How to Get Cleaning Contracts with Apartments: 4 Simple Strategies

As a property’s go-to cleaner when tenants move out, you can generate recurring revenue for years to come. 

Here are some effective strategies on how to get cleaning contracts with apartments.

1. Use Email Outreach

Sending a cold email can feel like a stab in the dark. It’s a common cleaning business marketing tool, but it takes some finessing to get it right.

Most cold emails are never opened or read. This is why many cleaning companies struggle to see success with cold emailing. 

You can increase your chances of having your emails read by apartment property managers by using the following tips:

• Use a business email address. Increase your chance of having your email read by using an email address with a branded domain name like your company name. For example: [email protected]
• Be easy to find online. When a company receives your email, they will likely look up your business online to ensure it is legitimate and has a good reputation. Make it easy for them to find your business by having an up-to-date website design and social media accounts.
• Begin with a line tailor-made to the recipient. You should start off with a sentence specific to the person or company you are emailing. This will help grab the reader’s attention and show that you took the time to research their company. Examples would be congratulating them on any recent awards or mentioning something from an interview they did.
• Keep it short and concise. Don’t make the first email a wall of text. Keeping it short and to the point will increase the chances of it being read. Let it serve as an introduction. You can elaborate on your experience and services after they respond to the initial email.

2. Attend Apartment Conferences

Real estate and apartment conferences are beneficial to landlords, property managers, and key players in the rental market. These events are attended by contractors and vendors to form new relationships with potential clients.

These events are a great way to promote your cleaning or carpet cleaning services to apartments.

Find out what apartment conferences are available in your area by checking online.

Book a table, and have tons of business cards and brochures on hand. These brochures can contain examples of your cleaning work, client reviews, and the services you provide.

Prepare yourself to answer any questions clients might have about your business. Then follow up a few days later with a professional email if you have their business card.

3. Talk to the Property Manager and Maintenance Supervisor

The property manager or maintenance supervisor is often responsible for hiring cleaners. Just stop by the property and ask to speak with them.

See if they are satisfied with their current cleaners or if they are interested in how you can help them. 

Pricing information may be requested from you. Providing a broad price range will show your expertise. For a finalized cleaning proposal, you’ll want to see the apartment units. 

Whenever you give them an estimate, always walk through a few apartment units with the maintenance supervisor or property manager so that you understand the differences between their different types of apartment units.

Ask if they have a particular way of accepting quotes, such as through a bidding website, emailing, or handing them a written proposal. 

You should ask them how to bid on apartment cleaning contracts with their company, for example, some property management companies will require submitting bids through a third-party bidding website. Others will prefer that you email your proposals to a specific purchasing manager. 

4. Join Facebook groups for Apartment Managers

Being a regular commenter on other members’ Facebook posts is the key to success on Facebook groups. Before pitching your services to others, you want to establish yourself as a helpful and considerate member. Be polite and don’t try to hard sell.

If someone asks you for recommendations for a cleaning company, ask if you can send them a private message. You may then schedule a call with them to establish a connection and learn about their needs. Make a habit of checking your Facebook groups regularly to find people looking for cleaners.

Conclusions

Now that you know how to get a cleaning contract with an apartment complex, you have countless opportunities to grow your cleaning business.

It is far easier to manage a million dollars worth of apartment cleaning contracts than to manage a million dollars worth of residential cleaning. And apartment cleaning prices are expected to continue rising with all the new construction taking place. 

Even if you’re just starting your cleaning business, apartment contracts are one of the fastest ways to scale and thrive.

Building your client list via social media, emails, phone calls, and in-person visits, as well as attending apartment conferences, will help you grow your cleaning business.