In the world of mortgage field services, most contractors and inspectors know all too well the challenges of chasing work that is seasonal, unreliable, and riddled with middlemen. The promise of steady labor is often dangled, only to evaporate when the reality of underbidding and underpayment sets in. What is rarely discussed, though, is the fact that the very same skill sets used daily by preservationists—cleaning, debris removal, grass cuts, and exterior upkeep—are directly transferable to the federal contracting sector. Right now, agencies like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are posting requirements for janitorial and lawn maintenance work across facilities nationwide. Unlike the mortgage industry, though, these contracts mandate one critical stipulation: workers must be U.S. citizens.
This requirement alone dramatically changes the labor landscape. In foreclosure and property preservation work, crews are often assembled quickly, with little verification beyond a driver’s license and proof of insurance. But federal contracts, particularly those attached to sensitive agencies like DHS and ICE, take security seriously. Contractors must recruit and staff crews made up exclusively of U.S. citizens, which automatically narrows the available labor pool. For those already working in mortgage field services, however, this stipulation is less of a hurdle than it appears. Most preservation contractors are already used to navigating background checks, photographing completed tasks, and following detailed scopes of work. The transition to government janitorial and grounds maintenance contracts is more about paperwork and compliance than learning new skills.
What’s striking is the similarity between the tasks required on these federal contracts and what preservation professionals already perform daily. Lawn maintenance at an ICE facility is not all that different from a standard HUD grass cut, except that it is predictable and scheduled rather than reactive. Janitorial work—trash removal, floor cleaning, restroom sanitation—mirrors the debris outs and maid services many contractors already deliver to REO clients. The core difference is that in the government space, these jobs are consistent, year-round, and often multi-year contracts, offering a kind of stability that the foreclosure sector has long failed to provide.
Recruiting for these positions requires a mindset shift. In the mortgage field services industry, recruiting often means finding anyone willing to work for the lowest possible rate, knowing full well they may leave when a better-paying opportunity arises. In the federal contracting arena, the focus must be on sourcing reliable U.S. citizens who can pass the required clearances and who understand the professionalism that comes with working on government property. This does not mean the work is beyond reach for preservation contractors; it means contractors need to reframe how they present opportunities to their crews. Instead of “get-rich-quick” promises, recruiters should emphasize steady paychecks, predictable hours, and the prestige of working on government sites.
Another key difference is accountability. In preservation, documentation is often treated as an afterthought, with photos and forms submitted simply to get paid. Under DHS and ICE contracts, documentation and compliance are front and center. Federal clients expect transparency, adherence to safety standards, and strict timelines. Fortunately, contractors already trained in the photo-driven, checklist-heavy preservation model are uniquely suited to meet these demands. The learning curve is far less steep than many believe, and the reward is far greater in terms of financial stability and business longevity.
There is also an opportunity for small businesses to leverage their existing knowledge of subcontractor networks. Many preservation firms already have databases of workers spread across regions. Tapping into these networks for U.S. citizen labor is not about reinventing the wheel—it is about refining it. Those with experience managing multiple work orders across different states already possess the logistical skills necessary to oversee janitorial and landscaping crews at federal facilities. The pivot lies in compliance, bidding strategy, and understanding the procurement process, not in reinventing day-to-day operations.
The larger implication here is that the federal sector represents a viable exit strategy from the predatory cycles of the mortgage field services industry. For years, contractors have complained of late payments, absurd work scopes, and ever-shrinking margins dictated by national order mills. By contrast, government contracts are governed by procurement rules, with set-aside programs designed to give small and disadvantaged businesses a fighting chance. Yes, the paperwork is heavy, and yes, the citizenship requirement narrows the recruiting pool. But the payoff is a seat at the table where real money flows, backed by agencies that cannot simply walk away from obligations the way mortgage servicers do.
For field service technicians tired of the instability of preservation, the call to pivot into janitorial and lawn maintenance at DHS and ICE facilities is one worth answering. It requires a deliberate recruiting strategy focused on compliance and citizenship, but the upside is undeniable. The skills are already there. The crews are already trained. What remains is for industry veterans to realize that the same broom used to sweep out an REO can sweep the halls of a DHS facility—and this time, the check will clear.
