Should You Use Subcontractors to Expand Your Cleaning Business?

One of the best ways to expand your cleaning business is to offer more services to your existing customers. But what do you do if you don't know how to perform the service? For the most part, you have two options: 1) educate yourself by taking classes or asking your supplier to train you on how to us the equipment, or 2) subcontract the work.

Learning how to perform the service is the most profitable way to go, although you will have up front expenses for training and equipment. Subcontracting might be the way to go at first because you won't have to spend any additional money. Plus you can act as the middle man and make a small profit for yourself, while keeping the customer happy. But subcontracting can work against you if you're not careful.

My friend Sharon Cowan of Maid for Success offered this advice to a cleaning business owner who was considering subcontracting some floor care services:

"Keep in mind that ultimately your company name is the one on the line. If the subcontractor creates issues with the client, it is you and your company that gets the heat. Your reputation and future business could depend on the quality and work that the sub does. In the early years, I subbed out all my hard surface floor work. The sub was a legitimate business, but after a short time I realized I could make a lot more money learning and doing the work with my own employees. To use subs for all of your work might take you out of the race for pricing your work competitively because you are adding a middle man. I would also be vary cautious about this."

I also highly recommend making an investment in your company by learning how to perform additional services like floor care, and then buying the equipment you need. The equipment will generally pay for itself with just two or three jobs. You'll quickly notice a positive difference in your bottom line as well!

Have you expanded your cleaning business services? Are you doing them yourself or subcontracting? Post your comments by clicking on the Comments link below.

Comments

[Mike Ashley]

The fact that you may not make as much using subs is true however, you as the Contractor need to know how your Liability insurance addresses their use. Some policies exclude subs unless they have GL coverage of their own with the same limits as you. This can get real ugly when a loss occurs and your customer is expecting your Insurance Co. to pay up. This is just one thing thing to consider based on my 30+ years as an adjuster.

[Jean Hanson]

Another great point. GL coverage is definitely something to consider before hiring subs. Thanks Mike.