Episode 1252 – Why Clients Complain About New Cleaners (And How to Prevent It)
Every week, Mike Campion and Lindsay Bjorklund host an AMA (Ask Mike Anything) for cleaning business owners. They tackle real questions from real business owners who want to grow their companies without working themselves into the ground. In this episode, they covered how to handle cleaner turnover, do remote walkthroughs, automate the right tasks, and find hidden commercial cleaning niches. Let’s dive in!
Dealing with Cleaner Turnover
Cleaning business owners often worry when clients complain about seeing new faces. But Mike Campion says this is a trust issue, not a people issue. Clients don’t actually care who cleans their place—they just want to feel safe and get a great result. Instead of promising the same cleaner every time (which is impossible), business owners should set the right expectations from the start. A cleaning company should run like Starbucks—the person making the coffee might change, but the coffee stays great.
Doing Walkthroughs Without Being There
If you run a remote cleaning business, how do you handle walkthroughs? Mike warns against giving instant price quotes online without seeing the space first. That’s a quick way to undercharge or take on a nightmare job. Instead, owners have three options:
- Do a video walkthrough where the client shows the space on their phone.
- Hire a local salesperson to do in-person walkthroughs.
- Use a mix of both to keep things running smoothly. The goal is to build trust, price correctly, and avoid surprises once the cleaning starts.
The Best Things to Automate in a Cleaning Business
Automation is great—but only if used wisely. Mike says the first thing to automate is hiring because turnover happens. Next, business owners should stop answering texts, emails, and calls all day. Instead, they should set up clear systems where employees and clients know when and how to communicate. Finally, outsourcing scheduling, payroll, and supply ordering saves time and stress. The key is to free up the owner’s time so they can focus on growth—not daily headaches.
Hidden Commercial Cleaning Niches
Most cleaning businesses chase the same clients, but there are less competitive markets out there. Instead of only targeting offices, Mike suggests looking at:
- Restaurants & Gyms – These places are dirty, have weird hours, and need cleaning almost daily, which means steady, high-paying contracts.
- Property Managers – One manager can control multiple buildings, so landing just one big account can bring in serious money.
- Government Contracts – They can be a hassle with paperwork, but once you land a deal, the money is stable and long-term.
The trick is not just to chase the weirdest niche but to find a market with high pain and high demand.
The Bottom Line
Struggling with cleaner turnover, remote walkthroughs, or automation in your cleaning business? In this AMA episode, Mike Campion and Lindsay Bjorklund break down how to handle client concerns about new cleaners, the best way to conduct walkthroughs when you’re not on-site, and which tasks to automate (and which to avoid). Plus, Mike shares hidden commercial cleaning niches that many business owners overlook but can be super profitable. Learn how to set better client expectations, streamline your operations, and grow a business that doesn’t rely on you 24/7. Tune in now and start working smarter, not harder!