Check any list of how often you need to clean your household items, and you’d be surprised. If you don’t keep up, then in addition to an unsightly mess, you’ll also be living with harmful levels of bacteria.
The average person may be too busy and/or tired to clean, so if you’re looking to start a business, this industry is an excellent choice. You don’t need much equipment or knowledge, and as long as you provide outstanding services, you’re almost guaranteed to have a long list of clients.
Wondering how to start a cleaning business? Then keep reading for a thorough guide.
Do Research and Planning
Yes, the cleaning industry is a relatively easy one to get into, but that doesn’t mean you should jump straight into it without a plan. As with all businesses, you’ll have to do market research to understand the local demand for cleaning services. Identify your target market, including residential or commercial clients.
In addition, perform a competitor analysis. See what current cleaners are doing and what clients like about them, as well as what they wish the companies did better. With this information, you can differentiate your own business and stand out from the rest.
Define Your Niche
Some cleaning companies can do it all, but it’s not recommended for those just starting out. You should decide on the type of cleaning services you want to initially offer, such as residential or commercial cleaning. You can also have specialized services, such as carpet cleaning.
Ryan Parnow, a General Manager at Clearly Clean Window Washing, says that “identifying the specific needs and preferences of your potential customers will help tailor your services effectively.” You can start off with one or a few services, then add more in the future once you’ve settled in and understand running your business better.
Create a Business Plan
Next, you’ll create a concrete business plan. CEO of E2E Cleaning Services Johnny Nunez said he wished he had known the importance of a solid business plan before he started his business: “A well-thought-out plan is not just for securing loans or investments; it’s a roadmap for your business’s growth and sustainability.”
In this document, outline your business goals, target market, services offered, pricing strategy, and marketing plan. For pricing, factor in the size of the space, frequency of cleaning, and the level of service provided. Other key details include financial projections, startup costs, and funding requirements.
Register Your Business
Go through the different business structures to determine which is right for you. Your main choices are a sole proprietorship, limited liability company (LLC), or corporation.
No matter which you choose, use Business Anywhere’s registration service. You’ll only need to submit key information, and we’ll take care of everything else for an affordable price.
Obtain the Right Licenses and Permits
Before you get started, do your due diligence and find out what licenses and permits are required of you. Having liability insurance is handy too, as it’ll protect your home cleaning company in case of accidents or damages during cleaning.
Founder of Max Paint & Restoration Max Mattes has over 15 years of experience, and he says the first thing you should do is “make sure you have all the proper licenses and insurance in place. Taking care of the paperwork up front will save you a lot of headaches down the road.”
Get Equipment and Supplies
Whether you have an office cleaning service or are helping people with move-out cleaning, you’ll need the proper equipment and supplies to get everything pristine. This may include vacuum cleaners, mops, buckets, cleaning solutions, and safety gear.
Money may be tight, but don’t automatically go for the cheapest products possible. Mr. Mattes has this tip: “Products from reputable brands like 3M or Kimberly Clark Professional offer greater value in the long run.”
Build a Team
This part isn’t always necessary, especially if you want to start small with jobs cleaning houses yourself. Just make sure you have the capacity to manage the workload, as it won’t be easy.
However, if you want to start off big, and plan on hiring employees, then establish a hiring process. In addition, conduct background checks since your clients expect you to send in people who are trustworthy.
Most importantly, provide proper training. Ensure that your workers give clients excellent customer service. This will build a positive reputation for your cleaning company, as well as encourage repeat business.
Market Your Cleaning Business
Before you spread the word about your services, spend some time on branding. Create a brand identity and a professional logo that’ll stick in people’s minds.
Advertise your services, pricing, and contact details by developing a website. Spending a little money to have a professional do this will be worth it since it’ll be easy to navigate and clean-cut.
Once your site’s up and running, utilize online marketing, social media, and local advertising to promote your business. To entice people even further, consider adding promotional deals or discounts.
Get Client Contracts
Repeat business will be your bread and butter, so you must have clear and comprehensive contracts. Think about the terms and conditions of your services; having a law professional look over things so they’re airtight can be a wise decision.
Other things to include in your contracts include:
- Services provided
- Cleaning frequency
- Payment terms
Putting these details in concrete terms beforehand will help your business run much smoother. This will set client expectations too.
Handle Billing and Invoicing
Without an organized system, you may have missed payments, or you may accidentally charge a client repeatedly, which doesn’t look professional at all.
To avoid these situations, set up a system for billing and invoicing your clients. Consider using accounting software for efficiency.
Scale Your Business
As your business grows, consider expanding your services or hiring additional staff. This will allow you to steadily increase your revenue and go miles above your competition.
In addition to the above suggestions, implement systems and processes to streamline operations and maintain quality service. And don’t forget to regularly assess your business performance, seek customer feedback, and make necessary adjustments to keep improving.
This Is How to Start a Cleaning Business
You now know how to start a cleaning business, and perhaps it’s simpler than you thought. This means that if there’s a demand for cleaning services in your area, you should immediately address this need, as you’re certain to gain clients.
But before you immediately create a company, ensure that you perform market research and determine what people want. This work will pay off when you can deliver on exactly what they need.
Sign up with Business Anywhere now to get your cleaning business up and running. You can also get a virtual mailbox and online notary services too.
