Are you looking for answers on “how to start a cleaning business?” You found the right place to guide you if you are planning on starting a cleaning business this 2020. Dirt, germs, and bacteria are everywhere, so this type of business is really in demand. There are many types of cleaning businesses, some of these are house cleaning business and commercial cleaning business.
Here’s your guide on how to start a cleaning business from scratch:
Decide what kind of buildings your cleaning business will clean
When you decide on starting a cleaning business you have to decide also what type of building your business will focus on cleaning. The commercial cleaning business has many areas that you can pick like shops, gyms, banks, daycare, and convenience stores.
You can choose to clean small buildings or hire people so that you can clean large buildings and gain more revenues. If you decide to clean houses only, then you can start a house cleaning business and focus your service in cleaning houses from different neighborhoods.
Choose your target building and what type of cleaning business you wanted to start.
Think of a unique name when starting a cleaning business
A business will never be completed without a name. Your business name is your brand, so it is very important to think of a unique cleaning business name. When choosing a name for your cleaning business, you should think about how it will be recognized by your possible clients.
Pick a name that sounds professional because you will be doing business with professional people. Your business name should show what you are made of. Putting the service area to the name you have chosen to your business is a great thing as your clients can relate to you, for example, Uplift’s Commercial Cleaning Service or Uplift’s Professional House Cleaning.
Business Permits and Checking Account
Once you already decided your focus buildings to clean and the name of your cleaning business, you have to register your cleaning business to your local register of deeds office if you are operating it on your own (sole proprietorship), or if LLC then register it to the office of the Secretary of State.
After, examine with your local county or town government offices to see if there are any zoning or license permit requirements for your cleaning business. Make sure to open a business checking account so that you will not mix your checking account with your cleaning business income.
When your business has its checking account, it will be easier to keep track of your business expenses and income. You can monitor and create your overall financial report when you have to file your business taxes.
Liability Insurance and Janitorial Bond
Liability Insurance and Janitorial Bond are needed when it comes to starting office cleaning business, commercial cleaning business, or even starting a carpet cleaning business. Office owners and homeowners would want to see proof of liability insurance and janitorial bond of your business before they do business with you.
A Liability Insurance guarantees that if a property is wrecked or a person is harmed because of the outcome of the service you delivered. Then your cleaning business is financially protected from legal action.
While a Janitorial Bond guarantees protections to the office owners and homeowners. If there’s a circumstance that a worker engaged in stealing on the job. This is an industry-standard and your prospective clients will look for this type of insurance in your cleaning business.
These coverages are very important when starting a cleaning business. Because these will protect your business from legal responsibility and at the same time, it is also an act of professionalism to your clients. These will also guarantee security for your clients to do business with you.
Rates and Marketing Strategies
The last step for you to do when it comes to starting a cleaning business is to determine your business rates and create your marketing strategies. When it comes to deciding your service rate per hour you should consider your expenses, supplies, gas, license, and insurance. Remember also that fixing a price in the house cleaning business is different than pricing commercial cleaning business.
Once you have decided on the hourly rate of your cleaning business, then decide also how many hours it will take to get the job done. There are many components that will make this, such floor types, building size, the number of rooms, employees and bathrooms.
There are businesses also that will pay you per month. So make sure to multiply the hours that you can complete the job and your decided hourly rate.
When it comes to starting a cleaning business, you must have strategies on how to reach and gain clients. There are many techniques to market your cleaning business, some may work and some may not. Make sure that you repeat those techniques that work. And determine what needs to work out to your other strategies that did not work.
When marketing your cleaning business, you can utilize some of these strategies:
1. Sending out flyers
2. E-mailing potential clients
3. Cold calling
4. Setting up your business website
5. Advertising your business through newspaper or magazine
6. Word of Mouth
7. Social Media Marketing
You can try these marketing techniques and see what works for your business. Before you begin marketing your cleaning services, make sure to tell your family, friends, and acquaintances. Tell them to spread the word. You can also join Facebook groups such as local community groups and local garage sales. Become a helpful supporter of these groups and be the go-person when it comes to cleaning service.
