Many people who have considered starting a cleaning business would have asked themselves some of the following questions.This article finds answers to these questions.
1.How do I start a house cleaning business?
A cleaning business is relatively easy to start up compared to other businesses. You would require a business plan,public liability insurance,cleaning equipment and consumables, and transport.It will be advisable to carve out a niche for your business to give you an edge over competitors.For example the choice of detergents you clean with is it organic,do you specialise in cleaning outdoors or indoors.
Prospective clients will be concerned about having someone they do not know in their homes but references,clean criminal records checks and a current public liability insurance certificate should be enough to reassure them.
2.What does it take to run a cleaning business?
It is important that you ensure that a cleaning business will suit you.
You will have to:
a.Be physically fit as cleaning is hard physical work.
b.Have good interpersonal skills.
c.Have basic word processing and book keeping skills.
It is advisable to keep a full time job while you run the cleaning business part-time.If you intend to go full time then its advisable to have 6months wages to fall on when business does not pick up as fast as you expected it to.
3.How do I find and keep clients?
It is important to make it clear to prospective clients that you are new to the business but have undertaken a thorough research of the service they require as a result you know what you are doing.
One way of getting clients is with the help of references.In order to get references for your business ,you can offer to clean the homes of a few friends at a discounted rate in return for references.
When cleaning these homes it is important that you focus on the quality of your work rather than how quickly you can get it done.Once you impress your first clients you are bound to get repeat work from them as well as referrals from them.
An advert in your local News Paper and also on your Vehicle is also a good way to get clients.Flyers,door hangers and business cards are also a good way to get clients.
A referral program is another way to get customers.A discount for existing clients who refer a friend is bound to be popular and more importantly find you a lot of new clients.
A website is also a great way to find clients.It is basically an advertisement for your business with information that prospective clients would like to know available 24hours a day 365days a year.A website provides a convenient means for prospective clients to find out about your business.Avoid using words like free and cheap to describe your business.It gives the impression you are offering a less than professional service.
4.How do I workout how much to charge?
It is very important that your services are sold on the basis of the quality of your work and not how cheap or quick your service is.
Workout how much you have to make per hour based on how many hours a week you are prepared to work.Use this to determine how much you need to make hourly to cover costs and make a decent profit.
It is important when you start your business that you charge what you would charge if you had employees.If you under charge you will find out as the business grows that you are unable to hire help because you cannot afford it at the rates you are charging.
5.How do I hire and train staff?
As your business grows, you will eventually need to hire people to help with the business.It is advisable to start with one part-time employee whom you train to cover your shift one day a week.You could then increase the number of shifts your employee covers per week with time.
It is paramount that a criminal records check is done on all your employees and they are covered by your public liability insurance.If you have to use sub-contractors then they would require their own insurance.
A cleaning business is a good way to earn a good income and still have control over your life.It will enable you to choose how much you want to work, how much you want to make and how often you want to work.
Till next time goodbye and good luck.
