How do I find a commercial cleaning company for sale?

Commercial cleaning companies change hands quietly, and many owners never post a public ad. That means you will usually look in several places at once. Decide first what you are after: a company with office contracts, a route of medical or school clients, or a franchise territory.

Where cleaning companies are listed

Start with online business-for-sale listings, which let you search by city and by category. Brokers who handle service and route businesses often know of sales before they are advertised. Franchisors keep resale lists for their own territories, and local classified ads still turn up small companies. Whatever the channel, expect the listing to be short, and treat it as an invitation to ask questions, not a full picture.

Approaching owners directly

Owners nearing retirement often have no succession plan, and a respectful letter or call can start a conversation years before a sale. Your accountant, lawyer and suppliers of cleaning products may also know who is thinking about leaving. Be ready to sign a confidentiality agreement early, because an owner will not share client names without one.

How to read a cleaning company listing

A cleaning company is its contracts and its crews. Look for how many contracts there are and how long each has run. Ask whether a few clients make up most of the income. Find out whether the cleaners are employees or subcontractors, and who holds the keys and alarm codes. Our page on subcontracted crews covers crews in more detail.

What to ask first

• Which contracts can be assigned to a buyer, and which need the client’s consent?
• Why is the owner selling, and how involved are they in winning and keeping clients?
• Who supervises the crews day to day?
• What equipment and supplies come with the sale?

If you are still deciding between buying and building, read whether to buy an existing commercial cleaning company or start one.