How to start your own cleaning business in 5 steps

If you are looking for a business idea that requires little investment, and that you can start relatively quickly with little effort, a cleaning business may be the ideal venture for you.

However, you should keep in mind that, being an easy type of company to set up, the competition will also be high, with an industry dominated mainly by small organizations.

That is why you will need to have a clear vision of where your cleaning business will position itself within this somewhat saturated market and find the right niche for it.

So read the 5 simple steps you must take to start the road to success, and some tips that will be very useful to you.

How to start your own cleaning business in 5 steps

1. Determine what type of cleaning business you are going to specialize in

There are three main types of cleaning companies:

• Domestic. It consists of cleaning people’s private homes (usually when they are not at home) and you can start it by yourself. Over time, when you have a good clientele, it will be better to hire additional employees.
• Commercial. This type of cleaning involves cleaning commercial properties (company offices, shopping centers), for which you will need a crew of workers, and your role will consist more of managing than cleaning itself.
• specialized. There are hundreds of niches here that you can explore, from cleaning windows to schools, cars, or even crime scenes (yes, there are companies that specialize in this).
• You must think about the talents you have or what you want; Are you prepared to clean every day , or is yours more the administrative part of a business?
• Analyze in turn which is the best market opportunity in your area . If you live in an area full of stores, perhaps the ideal thing is that you dedicate yourself to commercial cleaning. Think well and analyze your locality.
• 2. Research, research, research
• As I told you before, researching your potential market and local demographics will be key in determining the type of cleaning business to start.
• If you plan to run a house cleaning business, make sure that the people in your area are financially able to pay someone to do the housework.

3. Decide what your business model will be

Are you going to start an independent business, or maybe being a franchisee is a good option for you? In this part, it is important that you think about your long-term goals.

If you are thinking of a venture that you can grow slowly, but steadily, and of which you are the one who has total control, probably your best option is to set it up on your own.

However, if you want quick profits, and are concerned about some aspects of how to set up or run such a business, consider becoming a franchisee for another cleaning company.

4. Make a budget for your equipment

Cleaning equipment costs can vary considerably. Household cleaners, for example, normally receive these materials from the homeowners (detergents, mops, etc.)

But if you plan to launch a commercial cleaning business, you will need to invest in some basic equipment such as:

• Cleaning carts to carry the products
• Industrial vacuum cleaners or steam machines
• Floor scrubbers or mops
• And, of course, a car in which to transport all the equipment

As you can see, all of the equipment listed above can cost you $10,000 or more, so it’s important to think about whether you have the money or can get a loan to buy it, as well as how long it will take to recoup it from your benefits.

Without forgetting of course, if you hire others to help you with the tasks, they will have a salary to collect and that you will have to include in your budget.

(Read: Types of business loans and which one is best for you)

5. Create a marketing plan

Once you have thought about your business model, what kind of cleaning you will do, and have raised the money for the necessary products, equipment, or employees, you can start your cleaning business.

But the next step is possibly the most important part: getting clients. And this will only be achieved with a good marketing plan. Depending on your type of business, some billboards or newspaper ads may be the best place to start.

Do not rule out other methods such as social networks, or paid Internet ads (in search engines like Google), especially if your cleaning business is specialized.

(Read: How to promote a business for free to get clients)

Also, don’t be afraid to go house to house leaving some business cards for your potential clients – cleaning is a personal business and there is nothing better than when they first meet you face to face instead of through a billboard.

4 tips that you should keep in mind for your business

Both before starting your cleaning business , and while you’re running it once it’s up and running, there are four key tips you should follow if you want to achieve success and a stable income.

1. You must build trust in your customers

One of the most important elements in this type of business is trust (after all, your clients will let you into their homes or their jobs). And one of the things that transmit the most confidence is the image, be it of a person or a company.

Make sure that:

• You and your employees look clean , with a good uniform or at least clothes in conditions for work.
• Your invoices have your business logo printed on them and are computer generated (a handwritten invoice may look unprofessional)
• You and your employees have friendly and polite treatment when you speak to customers
• You have all the necessary papers, such as licenses (if you need one), or health insurance for you and your employees

Subscribing to some type of organization in your sector will also be a guarantee of trust for your clients. And don’t forget to ask for a criminal record certificate if you hire other employees.