Mobile janitorial equipment supplier
Visit cleaning firms and building managers with a van of equipment, take orders and restock them on a regular route.
- C$5k-25k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A van-based supply service that carries popular mops, vacuums, buckets and small machines, and visits customers on a regular route. You can also demo machines on site and take orders for larger items.
Your first three steps
- Sign up as a dealer with one or two distributors and choose a starter range of fast-selling items
- Make a list of cleaning firms and building managers in your area and book short demo visits
- Offer a simple route schedule, such as a fortnightly visit, to the first few customers
Who pays
Cleaning contractors, building and property managers, schools, medical offices and small businesses with in-house cleaners.
How it makes money
Markup on equipment sold from stock or ordered for the customer, plus repeat route sales, equipment repairs or servicing, and delivery fees on larger orders.
Skills that help
- Selling face to face
- Knowing how machines work
- Route planning and driving
- Keeping track of stock and invoices
Watch out for
- Commercial auto insurance and commercial general liability insurance, check what covers stock in your vehicle
- Register for GST/HST (and PST or QST where it applies) once you pass the small supplier threshold
- Check municipal business licence rules for where you operate and store stock
- Winter driving and heavy lifting, plan for safe loading and bad weather
- Stock tied up in the van can be costly if items do not sell, so start small
- WCB/WSIB coverage if you hire a helper, rules differ by province
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: mobile janitorial equipment supplier
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a mobile janitorial supply business?
Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your van, the stock you carry and any demo machines. These are estimates, and starting with a small stock range can limit your risk.
What should I check before running a van-based supply route?
Check commercial auto and commercial general liability insurance, including what covers stock in your vehicle. Also check GST/HST (and PST or QST where it applies), municipal business licence rules for where you operate and store stock, and WCB/WSIB if you hire help.
How much can a mobile janitorial supplier earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your route, customers and order sizes. A starting point is about 20 hours a week or more. Unsold stock in the van can tie up cash.
Other ways to run this business
Online janitorial supplies with local delivery
Sell mops, vacuums and cleaning machines to local cleaning firms and building managers from a simple online shop.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- Online
Janitorial supply shop with a small warehouse
Open a small unit where cleaners and building managers can pick up equipment, see machines and get advice.
- C$20k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
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