How to Know if Your Cleaning Business Is Actually Profitable
You’re booking jobs, sending invoices, and staying busy — but are you actually making a profit?
It’s easy to assume that money coming in equals money made, but without a clear look at your numbers, it’s just guesswork. Let’s break down how to tell if your cleaning business is truly profitable — and how to make sure it stays that way.
Revenue ≠ Profit
Just because your bank account has deposits doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Profit is what’s left after all your expenses — not before.
Example:
You made $5,000 this month cleaning houses.
You spent $1,500 on supplies, gas, and insurance.
You paid $1,000 to a part-time helper.
That leaves $2,500 in profit.
Knowing that number — consistently — is what helps you grow your business without burning out or going broke.
What Counts as a Business Expense?
To figure out your profit, you need to subtract all business-related costs, like:
Cleaning supplies & equipment
Gas or mileage
Advertising or lead generation
Insurance
Subcontractor or employee pay
Business licenses or software (like scheduling or bookkeeping apps)
Etc.
Understand Your Income Statement
The Income Statement (also called the Profit & Loss statement) shows your:
Revenue (your sales)
Expenses
Net Profit (the number that really matters)
It’s the best snapshot of how your business is performing — and you should be reviewing it monthly.
Reconcile Monthly, Not Just at Tax Time
Reconciling your books every month ensures:
All income and expenses are recorded
You spot any double charges or missing payments
You know where your business stands at a glance
Don’t wait until tax season to find out how your business is doing — by then, it’s too late to make changes.
What If You're Not Making as Much as You Thought?
If your profit margins are low, here are a few places to look:
Are your prices too low? You might be undercharging.
Are you overspending on supplies or gas? Look for bulk buying or route efficiency.
Are you doing too many “freebies”? Time is money — track it.
Are you paying helpers but not billing enough? Labor costs should be built into your pricing.
Quick Profit Check-In (DIY Style)
Every month, jot down:
How much money came in
How much you spent
What’s left over
If that leftover number feels smaller than expected, it’s time to dig deeper.
Final Thoughts
Your business should be serving you — not the other way around. If you’re working hard but still not seeing results, your bookkeeping might be the missing link.
Want help breaking down your numbers?
Let’s do a quick Bookkeeping Health Check together — no pressure, just clarity.
Contact us by clicking here or send us an email at David@ruckandreconcile.com.
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