Which do you prefer commercial or residential? We honestly prefer commercial over residential. We love the residual income and the fact that in the end game scenario the client list is worth more if and when we decide to sell our business.
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Commercial always. My origins is janitorial and I still do it. If I could, all my work (carpets, upholstery, t&g and window cleaning ) would be done in commercial environment. Very consistent work if they like you.
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Commercial for us also, more consistent work and like you said the money is better and helps your company’s profile if you go to sell. But also I feel that getting more company contracts could also help with residential clients as well, in the sense that the people working there see you and see the work which helps than land more jobs.
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Exactly, we land a lot of residential & more commercial jobs through our route work.
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Commeercial all the way, more work and more money to get 
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I prefer residential for completely different reasons. I like the different challenges of each residential, where I find repetitive commercial work boring and unsatisfying. I like the larger and instant checks from residential, it’s like everyday it’s payday. And even if it’s a difficult house or homeowner the day always ends and you don’t have to go back unless you want to.
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residential for me. when i started my business in a small town down south, i had all commercial route work. I was able to sell that route when i moved up north to the city. When i got here, commercial was way harder to get and residential was never ending.
I am working hard to grow all revenue streams, but for the most part, I like doing one house, one client, one drive to the job, for $$$$
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Prefer residential but don’t shy away from commercial. We’re about 90/10 residential to commercial. I like to pursue larger stand alone commercial rather than shopping center smaller store fronts.
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Yeah I avoid storefront windows like Starbucks and chick fil a… I prefer strong medical, real estate, and lawyer commercial property. Basically, if it’s an area that you can provide janitorial services, chances are they want their window gleaming as well.
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Small storefronts can be profitable in bulk. We do over 10k per month in storefront sales 3 days per week.
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That’s real good.
I probably will have my business doing that in the future. I am focus on other business growth. Try to improve my residential presence. My majority of accounts are commercial cleanings.
Trying to find that one or two person to haul ass with me. When I do, my business will make excellent revenues
My man, you are my inspiration
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Hey ! Thanks man! Glad you joined!
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I like both. Developing relationships with people is key. Sometimes you get storefronts that might be closed or nobody is there, the real fun is talking with shopowners and learning new things (anything) or picking up info on other future jobs. Sometimes you get homeowners that leave doors unlocked or just are busy. When people like you and feel inclined to naturally want to help you, it’s not manipulation at all. You are actually showing you care and they will see that too.
If 15 minutes of my house cleaning gets eaten up through talking but that makes the difference between someone wanting me to come back and having them think I was quiet and weird and not call back, I will stay the extra 15 minutes.
Again, both are fun. Now if I had to lean towards one or the other, I like residential more mostly because you get to see how people live. Also they are not on guard and more relaxed which means you can also ask for a referral and win it about every time. Especially if they saw you just work.
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Hey Guys, I’m new here and have not started yet but plan to this year! I am wondering how you guys keep commercial contracts? Do you have them sign a contract or is it just verbal? I really want to focus on commercial and CCU once I got some reps under my belt.
Thanks!
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Golden rule is to always have contracts. I am a bit of a hypocrite with that with some of my storefronts because some are mom and pop shops. Trying to get people to understand the importance of a contract may turn them off commercially. If you do a great job, and have great service and are a bit social, you will rarely lose accounts. I have contracts with big corporate accounts because they are expecting it. With residential always have a contract.
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Thanks Jacob! I guess I figured it’s harder to get home owners to sign for a year contract, but commercial stores I figure they would all ask for a contract. What’s the average contract term you guys do, 6mo 1yr or 2yr? Also did you make your own contact or are there some good templates out there for window cleaning?
I really enjoy the fact that this forum is active and helpful, thanks guys and gals!
Commercial
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I would be happy to supply you with the contract we use. I will have to modify a few things but other than that I customized mine by using a template as a base. You may find a template you like before I get my revised version back to you. So I wouldn’t be mad if you use another template.
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