How to Land and Price Commercial Pooper Scooper Contracts (HOAs, Apartments & More)

If you’re running a pet waste removal business, landing commercial clients like HOAs, apartment complexes, and businesses can be a game-changer. These contracts bring steady, high-paying work and can quickly boost your income. But the challenge? Pricing them correctly and winning the bid.

In this post, I’ll break down how to successfully bid on commercial jobs, what questions to ask, and how to make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth—without leaving money on the table.

What Counts as a Commercial Pet Waste Removal Job?

First, let’s define what commercial means in this industry:

✅ HOAs (Homeowners Associations) – Gated communities, subdivisions, and neighborhoods that need common areas cleaned. ✅ Apartment Complexes – Multi-unit buildings with shared dog areas or pet waste stations. ✅ Dog Parks – City-managed or privately owned spaces that require ongoing maintenance. ✅ Businesses that Allow Pets – Offices, hotels, and other locations where pet waste management is needed. ✅ Trailer Parks / Modular Homes – Large rental communities that need pet waste cleanup in shared spaces.

Unlike residential clients, these businesses have a budget set aside for maintenance, and scooping is often a low-priority task for their staff. This makes hiring a dedicated pet waste service a win-win for them—and a high-revenue opportunity for you.

How to Get Commercial Pet Waste Clients

Many commercial clients will find you online, so your marketing should clearly show that you service commercial properties. Here’s how to attract and land these high-value contracts:

1. Make It Clear in Your Marketing

  • Add “We service HOAs & apartment complexes” to your website, social media, and Google Business Profile.
  • Use graphics and images that showcase commercial properties.
  • Create a dedicated webpage for commercial services with case studies, testimonials, and pricing details.

2. Join an Apartment Association

  • Many states have Apartment Associations where you can become a verified vendor.
  • Property managers often use these directories to find service providers.
  • You can attend networking events to build relationships with property managers.

3. Direct Outreach to Property Managers

  • Look up local apartment complexes and HOAs and call them directly.
  • Introduce yourself, explain your services, and offer a free estimate.
  • Build relationships with property managers, as they often manage multiple locations and can send repeat business your way.

When done right, these steps set the foundation for commercial clients to reach out to you. But once they do, you need to ask the right questions and send a strong bid.

Questions to Ask Before Sending a Bid

Before giving a price, gather as much information as possible about the job:

🔹 How many units are on the property? (For cost per unit calculations.) 🔹 What’s your budget? (Get an idea of what they expect to pay.) 🔹 Do you need common areas cleaned, pet waste stations serviced, or both? 🔹 Can I use your dumpsters for waste disposal? 🔹 How many dog parks or designated pet areas are on-site? 🔹 What’s the total size of the property? (Larger areas take longer.)

Once you have these answers, schedule an in-person walkthrough. Seeing the property yourself will give you a realistic idea of how much time and effort is needed.

How to Price Commercial Pet Waste Removal Jobs

1. Charge Based on Time, Not Just Per Visit

Unlike residential scooping, where you charge per yard, commercial pricing should be based on time spent rather than a flat fee.

Example pricing:

  • You estimate the job will take 3 hours per week.
  • Your rate is $60 per hour.
  • That’s $180 per week.
  • Multiply by 52 weeks, then divide by 12 months = $780 per month.

Now, divide the cost by the number of units on the property:

  • If there are 350 units, then $780 ÷ 350 = $2.23 per unit.
  • This helps the property manager justify the cost when budgeting.

2. Pricing for Pet Waste Stations

If they need waste stations serviced, add this as a separate line item in your proposal.

  • Let’s say you charge $15 per waste station (including bags).
  • If they have 7 stations, that’s $105 per week or $455 per month.

By breaking pricing down, the property manager can see the value clearly and decide if they want full service or just part of it.

Submitting Your Bid & Required Documents

1. Write a Strong Proposal

Your bid should include: ✅ Exact services provided (Scooping, station refilling, waste disposal, etc.) ✅ Pricing breakdown (Weekly, monthly, and per unit) ✅ Terms of service (Late fees, contract duration, cancellation policy) ✅ Proof of insurance (Most properties require this.)

2. Get Your Paperwork Ready

Commercial clients require official documentation before hiring you. Be prepared with: 📌 Business license (Proof you’re a legal business.) 📌 W-9 Form (Required for tax purposes.) 📌 Liability Insurance (Protects you in case of damage or injury.) 📌 Workers’ Comp (If you have employees.)

Some properties won’t even consider hiring you without these documents, so have them ready upfront to avoid delays.

Final Thoughts: Are Commercial Clients Worth It?

Commercial clients can be lucrative, but they require careful pricing and patience. These properties pay slower than residential clients (often Net 30 or Net 45 days), so make sure you have the cash flow to handle delays.

That said, one solid HOA or apartment contract can bring in hundreds to thousands of dollars per month. Get your pricing right, build relationships with property managers, and you can turn these contracts into a reliable revenue stream.

Want to Learn More?

If you’re serious about growing your pet waste removal business, check out Poop Scoop Millionaire. It’s the #1 community for pet waste business owners, offering step-by-step guidance, business strategies, and real-world insights to help you scale.

🚀 Join Poop Scoop Millionaire here

📺 Watch the full video on commercial contracts here

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