How to start a house cleaning business

How to start a housecleaning business
Have you ever thought about how to start a housecleaning business? When you think of how to start a housecleaning business you will probably think of questions such as - How do I start a housecleaning business? - Do I have what it takes to run my own house cleaning business? - How do I find and keep clients? - How much should I charge? - What other services can I offer to my clients? - How do I hire and train staff? - How does commercial cleaning differ from home cleaning?
And most of the people who have dreamed about how to start a housecleaning business have been hesitant to put their plans into action, as they cannot find the correct answer for these questions. This comprehensive guide will help you to successfully launch and grow your business by offering expert advice on each and every aspect of setting up and running a prosperous home-based housecleaning business.
Housecleaning businesses are one of the fastest-growing service businesses in the United States. It is an ideal option for new entrepreneurs, part-time workers, and also for those people who would like to make a career switch. In today's busy world, these are highly sought commodities, and a good housecleaning service offers comfort and order. Housecleaning is a cost effective business with low operating expenses, inexpensive equipment, and a flexible work schedule. Generally speaking, the answer to how to start a housecleaning business is an understanding of basic cleaning technology. In the very beginning of housecleaning business, the home cleaning service might start out small, but it has the potential to foster into a multi-million dollar business with branch offices and franchises.
The very first thing about how to start a housecleaning business is to develop a business plan and policy. After developing a business plan you need a unique name which must stands out from the rest. The next and important step before starting the business is to insure your housecleaning business. You are starting the business, and as you are the sole-proprietor, insuring your business entitles you to the status of independent contractor. Insurance also eases the minds of your future clientele as well as it gives you peace of mind to work freely.
The next important step is to get a copy of your background check and police record. Hopefully, you won't have one; but depending on which state you are residing in, you have to pick up the application at the State Trooper Barracks, City Hall or the Police Station. This is a simple step; you just take about 5 minutes to fill out the form. The application fee will be between $3 and $15.00. After filling out the form, mail it in, and within 14 days the form will be mailed back to you with an official stamp stating "No record." You can take photocopies of this form, as you should provide this certificate to your prospective clientele with your information packet.
The information packet is the major step in the housecleaning business - it is what makes your business professional. The information packet must contain a printout or photocopy of your policy and procedures, insurance and background check, references and a sample work order. In your policy statement you should explain the details of your working policy. This will give information such as: your hours of operation; if you will work in a house that has a dog; if you bring the cleaning products or the client has to provide his/her own cleaning products; your rates (per hour or per job); and what form of payment you take. All these details have to be included in the policy statement.
Don't forget to include a sample work order in your information packet. For example, in cleaning a bedroom, what will you do? That is, you must write - ceiling fan will be dusted, trinkets dusted, bedroom furniture dusted, sheets changed and bed made, carpet vacuumed and any other service you will provide. Also, you can custom create a work order if a client wants something done which is not on the work order.
Also, it is a plus for you to include at least two references. Adding references might be a difficult task as you are just starting out so add them as you go along. You can get a references by offering a free cleaning for some community organizations or churches.
When you create your business cards, you must only include your name with the title of proprietor, and your telephone number. Don't put anything such as FREE ESTIMATES or CHEAP on the cards. You have to present yourself as a person offering a professional service.
Now you've got some idea about how to start a housecleaning business! It is a highly profitable business. So what's stopping you now?
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Written by: Tom Laing