Authored by Rodney Southern in Small Business
Published on 12-15-2008
Starting your own cleaning business is not as difficult as it may seem. If you are willing to do the legwork and planning, than a cleaning business is certainly within your sights. There are specific steps that are needed to start a cleaning business, and it is very important that you follow them closely. This article will walk you step by step through the process of starting your own cleaning business.
The first step in starting your own cleaning business is to learn all of the local and state regulations on owning your own small business. Obtaining permits, business licenses, and any certifications vary from state to state. Visit your local courthouse to find the information needed to get your cleaning business off the ground in your state. You can also find much of this information on the Internet.
Once you have acquired all of the legal requirements, now it is time to get your cleaning business off and running. Before you secure your first client, you will need to make sure that you have enough capital to weather the early bumps in the road. You will need to acquire excellent cleaning supplies to be efficient. Cheap cleaning supplies quickly meet their maker in a cleaning business. If you are starting a commercial cleaning business then this will require more supplies than a residential cleaning business. Get that capital together and invest in some quality cleaning materials.
Now that you have your supplies, you are ready to go out and find your clients. The best way to have a successful cleaning business is by word of mouth. It is very important that you do a quality job each and every time so that your clients will be your advertisement. If you are an excellent cleaning business, then word will get out. More importantly, if you do a poor job it will spread like wildfire.
There is something to be said for networking as it pertains to a cleaning business. Have some business cards made up and freely distribute them to everyone that you know. Make up flyers and place them in strategic locations in your town. Some great locations to post fliers as on the community board at your local grocery store, the library, the YMCA, and even on cars if you are careful. Most importantly, make sure that you have a separate business line that you take your calls on. You must have a professional outfit if you want to be able to charge as a professional cleaner.
Speaking of rates, set your bar at the going rate for your area. You do not want to be overpriced, but you certainly do not want to be under priced. Many people when starting a business cut a discount rate for their initial customers. This is a very bad idea as these customers will not be willing to pay more down the line. Worse still, they will share the great deal that you gave them with every one they refer to you. Before you know it you will be forced to give discounted rates to all of your customers.
Finally, you will want to be certain that you are competitive with the other cleaning services in the area. The only way for you to be certain of this is to shop the competition. Sit down and call each and every one of them and get detailed rates and service information. This way you will be able to answer any questions your customers may have in an honest and informed manner.
