The 3 Most Effective Cold Calling Scripts for Commercial Cleaning Services
(How to Get Past the Gatekeeper, Talk to the Decision-Maker, and Leave a Voicemail That Gets Callbacks)
Why Having the Right Script Matters
Cold calling remains one of the most effective ways to secure commercial cleaning contracts.
Yet, many cleaning companies make a critical mistake: using the same script for every call.
The truth is, cold calling success isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you adapt to different situations. The right approach ensures you:
✅ Get past the gatekeeper (receptionist/assistant) without being dismissed.
✅ Engage the decision-maker in a conversation that leads to an appointment.
✅ Leave a voicemail that gets callbacks instead of being ignored.
In this post, we’ll share three proven scripts that will help you confidently navigate cold calls, overcome objections, and increase your appointment rate.
For more tips on improving your cold calling success, check out Phrases to Avoid in a Cleaning Service Cold Call Script to make sure you’re not unintentionally turning prospects away.
Words to Avoid in Cold Calling
Using the wrong words can turn prospects away. Here are some phrases to avoid in your sales calls.
Cold Call Script #1: How to Get Past the Gatekeeper
📌 Goal: Politely get past the receptionist or assistant by sounding local, professional, and relevant.
🔹 Why This Matters:
- Gatekeepers are trained to screen sales calls, so you need to sound local, polite, and relevant to increase your chances of being transferred.
- The key is to be confident but courteous, ensuring they see your request as professional rather than salesy.
- Using powerful words can make your pitch more compelling—learn more about this in our guide: How to Use Powerful Words in a Commercial Cleaning Script.
📝 Script:
“Hi/Hello/Good Morning/Good Afternoon [Receptionist’s Name], this is [Your Name] with [Company Name]. We are a leading (powerful word or value proposition) provider of commercial cleaning services in [Town], (pause) may I speak with the person that handles that for your company?”
🔹 Why This Works:
✅ Adds credibility – The word “leading” reinforces authority and expertise.
✅ Sounds local – Mentioning your town builds familiarity and trust.
✅ Uses good manners – “May I speak with…” keeps the tone polite and professional.
✅ Keeps it simple and relevant – Avoids unnecessary details, making it easy for the gatekeeper to process.
Common Objections & Responses:
💬 “We already have a cleaner.” → “I understand! Many businesses we work with felt the same way but doesnt your company take bids periodically?
💬 “Can we send a business card or email to keep on file for future bid opportunities?” → “Of course! Just so I send it to the right person, could you confirm who handles your cleaning services?”
📝 Cold Call Script for Gatekeepers
When calling businesses for commercial cleaning services, it's crucial to sound **local, professional, and confident**. Use this script to **get past the receptionist** and connect with the decision-maker.
Cold Call Script #2: Speaking With the Decision-Maker
📌 Goal: Capture their attention, establish credibility, and book an appointment (or at least get your information on file for future bid opportunities).
🔹 Why This Matters:
- Decision-makers are busy and skeptical—they won’t listen unless you immediately show value.
- The first 10 seconds determine whether they stay on the call or hang up.
- If they aren’t ready to meet, pivot to sending information for future bid opportunities instead of letting the conversation end.
📝 Script:
“Hello [Contact], this is [Your Name] from [Company]. We specialize in [Value Proposition Specific to Prospect], and I wanted to see if I could stop by sometime and introduce myself (or we could stop by and introduce our company to you).”
(Pause and let them respond.)
💡 If they engage:
“Great! Would [Day/Time] work for a quick visit?”
💡 If they object (“We already have a cleaner” or “We’re not interested”)
“I completely understand! Would it be alright if I sent you some information to keep on file for any future bid opportunities?”
🔹 Why This Works:
✅ Low-pressure approach – No commitment, just a simple introduction.
✅ Opens the door for a future estimate – If they like what they hear, they may show you around.
✅ Encourages face-to-face interaction – Builds trust and familiarity.
✅ Includes an easy exit strategy – If they aren’t interested, you pivot to sending information for future bid opportunities instead of losing the lead.
Common Objections & How to Overcome Them:
💬 “We already have a cleaner.” →
“I understand! Many businesses we work with felt the same before realizing there were ways to improve efficiency. Would it be alright if I sent you some information to keep on file for any future bid opportunities?”
💬 “We’re not interested.” →
“I completely understand! If things ever change, would it be okay if I sent you some details so you have us on file for future bid opportunities?”
A strong value proposition helps differentiate your commercial cleaning services by clearly communicating the benefits to potential clients—learn more about crafting effective messaging in How to Promote Commercial Cleaning Services with Implied Value Propositions.
📝 Cold Call Script for Decision-Makers
Use this script to introduce yourself and your company in a **natural, non-pushy way** while leaving room for a follow-up opportunity.
(Pause and let them respond.)
Cold Call Script #3: Leaving a Voicemail That Gets Callbacks
📌 Goal: Leave a compelling voicemail that encourages the prospect to check their email or direct mail and consider following up.
🔹 Why This Matters:
- Most calls go to voicemail, and most voicemails get ignored.
- A good voicemail sparks curiosity and gives them a reason to check their inbox or mail.
- Mentioning that you’re sending something adds credibility and a follow-up opportunity.
📝 Voicemail Script:
*”Hello [Contact], this is [Your Name] from [Company]. We specialize in [Value Proposition Specific to Prospect], and I wanted to see if I could stop by sometime and introduce myself (or we could stop by and introduce our company to you).
I’ll be sending over a quick [direct mail piece/email] with some details for you to look over. Feel free to check it out, and if you have any questions, you can reach me at [Your Phone Number]. Looking forward to connecting!”*
🔹 Why This Works:
✅ Clear & Concise – Keeps the voicemail under 20 seconds for better retention.
✅ Mentions a Next Step – Gives them a reason to check their email or mailbox.
✅ Non-Pushy – Leaves the decision to follow up in their hands.
✅ Increases Callbacks – They may call back to ask about the details you sent.
Alternative Versions for Different Approaches:
✅ Slightly More Urgent:
“Hi [Contact], this is [Your Name] from [Company]. I just wanted to introduce myself quickly—we specialize in [Value Proposition Specific to Prospect]. I’ll be sending over a quick [direct mail/email] for you to check out. If you’d like to chat, feel free to call me at [Your Phone Number]. Looking forward to staying in touch!”
✅ More Conversational:
“Hey [Contact], this is [Your Name] from [Company]. I just wanted to reach out—we work with [Similar Businesses] in your area and specialize in [Value Proposition]. I’m sending you a quick [direct mail/email] to look over, and I’d love to connect when you have a moment. Feel free to call me back at [Your Phone Number]. Have a great day!”
For a more effective sales approach, learn how to combine voicemail and direct mail to increase response rates and secure more commercial cleaning accounts in Selling Commercial Cleaning Accounts: Combining Voicemail & Direct Mail.
📞 Voicemail Script for Decision-Makers
Leaving a compelling voicemail increases the chances of a callback. Use this script to introduce yourself and encourage them to check their email or direct mail.
I’ll be sending over a quick [direct mail piece/email] with some details for you to look over. Feel free to check it out, and if you have any questions, you can reach me at [Your Phone Number]. Looking forward to connecting!"
📌 Pro Tip: Follow up within 48 hours to check if they received the email or mailer.
Learn more about combining voicemail and direct mail in our guide: Selling Commercial Cleaning Accounts: Combining Voicemail & Direct Mail .
Conclusion
Cold calling for commercial cleaning services is most effective when you have a structured approach. By using the right gatekeeper introduction, decision-maker conversation, and voicemail strategy, you increase your chances of securing appointments and staying on their radar for future opportunities.
Even if a prospect isn’t ready now, positioning yourself for future bids through direct mail and follow-ups keeps the door open. Consistency and professionalism will help you build relationships and convert more leads over time.
Ready to take your cold calling success to the next level? Try these scripts in your next calls and refine them based on your results. 🚀
📞 Get Your Free Cold Calling Script!
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