How to start a cleaning service business

Question

How to start a cleaning service business

Answer 1

A cleaning business-whether residential or office-is a terrific way to have a stable income. 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;

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);

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 flyer 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;

5.  And spend less than $39 on a business cleaning kit (less than that for 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.  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......

Answer 2

Well, obviously, you need a boit of money to start up with for supplies. I started my own by taking one cleaning job that was advertised. Then, through word of mouth I got more clients. Then I started to advertise. When you get the prospect of a new job, you go and check the place out, make sure you discuss money, and make sure that you can do this job on a regular basis. And, make sure that you set guidelines about what you do and what you would be willing to do. If it is for a special project, like cleaning an attic, then you estimate your time and give a price for that job. Regular housekeeping is usually paid by the hour, which the going rate for private housekeeping is 15 to 20 bucks an hr.

Do a good job, and your reputation will grow along with your business. You have to really like to clean, though!