How to Get Commercial Cleaning Contracts and Grow Your Business

Originally published March 2022. Last updated on June 25, 2025.

Want steady income and a full cleaning schedule? Landing recurring commercial cleaning contracts is one of the fastest ways to grow your business and keep your cash flow predictable.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what a commercial cleaning contract is, how to land different types of contracts, how to bid on jobs, and what it takes to win customers—even in areas with tough competition.

READ MORE: How to start a commercial cleaning business

How to get commercial cleaning contracts

Commercial cleaning jobs are similar to cleaning office spaces and business properties. However, in the commercial scenario, you might be able to book larger industrial or construction spaces (and earn more profit per job).

While you might be notified about these opportunities through your network, they’re also often listed on request for proposal (RFP) sites like Merx.

Because commercial clients often hire for longer-term contracts with their organization, they’re more likely to narrow their search to well-established cleaning brands. You can prepare yourself for these high-value contracts and opportunities by:

• Refreshing your branding so you stand out professionally
• Fine-tuning your sales process to convert leads more efficiently
• Offering premium services like deep cleans or specialty add-ons
• Using a cleaning proposal template to send polished, professional quotes

READ MORE: Successful cleaning business stories

How to get residential cleaning contracts

Residential cleaning contracts are usually designed for single-family homes, apartments, or residences. You’ll often win these types of contracts because the family or homeowner wants to save time or avoid the hassle of maintaining different areas of their living space.

Here’s how to get housekeeping cleaning contracts and residential cleaning jobs for your small business:

• Approach your one-off or repeat cleaning clients about signing a contract with you
• Offer a signing bonus or incentive, like a discount or service upgrade
• Make the contract term shorter (like 6–12 months) so the client isn’t locked in for life 
• Change the contract terms later on if you raise your prices, or if the client wants add-on services for your effort and time

If you serve a densely populated residential area, consider how a customer referral program can help you gain more residential contracts without investing as much in marketing or outreach.

How to get cleaning contracts with offices

To get office cleaning contracts, first identify an office or a commercial building in your service area that you’re interested in cleaning.

Then call or email the office, ask to speak with the property manager or office manager, and book a time to discuss the cleaning duties that could be included in your office cleaning service. After the conversation:

• Send a professional proposal outlining your services and pricing
• Add office cleaning as a service on your website (if it’s not already there)
• Follow up with a friendly email to answer questions and keep the conversation going

How to get Airbnb cleaning contracts

Airbnb and other short-term rental properties often have very demanding cleaning needs. Turnover is high—residents stay for a short amount of time, and then the property needs to be flipped quickly for the next guest.

The good news is that this high turnover presents lucrative business opportunities for cleaners who are willing to move fast and work diligently. There are two ways to reach out for these contracts:

• Get in touch with the Airbnb host or property owner directly
• Reach out to the property management team or company that oversees the property (or even a group of properties) 

According to one Reddit thread, cleaners often charge $250-$550 for a 3-hour cleaning service after guests check out. Whenever you reach out to an Airbnb property owner, share about your business and pitch a competitive service package and rate. The more you can differentiate your Airbnb cleaning service from competitors, the better chance you have to win the work. 

To get matched with more short-term rental hosts, consider joining a platform like Turno. This platform connects cleaners with Airbnb property owners looking for reliable, on-demand help.

READ MORE: How to get clients for a cleaning business

How to get cleaning contracts with banks

To get bank cleaning contracts, start by researching local bank branches in your area and identifying who’s in charge of the property. In most cases, you’ll get connected to the branch manager or facilities coordinator.

Reach out by phone or email with a professional introduction, and request a meeting to walk through the space, discuss security protocols, and outline how your cleaning services can meet the bank’s hygiene and confidentiality standards.

Since you’ll be working in a somewhat protected space, be prepared for additional background checks or security screenings per the bank’s request.

1. Create a cleaning contract proposal

Your pricing is set, and you’re ready to write a proposal, a document that outlines your services, experience, and what makes your commercial cleaning business stand out.

Include important details like:

• Company overview, business license, and history
• Relevant team bios and experience
• List of commercial cleaning services and tasks
• What sets you apart from competitors (e.g., cleaning products, experience)
• Cleaning schedule and completion time

You can also attach your quote directly to the proposal. If the client posted an RFP, make sure to review it closely and include everything they’ve requested.

Need a head start? Use this free cleaning proposal template to quickly put together a professional, client-ready document.

2. Send your cleaning contract bid for client review

Always send a bid within 48 hours of doing the walkthrough (or by the RFP closing date). This shows the client that you’re serious about the partnership and eager to start work.

It’s appropriate to send a polite quote follow-up email if the client doesn’t respond within a week, or after the RFP decision date has passed.

3. Sign the contract to begin work

Once the quote is approved and the contract is signed, you’re all set to start cleaning!

Pro Tip: If the client didn’t choose your bid, send a nice email asking for feedback on your proposal. They might be able to tell you what you could do differently next time.

2. Identify your ideal customer or market

To make sure you’re attracting the right clients, you’ll need to pinpoint who and where you want to serve. Gain clarity in this step by asking questions like:

• Do I have an ideal type of contract (residential or commercial)?
• How far am I willing to travel to serve cleaning clients?
• Do I want to secure quick, one-time jobs or lengthier contract agreements?

Once you’ve set some customer and job parameters, decide which types of cleaning services will best serve your ideal clients. For example, you can specialize in residential cleaning services if you live in a town with highly populated neighborhoods. Or, you could offer move-out cleaning services in places with high tenant turnover.

Lastly, think about what sets you apart from other cleaning companies. What perks and benefits will attract your ideal client? This will be the unique selling point you use in your future marketing efforts.

3. Market your cleaning services to prospective clients

Try these tips to promote your cleaning business and market your services to businesses or homeowners that need to contract cleaners:

• Encourage word of mouth referrals, and ask your immediate friends and family to help spread the word about your new business. Then, network with local real estate agents, property managers, office managers, and other business owners in your community. One of them might be a prospective customer, so get your elevator pitch ready.
• Use lead generation home service websites (such as Angi or Yelp) to gather contact information from potential leads. These sites help connect you with prospective customers actively looking for cleaners in their areas.
• Set up a Facebook Business page for your cleaning service. If you’re not comfortable launching a full-scale website, Facebook gets you in the door. Ask your network to like and follow for updates, and include contact information to help customers reach you.
• Consider running a few advertising campaigns to raise awareness for your business. There are many options available based on your comfort level and budget, including print, digital, social media, and even local radio ads.
• Ask happy clients for testimonials and positive reviews. You should also create a loyalty program that rewards client referrals with a discount or other incentive.

Pro Tip: Not sure how to get clients for your cleaning business? Start small by building relationships with local businesses, then work your way up to the bigger clients over time. The more value you offer, the better buzz you’ll get.

4. Set transparent cleaning contract pricing

Before future customers sign a contract with your company, they’ll expect an honest and realistic look at your service costs. Save time during the contract signing phase by having a general idea of what you charge and how your estimating process works.

If you’re new to pricing, here are a few steps to help you set prices easily:

• Walkthroughs. Schedule a time with the client to inspect the space together and talk about needs and expectations. Ask questions that will help you plan your schedule and services, like when you’ll visit, special focus areas, and budget.
• Calculate the cleaning area. Square footage pricing is the most common way to calculate commercial cleaning, but a flat rate might be better for residential spaces.
• Calculate the price per job. Pick your rate, then multiply it by the cleaning area’s square footage to get your price per cleaning job. For example, the standard rate for commercial contract pricing is roughly $0.07–0.15 per square foot.
• Price the contract term. Multiply the price per job by the number of times you’ll provide services during the contract term. For example, if you’ll be cleaning twice a week for a year, multiply your two weekly visits by 52 weeks. This will be the final quoted amount for the contract. (To see your weekly or monthly fee, just divide the final amount by the number of weeks or months in the term.)
• Decide on special incentives. It’s optional, but you might want to offer discount pricing or other incentives to reward your client for signing a longer-term contract.

Remember, this is just your basic pricing structure. Every cleaning job is different, so adjust based on what pricing method you’re using and what services each client needs.

5. Create professional quotes

Now that you have all the general pricing information you need, create an official quote using cleaning business quoting software. Your quote tells clients what your services will cost, and it should include:

• Business name and contact information for yourself and your client
• Quote number and send date
• Service line items with their associated costs
• Your payment terms and conditions (including deposit amount, start date, payment timelines, and any other important details that could affect the service)

Here’s an example of what your cleaning quote might look like:

6. Provide exceptional service to clients

Once your new cleaning contract is signed and active, it’s time to start working. To keep your clients happy, approach each cleaning task with a non-negotiable commitment to customer service. 

To stay organized on the job, you can use professional house cleaning checklists. These templates can prevent you from missing any steps in your process.

Service checklists are also helpful when you employ other cleaners. The list ensures that everyone maintains high-quality standards on the job.

7. Offer contract extensions and renewals

One way to keep new contracts coming is to offer extensions and renewals. This way, you’re eliminating the time you’d otherwise spend replacing a client or prospecting for more leads. Renewals can be a win-win for both you and your clients.

• Keep tabs on when signed contracts are expiring, so that you can offer renewals with plenty of time for your client to consider.
• Offer a special discount or incentive for renewing an existing contract.
• Briefly go over the past contract terms, making sure the services still match the client’s expectations. If they seem open, upsell your services by letting the client know about extra options or add-ons that they might enjoy. 

Now that you know how to find commercial cleaning contracts, you’re ready to bid on regular work, improve cash flow, and grow your cleaning business.