Starting a cleaning business in California involves several legal issues that need to be considered, such as selecting an appropriate business structure (sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation), local regulations and license requirements, health and safety considerations, advertising policies and contracts, as well as insurance requirements. For more information, visit Nolo’s Starting a Business in California section.
Health & Safety
Health and safety are of utmost importance when running a cleaning business. Employees may be exposed to toxic chemicals while working in busy spaces with customers moving about; the possibility of accidentally damaging customer property through a trip or misstep occurs. Therefore, a commercial cleaning California service must carry insurance to cover such incidents as soon as they happen.
Commercial cleaning services typically provide janitorial services for schools, offices, and hospitals. This specialized form of janitorial work requires special equipment and skills to keep these facilities safe for employees and students. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations govern cleaning industry services, including eye and face protection measures, hand and foot protection, and safely handling hazardous materials.
JAN-PRO’s commercial cleaning services are built on years of experience and industry knowledge. Our experts stay informed of the latest CDC and EPA cleaning guidelines and industry best practices.
Licensing & Insurance
Consumer cleaning involves maintaining people’s homes, while commercial cleaning California involves working environments such as schools, care homes, or enterprises in the hospitality industry and maintaining the strict hygiene levels required by them.
As per your business’s legal structure, you must also determine which licensing requirements (such as a vendor’s or seller’s permit) and insurance requirements apply to your operation.
A comprehensive policy should cover any damage or loss to clients’ property and personal liability if you or your employees are injured. Furthermore, consider looking into insurance for cleaning equipment should it become stolen or damaged during operation.
Training and Certification
Before hiring a commercial cleaning service, checking their credentials is essential. They should understand health and safety regulations for any locations they clean, particularly if those require extra care with biohazards or sterile environments.
Professional cleaning companies should provide their employees with training and education on the latest equipment and cleaning procedures to help them complete their jobs safely and effectively. Larger firms sometimes employ internal trainers who can offer onboarding training for new cleaners and provide on-the-job coaching for existing cleaners.
Commercial cleaning differs from domestic cleaning because it focuses on thoroughly and regularly cleansing commercial spaces like offices, retail shops, hospitals, schools, etc. This can involve sweeping and mopping floors, dusting, vacuuming, disinfecting restrooms, emptying and disinfecting trashcans, and specialties like power washing, upholstery cleaning, window cleaning, etc.
Customer Service
Customer service is paramount, whether in office buildings or homes you clean. Commercial cleaning requires constant communication with your clients when scheduling and meeting specifications. Clients may change weekly, so adaptability is critical for commercial cleaning services. With AB5 giving back pricing control to commercial cleaning California services, transparent pricing on your website must also be present for clients to see.