Published October 27, 2026
Sell my cleaning business or sell your janitorial company
- Revenue
- $2,140,000
- SDE
- $486,000
- Asking price
- $1,650,000
- Multiple
- 3.4x SDE
- Reason for sale
- Owner retiring
To sell a cleaning business for a good price, you need three things before the first buyer call: three years of revenue by customer that shows which accounts are on written contracts, payroll records that classify every worker correctly, and a crew lead who can run the work without you. Small cleaning companies commonly sell for about 1.5 to 3 times seller's discretionary earnings (SDE), and firms built on recurring commercial contracts sell toward the top. Decide who you want to reach before you list a cleaning business for sale anywhere.
Who buys cleaning businesses
Owners often hear from one kind of buyer and assume that is the whole market. Four types are active, and they pay differently.
| Buyer type | Typical deal shape | Strengths | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competing cleaning company | Cash plus a seller note | Wants your routes and can absorb them cheaply | May cut the price for overlapping accounts |
| Regional roll up or facility services group | Cash at close, sometimes with an earn-out | Pays most for multi year commercial contracts | Wants contracts and margins documented in detail |
| Crew lead or manager | Seller note over several years | Customers already know them | You carry the risk until the note is paid |
| Individual buyer | SBA loan plus a smaller note | Pays a fair price for a turnkey company | Needs a longer transition and often your help with the top accounts |
A residential company that lives on repeat homes sells best to a local competitor or an individual. A commercial firm with contracts in medical offices or schools draws roll ups.
How much will I get for my cleaning company
Buyers add up your net profit, your own pay and perks, interest and one time costs to reach SDE, then apply a multiple. The multiple moves with contract quality, customer concentration and how much of the work depends on you.
| What the buyer sees | Effect on the multiple |
|---|---|
| Most revenue on written contracts of one year or more | Moves up toward 3x to 4x SDE |
| Mix of contract and one off work | Sits near 2x to 3x SDE |
| Mostly verbal agreements and one off jobs | Falls to 1.5x to 2x SDE |
| One customer above 20 percent of revenue | Buyer asks for a lower price or a retention based payment |
| Owner does the sales and the walk throughs | Buyer discounts for the transition risk |
A company with $150,000 of SDE and strong contracts at 3x is priced at $450,000. The same profit on verbal agreements at 1.8x is priced at $270,000. Run your own figures through the business valuation calculator before you set an asking price.
What to prepare before you list
Spend six to twelve months on the items that move the price most.
- Put every recurring customer on a simple written agreement with a renewal date.
- Promote a crew lead to supervisor and let them handle complaints and schedules.
- Reconcile three years of books so revenue by customer ties to the bank deposits. Cleaning companies chase a lot of small invoices, and a tool that can chase unpaid invoices automatically keeps receivables clean and shortens the days outstanding that a buyer will test.
- Fix payroll classification, workers compensation and insurance certificates.
- Write a one page list of equipment, vehicles and supplies that transfer.
The general selling a business checklist covers the legal and tax steps that apply to any sale.
Deal terms to expect
Most cleaning company sales pay 60 to 80 percent at closing and the rest as a seller note, often tied to the customers who stay for the first six to twelve months. Expect a non compete for your service area, a transition period of 30 to 90 days where you introduce the buyer to the largest accounts, and a working capital adjustment for supplies and prepaid items. Buyers who finance with an SBA loan to buy a business also need three years of returns and a documented transition plan.
Where to list a cleaning business for sale
You can list yourself, hire a broker or approach competitors directly. Brokers charge a percentage that is hard to justify on a $150,000 company but can pay off on a $1 million janitorial firm with contracts to defend. On CompanyBrokers the Owner Listing plan puts your company in front of buyers with deal alerts for cleaning companies in your state, and the data room keeps customer names private until a buyer signs an NDA and shows proof of funds.
How much does it cost to sell a cleaning business
Selling on your own with the Owner Listing plan costs $24 a month billed yearly, plus legal and accounting fees at closing. A broker typically charges 8 to 12 percent of the price, with a minimum fee on small deals. Many cleaning company owners list themselves first and bring in a broker only if buyer interest is thin.
What is the best way to sell a cleaning company
List it with revenue, SDE and the recurring contract share visible, answer buyers under an NDA, and introduce the buyer to your biggest accounts yourself. Owners who prepare contracts and payroll records first sell faster and at higher multiples than those who list a rough summary.
Who buys cleaning businesses
Four groups buy: competing cleaning companies adding routes, regional roll ups and facility services groups, managers or crew leads who already run the work, and individual buyers financing with an SBA loan. Competitors and roll ups pay most for commercial contracts in their service area.
How long does it take to sell a cleaning business
Most sales close in four to nine months from listing. Firms with clean books and written contracts sit at the short end, while owner dependent companies with verbal agreements take longer and often need a seller note to close.
Should I tell my customers and employees before I sell
Not before you have a signed NDA and a serious buyer. After that, tell the largest customers yourself during the transition, because accounts that hear it from you stay at much higher rates than those that get a form letter. Tell the crew lead early, since the buyer will want them to stay.
List your cleaning company where buyers are searching
Add your numbers, set the visible details and reach buyers who set alerts for cleaning companies.