor or clear the way for growth for an existing enterprise.

Crafting a comprehensive commercial cleaning business plan is pivotal to starting a new venture or fostering significant growth in an existing service. A well-structured business plan becomes a cornerstone for:

Making informed decisions

Setting objectives

Navigating the competitive commercial cleaning market

A cleaning company business plan isn’t a one-and-done task. You should regularly review and revise your business plan to evolve as your company grows to reflect your current vision, market, and financial targets.

This template provides a sample to help create a business plan.

An executive summary is an overview of your entire business plan.

While the executive summary is the first section of a business plan, most business owners find it makes sense to write it last. The executive summary often is one to two pages, but you should keep it as short as possible.

Essential components of an executive summary include:

Mission statement: Defines your company's mission, vision, and core values.

Company overview: Write a company description of services, locations, and number of cleaning staff. Include a short history of how the business started, names of owners, and business growth milestones.

Market synopsis: Provide an overview of your market, mentioning your commercial cleaning business's size and competitive advantages.

Financial elements: Summarize your business financials, including sales, profits, and projections for one to two years.

Future objectives: Outline your company’s plans for growth, such as offering new services, adding verticals, or expanding your service area.

Your executive summary must be clear and concise. If you’re seeking funding for your small business, the executive summary should demonstrate your cleaning company’s value to potential investors.

An industry analysis identifies the potential market for your commercial cleaning or janitorial services. This involves defining and comprehending key elements such as:

Target customers

Competition

Cleaning industry trends 

Customer’s changing demands

Customer analysis

Commercial cleaning companies perform a customer analysis to understand and meet customer needs. This research-based process identifies your potential client base's demographics, values, and behaviors.

To perform a customer analysis:

Gather information about your target market through your existing customer data, industry research, online tools such as Google Analytics, and social media surveys.

Segment your customers based on similar demographics, traits, preferences, and pain points.

Create customer personas, or fictional profiles, of your target customers and their specific needs.

Leverage your customer analysis to inform business services, products, and prices.

Customer relationship management (CRM) software assists market analysis by providing invaluable information about your customers and their buying journeys.

→ Aspire commercial cleaning business software helps businesses connect the dots with real-time customer data, feedback, and analysis. 

CRM data empowers companies to retain existing customers and expand their customer base by cultivating strong relationships with prospects and customers through:

Efficient communication

Personalized offers

Proactive support to address potential issues before they escalate

Competitor analysis

A competitive analysis identifies the competitors in your market. It helps you understand market demand and gives your business a competitive edge.

For instance, if you plan to specialize in carpet cleaning or window cleaning, you’ll want to know if competitors offer these services and what they charge.

Steps to perform a competitor analysis include:

Identify and gather information about your competitors.

Evaluate competitors’ services, service areas, prices, promotions, reputation, sales tactics, marketing strategies, target audience, and online presence.

Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your business.

Develop sales, marketing, and pricing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.

Once you know your customers and competitors, these assessments will help you develop effective marketing campaigns.

While a service business plan template provides a guideline for developing a marketing plan , it’s crucial to identify your company’s marketing goals and include methods to measure outcomes.

An effective marketing plan includes the following components:

Market research: Know your audience, their preferences, and their preferred online channels.

Marketing objectives: What do you want to accomplish? Increase cleaning contracts? Generate leads? The more specific your objectives, the better.

Marketing strategies: The marketing channels you use depend on your target audience. The most effective marketing campaigns use an omnichannel approach to share a consistent message online and offline.

Pricing strategy : A cleaning service pricing strategy should cover costs and include an appropriate profit margin. Your target market preferences and competitor pricing should also be factored into your pricing strategy.

Marketing budget: Determine the percentage of revenue for your marketing budget. Focus on the channels that deliver the best return on investment (ROI). You can adjust your budget depending on objectives, channels, and results.

Key performance indicators (KPIs): Measure marketing effectiveness with KPIs. These could include conversion rate, customer acquisition cost, cost per lead, customer lifetime value, and overall ROI. Track KPIs to make better marketing decisions and improve your ROI.

Review your marketing plan annually. Some businesses review their marketing strategy and budget quarterly to adjust as needed.

A solid financial plan ensures your commercial cleaning business doesn’t just stay afloat but thrives.

To get funding for business operations, you’ll need a realistic estimate of: 

Initial startup costs

Ongoing operational expenses

Financial projections 

A comprehensive, realistic financial plan shows potential partners and investors the value of your company and outlines business growth.

→ Include graphs and visuals in your financial plan to break down the numbers and easily communicate business information.

If you struggle with financial planning or creating budgets and forecasts, consider hiring a professional financial advisor.

The right business management software makes collecting accurate data in your initial months much easier to ensure your initial estimate and projections are sound. 

→ The earlier you can adjust operations and pricing to maintain profitability, the quicker you can set and achieve new goals.

The following sections provide more detail about key areas of a financial plan.

Calculating initial startup costs

Initial startup costs cover one-time expenses for a new cleaning or janitorial business.

While startup expenses vary based on several factors, the average cleaning service spends $3,500 on startup costs .

Startup costs may include:

Legal fees: If you seek the advice of legal professionals, you’ll need to budget for legal expenses.

Business licenses and permits: Check on local regulations because you may need to register in additional states if your business performs work or hires employees from another state.

Cleaning equipment: Equipment such as floor buffers, vacuums, brooms, mops, cleaning supplies , cleaning products, and other specialty equipment.

Office space and equipment: Property purchase or rental deposit for an office space and technology costs.

Company vehicles: Depending on the size of your company, you may use a fleet of branded company vehicles.

Operational software : Instead of implementing siloed solutions for different aspects of your business, look at comprehensive software capable of scaling with you as you build. 

You’ll also want to consider additional marketing and advertising dollars to spread the word about your business.

A clear understanding of operational expenses ensures you correctly price cleaning jobs and target realistic revenue goals.

Recurring expenses are costs you pay regularly to keep your business running. Ongoing expenditures include:

Employee payroll and benefits

Mortgage or rental payments

Office utilities

Business insurance

Vehicle insurance

Cleaning products and supplies

Equipment maintenance

Technology subscriptions

Some expenses may be fixed, such as the mortgage payment, while others may be variable, such as the cost of cleaning products. 

Follow a budget, use best-practice accounting procedures, and track expenses to make needed financial adjustments.

Aspire’s comprehensive business management software collects financials above the gross margin line and pushes them in a one-way data sync to your accounting platform so you have clean, accurate data to inform your business plan updates. 

Financial projections and realism

Financial projections predict business revenue over a certain period. Data-backed financial plans drive better business decisions and help you plan for the future.

A startup cleaning business uses projected financial statements to determine future revenue and expenses. Industry and market analysis data can provide a starting point. In the case of an established cleaning business, use your historical data to project a percentage of financial growth.

To create a financial projection, you’ll need the following financial statements:

Income statement: An income statement, or profit and loss statement (P&L), shows your income and expenses. Your income statement should cover one year.

Cash flow statement: This statement projects all incoming and outgoing expenses for one year. A break-even analysis shows you how much revenue you need to break even with your expenses.

Balance sheet: This document lists business assets and liabilities and shows a summary of a business at present. 

In financial projections, accuracy is key. You don’t want to inflate your numbers, fail to reach your goals, or underestimate and miss out on growth opportunities.

As your business continues to operate, it’s important to use the right software to capture accurate financial data to achieve financial objectives and increase the accuracy of future projections. 

Aspire commercial cleaning business software integrates purchasing, invoicing, accounting, and payroll for full financial visibility. Robust reporting allows you to drill into sales, financials, job costs, and KPIs.

With real-time data , you gain deeper insight into business performance and can develop more effective business growth strategies.

A business operations plan outlines how your company will deliver high-quality service and achieve operational goals.

As you create an operations plan, involve your management team for ideas and input. After all, your managers are the ones who provide on-the-job oversight and remain accountable for operational goals.

An operations plan includes these elements:

Determine operational goals: Set business and departmental  goals. For instance, you could set a goal to increase annual revenue by 20% or a sales goal of 10 new cleaning contracts monthly.

Create roles and job descriptions: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each position. This ensures accountability and the ability to measure performance.

Plan the how-tos: Detail business processes and workflows in every department so your team delivers consistent, efficient results. This includes investing in commercial cleaning business software to centralize data and streamline operations.

Track performance: Set KPIs to measure short-term goals and identify areas for improvement. Operational KPIs measure the performance of your operations, such as average contract amount, contract renewal conversion rate, closing percentage, and gross profit percentage by department. 

Aspire provides user-based dashboards so every role can see the KPIs relevant to their short- and long-term goals. Having accurate, real-time information fuels responsive management, building ongoing growth momentum.

Commercial cleaning business owners who optimize operations experience the greatest profitability and growth. Aspire commercial cleaning business software provides seamless workflows in every area of business, including:

Crew management

Job costing

Equipment and supply management

Streamlined processes reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve performance in your operations.

Creating a thorough commercial cleaning business plan sets the stage for business growth. But successful results rely on how well you execute your plan.

Aspire commercial cleaning business software provides industry-specific management tools to empower business owners to take control of operations. From simplified scheduling to accepting customer credit card payments online, Aspire’s advanced features give cleaning contractors full visibility into business operations and finances.

To get your business plan off the ground, implement the right tools to improve business and boost year-over-year growth.

Ready to see what Aspire can do for you? Request a demo to see Aspire features in action.

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How to write an effective cleaning services business plan

Key takeaways

• Write your executive summary last to create the most compelling start
• Include an actionable business strategy and clear financial plan to prove your growth potential
• Frame your cleaning business in a positive light—especially for lenders and others outside your team—but always be realistic

Cleaning your house—sweeping, mopping, vacuuming—are chores everyone has to do but few people love. It’s no wonder thousands of homeowners and business owners across the country outsource their cleaning every year. With a strategic cleaning services business plan , you can start a profitable new business that makes the most of this demand.

Here are six key sections you need to include in your business plan template to help you successfully start your cleaning company .

1. Executive summary

Every cleaning services business plan starts with a compelling executive summary that offers a concise overview of its contents.

First impressions are important, and the executive summary is your first chance to introduce your business and explain your purpose. If you’re sharing your business plan outside of your team—perhaps to lenders or potential business partners—it’s crucial to make your summary as enticing as possible. If not, they may not even read the rest of your plan. 

Even if you’re only sharing your business plan within your management team, a strong start gives busy managers the key facts about your business. This allows them to understand and implement your purpose and values until they have time to sift through the more detailed parts of your business plan. An executive summary also helps excite your team about the business they’re helping to build.

A solid executive summary should include:

• A brief intro to your business
• Your mission statement , which is a short, powerful phrase that defines what you do (for example, “to provide healthier, safer workspaces for professionals”)
• What makes you stand out, as compared to other cleaning services
• An overview of your business strategy and financial plan

Keep your summary brief and put the most impressive facts forward. This section should be no more than one page long, so make sure to leave out unnecessary minor details or flowery language. You can go into much greater detail with the rest of your business plan , which should be at least 30 pages long .

Some business owners find it better to write the executive summary last, which allows you to easily narrow down the best points to highlight and saves time on later revisions.

2. Business description

Your business description section is the place to talk about the details of your company and what it does best. Start off with a paragraph or two that provides details about:

• Your company’s purpose: Are you a commercial cleaning company or a residential cleaning business ?
• Your company history: Are you a startup ? If not, how long have you been in business? What experience do you bring to the table? 
• Your location: Where do you operate? What area do you serve? Do you have office space?
• Your team: How many employees do you have? How many people work in the front office? How many are on your janitorial team?
• Your objectives: What specific, measurable goals do you have? You can update your cleaning business plan over time, but choose 1–3 goals you’ll focus on for the next three years, such as “increasing net profits by 110% and reaching 75% growth within our first year .”

Target market

No cleaning business can be the perfect fit for everyone. Be specific about the clientele you want to serve, including your ideal client’s demographics and interests. Explain the problems they’re facing that may lead them to search for a cleaning company .

As an example, a house cleaning service may specifically target upper-middle-class families with children and busy work lives. They need a cleaning company so they can have more time to relax and be with their kids.

If you’re not sure what types of clients you want to focus on yet, do some research on other cleaning businesses in your area. Who are their typical clients? Are there any noticeable gaps you could fill? Are there less saturated parts of your local cleaning industry you could enter?

Value proposition

Your value proposition explains why you’re uniquely suited to serve your target market . You can use this part of your cleaning services business plan to highlight your greatest strengths—for example, if your team members are cleaning industry veterans or if you use particularly high-quality or eco-friendly products.

Cleaning services

It’s crucial for you to describe each type of cleaning service you offer. If you offer carpet cleaning , you may give some brief insight into what carpet materials you can clean and what carpet cleaning plans you offer. If you offer window cleaning services , specify whether you work with high-rises or only single-story buildings.

3. Market analysis

As the owner of a cleaning business , you need to keep an eye on trends in your industry and immediate market. The market analysis section of your cleaning services business plan shows your investors and partners both your knowledge and ability to succeed by answering questions like:

• What is the current state of the cleaning industry ? Is demand or spending projected to grow? Who is seeking services right now?
• Who are your competitors? Who are their potential customers ?
• What opportunities and challenges will you face entering the market?
• Despite the challenges, what gives you a competitive advantage? For example, you may be entering a saturated market, but you could still be the only office cleaning service in your area focused on serving small businesses .

Answer these questions as accurately as possible and back them up with thorough research and data. While you should always aim to put your cleaning business in a positive light to impress potential lenders, partners, and others, your business plan also serves as a guiding document for your company so it should be realistic. Your management team will benefit from understanding the actual challenges they’re facing and how you plan to overcome them.

4. Business strategy

Growth is essential for every company. In this portion of your cleaning services business plan , you’ll flesh out exactly the actions you’ll take to achieve that growth.

A great business strategy includes two components:

Pricing strategy

How you price your cleaning services can have a significant impact on your sales and your ability to reach your target audience. If you’re a new business , it can also affect your ability to attract new customers.

If you’re trying to attract money-conscious clients, it makes sense to offer coupons and deals on your services when you’re first launching your business. Coupons and deals can get their attention quickly, allowing you to make them loyal to your brand before you charge full price—which may still be at or below typical prices in your market. 

On the other hand, if you want to position yourself as a luxury cleaning business, your potential customers might not be seeking competitive pricing and be willing to pay more for higher-quality janitorial services .

Learn about nine pricing strategies you can implement in your business.

Sales and marketing strategy

The other essential component of your cleaning business strategy is your sales and marketing strategy , which explains how you intend to grow your cleaning company through driving business and making sales. This is where you can explain:

• How you’ll generate leads
• How you’ll engage those leads and drive them toward a purchase
• How you’ll keep engaging and retaining customers over time

This section should include all of the strategies you’ll use to promote and market your cleaning business (with details), such as running social media ads, claiming your Yelp Business Page , sending emails, or using traditional marketing like direct mail or print ads.

Most business plans will also include a sales forecast here that explains the results you expect to see based on your marketing efforts.

Learn how to reach new customers, cultivate customer loyalty, and elevate your brand with this guide on online marketing for small business .

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5. Management summary

The management summary of your cleaning services business plan details how your company will operate on a day-to-day basis. A strong management summary will prove your team’s competence as a whole. Below are some subsections to consider including in this part of your plan.

Business structure

This section is relatively simple—just explain who owns your company and what business structure you have ( sole proprietorship , LLC, S corporation, etc.). If you have any other stakeholders, such as employees with equity in your business, make sure to provide this information too.

Management structure

The people behind the wheel of your business are the ones who shape its direction the most. That’s why your business plan should provide a brief biography of each member of your leadership team, as well as their relevant experience. Highlight all of their education and credentials, along with any relevant career accomplishments. For example, if you have 10 years of experience as the operations manager of a national cleaning company, highlight that.

Operations plan

Create a visual organizational chart for readers ( these free templates can help), so potential investors can easily see the hierarchy structure within your company. How do your cleaning technicians receive assignments? Do you have a customer service representative taking calls? Expand on how your cleaning service functions in individual departments and as a complete unit.

6. Financial plan

Writing a business plan doesn’t have to cost any money unless you hire a business consultant to write it for you, which usually costs at least $1,500. However, as you’re writing your plan, you do need to be aware of the costs of running your business.

Use this section to describe what expenses you’ll face as a business. Separate any startup costs (like LLC formation costs ) from ongoing operational costs (like rent, payroll, and cleaning equipment expenses) to present a clear picture of your potential.

It’s critical to be highly accurate with your financial figures in your cleaning services business plan. Overestimating expenses is better than underestimating them so that you or your team aren’t surprised by any additional expenses later on. Do your research on average prices and expenses or even chat with other cleaning business owners if you’re not sure.

Using your sales forecast as reference, present your expected financials for the next three to five years. What will your profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, and other financial documents look like? Use charts and graphs with specific numbers whenever possible. You may want to work with an accountant on this step, as they can advise on what’s realistic.

Put your cleaning services business plan into action

Once your cleaning services business plan is complete, it’s time to start putting it into action. After launching your business, enact your business strategies. Your business plan should provide guidance for at least the next three years, though it’s perfectly normal to need to make adjustments to your objectives and strategies at any time. Get more tips on how to market your cleaning business to take your cleaning services to the next level.

The information above is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and may not be suitable for your circumstances. Unless stated otherwise, references to third-party links, services, or products do not constitute endorsement by Yelp.

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Free Cleaning Service Business Plan (Download PDF Sample)

Download Our Free Template to Get Started

A cleaning company business plan is a comprehensive document outlining your cleaning company’s objectives and explaining your marketing plan , cleaning services, and funding information. It serves as the blueprint for your cleaning business. 

• Savvy entrepreneurs create a business plan when starting a new business, and they continue to update it as their business grows. 
• A well-written business plan will guide you through your journey as a small business owner. It will help you make critical decisions as you work hard to reach your goals over the years.
• You’ll be able to glimpse the bigger picture and keep track of your progress when you’ve got it all written down.
• A business plan will significantly increase your company’s chances of success , setting a clear path to long-term growth and helping you plan efficient organizational processes. 

If you’re aiming to gain the trust of potential investors, a business plan is a must-have tool that will show them if your business is worth taking the risk.

We’ve created a downloadable cleaning services business plan PDF that you can easily edit to fit your needs. Get my sample template below:

Components of a Cleaning Services Business Plan 

Now that you understand the importance of a cleaning company business plan, the next step is to start creating your own. But there’s no need to worry! We’ve done much of the legwork to ease the process of creating a business plan for you. 

Our free downloadable cleaning services business plan PDF contains essential components to help you define your goals and make better business decisions. 

However, keep in mind that every business plan is unique. You can remove or add any section as you deem necessary to create the best business plan for your cleaning company. 

Include the following elements to get started in the right direction: 

1. Executive Summary 

The first part of a comprehensive business plan is an executive summary, which provides an overview of your company and summarizes your entire business plan.

Highlight what makes your cleaning business stand out from competitors in the cleaning industry. You can also describe the weaknesses and shortcomings of other cleaning firms and how your company aims to solve these problems. 

You can include the following information in your executive summary: 

• Owner’s experience
• Mission statement
• The leadership team and employees
• Financial and growth goals

2. Company Description 

• Why did you decide to start a cleaning services company?
• What particular problems are you trying to solve, and how do you intend to beat competitors in the cleaning industry?

Your company description is where you emphasize the strengths and competitive advantages of your cleaning business. 

3. Objectives

Set the best objectives that will help keep your cleaning business on the right track.

• Think about the key goals you want to achieve, whether to reach a certain amount of sales revenue or expand your operations to a broader service area.
• When you carefully define your main goals and objectives, you’ll be able to take the proper steps to get where you want to go. 

4. Market Analysis

Market analysis gives you an insight into your target market share, the needs and demands of your customers, and your competitors.

• Do some research about the cleaning company industry and what your competitors lack to know how your company can gain an edge over others.
• With proper market analysis, you can also analyze the need for funding from financial institutions and investors. 

5. Organizational Structure 

• Define the specific roles that need to be filled, such as cleaners, an office manager, and a project manager.
• You can also talk about hiring competent personnel as your company grows and outsourcing services for processes like digital marketing and accounting. 

6. Cleaning Services

An essential part of a cleaning company business plan is identifying the type of cleaning services you intend to provide: 

• Scope of Cleaning Services – Do you plan to focus on bidding on commercial janitorial jobs , residential cleaning, housekeeping, post-construction cleaning or all types?
• List of Specific Cleaning Services – Talk about your company’s services and prices, from interior home cleaning and damage restoration to industrial cleaning. 
• Benefits of Your Cleaning Services – How will your target market benefit from your company’s services? Think about the problems you’re trying to solve for your customers, like giving them a wide selection of cleaning services to reduce the need for hiring multiple contractors. 

7. Marketing and Sales 

To survive in a competitive industry, your cleaning business needs to employ tailored marketing strategies to help you stand out and beat competitors.

Outline your marketing and sales strategies to promote your cleaning services, gain leads, and ultimately boost sales. You should determine the number of clients you must win to achieve your cleaning company’s profit goals. 

The most effective marketing strategies for cleaning businesses include: 

• Online Marketing – Your objectives can include building an authoritative business cleaning service website design , using paid advertising like Facebook ads , leveraging social media, implementing email marketing, and maintaining an excellent reputation online. 
• Offline Advertising – Timeless strategies include direct mail, distributing pamphlets and flyers, connecting with the local community, and creating branded merchandise. 

8. Funding Requests 

• Add this section if you need additional funding for day-to-day functions and operational expenses.
• You can create a table outlining your cleaning company’s expenses, letting potential investors and lenders know precisely where their money will go. 

9. Financial Projections 

Your cleaning company business plan should have a realistic financial forecast based on your extensive market analysis and company goals.

• It should include well-researched financial projections for the future to demonstrate your targeted profits. 
• Try to include a cash flow estimate, capital expenditures, and approximate payrolls for the next few years.
• You can create an annual or quarterly target profit that your team can work to accomplish. 

Pro-Top : include a cash flow estimate, capital expenditures, and approximate payrolls for the next few years. You can create an annual or quarterly target profit that your team can work to accomplish. 

10. Appendix

Your business plan ends with an appendix where you add all relevant documents, definitions, legal notes, and other critical information.

• You can include resumes, certifications, bank statements, credit reports, charts, and other supporting documents. 
• Refer readers to this section anywhere in your business plan when necessary. For example: “See Appendix, page 5, for management team certifications.”

Example of a Cleaning Services Business Plan PDF

You can open or download our free cleaning business plan PDF below:

To get an editable version on Google Docs, enter your email below:

Why Does My Cleaning Company Need a Business Plan? 

You might think, “But making a business plan sounds like a lot of work! Do I really need it for my cleaning company?” The quick answer is: Yes, you definitely need that business plan!

As tedious as it sounds, preparing a strategic business plan is crucial to set yourself up for success and not get lost along the way. 

Take a look at the following key reasons why your business will benefit from a cleaning company business plan: 

Find Out If Your Cleaning Services Business Idea Is Viable

Creating a business plan will help you test if your business idea is feasible, saving you time, money, and energy. Many aspiring entrepreneurs believe they have outstanding ideas that could never fail.

However, around 20% of business startups fail during the first year due to a lack of planning, among other things. 

To survive the cleaning business startup phase, you must perform careful and methodical planning and create a well-developed business plan. It’s the key step between visualizing the concept for your cleaning company and turning your vision into a successful business. 

Increase Your Chances of Growth and Success 

The cleaning industry is enormous, and competitive residential and commercial cleaning businesses are everywhere. There’s always demand for cleaning services. Around 80% of households in the US are expected to use home cleaning services by 2024. 

Considering the competition you’ll be facing, it helps to create a business plan that will help you identify how your cleaning company will stand out. 

• Extensive planning will help you pinpoint your target market, determine your unique selling proposition, and develop a startup and operating expenses budget.
• This process will ultimately set your cleaning business up for long-term growth and success.

Secure Financing

Established financial institutions, lenders, and investors typically perform an extensive investigation before committing to an investment. With a solid business plan, you’ll be more likely to secure the funds you need to get your business up and running. 

Common Questions about Cleaning Company Business Plans

A business plan will help you determine if your cleaning business idea is viable, increase your chances of success, and secure financing.

An executive summary includes a mission statement, information about the leadership team, and financial goals.

Final Thoughts: Driving Your Cleaning Company’s Success With a Solid Business Plan 

Equipped with a well-researched business plan, you’ll have much higher chances of succeeding in the cleaning services industry. It’s also a valuable tool that can help you secure funding for your operational expenses as a cleaning startup. 

After downloading our free cleaning services business plan PDF, make sure to edit each section and include all essential information to create a comprehensive document.

Our free sample cleaning company business plan serves as an excellent starting point – a helpful template that you can personalize as necessary.

Written by Nelmie Jane Pardo

Nelmie Jane Pardo is a senior contributing writer who lends insight into digital marketing methods and business solutions. She regularly writes at BusinessHue to help business owners take their online marketing to the next level.

Free Resources for the

Starting a Cleaning Business Checklist PDF: Printable Form

How to get commercial cleaning contracts (22 ways), free cleaning service proposal template (editable document), is cleaning houses a good job cleaning for a living.

Commercial Cleaning Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Commercial Cleaning Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Commercial Cleaning business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Commercial Cleaning businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Commercial Cleaning business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Denver Corporate Cleaning is a new commercial cleaning service that serves the Denver, Colorado area. We offer the best quality services in the industry and can work with any type of business that needs our services. We offer several cleaning services including office cleaning, emergency cleanings, sanitization, and carpet cleaning. With our stellar work ethic, high-quality cleaning services, and client focused service, we plan to be the #1 commercial cleaning company in the Denver area in the next five years.

Denver Corporate Cleaning is founded by Pedro Hernandez. Pedro has worked in several cleaning companies over the past twenty years, but was disappointed in the lack of good customer service that these companies provided. For years, Pedro has been planning his own business that will provide client focused service as well as a longer list of cleaning services than the competition. After years of planning, he is now ready to launch his business.

Product Offering

Denver Corporate Cleaning offers a full suite of commercial cleaning services for businesses located in Denver, Colorado. These services include office cleaning, breakroom cleaning, window cleaning, emergency cleaning, and sanitizing. Clients can order a one-time cleaning service or regular services that occur monthly, weekly, or daily. Long-term clients will be charged monthly for their plans.

Customer Focus

Denver Corporate Cleaning will provide cleaning services to businesses located in Denver, Colorado. We expect most of our clientele will be corporate offices, but we will also work with churches, gyms, restaurants, schools, and other establishments.

Management Team

Denver Corporate Cleaning is founded by Pedro Hernandez. Pedro has worked in several cleaning companies over the past twenty years, but was disappointed in the lack of client-oriented service that these companies provided. For years, Pedro has been planning his own business that will emphasize client focused service and provide a longer list of cleaning services than the competition. After years of planning, he is now ready to launch his business.

Success Factors

Denver Corporate Cleaning is primed for success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Professional cleaning services for an affordable price.
• Client-focused service where the owner will keep in touch with clients on a monthly basis.
• A referral program where clients can earn a free cleaning for every business they recruit.
• A focus on maintaining long-lasting relationships with our clients.

Financial Highlights

Denver Corporate Cleaning is seeking $225,000 in debt financing to launch. The funding will be dedicated to the office build out, purchase of initial supplies, working capital, marketing costs, and startup overhead expenses. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office location design/build: $50,000
• Initial supplies and equipment: $50,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $50,000
• Working capital: $25,000
• Marketing: $50,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for Denver Corporate Cleaning.

Company Overview

Who is denver corporate cleaning.

Denver Corporate Cleaning is a new commercial cleaning service that serves the Denver, Colorado area. We offer several cleaning services to the businesses located in the area including office cleaning, emergency cleanings, sanitization, and carpet cleaning. We are open to working with any business (including churches, gyms, and restaurants) but we expect much of our clientele will be corporate offices.

  Denver Corporate Cleaning is founded by Pedro Hernandez. Pedro has worked in several cleaning companies over the past twenty years, but wasn’t satisfied with the level of service these companies offered their clientele. Pedro has been planning his business for years and is now ready to launch.

He recently conducted a market analysis and consumer survey to see if the business would be in high demand. The results from these were very positive, with many consumers saying that they would be interested in hiring the company’s services as soon as the business launches.

Denver Corporate Cleaning’s History

After spending several years in the cleaning industry, Pedro Hernandez gained the knowledge, skills, and expertise to start his own commercial cleaning business. In April 2023, he quit his job at his employer and incorporated Denver Corporate Cleaning as an S Corporation.

Since incorporation, Pedro has achieved the following milestones for Denver Corporate Cleaning:

• Developed the company’s name, logo and website
• Finished the list of services the company will provide
• Determined equipment and inventory requirements
• Found a potential office location

Denver Corporate Cleaning’s Services

Denver Corporate Cleaning will provide the following services to our clientele:

• Office cleaning
• Breakroom/kitchen cleaning
• Emergency cleaning
• Sanitization
• Window cleaning
• Carpet cleaning
• Weekend services

Industry Analysis

Revenue for the commercial cleaning industry is expected to grow over the next five years. This growth is due partially by the increase in demand from businesses across all sectors. Businesses are expected to continue outsourcing cleaning activities to janitorial and cleaning service specialists. In particular, education, healthcare and medical-related industries, which outsource the majority of their cleaning requirements, will likely provide sustained demand for industry services. Most businesses save money by outsourcing cleaning services, so this will be a major factor in the industry’s growth.

According to Grand View Research, the contract cleaning services industry was valued at $343.34 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3% from now until 2030. This shows that commercial cleaning services are still in great demand and will continue to be. Therefore, this is a great time to start a commercial cleaning business.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Denver Corporate Cleaning will serve the businesses located in the Denver area. Most of our clientele will include corporate offices, but we will also serve churches, gyms, restaurants, schools, and other establishments.

Customer Segmentation

Denver Corporate Cleaning will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Corporate offices
• Restaurants

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Denver Corporate Cleaning will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Denver Cleaning Solutions

Denver Cleaning Solutions is a local cleaning business that primarily services office buildings in downtown Denver. The company has a team of over 40 cleaners who provide a long list of services to their clients. These services include cubicle cleaning, office cleaning, breakroom cleaning, and sanitization. Unfortunately Denver Cleaning solutions suffers from high turnover which results in low quality services. Therefore, the company is seen as a low-end budget quality option and will not be a major competitor for clients who want higher quality services.

Smith Premium Family Cleaning Services

Smith Premium Family Cleaning Services is a family-owned company that has operated since 1990. They have a small, yet highly trained cleaning staff that cleans residential homes and commercial spaces located around the Denver area. As the name suggests, they offer premium services that have given them a great reputation, but also allow them to charge premium prices. Though Smith Premium Family Cleaning Services will continue to succeed, the company is small enough that we don’t expect them to be a major competitor.

Denver Maids

Denver Maids is a popular cleaning service that serves the Denver area. They clean both residential and commercial locations and offer a wide suite of services and contract options. They have more than 100 cleaners on staff and are fully equipped to manage hundreds of contracts throughout the year. Though most of Denver Maid’s contracts are for residential cleaning services, they also service many businesses, making them a strong competitor in the market.

Competitive Advantage

Denver Corporate Cleaning will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Client-focused service : Customer service is our #1 priority. Our entire mission is to provide high-quality client focused service that focuses on maintaining long-term relationships with our clients.
• Management : Pedro has significant experience in the industry and knows what it takes to offer the best cleaning services and keep clients happy. Pedro will interact with each client on a weekly or monthly basis to ensure they are completely satisfied with their cleaning service. He will ask for any constructive criticism in order to implement strategies beneficial to client retention and referrals.
• Referral Program : We will offer a referral program where clients can earn a free cleaning for every business and/or household they recruit.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Denver Corporate Cleaning will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Affordable and quality cleaning services
• Highly trained staff
• Wide variety of commercial cleaning services
• Ability to work with any commercial business in the area

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Denver Corporate Cleaning is as follows:

Referral Program

Denver Corporate Cleaning will implement a referral program that will reward an existing client with a free cleaning service if they recruit a fellow business to our services.

Social Media Marketing

The company will have several social media accounts and invest in ads on all social media platforms. These accounts will showcase pictures of our cleaning crew as well as a list of the services we provide. The company will use targeted marketing to appeal to our target demographics.

SEO Website Marketing

Denver Corporate Cleaning will invest funds into maintaining a strong SEO presence on search engines like Google and Bing. When a person types in “local commercial cleaning services” or “Denver cleaning services”, Denver Corporate Cleaning will appear in the top three choices.

Advertisement

Advertisements in print publications like newspapers, magazines, etc., are an excellent way for businesses to connect with their audience. Denver Corporate Cleaning will advertise its services in popular magazines and news dailies. Obtaining relevant placements in industry magazines and journals will also help in increasing brand visibility.

The pricing of Denver Corporate Cleaning will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when hiring our cleaning services.

Operations Plan

Denver Corporate Cleaning will utilize the following operations plan. Operation Functions:

• Pedro Hernandez will be the Owner of Denver Corporate Cleaning. He will oversee the general operations and keep in touch with all clients to ensure they are satisfied with the company’s services. To efficiently run the business, Pedro will hire the following:
• An Accountant who will manage all client invoicing, billing, and payables.
• A Human Resources Manager who will oversee all employee hiring, onboarding, payroll, retention, and benefits programs.
• A Training Manager who will develop and implement a strict cleaning protocol program that every employee will have to pass.
• 20 hourly cleaning professionals to provide cleaning services to our clients.

Milestones:

Denver Corporate Cleaning will have the following milestones complete in the next six months:

• 5/1/202X – Finalize lease agreement for office space
• 6/1/202X – Office build out
• 7/1/202X – Hire and train essential staff
• 8/1/202X – Begin marketing campaign
• 9/1/202X – Launch Denver Corporate Cleaning
• 10/1/202X – Reach break even

Denver Corporate Cleaning is founded by Pedro Hernandez. Pedro has worked in several cleaning companies over the past twenty years, but was disappointed in the lack of client-oriented service that these companies provided. For years, Pedro has been planning his own business that will emphasize client focused service. We will also provide a longer list of cleaning services than the competition. After years of planning, he is now ready to launch his business.

Since he has worked in the industry for decades, Pedro has in-depth knowledge of what it takes to provide premium cleaning services. Though he has never run a business, he will hire several staff members who will help him run the operations, marketing, management, and accounting aspects of the company.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Denver Corporate Cleaning will come charging our clients for our professional cleaning services. We expect most of our clients will stick with us long term, so we will charge them monthly for our services. Businesses that need a one-time cleaning will be charged the day of the cleaning.

The cost drivers for Denver Corporate Cleaning will include the overhead costs, salaries, cost of supplies, and marketing expenses.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Key assumptions.

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and pay off the startup business loan.

• Number Of Clients:
• Average Client Contract Per Month: $500
• Annual Lease: $25,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, commercial cleaning business plan faqs, what is a commercial cleaning business plan.

A commercial cleaning business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your commercial cleaning business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Commercial Cleaning business plan using our Commercial Cleaning Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Commercial Cleaning Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of commercial cleaning businesses , some examples include: General Commercial Cleaning, Healthcare and Lab Cleaning, and Damage Restoration.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Commercial Cleaning Business Plan?

Commercial Cleaning businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Commercial Cleaning Business?

Starting a commercial cleaning business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Commercial Cleaning Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed commercial cleaning business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your commercial cleaning business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your commercial cleaning business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Commercial Cleaning Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your commercial cleaning business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your commercial cleaning business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Commercial Cleaning Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your commercial cleaning business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your commercial cleaning business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful commercial cleaning business:

• How to Start a Commercial Cleaning Business

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Commercial Cleaning Business Plan

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

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How to Write a Commercial Cleaning Business Plan?

Writing a commercial cleaning business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section of the business plan intended to provide an overview of the whole business plan. Generally, it is written after the entire business plan is ready. Here are some components to add to your summary:

Start with a brief introduction:

Market opportunity:, mention your services:, management team:, financial highlights:, call to action:.

Ensure you keep your executive summary concise and clear, use simple language, and avoid jargon.

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2. Business Overview

Depending on what details of your business are important, you’ll need different elements in your business overview. Still, there are some foundational elements like business name, legal structure, location, history, and mission statement that every business overview should include:

About the business:

Provide all the basic information about your business in this section like:

• The name of the commercial cleaning services and the concept behind it like; commercial green cleaning, carpet cleaning, glass cleaning, industrial cleaning services, etc.
• Company structure of your commercial cleaning business whether it is a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership firm, or others.
• Location of your commercial cleaning and the reason why you selected that place.

Mission statement:

Business history:, future goals:.

This section should provide an in-depth understanding of your commercial cleaning business. Also, the business overview section should be engaging and precise.

3. Market Analysis

Market analysis provides a clear understanding of the market in which your commercial cleaning business will run along with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. Your market analysis should contain the following essential components:

Target market:

Market size and growth potential:, competitive analysis:, market trends:, regulatory environment:.

Some additional tips for writing the market analysis section of your business plan:

• Use a variety of sources to gather data, including industry reports, market research studies, and surveys.
• Be specific and provide detailed information wherever possible.
• Include charts and graphs to help illustrate your key points.
• Keep your target audience in mind while writing the business plan.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section of a janitorial services business plan should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

List the services:

• Briefly describe the precise cleaning services supplied by your commercial cleaning company, such as floor cleaning, washroom cleaning, and window cleaning. Emphasize any specialty cleaning services that the company provides, such as COVID-19 disinfection or green cleaning.
• Describe each service: For each service, provide a detailed description of what it entails, the time required, and the qualifications of the professionals who will provide the service. It may include the particular duties carried out, the tools used, and the cleaning agents employed.

Ensure customer satisfaction:

• Explain any guarantees or warranties that the company provides to assure client satisfaction, such as a promise to refund any money paid or to make good on any cleaning service flaws.

Overall, a business plan’s product and services section should be detailed, informative, and customer-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Develop your unique selling proposition (USP):

Determine your pricing strategy:, marketing strategies:, sales strategies:, customer retention:.

Overall, the sales and marketing strategies section of your business plan should outline your plans to attract and retain customers and generate revenue. Be specific, realistic, and data-driven in your approach, and be prepared to adjust your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

When writing the operations plan section, it’s important to consider the various aspects of your business processes and procedures involved in operating a business. Here are the components to include in an operations plan:

Hiring plan:

Operational process:, equipment and supplies:.

By including these key elements in your operations plan section, you can create a comprehensive plan that outlines how you will run your commercial cleaning business.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of the individuals responsible for running the commercial cleaning business. This section should provide a detailed description of the experience and qualifications of each manager, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Key managers:

Organizational structure:, compensation plan:, board of advisors:.

Describe the key personnel of your company and highlight why your business has the fittest team.

8. Financial Plan

When writing the financial plan section of a business plan, it’s important to provide a comprehensive overview of your financial projections for the first few years of your business.

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:, financing needs:.

Remember to be realistic with your financial projections, and to provide supporting evidence for all of your estimates.

9. Appendix

When writing the appendix section, you should include any additional information that supports the main content of your plan. This may include financial statements, market research data, legal documents, and other relevant information.

• Include a table of contents for the appendix section to make it easy for readers to find specific information.
• Include financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. These should be up-to-date and show your financial projections for at least the first three years of your business.
• Provide market research data, such as statistics on the size of the cleaning industry, consumer demographics, and trends in the industry.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Provide any additional documentation related to your business plans, such as marketing materials, product brochures, and operational procedures.
• Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the information they need.

Remember, the appendix section of your commercial cleaning business should only include relevant and important information that supports the main content of your plan.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This commercial cleaning business plan sample will provide an idea for writing a successful commercial cleaning business plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you are still confused about how to write an investment-ready business plan to impress your audience, then download our commercial cleaning business plan pdf .

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Table of Contents in Business Plan

Frequently asked questions, why do you need a commercial cleaning business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful commercial cleaning business. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your business.

How to get funding for your commercial cleaning business?

There are several ways to get funding for your business, but one of the most efficient and speedy funding options is self-funding. Other options for funding are:

Small Business Administration (SBA) loan

Crowdfunding, angel investors.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your commercial cleaning business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and idea better than you, so we recommend you write your commercial cleaning services business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your commercial cleaning business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any commercial cleaning business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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Cleaning Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Cleaning Business Plan Template

If you want to start a Cleaning business or expand your current Cleaning service, you need a business plan.

The following Cleaning business plan template gives you the key elements to include in a winning cleaning service business plan.

You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.

Cleaning Company Business Plan Sample

I. executive summary, business overview.

[Company Name], located at [insert location here] is a new home cleaning service providing home and apartment cleaning services to its clients. [Company Name] is headed by [Founder’s Name], an experienced home cleaner and cleaning services manager.

[Company Name] will focus on providing weekly home cleaning services to upper class residents as well as specialty cleaning services to other clients. These specialty services will include exterior cleaning services (porches, patios, building exteriors) and deep cleaning of homes that have heavy build up of debris and garbage (preparation for moving or estate sales).

The founder, [Founder’s Name], will also develop proposals for cleaning services specific to the needs of the client and the amount of space to clean. [Founder’s Name] will write newsletters to clients describing the best practices in home cleaning, reviewing new products, and answering frequently asked client questions.

Customer Focus

[Company Name] will primarily serve the residents within a 10 mile radius of our location. The demographics of these customers are as follows:

• 27,827 residents
• Average income of $74,700
• 58.9% married
• 49.6% in Mgt./Professional occupations
• 75% of residents are homeowners
• Median age: 38 years

In addition to this relatively wealthy adult demographic for a cleaning service business, there are five large apartment buildings in the area. The management companies of these apartment buildings may require cleaning services to prepare for new tenants to move in.

Management Team

[Company Name]’s most valuable asset is the expertise and experience of its founder, [Founder’s Name]. [First name] has been a cleaning services manager for the past 15 years. He has spent much of his career working with Regal Hotel Management, where he oversaw housekeeping operations for fifteen hotels. He spent the more recent portion of his career at a smaller firm, King’s Cleaning, where he sold cleaning services worth over $1 million to homes and businesses.

[Company name] will also employ an experienced assistant manager to manage cleaning operations. This will be an experienced operations manager who will be trained in cleaning services operations by [Founder’s Name].

Success Factors

[Company Name] is uniquely qualified to succeed due to the following reasons:

• [Company Name] will fill a specific market niche in the growing community we are entering. In addition, we have surveyed the local population and received extremely positive feedback saying that they explicitly want to make use of our services when launched.
• Our location is in a high-wealth area where customers are in need of house cleaning services.
• The management team has a track record of success in the cleaning services business.
• The local area is currently under served and residents rely on independent and often illegal house cleaners.

Financial Highlights

[Company Name] is seeking a total funding of $92,000 of debt capital to open its cleaning service. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures and location build-out, hiring initial employees, marketing expenses and working capital.

Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:

• Headquarters design/build: $46,000
• Working capital: $46,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Company Name] reaches break-even

Top line projections over the next five years are as follows:

II. Company Overview

Who is [company name].

[Company Name], located at [insert location here] is a new home cleaning service providing home and apartment cleaning to its clients. [Company Name] is headed by [Founder’s Name], an experienced home cleaner and cleaning services manager.

While [Founder’s Name] has been in the cleaning services sector for some time, it was in [month, year] that he decided to launch [Company Name]. Specifically, during this time, [Founder] met with a former friend and fellow independent cleaning services provider in Fort Lauderdale, FL who has had tremendous success. After discussing the business at length, [Founder’s Name] clearly understood that a similar business would enjoy significant success in his hometown.

Specifically, the customer demographics and competitive situations in the Fort Lauderdale location and in his hometown were so similar that he knew the business would work. After surveying the local population, [Founder’s name] went ahead and founded [Company Name].

[Company Name]’s History

Upon returning from Fort Lauderdale, surveying the local customer base, and finding a potential retail office, [Founder’s Name] incorporated [Company Name] as an S-Corporation on [date of incorporation].

The business is currently being run out of [Founder’s Name] home office, but once the lease on [Company Name]’s office location is finalized, all operations will be run from there.

Since incorporation, the Company has achieved the following milestones:

• Found office space and signed Letter of Intent to lease it
• Developed the company’s name, logo and website located at [website]
• Determined equipment and fixture requirements
• Began recruiting key employees

[Company Name]’s Services

[Founder’s Name] will be able to provide clients with the following services:

• Weekly Residential Cleaning: regular, general residential cleaning services, customized to the needs of each client, for apartments, small homes, and large homes.
• Exterior Cleaning: cleaning of exterior walls, patios, porches, driveways, etc
• Deep Cleaning: garbage removal, carpet cleaning and deep cleaning of walls and floors for tenants who are moving, home sales, and landlords of apartment buildings
• [Company Name] Newsletter: frequently asked questions, cleaning tips, and product reviews for clients

As [Founder’s Name] understands, the key to a successful cleaning service is being responsive to the particular needs of clients. [Founder’s Name] will have a full-time assistant manager who will, among other things, manage operations including scheduling, supply procurement, inventory, and bookkeeping. This will free up the time of [Founder’s Name] to work on sales and customer service.

III. Industry Analysis

The cleaning industry is generally strongly correlated with the strength of the real estate market. However, last year, according to Freedonia, the commercial and residential contract cleaning services market was $48.4 billion in the U.S. The market will grow at 5.3 % annually for the next three years and that “gains will be driven by the shift toward “”do-it-for-me”” cleaning services in the residential market and by the outsourcing of noncore functions in the nonresidential market.”

The cleaning industry includes nonresidential interior building, residential interior, swimming pool, street and parking lot, exterior building, chimney, transportation equipment, window, and more. Within the residential interior segment, some providers specialize in areas such as carpets, kitchens, walls, and floors.

Trends in the cleaning industry include the following:

• Customer interest in companies that clean with all-natural or environmentally-friendly products only.
• Customer interest in companies that clean with non-toxic products.
• Market downturn leads to growth in residential customers hosting dinners and events at their homes to save money, leading to increase in cleaning services before and after such events.
• Customer interest in expert advice as to how they clean and maintain their homes better.

IV. Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

[Company Name] will serve the residents of [company location] and the immediately surrounding areas in a 10 mile radius.

The area we serve is populated mostly by the middle and upper class and lead busy lifestyles; as a result, they have both the need for cleaning services and the means to pay for it.

Customer Segmentation

The Company will primarily target the following three customer segments:

• Middle and Upper Class Homeowners: The area in which the Company will operate has a significant population of homeowners. Many homes have two working parents with limited time to keep up with housekeeping and cleaning. Even homes with one parent staying at home can have a need for regular cleaning services or specialty services from time to time, especially when there are three or more children to care for.
• Wealthy Renters: Many wealthy singles and couples chose to rent apartments and homes rather than to buy because of a temporary living situation in [company location]. These renters tend to work long hours at consulting companies, banks, and financial services and do not have the time or interest in cleaning their apartments regularly.
• Apartment Management Companies: There are five apartment buildings in the vicinity which may be interested in outsourcing their cleaning services for apartment units when they are vacated.

V. Competitive Analysis

Direct & indirect competitors.

The following two cleaning services firms are estimated to serve 50% of the house cleaning services customers within a 10 mile radius of [Company Name], as determined by a survey of 100 homes. Independent housekeepers are used by many more, although the exact number is difficult to determine.

King’s Cleaning

King’s Cleaning is an established local business and residential cleaning service that has been in operation for ten years. The company earns approximately half of its revenue through residential cleaning and half through business and office cleaning. [Founder’s Name] is very familiar with this competitor, having served as its sales manager for the past five years.

King’s customer reviews are often mixed. There are often reports of cleanings being incomplete. While King’s does send crews back to redo any shoddy work, their reputation has been damaged by these incidents over time.

[Company Name] will create a brand built around the specific cleaning needs of homeowners and renters rather than serving both home and business owners.

Merry Maids

Merry Maids is a nationally franchised brand that cleans more than 300,000 homes, apartments, and condos in North America every month. Founded in 1979, the company has more than 300 locations and calls itself the largest home cleaning franchise network in the world.

Merry Maids operates on a similar model to [Company Name], providing customized proposals to clients based on an estimate of their specific needs. They encourage weekly service, but can provide service on any schedule chosen by a customer or one-time cleanings.

However, Merry Maids does not offer any rates on their website, insisting that a home inspection must take place before any cleaning rates can be discussed. [Company Name] will offer basic rate ranges (competitive with Merry Maids) on their website, helping customers to come to a decision faster. Furthermore, [Company Name] will build its brand as a cleaning expert through its intelligent weekly newsletter.

Independent Housekeepers

Dozens of independent housekeepers operate their own businesses, generally illegally, for area residents. These housekeepers advertise their services through word-of-mouth and flyers in supermarkets and local stores. They offer low rates (as low as $10 per hour) to clean homes and require payment in cash.

While many customers seek out these “off-the-books” workers to clean their homes, others are wary of hiring illegal workers who avoid taxes and don’t hold insurance or business licenses. Those who are legal to work in this country can potentially become employees of [Company Name], effectively buying them out as competition.

Competitive Pricing

Competitive advantage.

[Company Name] enjoys several advantages over its competitors. These advantages include:

• Client-oriented service: [Company Name] will have a full-time sales manager to keep in contact with clients and answer their everyday questions. [Founder’s Name] realizes the importance of accessibility to his clients, and will further keep in touch with his clients through weekly newsletters about cleaning.
• Management: [Founder’s Name] has been extremely successful working in the cleaning services business and will be able to use his previous experience to assure clients of the care that [Company Name] will take to do the job right. His unique qualifications will serve customers in a much more sophisticated manner than [Company Name’s] competitors.
• Relationships: Having lived in the community for 25 years, [Founder’s Name] knows many of the local leaders, newspapers and other influences. Furthermore, he will be able to draw from his ties to homeowners from his work at King’s Cleaning to develop an initial client base.

VI. Marketing Plan

[Company Name] will use several strategies to promote its name, develop its brand and reach its target customers. By using an integrated marketing strategy, [Company Name] will win clients and develop consistent revenue streams.

The [Company name] Brand

The [Company name] brand will focus on the Company’s unique value proposition:

• Client-focused home cleaning services, that treat each home individually and get the job done right the first time
• Service built on long-term relationships
• Big-firm expertise in a small-firm environment

Promotions Strategy

Targeted Cold Calls

[Company Name] will initially invest significant time and energy into contacting potential clients via telephone. In order to improve the effectiveness of this phase of the marketing strategy, a highly-focused call list will be used; targeting individuals in homes are most likely to demand the services of a cleaning company. As this is a very time-consuming process, it will primarily be used during the startup phase to build an initial client base.

[Company Name] understands that the best promotion comes from satisfied customers. The Company will encourage its clients to refer their friends and neighbors by providing discounts for new client produced. This strategy will increase in effectiveness after the business has already been established.

Additionally, [Company Name] will aggressively network with local area hardware and cleaning supply stores that sell products used by [Company Name]. This network will generate referral leads and give out flyers to customers at no charge in exchange for the steady purchase of cleaning supplies. In return, clients who seek to use the high-quality products that [Company Name] uses will be directed to these stores.

[Company Name] will invest resources in two forms of geographically-focused internet promotion—organic search engine optimization and pay-per-click advertising. The Company will develop its website in such a manner as to direct as much traffic from search engines as possible. Additionally, it will use highly-focused, specific keywords to draw traffic to its website, where potential clients will find a content-rich site that presents [Company Name] as the trustworthy, well-qualified home cleaning firm that it is.

Publications

[Company name] will place print advertisements in key local publications, including newspapers, area magazines, and local sport programs. Additionally, the Company will print brochures and place them in specific locations frequented by target individuals, such as supermarkets and real estate offices.

Pricing Strategy

[Company Name]’s pricing will be competitive compared with Merry Maids and lower than King’s Cleaning, although higher than illegal independent housekeepers. For regular, weekly clients, pricing will be based on the average labor needed for a job and a steady fee will be set. For one-time clients, or clients who are trying out the firm’s services, a competitive hourly rate will be charged.

VII. Operations

[Company Name] will carry out its sales operations through phone calls and home visits/consultations. House cleanings will be scheduled within time ranges (i.e. 10 am – 4 pm Wednesday) rather than at exact times to allow leeway for jobs that may be longer or shorter than expected. After clients are served a number of times, appointments will be scheduled more tightly together based on the average service time for each home.

The headquarters will not be used for client meetings, allowing savings on the renovation costs needed for this space. This space will house the three full-time, non-cleaning staff as well as cleaning supplies for the cleaning staff. Cleaning staff will be required to travel to client homes in their own vehicles and will be reimbursed for travel expenses.

[Founder’s Name] will work as the primary salesperson for the company’s services, although the assistant manager and administrative assistant may be trained in sales activities over time. The assistant manager will manage company operations, under [Founder’s Name]’s supervision. The administrative assistant will handle basic scheduling work for the assistant manager, as well as light bookkeeping, answering phones, and organizing human resources.

[Company Name]’s long term goal is to become the highest quality provider of consistent home cleaning services in the [city] area. We seek to do this by ensuring customer satisfaction and developing a loyal and successful clientele.

The following are a series of steps that will lead to this long-term success. [Company Name] expects to achieve the following milestones in the following [xyz] months:

VIII. Management Team

[Company Name]’s most valuable asset is the expertise and experience of its founder, [Founder’s Name]. [First name] has been a cleaning services manager for the past 15 years. He has spent much of his career working with Regal Hotel Management, where he oversaw housekeeping operations for fifteen hotels. At Regal, [First name] learned the requirements for detailed cleaning from both a technical and customer service perspective.

[First name] spent the more recent portion of his career at a smaller firm, King’s Cleaning, where he sold cleaning services worth over $1 million to homes and businesses over the past five years. During this time he witnessed firsthand successes and failures in service operations and service quality, while developing deep expertise as a customer service representative.

[Company name] will also employ an experienced assistant manager to manage cleaning operations. This will be an experienced operations manager who will be trained in cleaning services operations by [Founder’s Name]. The desired individual with have an undergraduate business degree or years of small business operations management experience.

Hiring Plan

In order to launch the business we will hire the following employees:

• Cleaning Staff: 9 full-time, experienced home cleaners. Must be read and speak English in order to take directions directly from clients, as needed. Cleaning staff will be added consistently to fill the growing need for [Company Name] services.
• Administrative Assistant: Must be organized, with good phone skills, facility with numbers for bookkeeping, and good writing skills.

IX. Financial Plan

Revenue & pricing.

[Company Name]’s revenues will come primarily from cleaning fees to residential clients.

[Company Name]’s main revenue streams will be:

Key Cost Drivers

As with most services, labor expenses are the key cost drivers. Cleaning staff will earn a competitive salary, allowing [Company Name] to hire workers who previously operated independent businesses. Furthermore, the costs of supplies and travel to client sites are expected to be roughly 20% of revenue.

The major cost drivers for the company’s operation will consist of:

• Cost of cleaning (supplies and travel to homes)
• Lease on company headquarters

Moreover, ongoing marketing expenditures are also notable cost drivers for [Company Name].

Capital Requirements and Use of Funds

[Company Name] is seeking a total funding of $92,000 of debt capital to open its cleaning business. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures and location build-out, hiring initial employees, marketing expenses and working capital.

Key Assumptions & Forecasts

The following table reflects the key revenue and cost assumptions made in the financial projections model.

5 Year Annual Income Statement

5 Year Annual Balance Sheet

5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement

Summary Crafting a cleaning services business plan is an essential part of the business planning process. The cleaning company business plan template above provides you with the a solid foundation to get started on your own cleaning services business plan.

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Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template

The world's #1 business plan template.

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Cleaning Business Plan Template

The world’s #1 cleaning business plan template — it’s the quickest and easiest way to create a winning cleaning business plan, period.

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It Took Us 17 Years to Create the Ultimate Cleaning Business Plan Template for You

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During this time, we’ve helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs and businesses achieve great success.

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Improve Your Strategy

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It guides you through key questions about your company, marketing and operations strategies, and gives you tons of ideas for improvement.

For example, in the Marketing Plan section, you’ll see several of the best marketing tactics to get new customers.

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Our Ultimate Cleaning Business Plan Template “Members Area” gives answers to all your questions, plus access to our amazing customer support team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to your most frequently asked questions:.

Immediately upon purchasing Growthink’s Ultimate Cleaning Business Plan Template, you will be taken to our Member’s Area where you can instantly download our template and begin working on your business plan.

If for any reason you are not delighted with our product, simply contact our friendly support desk and you’ll be issued a full refund. You have an entire year to request a refund if desired.

Unlike other software that charges you a fee month after month after month, you only pay once for Growthink’s Ultimate Cleaning Business Plan Template and you own it.

You can create an unlimited number of business plans with Growthink’s Ultimate Cleaning Business Plan Template. Once you purchase it, you have lifetime access to use it for any business in which you’re involved, now or in the future.

Yes, Growthink’s Ultimate Cleaning Business Plan Template works flawlessly on both PCs and Macs.

Growthink’s Ultimate Cleaning Business Plan Template is designed for both established Cleaning companies and startups.

Yes , you can! Anyone can easily follow our basic instructions and create a great business plan quickly and easily. Plus, my expert team is available to help you if you have any questions.

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Window Cleaning Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Window Cleaning Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their window cleaning companies.

If you’re unfamiliar with creating a window cleaning business plan, you may think creating one will be a time-consuming and frustrating process. For most entrepreneurs it is, but for you, it won’t be since we’re here to help. We have the experience, resources, and knowledge to help you create a great business plan.

In this article, you will learn some background information on why business planning is important. Then, you will learn how to write a window cleaning business plan step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here >

What Is a Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your window cleaning business as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategies for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan

If you’re looking to start a window cleaning business or grow your existing window cleaning company, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your window cleaning business to improve your chances of success. Your window cleaning business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Window Cleaning Businesses

With regard to funding, the main sources of funding for a window cleaning business are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans, and angel investors. When it comes to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to ensure that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for window cleaning companies.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

How to write a business plan for a window cleaning business.

If you want to start a window cleaning business or expand your current one, you need a business plan. The guide below details the necessary information for how to write each essential component of your window cleaning business plan.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your executive summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the kind of window cleaning business you are running and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a window cleaning business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of window cleaning businesses?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan.

• Give a brief overview of the window cleaning industry.
• Discuss the type of window cleaning business you are operating.
• Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers.
• Provide a snapshot of your marketing strategy. Identify the key members of your team.
• Offer an overview of your financial plan.

Company Overview

In your company overview, you will detail the type of window cleaning business you are operating.

For example, you might specialize in one of the following types of window cleaning businesses:

• Residential Window Cleaning Company: With a focus on cleaning the windows of homes and residential properties, this type of company will offer services such as interior and exterior window cleaning, screen cleaning, and window track cleaning.
• Commercial Window Cleaning Company: This type of business specializes in cleaning windows for commercial properties such as offices, retail stores, restaurants, and other businesses. They often handle larger buildings and provide regular maintenance services to keep windows looking clean and professional.
• High-Rise Window Cleaning Business:  High-rise window cleaning companies specialize in cleaning windows on tall buildings and skyscrapers. They safely use specialized equipment such as scaffolding, ropes, and platforms to access and clean windows at various heights.
• Green and Eco-friendly Window Washing Company: With a focus on providing environmentally friendly window cleaning solutions, this type of business uses eco-friendly cleaning products and practices to minimize the use of harsh chemicals and reduce the environmental impact of their services..

In addition to explaining the type of window cleaning business you will operate, the company overview needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to questions such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, the amount of window washing contracts you have, reaching X number of regional areas , etc.
• Your legal business structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry or market analysis, you need to provide an overview of the window cleaning industry. While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the window cleaning industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating.

Secondly, market research can improve your marketing strategy, particularly if your analysis identifies market trends.

The third reason is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis section of your window cleaning business plan:

• How big is the window cleaning industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential target market for your window cleaning business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section of your window cleaning business plan must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: private homeowners, businesses, schools, mid-to-large sized corporations.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of window cleaning business you operate. Clearly, homeowners would respond to different marketing promotions than corporations, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regard to demographics, including a discussion of the ages, genders, locations, and income levels of the potential customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can recognize and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other window cleaning businesses.

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t directly competing with your product or service. This includes neighborhood teens, volunteers asking for donations, and window replacement companies. You need to mention such competition, as well.

For each direct competitor, provide an overview of their business and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them, such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of window cleaning business are they?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regard to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And, don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide options for residential renters?
• Will you offer products or services that your competition doesn’t?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a window cleaning business plan, your marketing strategy should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of window cleaning company that you documented in your company overview. Then, detail the specific products or services you will be offering. For example, will you provide discounts or cleaning packages for large businesses or will your company offer homeowners, “pay for 3; get 1 free” window washings?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your plan, you are presenting the products and/or services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the site of your window cleaning company. Document where your company is situated and mention how the site will impact your success. For example, is your window cleaning business located in a busy suburban area, a business district, or near a large medical complex? Discuss how your site might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your window cleaning marketing plan is where you will document how you will drive potential customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertise in local papers, radio stations and/or magazines
• Reach out to websites
• Distribute flyers
• Engage in email marketing
• Advertise on social media platforms
• Improve the SEO (search engine optimization) on your website for targeted keywords

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your window cleaning business, including answering calls, planning and scheduling cleaning rotations, preparing payables and receivables, etc.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to book your Xth window-washing session, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your window cleaning business to a new city.

Management Team

To demonstrate your window cleaning business’ potential to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company.

Ideally, you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing window cleaning businesses. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act as mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a window cleaning business or successfully running a car wash business.

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statements.

Income Statement

An income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenue and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you service 15 homeowner customers per day, and/or offer corporate rates for a 3-story building? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets

Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your window cleaning business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a lender writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement

Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and ensure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit, but run out of money and go bankrupt.

When creating your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a window cleaning business:

• Cost of cleaning equipment and office supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Other start-up expenses (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your office location lease or a list of businesses under contract for seasonal services.

Writing a business plan for your window cleaning business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will understand the window cleaning industry, your competition, and your customers. You will develop a marketing strategy and will understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful window cleaning business.

Window Cleaning Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my window cleaning business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily write your window cleaning business plan.

How Do You Start a Window Cleaning Business?

Starting a Window Cleaning business is easy with these 14 steps:

• Choose the Name for Your Window Cleaning Business
• Create Your Window Cleaning Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Window Cleaning Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Window Cleaning Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Window Cleaning Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Window Cleaning Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Window Cleaning Business Equipment
• Develop Your Window Cleaning Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Window Cleaning Business
• Open for Business

Where Can I Download a Free Business Plan Template PDF?

Click here to download the pdf version of our basic business plan template.

Our free business plan template pdf allows you to see the key sections to complete in your plan and the key questions that each must answer. The business plan pdf will definitely get you started in the right direction.

We do offer a premium version of our business plan template. Click here to learn more about it. The premium version includes numerous features allowing you to quickly and easily create a professional business plan. Its most touted feature is its financial projections template which allows you to simply enter your estimated sales and growth rates, and it automatically calculates your complete five-year financial projections including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Here’s the link to our Ultimate Business Plan Template.

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Window Cleaning business plan?

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how a Growthink business planning advisor can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

How To Write a Commercial Cleaning Business Plan + Template

Creating a business plan is essential for any business, but it can be especially helpful for commercial cleaning businesses that want to improve their strategy and/or raise funding.

A well-crafted business plan not only outlines the vision for your company, but also documents a step-by-step roadmap of how you are going to accomplish it. In order to create an effective business plan, you must first understand the components that are essential to its success.

This article provides an overview of the key elements that every commercial cleaning business owner should include in their business plan.

Download the Ultimate Cleaning Business Plan Template

What is a Commercial Cleaning Business Plan?

A commercial cleaning business plan is a formal written document that describes your company’s business strategy and its feasibility. It documents the reasons you will be successful, your areas of competitive advantage, and it includes information about your team members. Your business plan is a key document that will convince investors and lenders (if needed) that you are positioned to become a successful venture.

Why Write a Commercial Cleaning Business Plan?

A commercial cleaning business plan is required for banks and investors. The document is a clear and concise guide of your business idea and the steps you will take to make it profitable.

Entrepreneurs can also use this as a roadmap when starting their new company or venture, especially if they are inexperienced in starting a business.

Writing an Effective Commercial Cleaning Business Plan

The following are the key components of a successful commercial cleaning business plan:

Executive Summary

The executive summary of a commercial cleaning business plan is a one to two page overview of your entire business plan. It should summarize the main points, which will be presented in full in the rest of your business plan.

• Start with a one-line description of your commercial cleaning company
• Provide a short summary of the key points in each section of your business plan, which includes information about your company’s management team, industry analysis, competitive analysis, and financial forecast among others.

Company Description

This section should include a brief history of your company. Include a short description of how your company started, and provide a timeline of milestones your company has achieved.

If you are just starting your commercial cleaning business, you may not have a long company history. Instead, you can include information about your professional experience in this industry and how and why you conceived your new venture. If you have worked for a similar company before or have been involved in an entrepreneurial venture before starting your commercial cleaning company, mention this.

Industry Analysis

The industry or market analysis is an important component of a commercial cleaning business plan. Conduct thorough market research to determine industry trends and document the size of your market. 

Questions to answer include:

• What part of the commercial cleaning industry are you targeting?
• How big is the market?
• What trends are happening in the industry right now (and if applicable, how do these trends support the success of your company)?

You should also include sources for the information you provide, such as published research reports and expert opinions.

Customer Analysis

This section should include a list of your target audience(s) with demographic and psychographic profiles (e.g., age, gender, income level, profession, job titles, interests). You will need to provide a profile of each customer segment separately, including their needs and wants.

For example, the customers of a commercial cleaning business may include owners or managers of office buildings, schools, restaurants, retail stores, and hospitals.

You can include information about how your customers make the decision to buy from you, as well as what keeps them buying from you.

Develop a strategy for targeting those customers who are most likely to buy from you, as well as those that might be influenced to buy your products or commercial cleaning services with the right marketing.

Competitive Analysis

The competitive analysis helps you determine how your product or service will be different from competitors, and what your unique selling proposition (USP) might be that will set you apart in this industry.

For each competitor, list their strengths and weaknesses. Next, determine your areas of competitive differentiation and/or advantage; that is, in what ways are you different from and ideally better than your competitors.

Marketing Plan

This part of the business plan is where you determine and document your marketing plan. . Your plan should be clearly laid out, including the following 4 Ps.

• Product/Service : Detail your product/service offerings here. Document their features and benefits.
• Price : Document your pricing strategy here. In addition to stating the prices for your products/services, mention how your pricing compares to your competition.
• Place : Where will your customers find you? What channels of distribution (e.g., partnerships) will you use to reach them if applicable?
• Promotion : How will you reach your target customers? For example, you may use social media, write blog posts, create an email marketing campaign, use pay-per-click advertising, launch a direct mail campaign. Or, you may promote your commercial cleaning business via word-of-mouth marketing or referrals from satisfied customers.

Operations Plan

This part of your commercial cleaning business plan should include the following information:

• How will you deliver your services to customers? For example, will you do it in person? 
• What infrastructure, commercial cleaning equipment , and resources are needed to operate successfully? How can you meet those requirements within budget constraints?

The operations plan is where you also need to include your company’s business policies. You will want to establish policies related to everything from customer service to pricing, to the overall brand image you are trying to present.

Finally, and most importantly, in your Operations Plan, you will lay out the milestones your company hopes to achieve within the next five years. Create a chart that shows the key milestone(s) you hope to achieve each quarter for the next four quarters, and then each year for the following four years. Examples of milestones for a commercial cleaning business include reaching $X in sales. Other examples include adding new customers, expanding to new markets, and launching new services.

Management Team

List your team members here including their names and titles, as well as their expertise and experience relevant to your specific commercial cleaning industry. Include brief biography sketches for each team member.

Particularly, if you are seeking funding, the goal of this section is to convince investors and lenders that your team has the expertise and experience to execute on your plan. If you are missing key team members, document the roles and responsibilities you plan to hire for in the future.

Financial Plan

Here you will include a summary of your complete and detailed financial plan (your full financial projections go in the Appendix). 

This includes the following three financial statements:

Income Statement

Your income statement should include:

• Revenue : how much revenue you generate.
• Cost of Goods Sold : These are your direct costs associated with generating revenue. This includes labor costs, as well as the cost of any equipment and supplies used to deliver the product/service offering.
• Net Income (or loss) : Once expenses and revenue are totaled and deducted from each other, this is the net income or loss

Sample Income Statement for a Startup Commercial Cleaning Business

Balance sheet.

Include a balance sheet that shows your assets, liabilities, and equity. Your balance sheet should include:

• Assets : All of the things you own (including cash).
• Liabilities : This is what you owe against your company’s assets, such as accounts payable or loans.
• Equity : The worth of your business after all liabilities and assets are totaled and deducted from each other.

Sample Balance Sheet for a Startup Commercial Cleaning Business

Cash flow statement.

Include a cash flow statement showing how much cash comes in, how much cash goes out and a net cash flow for each year. The cash flow statement should include:

• Cash Flow From Operations
• Cash Flow From Investments
• Cash Flow From Financing

Below is a sample of a projected cash flow statement for a startup commercial cleaning business.

Sample Cash Flow Statement for a Startup Commercial Cleaning Business

You will also want to include an appendix section which will include:

• Your complete financial projections
• A complete list of your company’s business policies and procedures related to the rest of the business plan (marketing, operations, etc.)
• Any other documentation which supports what you included in the body of your business plan.

Writing a good business plan gives you the advantage of being fully prepared to launch and/or grow your commercial cleaning company. It not only outlines your business vision but also provides a step-by-step process of how you are going to accomplish it.

A well-written business plan is an essential tool for any commercial cleaning business. If you put in the time to write a comprehensive and well-thought-out business plan, you will be setting your company up for success.  

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8 Business Plan Templates You Can Get for Free

8 min. read

Updated April 10, 2024

A business plan template can be an excellent tool to simplify the creation of your business plan. 

The pre-set structure helps you organize ideas, covers all critical business information, and saves you time and effort on formatting.

The only issue? There are SO many free business plan templates out there. 

So, which ones are actually worth using? 

To help remove the guesswork, I’ve rounded up some of the best business plan templates you can access right now. 

These are listed in no particular order, and each has its benefits and drawbacks.

What to look for in a business plan template

Not all business plan templates are created equal. As you weigh your options and decide which template(s) you’ll use, be sure to review them with the following criteria in mind:

• Easy to edit: A template should save you time. That won’t be the case if you have to fuss around figuring out how to edit the document, or even worse, it doesn’t allow you to edit at all.
• Contains the right sections: A good template should cover all essential sections of a business plan , including the executive summary, product/service description, market/competitive analysis, marketing and sales plan, operations, milestones, and financial projections. 
• Provides guidance: You should be able to trust that the information in a template is accurate. That means the organization or person who created the template is highly credible, known for producing useful resources, and ideally has some entrepreneurial experience.
• Software compatibility: Lastly, you want any template to be compatible with the software platforms you use. More than likely, this means it’s available in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or PDF format at a minimum. 

1. Bplans — A plan with expert guidance

Since you’re already on Bplans, I have to first mention the templates that we have available. 

Our traditional and one-page templates were created by entrepreneurs and business owners with over 80 years of collective planning experience. We revisit and update them annually to ensure they are approachable, thorough, and aligned with our team’s evolving best practices.  

The templates, available in Word, PDF, or Google Doc formats, include in-depth guidance on what to include in each section, expert tips, and links to additional resources. 

Plus, we have over 550 real-world sample business plans you can use for guidance when filling out your template.

Download: Traditional lender-ready business plan template or a simple one-page plan template .

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2. SBA — Introduction to business plans

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers two different business plan templates along with a short planning guide. 

While not incredibly in-depth, it’s enough to help you understand how traditional and lean plans are structured and what information needs to be covered. The templates themselves are more like examples, providing you with a finished product to reference as you write your plan.

The key benefit of using these templates is that they were created by the SBA. While they may provide less guidance, you can be assured that the information and structure meet their expectations.

Explore: The SBA’s planning guide and free templates

3. SCORE — Planning workbook

SCORE’s template is more like a workbook. It includes exercises after each section to help you get your ideas down and turn them into a structured plan.

The market research worksheets are especially useful. They provide a clear framework for identifying your target market and analyzing competitors from multiple angles. Plus, they give you an easy way to document all the information you’re collecting.

You will likely have to remove the exercises in this template to make it investor-ready. But it can be worth it if you’re struggling to get past a blank page and want a more interactive planning method.

Download: SCORE’s business plan template

4. PandaDoc — A template with fillable forms

PandaDoc’s library offers a variety of industry-specific business plan templates that feature a modern design flair and concise instructions. 

These templates are designed for sharing. They include fillable fields and sections for non-disclosure agreements, which may be necessary when sending a plan to investors.  

But the real benefit is their compatibility with PandaDoc’s platform. Yes, they are free, but if you’re a PandaDoc subscriber, you’ll have far more customization options. 

Out of all their templates, the standard business plan template is the most in-depth. The rest, while still useful, go a bit lighter on guidance in favor of tailoring the plan to a specific industry.

Explore: PandaDoc’s business plan template library  

5. Canva — Pitch with your plan

Canva is a great option for building a visually stunning business plan that can be used as a pitch tool. It offers a diverse array of templates built by their in-house team and the larger creative community, meaning the number of options constantly grows.

You will need to verify that the information in the template you choose matches the standard structure of a traditional business plan. 

You should do this with any template, but it’s especially important with any tool that accepts community submissions. While they are likely reviewed and approved, there may still be errors.

Remember, you can only edit these templates within Canva. Luckily, you only need a free subscription, and you may just miss out on some of the visual assets being used. 

To get the most value, it may be best to create a more traditional planning document and transfer that information into Canva. 

Explore: Canva’s business plan gallery

6. ClickUp — The collaborative template

Out of all the project management tools that offer free business plan templates, ClickUp’s is the most approachable.

Rather than throwing you into all the features and expecting you to figure it out—ClickUp provides a thorough startup guide with resource links, images, and videos explaining how to write a plan using the tool. 

There’s also a completed sample plan (structured like an expanded one-page plan) for you to reference and see how the more traditional document can connect to the product management features. You can set goals, target dates, leave comments, and even assign tasks to someone else on your team. 

These features are limited to the ClickUp platform and will not be useful for everyone. They will likely get in the way of writing a plan you can easily share with lenders or investors. 

But this is a great option if you’re looking for a template that makes internal collaboration more fluid and keeps all your information in one place.

Sign Up: Get a free trial of ClickUp and explore their template library

7. Smartsheet — A wide variety of templates

I’m including Smartsheet’s library of templates on this list because of the sheer number of options they provide. 

They have a simple business plan template, a one-page plan, a fill-in-the-blank template, a plan outline, a plan grading rubric, and even an Excel-built project plan. All are perfectly usable and vary in visual style, depth of instructions, and the available format.

Honestly, the only drawback (which is also the core benefit) is that the amount of templates can be overwhelming. If you’re already uncertain which plan option is right for you, the lengthy list they provide may not provide much clarity.

At the same time, it can be a great resource if you want a one-stop shop to view multiple plan types.

Explore: Smartsheet’s business plan template library  

8. ReferralRock affiliate marketing business plan

I’m adding ReferralRock’s template to this list due to its specificity. 

It’s not your standard business plan template. The plan is tailored with specific sections and guidance around launching an affiliate marketing business. 

Most of the template is dedicated to defining how to choose affiliates, set commissions, create legal agreements, and track performance.

So, if you plan on starting an affiliate marketing business or program, this template will provide more specific guidance. Just know that you will likely need to reference additional resources when writing the non-industry sections of your plan.

Download: ReferralRock affiliate marketing business plan template

Does it matter what business plan template you use?

The short answer is no. As long as the structure is correct, it saves you time, and it helps you write your business plan , then any template will work. 

What it ultimately comes down to, is what sort of value you hope to get from the template. 

• Do you need more guidance? 
• A simple way to structure your plan? 
• An option that works with a specific tool?
• A way to make your plan more visually interesting?

Hopefully, this list has helped you hone in on an option that meets one (or several) of these needs. Still, it may be worth downloading a few of these templates to determine the right fit. 

And really, what matters most is that you spend time writing a business plan . It will help you avoid early mistakes, determine if you have a viable business, and fully consider what it will take to get up and running. 

If you need additional guidance, check out our library of planning resources . We cover everything from plan formats , to how to write a business plan, and even how to use it as a management tool . 

If you don’t want to waste time researching other templates, you can download our one-page or traditional business plan template and jump right into the planning process.

See why 1.2 million entrepreneurs have written their business plans with LivePlan

Kody Wirth is a content writer and SEO specialist for Palo Alto Software—the creator's of Bplans and LivePlan. He has 3+ years experience covering small business topics and runs a part-time content writing service in his spare time.

Table of Contents

• Qualities of a good template
• ReferralRock
• Does the template matter?

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