How to Bid and Estimate for Cleaning Companies

Bidding on new jobs is one of the challenges often encountered by cleaning service businesses. There are many factors taken into consideration, such as expenses, time requirements and materials needed. If you operate a cleaning service, it is important that you provide accurate and fair bids in order to keep it successful. You can learn how to make bidding and estimating easier for both you and your clients.

• Contact a few cleaning companies in your area to find out what they charge. Some cleaning service businesses charge by the hour, while some others charge by the square footage, room or job. This valuable information will help you stay competitive when you are ready to place a bid.


• Visit the facility, house or building that needs cleaning. Ask potential clients if you can take a look at the job that needs to be done. You can come up with a much more accurate estimate if you take a walk through of the area you'll be cleaning. Make note of the number of bathrooms, flooring types, number of rooms or offices and any equipment that will need to be cleaned.  


• Make a list of the things that need to be done. Write down what needs to be done in each area and the cleaning supplies needed to get the job done. For example, you will need mirror cleaner, floor cleaner, antibacterial cleaner, paper towels, a mop and rags.


• Estimate the time you need to complete the job. Once you've finished taking a tour of the job area and you have your list of required products, figure out how much time it will take to do the work.


• Fill out your bid estimate sheet and write the total at the bottom. Give the sheet to your potential client and answer any questions the client might have. Some clients will try to ask for a lower price. Decide if you want to offer the client a lower price and then adjust the prices listed on your bid sheet.