How to start a housecleaning business
Have you ever thought about how to start a housecleaning
business? When you think of how to start a housecleaning
business you will probably think of questions such as – How do I
start a housecleaning business? – Do I have what it takes to run
my own house cleaning business? – How do I find and keep
clients? – How much should I charge? – What other services can I
offer to my clients? – How do I hire and train staff? – How does
commercial cleaning differ from home cleaning?
And most of the people who have dreamed about how to start a
housecleaning business have been hesitant to put their plans
into action, as they cannot find the correct answer for these
questions. This comprehensive guide will help you to
successfully launch and grow your business by offering expert
advice on each and every aspect of setting up and running a
prosperous home-based housecleaning business.
Housecleaning businesses are one of the fastest-growing service
businesses in the United States. It is an ideal option for new
entrepreneurs, part-time workers, and also for those people who
would like to make a career switch. In today’s busy world, these
are highly sought commodities, and a good housecleaning service
offers comfort and order. Housecleaning is a cost effective
business with low operating expenses, inexpensive equipment, and
a flexible work schedule. Generally speaking, the answer to how
to start a housecleaning business is an understanding of basic
cleaning technology. In the very beginning of housecleaning
business, the home cleaning service might start out small, but
it has the potential to foster into a multi-million dollar
business with branch offices and franchises.
The very first thing about how to start a housecleaning business
is to develop a business plan and policy. After developing a
business plan you need a unique name which must stands out from
the rest. The next and important step before starting the
business is to insure your housecleaning business. You are
starting the business, and as you are the sole-proprietor,
insuring your business entitles you to the status of independent
contractor. Insurance also eases the minds of your future
clientele as well as it gives you peace of mind to work freely.
The next important step is to get a copy of your background
check and police record. Hopefully, you won’t have one; but
depending on which state you are residing in, you have to pick
up the application at the State Trooper Barracks, City Hall or
the Police Station. This is a simple step; you just take about 5
minutes to fill out the form. The application fee will be
between $3 and $15.00. After filling out the form, mail it in,
and within 14 days the form will be mailed back to you with an
official stamp stating “No record.” You can take photocopies of
this form, as you should provide this certificate to your
prospective clientele with your information packet.
The information packet is the major step in the housecleaning
business – it is what makes your business professional. The
information packet must contain a printout or photocopy of your
policy and procedures, insurance and background check,
references and a sample work order. In your policy statement you
should explain the details of your working policy. This will
give information such as: your hours of operation; if you will
work in a house that has a dog; if you bring the cleaning
products or the client has to provide his/her own cleaning
products; your rates (per hour or per job); and what form of
payment you take. All these details have to be included in the
policy statement.
Don’t forget to include a sample work order in your information
packet. For example, in cleaning a bedroom, what will you do?
That is, you must write – ceiling fan will be dusted, trinkets
dusted, bedroom furniture dusted, sheets changed and bed made,
carpet vacuumed and any other service you will provide. Also,
you can custom create a work order if a client wants something
done which is not on the work order.
Also, it is a plus for you to include at least two references.
Adding references might be a difficult task as you are just
starting out so add them as you go along. You can get a
references by offering a free cleaning for some community
organizations or churches.
When you create your business cards, you must only include your
name with the title of proprietor, and your telephone number.
Don’t put anything such as FREE ESTIMATES or CHEAP on the cards.
You have to present yourself as a person offering a professional
service.
Now you’ve got some idea about how to start a housecleaning
business! It is a highly profitable business. So what’s stopping
you now
Tom Laing
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/how-to-start-a-house-cleaning-business-558.html
Anyone have suggestions on how to start a house cleaning business?
I want to start a house cleaning business in my area but don’t even know where to start. Any suggestions?
Since you need to work locally, you should do some research in papers and online to see what kind of competition is out there. Also look in the phone book and make calls to businesses that offer house cleaning. This should give you an idea about what kindof competition is out there and how much you can charge. Then you could advertise cheaply with flyers
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Hello Liz—-
If there is a service in your area and you get a job there
go to work for therm in ant capacity and in six months or less
depending upon your business back ground you can learn much of
the necessary things you must do.
If that is not a good idea for you then Google D.I.Y. Business Plan
and check into a business if that type and plans suggested.
If that does not do it– check the local governmental assistance groups for minorities—ladies can get assistance in that way and also possible financing—-
If you not do research up front you will look back and wish you had—
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have written business plans and product research
visit the small biz admin’s web site and download a free biz plan
send me your first draft of your executive summary; I will guide you
References :
biz teacher
executive summary?
I don’t think she needs that yet.
Maybe a bottle of Windex and pinning some business cards to mailboxes would be a more practical start
References :
Although I work in the office cleaning industry (and you may want to consider that), residential and commercial cleaning business start up is somewhat the same. And you’re smart to investigate before you try and get clients!
Here’s some beginning steps:
1. Check with your city or county clerk’s office to see if you need a business license or fictitious name license. These are inexpensive ($25-$50) and usually last 3 or more years. You don’t really need this in the beginning (unless there is some type of mandatory ordinance or something). You’ll need, though, if you wish to open a business bank account;
2. Then, call around to insurance companies and compare prices for liability insurance (sometimes called bond). This protects you if something breaks or gets damaged while you’re on the job. And, yes, sometimes you didn’t do it, but with this you can keep a client! AND, when you can say to potential clients, "I have liability insurance" it not only makes you professional, but adds confidence. It shouldn’t cost more than around $100-$300/yr for $100K coverage (you don’t need more than that for now, probably closer to $10K-$25K for residential) HINT: if you’re going to do office cleaning, ask them who they use or if you could do a bid, or for residential-still ask them if they hire house cleaners;
3. Call existing cleaning companies, pretend to be a potential customer, to find out the going rates and services provided;
4. NOW, make a nice flier and/or introductory letter about your service and start knockin’ on doors, so to speak! Dress nice, maybe have a t-shirt made up with your company name and/or logo at Cafepress.com, too. Think about magnetic signs and/or a vinyl wrap for your vehicle. Think about parking your vehicle in areas where you wish to find business and in high traffic locations-street intersections, parking lots, etc. Target areas that either have new construction or are affluent…these are potential clients that have money and are also looking for a deal;
5. And spend less than $29 on a residential cleaning kit that will give you the basic contracts, forms for estimates, pricing charts and book-keeping, intro letters, supply list and resources, customer leads and other valuable tips. I have a couple listed on my squidoo lens. It will save you time and money in the long run!
This is a general start. There is lots of information available for you below……
References :
http://incomeinamonth.blogspot.com/
If you can go with cheap rates and focus on working women with a household. They often have no real time to clean and often feel guilty about this. I am one. Try for a catchy slogan like "Clean when you’re not even home" and advertise in local laundrymats, supermarkets and drugstores, by the way, you anywhere near Phila.? I could use you.
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