Cleaning & Maintenance Business

2 Cleaning & Maintenance Business Success Stories [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: October 7th, 2024

A Cleaning & Maintenance business is a service-based business in which you are the owner, operator, and lone employee. In a cleaning and maintenance business, you provide a specific service such as carpet servicing or pest control. It's important to note that although it seems straightforward, this business type can grow very quickly if done properly.

Cleaning and maintenance can be a real hassle, especially if you have a lot of employees or just your own staff. The cleaning and maintenance industry generates over $40B a year in the US alone. This makes it one of the largest, most competitive industries in the USA.

Starting a cleaning and maintenance business is pretty easy. You can start small with residential clients or businesses. Just make sure you check with your local government to ensure licensing (or certification) requirements.

In this list, you'll find real-world cleaning & maintenance business success stories and very profitable examples of starting a cleaning & maintenance business that makes money.

1. MaidThis Franchise ($1.2M/year)

Neel Parekh started MaidThis as a side hustle while working at a private equity investment firm. After stumbling across a post on Reddit from someone who started a cleaning company, he decided to give it a shot and specialize in Airbnb and residential cleanings. MaidThis has since generated over $10 million in revenue and is now launching MaidThis Franchise, the first cleaning franchise specializing in vacation rental cleanings.

How much money it makes: $1.2M/year
How much did it cost to start: $800
How many people on the team: 9

How I Started A $100K+/Month Home Cleaning Service For Busy Individuals And Airbnb Hosts

MaidThis®, launched by Neel Parekh in Los Angeles with just one cleaner in 2013, has achieved over $10 million in total revenue by focusing on cleaning Airbnbs and vacation rentals, thanks to its successful remote business model and new-age marketing tactics, and has now launched MaidThis Franchise to expand the business further.

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2. Pinks Window Services ($696K/year)

In 2020, right after both Carter Smith and Brandon Downer were laid off from their corporate jobs during the pandemic, they spent a lot of time walking around their neighborhoods in Austin, Texas. They noticed how many homes and storefronts had dirty windows and thought a cleaning service could fill that need. Their past experiences with service companies had been terrible; they saw a gap for reliable service that actually shows up on time and does a good job.

They didn't rush into it blindly. Carter had already considered the business while getting laid off, and they researched the necessary equipment and techniques, learning from online sources like YouTube. They even spoke directly with experienced window cleaners like Steve-O, who shared valuable advice, helping them avoid common pitfalls.

Initially, the idea was simple: clean windows to make ends meet. They started with pretty basic tools but quickly realized the potential for something larger. They went door-to-door offering their service, sometimes even for free, just to practice and get feedback. They refined their approach based on what worked and what didn't and soon built a reputation for reliability and quality.

The main lesson they took away was that combining good service with a strong brand identity could significantly stand out in a crowded market. They learned that it was crucial to set a new standard and not follow the mediocre norms typically associated with blue-collar jobs. This insight helped them shape Pink's Window Services into a more customer-focused, professional, and dignified service.

How much money it makes: $696K/year
How much did it cost to start: $120K
How many people on the team: 8