|
Although I work in the office cleaning industry (and you may want to consider that), residential and commercial cleaning business start up is somewhat the same. 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. You don't really need this in the beginning (unless there is some type of mandatory ordinance or something). You'll need, though, if you wish to open a business bank account;
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, probably closer to $10K-$25K for residential) HINT: if you're going to do office cleaning, ask them who they use or if you could do a bid, or for residential-still ask them if they hire house cleaners;
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 flier 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. Think about parking your vehicle in areas where you wish to find business and in high traffic locations-street intersections, parking lots, etc. Target areas that either have new construction or are affluent...these are potential clients that have money and are also looking for a deal;
5. And spend less than $29 on 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. I have a couple listed on my squidoo lens. 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......
Although I work in the office cleaning industry (and you may want to consider that), residential and commercial cleaning business start up is somewhat the same. 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. You don't really need this in the beginning (unless there is some type of mandatory ordinance or something). You'll need, though, if you wish to open a business bank account;
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, probably closer to $10K-$25K for residential) HINT: if you're going to do office cleaning, ask them who they use or if you could do a bid, or for residential-still ask them if they hire house cleaners;
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 flier 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. Think about parking your vehicle in areas where you wish to find business and in high traffic locations-street intersections, parking lots, etc. Target areas that either have new construction or are affluent...these are potential clients that have money and are also looking for a deal;
5. And spend less than $29 on 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. I have a couple listed on my squidoo lens. 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......
|