Are you thinking of starting a cleaning company? There is great potential in cleaning services, both with reference to homes and with regard to businesses. Starting a cleaning company is like starting any small business; you will need a good business plan and an excellent marketing strategy to be successful. Here's how to get started.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Designing the Company
Step 1. Decide whether to operate for businesses or for homes
When you start a cleaning company, the first choice to make concerns the type of clientele, in particular whether to operate in commercial or residential areas. The customers to whom you provide your services will determine the type of equipment you will need and the type of services to be performed.
- Commercial areas, such as office buildings, will typically require cleaning at night or on weekends, similar to those required of a janitor. Washing floors, cleaning bathrooms, emptying waste bins, cleaning kitchen rooms and often cleaning doors and windows. This type of work is long lasting and paid well.
- Homeowners require household services for general cleaning and often for specific tasks related to their needs. The work is usually done while the client is at home. Orienting the company towards residential services implies a diversity of customers, also because most homes require cleaning once a week or so.
Step 2. Determine what services you want to offer
Not all cleaning companies are multiservice; some specialize in defined types. After deciding what services to offer, think about the capabilities you have, and what market niche you want to target. Here are some types of services you might consider:
- Services for carpet cleaning and / or floor polishing.
- Window cleaning services.
- Custody services.
- Domestic services for private residences.
- Cleaning services that use natural products.
Step 3. Evaluate the opportunity to work in franchising, or to start your own business
If you are concerned about stability, franchising may be the way to go. This can give you the confidence that comes from working for a well-known brand, which has already experienced some level of success. If you start your own business, it is up to you to create trust in customers, but you will be able to operate with more flexibility.
Step 4. Choose a location
Your business needs a reference, both a room in your home and a commercial space to rent. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of the two solutions, so consider your needs carefully before making your decision.
- If you work indoors, you won't have to pay rent. You will save some money, but you will have to keep the cleaning equipment at home.
- Having a commercial space will allow you to receive customers in a professional environment. You can have a desk with chairs for customers to sit on while describing the services you offer.
- Having a front will also help you with advertising and getting your brand out there. In fact, you will be able to expose your name and logo to anyone passing by.
Method 2 of 4: Make it Official
Step 1. Choose a name
Think of something that sounds both professional and captivating. Pick one that is uncommon and popular with search engines so that your business pops up when people search for the services you provide.
- Check that the name you have chosen can be a good domain name. Make sure it's available.
- Check that the name chosen is not that of an existing company.
- Design a logo to accompany your name. Make it modern and stylish, because you want to print it into a business card, use it on your website and other promotional material.
Step 2. Set up the company
You must register the company with the appropriate institutions and fulfill the obligations relating to work and taxes.
In some cases, a license or permit may also be required depending on the services you intend to perform. Inquire at the Chamber of Commerce and Business Associations for more information
Step 3. Get insurance
It is necessary to insure for the possibility of accidentally causing damage to third parties. This type of situation can sink a cleaning company that is not insured for civil liability. The policy you choose doesn't have to be too expensive and out of your reach. Talk to a reliable insurance company for how to insure your activities at a reasonable price and consistent with your startup budget.
Step 4. Get some startup capital
Since a cleaning company relies on services to be performed with customers, there are some fundamental things you need to start this kind of business. Either you have savings to buy these things, or you have to try to have a credit line at a reasonable cost to start the business.
- Creating a partner company, pooling resources, is a way of solving the financing problem if you don't have enough savings or don't want to run into big debt.
- You can also consider having contributions.
Method 3 of 4: Get organized
Step 1. Get the necessary equipment and materials
Depending on the services you intend to offer, you will need to have floor cleaning products, waste bags, professional vacuum cleaners, and so on. Get quality equipment that will last for many years.
- Make sure you also have what is necessary for your safety and any personnel you might employ to do the job. Gloves and masks, for example, are necessary if you have to use toxic chemicals.
- Try to rent equipment in the first few weeks to be able to buy what you really need later.
Step 2. Buy a company vehicle
It could be a car, a pickup truck or a transport van. You could use a vehicle of your client or otherwise procured; however, if this is not possible, you will need to buy one or lease. Transportation capacity is critical to delivering services to customers.
- The appearance of the company vehicle is important. Driving around with a dented and falling van is not good advertisement for your business.
- Paint the company logo on the vehicle; it's a good way to advertise.
Step 3. Hire staff or subcontract some work as needed
Starting a cleaning company is generally based on the work of the owner. However, as the work grows, there will be a need to hire staff or find other solutions. In this case, make sure that you comply with all obligations.
Step 4. Create a price list
Taking into account the cost of labor, materials, and all other expenses, determine how much you need to sell the services for to make a profit. Get information to find out about the rates usually charged for services, such as floor cleaning and caretaking services. You are obviously free to negotiate with customers the prices you want, however, it is good to have references so as not to be out of the market.
Step 5. Organize your accounting
You need to keep track of the activities performed, and what needs to be billed to customers for payment. Try to get paid quickly, and take note of the payments and what the customer still has to pay. Also be sure to account for business expenses, taxes, and any other expenses that weigh on the business.
- You could also use accounting and invoice issuing software.
- With the increase in activities, consider the possibility of organizing accounting services with the help of an accountant.
Method 4 of 4: Build a Brand
Step 1. Promote your business
You need to reach potential customers in all possible ways in order to create a customer base for your services. Even a few regular clients are good for achieving your goals, while advertising to increase business.
- Advertise in local newspapers and magazines. Offer favorable conditions to customers who request your services for the first time.
- Set up an account on Facebook and Twitter, where you can advertise the company.
- Make sure you have a professional website that lists all your services and allows you to be contacted easily.
Step 2. Try to be trustworthy
It is very important to do the job well and take care of the places where you operate. Any sign of property damage, accidents that have occurred and not reported, and, worse still, of theft, can ruin the reputation of a cleaning company.
- If something breaks while you are at work, let the customer know and try to replace it or refund the customer as soon as possible.
- Put things back where you found them after cleaning them. Do not touch the customer's personal belongings unless instructed to do so.
- Do not enter the rooms that you do not need to clean; avoid being blamed for something you didn't do.
