What equipment and supplies come with a cleaning company sale?

Buyers often assume that a cleaning company sale includes everything they see on the truck and in the storage room. That is rarely the whole story. Some machines belong to clients, some are leased, and some still secure a loan. The way to avoid surprises is to sort every item before you agree on a price and put the result in writing.

Sort owned from everything else

Ask the seller for an equipment list and sort each item: owned outright, financed, leased, or owned by a client. Machines left at client sites are the usual trap, since a floor machine in a client’s building may be theirs. Look at invoices and ask clients, with the seller’s agreement, before you count on it.

Vehicles and financed items

List vehicles with who owns them and whether a lender holds a claim. For a financed machine or van, ask the lender and your lawyer what must happen at closing. Your lawyer can check for claims against the assets, and your lender may want its own review. BDC’s guide to used equipment valuation, in the sources below, is useful reading before you talk to anyone.

Count chemicals and consumables at closing

Chemicals, paper goods, bags and cloths are used every night, so the amount on hand changes constantly. Agree how stock will be counted at closing and who does the counting. Ask about storage and labelling of chemicals, and whether safety data sheets are on hand at each site. Your lawyer can tell you what applies.

Write it into the asset list

Attach a schedule to the agreement naming each item, with serial numbers where there are any. State what is excluded. Walk the list with the seller on closing day and check items against it. The cleaning business buyer checklist can help you cover the rest.