We all seem to know how to clean our houses. But casual clean-up or even spring-cleaning you carry out at home and professional cleaning at someone’s place are two different things. Usually, people hire cleaners for two reasons: they either don’t have time or desire to do the job themselves or want to have their home deep-cleaned. That usually requires special supplies and technology people don’t have in their house and don’t know how to operate it.
Professional cleaning is way harder than it seems. Everything has to be perfect and shine with cleanliness by the time you end the process. When the owners come home to inspect your work, they want to see spotless house that smells good and where each thing is on its place.
So, if you want to start cleaning business, the first thing you have to do is to think very seriously and objectively if you’re going to be able to do this hard, time-consuming and even nasty job yourself? Can you manage all the stuff that lies behind the organizational and management part of running your own business? Will you be able to stand still through the hard times and not to give up at the very beginning, when you have to earn the clients’ trust and lead out your business on the market of services? Are you ready to accept the fact that it will take quite a while before your business will start bringing a good profit and operating smoothly? Do youhave enough administrative abilities and communication skills? Is your character strong enough to overcome all obstacles and bumps that may appear along the way? Aren’t you afraid of hard and dirty work?
It’s rather important to be honest with yourself while answering those questions. The one thing you definitely don’t want to go through is starting your business, realizing you can’t do it after some time and giving up, which not only results in lower self-concept and unfulfilled goals, but also in money loss. So, if your sincere answers to the questions above are positive, then you may go ahead and begin planning how to start your cleaning business. Here’re some things you may want to take into consideration.
1. The type of cleaning services you’re going to provide
This is quite important, as it shapes the whole thing and determines your further actions. It’s better to create a list of different services you’re going to offer people. Decide, if you’re going to provide maid’s services, who comes several times a week and does general clean-up and housekeeper’s, who, in addition to that, does laundry, waters plants and does other useful staff around the house. Determine, whether you’ll do general house cleanings or any other types as well (like cleaning up after parties or house remodeling, pre-moving-out cleaning, spring-clean, outdoor clean-up). Are you going to carry out carpet and couches deep cleaning, window washing as separate services?
On the one hand, the more types of services you provide, the more needs of client you’re able to satisfy and the more they can choose from. Consequently, most likely you’ll be able to attract more clients and get permanent ones. But, on the other hand, you’ll have to do more research and studying. And, maybe, even hire more professionals.
My advice is to start small (like maid’s, housekeeper’s, general cleaning and spring-clean services) and add other types overtime, when you’ve already developed your business a little bit and can afford hiring more people and buy proper equipment.
2. The form of business: independent, family one or cooperation with franchise
Working with franchise is really beneficial at the start of the project, as it provides the framework for your business, as well as general guidance, marketing support, etc.
If you prefer the independent business option, it may be harder in the early days, especially with attracting clients and sparing money on advertisement. But in this case, you’re not limited by the franchise rules and previously stated scope of actions. You get all profit to yourself (or partners if you have them). It’s also possible to introduce any changes (like adding new services or changing the prizing policy) any time you wish without having to tackle them with franchise.
If you manage to gain support of your family, then cleaning is a great option of a family business. In this case, you won’t have to do everything on your own and your family members will be able to provide different kinds of services (each of them may choose their specialization).
3. Personal skills
In order to run any business, it’s necessary to be a highly organized person, who knows how to manage his time and divide it between all planned tasks. You can’t forget to do something your client has paid for. It’s also good to have some office and accountant skills to be able to deal with finances and other administrative tasks. You’ll have to learn how to work with the accountant’s software for that matter as well.
You have to be a reliable and responsible person, who knows his job and is able to please the customer, stand on his grounds and argue his interests. Communication skills are vital to build good relations with your customers and promote your business, as you’re going to be its face and heart.
If you’re going to hire employees, make sure they’re also trust-worthy, reliable and qualified people.
4. Your target customers
You may work only with individual consumers or other businesses and companies. In the first case, you’ll need to focus on maid’s services and general cleaning, while if you choose the second variant, you’ll have to develop the sectoral cleaning (like carpet cleaning, window washing, etc.). You may even cooperate with other cleaning companies if they don’t offer any type of service you do and they want your staff do that kind of job for their clients. It gives you another opportunity to promote your business and draw new consumers to it.
Some specialists recommend concentrating your effort only on one half of the market: either commercial or consumers’ one. But as for me, it’s possible to try combining both.
It’s also necessary to analyze your local cleaning market and decide if you’re going to operate within your local area or beyond it as well.
5. Funds
The hardest part of starting your own business is gathering the start-up capital. You’ll want to use your savings or even sell some items or use them as the pledge for a loan. It’s also possible to apply for some kind of government program for protection and support of small business, which may allow you to get a purpose loan with a lower APR rate.
You may also ask your friends or family for help. Speak out as a professional, create a business plan to show them and convince them that your idea it worth risking their money. Explain them your goals, course of actions and perspectives. Ask them if they want to be your partners and take an active part in your business rather than borrow you money.
The first thing you’ll need is cleaning supplies and tools. Yes, clients may prefer you using their own cleaning products, but you have to be prepared for any situation. It’s better to purchase the supplies of well-known brands so that you clients are familiar with them. Opt for the most natural and non-toxic products.
Another exclusive variant is making your own cleaning supplies and explaining the consumers why they’re better than the ones sold in stores. You may even sell those supplies.
If you’re going to provide carpet cleaning and other specific services, you’ll need equipment designed for those tasks only.
As you and your staff will work in different locations, you’ll have to buy vehicles or use yours and the ones your partners or employees have.
7. Your ‘headquarters’
In the beginning, setting up an office in your own house is an amazing option that allows you to save money. You may rent office rooms or a separate building later on or extend the office area at home.
8. Legal and business operating issues, the staff
It’s better to start your cleaning business business according to the state’s law.
Getting liability insurance is a plus for your image and financial affairs as well.
It’s extremely important to manage your finances attentively. You may do it yourself if you have according skills and knowledge or gain it while going through some training courses. Hiring a professional accountant is another option.
Basically, all I want to say is that you have to keep track on where your money come from and where they go afterwards. And, I don’t even want to start talking about taxes.
9. Advertising and attraction of clients
It’s probably your most significant duty and occupation in terms of developing your business and actually making any money out of it. You have to promote your services, otherwise potential clients won’t even know about your existence. The most inexpensive way to do it is placing ads on different sites. For instance, you may visit HireRush.com and leave here the ad, which provides information about your company, services you provide and prizing list along with contact numbers and e-mails. Then, customers will find your ad, call the stated number and hire you.
You may also think of advertisement banners and leaf lets. Hang a sign on your office building with the name of your company, a slogan and short contact information. Create a personal site.The solution to this problem is quite simple.
Besides, clients often require reviews and references about your work, but as a new company, you just physically can’t have too many. Ask your friends to allow your company to carry out a cleaning in their houses and get their references you could use for promotion matters afterwards.
Promote your cleaning services
10. Priсing policy
I’ll give you just one simple recommendation: make sure that your price covers your expenses (cost of supplies, petrol, employees’ salary, utility bills, etc.), allows you to develop your business and isn’t too low or too high for your location.
You may set the price for a kind of cleaning, for different house sizes (the most common case) or per hour. But the thing I’ve mentioned above is still the most important.
11. Perspectives of growing your business
Think of how and which way you want your business to grow, as our dreams and aspirations are those things, which really make us work harder and harder every single day, achieve better results and survive in difficult times without giving up.
