Cleaning business ideas:
It is best to focus on one type of cleaning when you first start your cleaning business. It makes marketing easier since you can focus on a smaller group of potential clients, and enables you to be the expert in that particular field. Once you build up some success in one target market and business focus, you can expand if you wish.
Here are some ideas for specialty cleaning businesses:
By type of building:
Homes & Apartments
New construction homes (lots of cleaning to do to make move-in ready)
Offices (you may need some helpers for bigger office buildings)
By Item to clean:
Kitchens only
Appliances (fridge cleaning, oven cleaning, or all kitchen appliances or even all home appliances)
Clothing (just doing laundry)
By target market:
Cleaning for Seniors (target retirement communities or older neighborhoods, market at community or senior centers.)
Cleaning for new moms (A great baby gift! Target ob/gyn offices, maternity wards, etc.)
Before/After Party Cleanup
“Green” cleaning – using green products and practices in cleaning is a hot topic now.
Getting Business:
Create some flyers, post on your Facebook page (and create one for your business!), have business cards printed up (see link below to get them free) and then start telling everyone about your new business.
You might offer an introductory price on the first cleaning to show your ability and let the customer test your services.
Be sure to include info on your flyer about the benefits of hiring you—educate your client on the amount of time they can save for things more important to them, the ability to entertain without all the hassle of cleaning up after (or before), and so on.
Supplies
You will need your own cleaning supplies. You want products you enjoy working with and frankly, many people who need cleaning services do not have a well-stocked cleaning supply closet.
Do some research to make sure you are up to date on cleaning knowledge and products. Browse books and websites to fill in any gaps in your own knowledge about stuff like spot removal, mopping products, polishing brass, cleaning a refrigerator, and so on. A good cleaning reference book is a great idea.
I also recommend creating a checklist. The checklist works as a to-do list for you or anyone you hire to use as they clean, and it also serves as a communication tool between you and the client. Leaving the completed checklist with the client is sort of an inspection seal that all was done as promised, and a great marketing tool, too.
Business License and Insurance:
Business License requirements vary by location, so check with your local government, and read Business License for more info.
Insurance/Bonding: Check with your lawyer or insurance agent about what you need to protect yourself, your assets and your customers. Don’t be afraid to shop around to get the best protection for your money and always ask if the offer they make is the best they can do.
You can start a cleaning business in just a matter of days if you are already a cleaning whiz, and be profitable almost immediately. This business has fairly low overhead and start-up costs which makes it a great one to sample for new entrepreneurs.
Free Business Cards:
Recommended Start-up Book:
