At first, getting started in a cleaning business might seem complicated and difficult. If you follow a few guidelines, it is not that hard to start a cleaning/janitorial business:
1. Get all of the details of running a business in place. Decide what kind of cleaning business you are going to run. Will it be a janitorial company, if so, are you going to focus on offices, retail or industrial buildings? Are you going to clean houses, if so, will you target working familes, affluent neighborhoods or single people? What hours will you be able to devote to work? If you cannot work nights, this can limit your ability to clean offices or retail locations. Are you going to clean alone, or do you want to hire the work out? How big of a company do you want? These are all questions that must be answered before you start, otherwise you will be chasing your tail and make little progress.
Next, register your business name with the state and federal government. Are you going to incorporate or operate as a sole proprietor? Laws will vary by state, but you will at least need a Federal Tax ID number to open a business checking account. This will also prevent another company from registering your companies’ trade name.
Decide how you are going to keep track of your business finances. This can be as simple as using a ledger and checkbook register or the use of accounting software like Quickbooks or Microsoft Money. Make sure you keep all your personal and business expenses separate for ease of tracking during tax time.
2. Get your marketing material in order. This means to put together professional looking business cards, flyers and your estimate forms, invoices and letterheads. You need to communicate a message on your material that projects your unique message and the professional service you provide. That is why being clear about the area you want to focus on is important.
3. Hit the streets. Get out into your target market and start visiting with decision makers. You need courage and a tough skin to get your message out, but be persistent, you can do it. You will begin getting requests for proposals and estimates, which will lead to cleaning contracts. Make sure to leave your business card with everyone you come in contact with, you should make it a goal to go through 500 business cards per month, for the first 6 months you are in business. Post your card everywhere, and leave you flyers with everyone.
4. Follow-up and Get to Work! After you place your bid, be sure to follow up with your prospects, this means calling them a few days after you drop off the bid. By doing this, you can push the decision to the top of the decision makers list, whether they are interested in using your service or not. This saves you time by not having to worry about prospects that are not interested at this time. Once you get a “yes” from the appropriate party, its time to get to work. This means doing an outstanding cleaning job and going the extra mile the first time to impress your client, and to make them happy and confident about your service. The competition is tough in this business, you need to stick out of the crowd and make sure you continue getting business.
These are a few tips to get you started, I hope it helps.
By the way, you might want to visit my friends Suze and Ev, they have a great site devoted to getting started in a cleaning business and have more information on bidding jobs correctly.. Their web site answers great questions like how do I get started bidding cleaning jobs, what are the best cleaning products to use and marketing your services like my company does.
well iam starting my won clenaing business i am jsut starting out on my business and i like more info
What would you like to know?
I like the follow up idea. I think it helps retain clients.