Upholstery Cleaning Service
Sofas, office chairs, and stains that customers will pay premium prices to vanish
Bottom line
Strong cash-flow candidate with manageable operations.
Upholstery cleaning services restore furniture (couches, chairs, office seating) by removing stains, odors, and dirt. Both residential and commercial (office, hospitality) markets are strong. Like carpet cleaning, margins are excellent, repeat customers are common, and scaling is straightforward — add technicians and trucks as volume grows.
Avg Revenue
$420K
Profit Margin
48%
Acquisition Multiple
2.5x - 4.5x
Startup Cost
$10K - $45K
How It Works
Technicians arrive with hot-water extraction equipment, fabric-safe cleaning solutions, and deodorizing treatments. They clean in-place (residential) or remove cushions and treat upholstery at a facility (high-end commercial). Jobs typically cost $150-$500 per piece for residential, $1,000-$5,000 for office furniture or fleet seating. Referrals and repeat customers drive consistent volume.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 561740 · Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | CA | $952K | $1.1M |
| Nov 2025 | IN | $100K | $118K |
| Nov 2025 | WI | $1.1M | $1.3M |
| Sep 2025 | IL | $1.2M | $1.4M |
| Sep 2025 | NY | $144K | $169K |
| Sep 2025 | IL | $50K | $59K |
| Sep 2025 | OH | $1.0M | $1.2M |
| Sep 2025 | WA | $30K | $35K |
| Sep 2025 | WA | $147K | $172K |
| Sep 2025 | WI | $213K | $250K |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +High margins (45-50%) with low material costs
- +Strong demand from both residential and commercial sectors
- +Repeat and referral-driven — customers remember good service
- +Less physical wear than carpet cleaning — mostly standing/reaching
- +Low startup cost and ability to run solo or with 1-2 helpers
Cons
- -Customer expectations are high — one bad job can hurt reputation
- -Stain removal is an art, not a science — results vary by fabric type
- -Requires chemistry knowledge and fabric care expertise
- -Commercial contracts need reliability (same-day turnaround expected)
Best For
Detail-oriented service operators who enjoy problem-solving and building strong customer relationships
Operating Costs
Main costs are truck, hot-water extraction equipment, specialty cleaning solutions, truck maintenance, insurance, and 1-2 employee wages as you scale. Most operators work solo or with a helper in early stages. Can operate profitably from a home garage.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Major upholstery cleaning franchise with training and ongoing support
National brand offering carpet and upholstery cleaning with franchise opportunities
Marketplace listings with revenue and EBITDA for existing upholstery cleaning operations
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $1.1M–$1.9M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Ready to Buy? Start Here →
Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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