How to Start a Lucrative Crime Scene Cleaning Business

Have you ever wondered what happens after the police finish investigating a crime scene? Someone has to clean up the mess. Starting a crime scene cleaning business, also known as trauma scene cleanup, can be a lucrative entrepreneurial opportunity.
Crime scene cleaners handle the grim task of sterilizing and removing hazardous materials from locations where traumatic events have occurred such as homicides, suicides, industrial accidents, hoarding cases, and other situations that could pose health risks if not properly sanitized.
If you have a strong stomach and want to help people during a difficult time, a crime scene cleaning business may be right for you. Read on to learn how to start your own crime scene cleanup company.

The Crime Scene Cleaning Market

The crime scene cleaning industry serves a niche market, but demand for these services is steady and growing. Your target customers will typically be property owners, property managers, insurance companies, and families of the deceased. The work is often local, but some larger crime scene cleaning companies travel regionally or nationally to handle major cases.

While a small, local operation can do well focusing on residential and small business clients in their area, larger companies may handle more industrial accidents, natural disasters, and biohazard removal on a wider scale. Crime scene cleaning is not a luxury service, but rates can vary significantly based on the nature of the job, location, and difficulty.

Your Service: Crime Scene Cleaning and Biohazard Removal

As a crime scene cleaner, you will offer the service of thoroughly sanitizing and decontaminating locations where traumatic events have occurred. This includes removing hazardous materials, bodily fluids, and other biohazards that could pose health risks if left untreated.

To stand out, focus on prompt emergency response times, professionalism, and using top-of-the-line cleaning equipment and disinfectants approved for biohazard mitigation. Your services should be delivered on-site with a well-trained crew experienced in trauma scene cleanup.

Developing your service will require establishing standard operating procedures, obtaining proper certifications and permits, and investing in essential equipment like protective gear, transport vehicles, cleaning supplies, and tools for removing contaminated building materials if necessary. You should also consider offering additional related services such as odor removal, carpet cleaning, and temporary repairs or boarding up of the location.

The Economics of Crime Scene Cleaning

The costs to operate a crime scene cleaning business primarily include supplies, equipment, labor, transportation, certification/licensing fees, and insurance. The bulk of your expenses will go toward high-quality protective gear, cleaning chemicals, and disinfectants specifically designed for biohazard mitigation. You'll also need essential equipment like floor scrubbers, carpet cleaners, trash bags, respirators, and more.

Labor costs include hiring and training technicians with the stomach for this type of work. You'll need a minimum of 2-3 technicians for most jobs. Transportation costs include fuel for traveling to and from job sites as well as vehicle maintenance.

Pricing for crime scene cleaning services typically ranges from $200 to $500 per hour depending on the nature of the job. You can charge a minimum fee for emergency response in addition to the hourly rate. Many companies charge extra for the removal and disposal of contaminated materials. It's also common to charge more for high-risk, technically difficult jobs like industrial accidents, homicides, and hoarding cases.

To determine your pricing, calculate your direct costs per job and add a profit margin of at least 30-50% to account for overhead and profit. You may need to adjust prices over time based on demand and input costs in your area. It's a good idea to offer free estimates for larger, complex jobs. And be prepared to negotiate, especially when working with insurance companies.

Marketing Your Crime Scene Cleaning Business

There are several effective ways to market a crime scene cleaning business:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Ranking high in search engines like Google is key for a crime scene cleaning business. Focus on optimizing your website content and meta data for relevant keywords like "crime scene cleaning," "trauma scene cleanup," and "biohazard removal." Local SEO targeting geographic areas you serve is also important.

Social Media: Build a social media presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to raise awareness of your business, promote your services, and engage with potential customers. Share educational content about the crime scene cleaning industry and post updates about your work. Respond to comments and reviews in a timely, professional manner.

Direct Marketing: Send informational mailers and flyers to property managers, insurance companies, funeral homes, and law enforcement agencies in your area. Explain your services and provide contact details. Offer discounts or free estimates as an incentive. You can also do in-person sales calls to introduce yourself and build new client relationships.

Online Advertising: Place ads on websites and search engines frequented by your target audience. Google Ads and Facebook Advertising are good options for reaching people searching for crime scene cleaners in your local area or nationwide. Run pay-per-click ads to drive traffic to your website and increase brand visibility.

Networking: Join local business organizations and chambers of commerce to network and spread the word about your company. Look for opportunities to give presentations on crime scene cleaning and biohazard removal. You can also partner with related businesses like insurance agents, property managers, and funeral homes to cross-promote services.

Reputation Management: Build a strong reputation through prompt, high-quality service; professional communication; and a customer-centric approach. Ask clients to leave reviews on sites like Google, Facebook, and Yelp. Respond to all reviews and feedback to address concerns, thank happy clients, and demonstrate your commitment to excellence. A solid reputation will lead to more referrals and repeat business.

Sales Strategies and Processes

For a crime scene cleaning business, the sales process typically begins with a call or inquiry about your services. It's critical to respond promptly and schedule an estimate as soon as possible. Provide a free, no-obligation estimate for residential and small business clients whenever feasible. For larger, more complex jobs, you may need to charge a small fee for the estimate to account for the time required.

When meeting with a potential client, dress professionally, bring informational materials about your company and services, and be prepared to answer questions about your experience, certifications, processes, and pricing. Do a thorough walkthrough of the location to evaluate the necessary work. Then provide a written estimate for the job including your proposed scope of services, timeline, and total cost. Be upfront about any additional fees that may apply if unknown factors are discovered.

To close the sale, focus on the benefits of hiring a professional crime scene cleaning service. Highlight your expertise, state-of-the-art equipment, and commitment to properly sanitizing the location. Explain the health hazards associated with inadequate biohazard removal and the liability issues the property owner could face. Mention your certifications, safety standards, and discretion in handling sensitive situations.

For insurance companies and property managers, emphasize cost-effectiveness and risk mitigation. Your services can help avoid legal issues, loss of business, and damage to reputation that may result from improper crime scene cleanup. Offer a discount for multiple jobs or new client referrals.

Follow up after providing the estimate to answer any remaining questions and reiterate your desire to help during this difficult time. Be flexible in negotiating prices when possible. Once hired, schedule the work promptly, bring in a sufficient crew to complete the job efficiently, and ensure the location is left in a sanitary condition with no remaining biohazards before leaving the site. Issue a certificate of completion or sanitation and offer additional post-service support as needed.

Operations and Execution

To properly execute crime scene cleaning jobs, you need to establish and follow strict procedures for biohazard removal and decontamination. This includes:

•Assembling a crew with the proper certifications and protective equipment for the specific job. Crew members should wear hazmat suits, respirators, gloves, eye protection, and steel-toe boots.

•Completely sealing off and containing the work area to prevent contamination of adjacent spaces. Use warning signs to indicate biohazard work in progress.

•Removing all contaminated materials like carpeting, drywall, flooring, furniture, and personal belongings. Properly dispose of these items according to regulations.

•Scrubbing and disinfecting all surfaces including floors, walls, ceilings, windows, fixtures, and any remaining furniture. Apply an EPA-registered disinfectant and deodorizer and scrub thoroughly.

•Using commercial-grade equipment like industrial floor scrubbers, carpet cleaners, and pressure washers to clean and sanitize the entire space. Clean air ducts and vents as well.

•Treating any remaining stains, odors or spots before re-cleaning the entire area. Additional cleaning or sealing of floors and walls may be required for porous or unfinished surfaces.

•Providing ventilation and dehumidification as needed before re-sealing the location. All areas must be completely dry to prevent the growth of bacteria, viruses, and mold.

•Issuing a certificate of sanitation upon completion of the job. Take before and after photos to document your work. Schedule follow-up visits if required.

•Properly disposing of or laundering crew uniforms and cleaning all equipment to avoid cross-contamination before transporting materials to a new location.

•Maintaining detailed records of each job including location, scope of work, crew, equipment used, chemicals applied, disposal, and any additional services provided. Records should be kept for a minimum of 3-5 years.

Legal Requirements and Disclaimers

Crime scene cleaning is a regulated business, and you must follow all applicable laws regarding waste disposal, transportation of hazardous materials, worker health and safety, and handling sensitive records. Requirements vary in different areas, so check with your local and state agencies for licensing, permits, and certifications needed to operate.

At a minimum, you will need liability insurance, business licenses or permits, and training in biohazard remediation and OSHA standards for your employees. EPA registration and certification in lead, asbestos, and mold removal may also be required depending on the services you provide.

When advertising and selling your services, be transparent in your limitations and disclaimers. Explain that while you properly clean and sanitize locations to the best of your ability, there is still a small possibility of remaining contamination or health hazards if unknown factors are present. Make no guarantees regarding the spread of diseases or legal liability.

Inform clients in writing about the risks associated with biohazard sites and have them sign a release of liability before performing work. Protect client confidentiality and do not share details about jobs with third parties unless legally obligated. Follow all regulations for the transportation and disposal of contaminated waste and materials.

Stay up-to-date with changes in regulations, safety standards, and best practices in the crime scene cleaning industry. Maintain a strict code of ethics and professionalism in your business to build trust and a reputation for responsible, high-quality service. Continually train employees on the latest procedures and equip them with appropriate safety gear for each job.

In Summary

Starting a crime scene cleaning business can be a rewarding entrepreneurial venture. By providing a much-needed service to help people during a traumatic time, you can build a reputable company and stable source of income. However, it is not an easy job, and you must be fully prepared to handle the technical, legal, and safety responsibilities involved in biohazard removal and decontamination.

If you have the stomach for this line of work, get the proper certifications and insurance, invest in quality equipment, establish strict operating procedures, market your services, build a professional reputation, and always put the health and safety of your clients and crew first. While crime scene cleaning may not be glamorous, it can be a surprisingly lucrative business for those willing to do the dirty work.