Marketplaces rent you customers and keep 20–30% of every job. Software keeps the customer yours. For cleaning companies serving buildings, the math and the ownership question decide which side of that line you build your business on.
The three ways cleaning companies get work online
| Consumer marketplaces | DIY (site + calls + invoices) | Building platform (Abreo) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who owns the client | The marketplace | You | You |
| Cost | 20–30%+ per job | Your time (quotes, chasing payments) | Per building; waived where the amenity is live |
| Payments | Platform-controlled | Invoices, cash, chasing | Prepaid online, automatic payouts |
| Proof of work | Ratings only | None | Room-by-room photo proof + ratings |
| Growth channel | Strangers, one-off | Referrals | Every unit in buildings you already serve |
Why buildings are the better channel
A single residential building holds dozens or hundreds of potential recurring clients — and you already have the access, the insurance paperwork, and the trust. Offering cleaning as a building amenity turns that access into bookings without paying a marketplace to introduce you to your own market.
What the software layer must do
- Branded portals per building — residents see the property's brand and yours, and book in one tap.
- WhatsApp dispatch — crews claim jobs where they already communicate; no new app to force on them.
- Photo-verified visits — the end of he-said-she-said disputes, and your renewal argument with property clients.
- Common-area tracking — schedules, daily photo check-offs, and a live compliance report per building.
Frequently asked questions
How much do cleaning marketplaces charge companies?
Consumer marketplaces typically keep 20–30%+ of every job and control the customer relationship — the client belongs to the platform, not to your company.
What does cleaning company software cost?
Purpose-built platforms like Abreo charge per building rather than per job: US$99.99 per building per month for common-area tracking, waived for buildings where the resident cleaning amenity is live. In-unit amenity bookings carry a platform share instead of a marketplace-style cut.
What should cleaning company software include?
Branded client booking portals, online payments, crew dispatch (ideally on WhatsApp, which crews already use), photo-verified job documentation, and per-building reporting you can show property clients.
Can I keep my own brand?
Yes — that is the point of a white-label platform. Your buildings see your company's name on the portal; the software runs underneath.
How do I win building contracts with software?
Two levers: offer the resident cleaning amenity (which pays the property back and differentiates your bid), and show live photo-verified compliance reports for common areas instead of paper logbooks.