Top 5 Countdown: How to Bid a Cleaning Job: Episode 1199

Episode 1199

Top 5 Countdown: How to Bid a Cleaning Job: Episode 1199

WITH

Play Video

Episode 1199 – Top 5 Countdown: How to Bid a Cleaning Job

The Ultimate Guide to Bidding a Cleaning Job

In this classic throwback episode of the Grow My Cleaning Company podcast, Mike Campion tackles one of the most common questions he gets from cleaning business owners: How do you bid a cleaning job? With so much confusion around pricing and bidding, Mike is determined to give a clear, step-by-step answer that will save you time, money, and headaches.

Don’t Price Too Low—Ever

The biggest mistake Mike sees from cleaning business owners, especially newbies, is pricing too low. He stresses that charging too little will set you back, making it harder to grow your business and provide great service. In fact, no one has ever gone out of business for charging too much, but plenty of owners have struggled after undervaluing their services. Mike’s advice? Raise your prices from the start. By setting the right margins, you’ll have the funds to invest in the right equipment, pay employees well, and create a customer experience that sets you apart from the competition.

Bidding In Person: A Smart Move

When it comes to residential versus commercial jobs, the approach to bidding can differ. For commercial cleaning, Mike strongly advises bidding in person. Not only does it give you a chance to understand the client’s needs, but it also boosts your credibility. For residential jobs, you have a bit more flexibility. If you don’t have much traffic coming to your website, an in-person bid will likely close more deals. However, if you’re running a more automated, online-based operation, that’s fine too—just make sure your bidding process educates the client on why they should choose you over competitors.

Understanding Pain, Not Price

Mike emphasizes that customers are not just looking for a low price—they’re looking for a solution to their problem. Whether it’s a dentist’s office manager who needs a spotless clinic or a homeowner tired of looking at dirty dishes, the key to landing the job is showing the client that you understand their pain and can solve it. When you bid, don’t just talk about your services—ask questions and listen to what’s bothering them. That’s how you build trust and close the deal.

How to Calculate Your Bid: The Hard Numbers

Now that you understand the importance of setting the right price, Mike walks listeners through the actual process of calculating a bid. It starts with determining how many hours it will take to complete the job, factoring in your average hourly pay, and adding in employee-related costs like workers’ compensation. Once you have your total cost, you can divide it by your desired cost of goods sold (COGS)—usually 45% for residential and 50% for commercial cleaning businesses. From there, you can confidently quote a price that ensures you’re profitable while offering the best value to your clients.

By following these steps, you can stop guessing at prices and start bidding with confidence. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your approach, Mike’s insights will help you win more bids and grow your cleaning business.

Episode 1199