1. Register your business. You can find the necessary forms on the Secretary of State website for your state. If you choose to name your business, you will need to register your business name with the state, or you can conduct business under your own name, eliminating the need to register an assumed name. You will also need to obtain insurance and a bond through your insurance company.
2. Purchase your cleaning supplies. Most homes you clean will have a vacuum, broom and mop, so you might not need to buy these. You will need to buy a caddy in which to carry your supplies, an apron with pockets for frequently used items, window cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, paper towels, lint-free cloths, latex gloves, small and large scrubbing brushes, and a duster with a telescoping handle. If you plan to do all of the cleaning work yourself, you can simply buy your cleaning solutions at the supermarket, but as your business begins to grow you will find it more cost-effective to purchase larger quantities from a janitorial supply.
3. Market your business. You can begin marketing your cleaning business by placing a small classified ad in your local newspaper. One of the best ways to reach your target market, however, is to print an attractive flier advertising your services and deliver them personally to the doors of upscale homes in the area in which you would like to work. Include a bullet list with three to five selling points in your flier. Mention that you are a local business; many homeowners prefer to hire an individual or a local cleaning service rather than a franchise. If you plan to run a green business, using only organic, non-toxic cleaning products, include this information in your flier. Add a testimonial or two from satisfied customers. If you have no current customers, offer to clean the home of a friend in exchange for a positive reference to use in your promotions. End your advertisement with a call to action, urging your prospect to call you for a free estimate.
4. Bid on jobs. When you start receiving phone calls, set appointments to walk through the homes of your prospective clients. Each homeowner will have different priorities regarding various cleaning tasks, so bring a notepad to jot down details you’ll need to remember. You can price your work in a few different ways. Setting an hourly rate takes some of the guesswork out of pricing jobs, but as you gain proficiency, you’ll find that a home that initially took you four hours to clean may be finished in three. You can set your price by the square footage of the home; 18 cents per square foot, for example. However, households with children and pets, or that haven’t been professionally cleaned for some time can involve much more work than you might expect. One of the best ways to set your price is to consider all variables of the job and estimate how many hours you believe it will take. Multiply this by a reasonable hourly wage and offer the homeowner a set price based on this sum. If you believe it will take you five hours to thoroughly clean the home and you are hoping to earn $15 per hour, offer a price of $75 per cleaning. If the home needs an in-depth initial cleaning, you might want to add an extra $25 to $40 for the first clean. Pricing jobs can be intimidating, but after acquiring your first client or two you will find that quoting prices for your work becomes much easier.
5. Show up at the set time for your cleaning jobs. Some clients will leave a key to let yourself in while they are away at work. Others prefer to remain in the home while you clean. Pay attention to any detailed instructions the homeowner leaves for you. Work efficiently, but give close attention to details. Many homeowners will leave a check, so have a receipt ready and always include a thank you.
- Invest in a book or manual that gives specific instructions on how to tackle a variety of cleaning challenges.
- Working with a partner can provide moral support and make the job more enjoyable. You will be splitting the profits, but together you can handle twice the work.
Arlette Measures is a health and business writer who lives in the heart of Oregon's wine country. She began her writing career in 1993, when her first piece was published in "Woman's World." Measures studied copywriting at the American Writers & Artists Institute and currently works as a copywriter.
Original article and pictures take smallbusiness.chron.com site
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