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How to Start a Cleaning Business - 8 Steps

Written by: Sue Barrett

Article Overview: Residential and commercial cleaning businesses are traditionally the top-selling franchises year after year, so it's hard to deny that the cleaning business is a hot market. Some cleaning companies can survive on just a few corporate clients, and in most cases, you can rely on consistent monthly income from long term jobs when you give your customers the quality and service they want.

How to Start a Cleaning Business - 8 Steps

Residential and commercial cleaning businesses are traditionally the top-selling franchises year after year, so it is hard to deny that the cleaning business is a hot market. Some cleaning companies can survive on just a few corporate clients, and in most cases, you can rely on consistent monthly income from long term contracts. No wonder so many entrepreneurs enter this field.

Although cleaning and janitorial services can be a profitable field, it can be challenging for new entrepreneurs to start a cleaning business - and succeed. Here are a few tips.

1. Survey the market in your area. Do you find lots of other cleaning companies that you will have to compete against? This is not an uncommon situation. Since there are many smaller niche markets within the cleaning field, it may be more profitable for you to enter a smaller market with less competition. Some specialties include window cleaning, carpet cleaning, grout cleaning, kitchen cleaning, etc.

Another way you could compete against larger cleaning companies is to offer benefits that are not offered elsewhere, like extended service hours, use of nontoxic cleaners, etc.

2. Once you have chosen a niche, put together a basic business plan. This can help you establish start-up and operation costs and give you a clearer picture of what you need to do to reach your income goals. Viewing sample business plans of other cleaning companies can help you accomplish this in less time. There are several you can find by searching the internet.

3. After you have put your plan together, decide on a business name and register it with the County Clerks office. You will also need to get a business license at your local city or county office. Although it is not a requirement to have insurance or bonding, it is a smart idea and can look good to your customers if they ask. You can get free quotes online from a variety of different sources, or you can set up a meeting with a local insurance agent to discuss your options.

4. Get a tax ID for your company through the IRS and open a business bank account. Keeping your personal and business finances separate is important come tax time. Opening a business bank account does not have to be expensive or difficult. Interview a few banks to find the best service for you. You may even be able to open a free bank account.

5. Meet with a tax accountant to discuss potential tax deductions for your business. The more write-offs you know about, the more money you can save. If you decide to do your own bookkeeping, accounting software like Quick books Pro can make the job much easier. You do not have to get the most recent product - in fact, you can save money purchasing a version just a few years old.

6. Professionalize your business image with a business phone line, business cards and professionally-designed literature. You can create your own business cards, brochures and flyers online for less money, yet still create a professional image.

7. A website can be another great way to look professional and advertise your services too. If you have the time, you can do this yourself for about $100 a year. You can display your services, rates, contact information, job photos and customer testimonials on your site to help potential customers make a buying decision.

8. Write a short press release to your local newspaper announcing the opening of your business and mention a "grand opening special" or discount for first-time customers. This can get you free advertising in the paper instead of having to pay for an ad.

It can be helpful to get a business start-up guide at your local library or bookstore to review when you have questions. If you know someone in a similar but noncompeting business to yours, see if you can take them to lunch and interview them. You can often gain some valuable insight.

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Article Tags: cleaning service, how to start a cleaning business, janitorial, start a business, start cleaning business, start cleaning company



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Help me name my moms business - I think Infinity Cleaning Services sounds better than Elite Cleaning Solutions... Why the Solutions? What is there to be solved? You simply get a rag with some Windex on it and wipe away.... plug the vacuum and Vac Away, get a mop and mop away. Stick to Infinity Cleaning Services... ICS sounds cool...
Help me name my moms business - My Mom is a dynamic entrepreneur and running several businesses. Recently she started a commercial cleaning business. I have thought of some name for my mom's cleaning business, but would like some other suggestions. I have narrowed it down to, either: Infinity Cleaning Services, or Elite Cleaning Solutions. She is located in South Florida, and many of the other names are taken. Thanks,
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Re: I got a pop up! - [quote="ChrisH":31c1e714] About the logo - the first thing I would change would be to take out the "C" and use the broom for the letter C. Chris[/quote:31c1e714] Funny. In my mind I had the broom replacing the "l" in Cleaning. But now that I look, of course you're right, the broom should replace the "C."


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