Open a Cleaning Service

                         

Growing Fast - Earning Big!

Examine business growth rates over past years - and, without

doubt there is one easy opportunity that ranks with the most

profitable.  A business that is unusually simple to start and

succeed in.  Yet, a service that can grow into a considerable

operation.  All from almost nothing!

That business comprises a huge and vital industry.  Offering

a service that is more and more in demand.  Quite simply -

it's cleaning.

Cleaning is a truly unique opportunity - In that almost

anyone can start such a service.  You already have the

know-how to clean!  Yet, for such an accessible opportunity

there is scope to build a really big business.  You could

start now and be very successful, very quick!

And - cleaning is no longer the lowly, poor paid venture it

once was.  It's really quite a futuristic, high technology

business.  Quite respected - and in many cases, very highly

paid.

If you thought cleaning wasn't the right sort of opportunity

for you - think again! It may well be the right sort of

opportunity for your bank account!

A No Capital Start?

In some circumstances it would be possible to start in the

cleaning industry with virtually no capital! You need no

special training, and often there's no equipment to buy. 

Either way, you will do best by setting up properly -

cleaning is simple, but never underestimate any business!

Cleaning is ideal for an owner-operator business, or a

partnership.  You can succeed full or part time.  Never

forget though that it is a business - and you must organise

in a business like way.  Use proper records and consult

business exports as necessary.

A trading name looks good.  It is not necessary to register

this - just declare your own name on business documents, etc.

One way of approaching cleaning is to do all the work

yourself.  Ideal for a low cost start up - but does restrict

your earnings.  Progressive cleaners just concentrate on

getting the work themselves.  Then, employ (usually part

time) staff on a modest hourly rate.  This allows you to

build an enormous business!

Decide from the start what types of cleaning you will offer

(see later).  Then, organise your resources to provide the

service.  The next important step is to advertise your

service.

Use every established and original advertising technique you

can think of.  Press advertising is a must.  Leaflets can be

good in some situations.  Mailshots to potential customers

can grab big contracts.  And, a really great way to get

business is to telephone or visit potential customers.  This

increases your 'sales' rate considerably.

Throughout all advertising/negotiations project yourself as a

professional, competent and careful business.  People want to

employ thorough cleaners.  In line with this it is usually

better to charge high prices for a good job, rather than low

prices for a budget one.  Earnings could be in the region of

œ20-œ30 per hour, depending on the service.  It's up to you.

When getting work it is best to aim for contract cleaning.

Where you provide your service on a regular daily, weekly or

monthly basis.  Obviously more lucrative than one off work. 

Despite the name it is usually not necessary to sign a

contract for most customers.

If you give considerable effort to selling at the start,

things will be much easier later on.  You only need a handful

of regular jobs to produce a regular income.  If you employ

staff to do the 'hard' work you'll have the ideal 'absentee

owner' business.

Contrary to what you might think, cleaning is quite a

sophisticated, although easy to start, operation.  There's

only so much theory though!  Following, you'll find

suggestions for services you can offer.  Either offer these

individually - or together for a really big business:

Daily Office Cleaning

One of the most popular services.  Some competition but good

demand for an efficient, confidential and 'low profile'

service.  Cleaning is easy, mostly comprising dusting,

vacuuming and the like!  Customer provides equipment.

Approach all possible office customers in your area.  Local

councils/authorities may also put such services out to

contract.  Offer to do the work on a regular e.g. daily or

2/3 times weekly basis.  Employ part time staff mornings or

evenings to do the work.

Home Cleaning

A little exploited area, offering considerable scope for

future growth.  More and more people need a few hours daily

help with household duties.  But, it is very difficult for

them to find good staff independently.

One good idea is to employ full time household helps - then

divide their time between many household customers.  This

solves the staff problem, and still leaves you a considerable

profit margin!

Specialised Cleaning

In the cleaning industry there are forms of specialised

cleaning that most firms don't undertake.  So you can corner

the market in these specialised areas.  Often no experience

is needed.

One major area of 'spec.' cleaning is kitchen cleaning, in

restaurants, hotels, etc.  Washroom cleaning/servicing is

another area.  Cleaning services to specific industries, e.g.

food, processing, computers, electronics, chemicals,

cosmetics, are also possibilities, where you will find little

headquarters.  In many cases the customers will train you to

the standard required.

Special/Initial Cleaning

Here you offer a year round 'spring' clean service to homes

and business customers.  Special cleans are undertaken on a

one off basis to give a cleaning 'facelift' to the customers

premises.  Initial cleans are needed prior to occupation of

newly built buildings.

Both these services can provide very big jobs for very big

incomes - Cleaning everything in sight.  Ideal for making use

of part time or temporary staff.  As with types of cleaning

already mentioned get customer to provide equipment and

materials needed if you don't want to buy.

Floor Cleaning

Commercial premises have vast areas of solid (e.g.  tiled or

lino) floors.  It all needs regular cleaning and there's a

huge sub-industry set up to do this.  All that is needed is a

special cleaning/polishing machine - can be hired if purchase

prices are too high.

Window Cleaning

This is not the lowly paid activity you might think if

properly organised.  Most areas are short of good, reliable

cleaners.  Your only requirements? - a bucket, cloth and

ladder!

Domestic windows offer good potential - offer to clean inside

and out for extra profit.  Commercial windows offer lower

prices, but huge jobs and regular work.  Look out for council

contracts etc.

Acoustic Ceilings

One of the very latest cleaning opportunities - cleaning

millions of square yards of acoustic 'suspended' ceilings in

commercial premises.  They can only be cleaned with a special

machine spraying a suitable chemical which causes the dirt to

drop from ceilings.

Although equipment is required this is quite a new, exclusive

service that the newcomer can dominate in their areas. 

Consult specialist suppliers for equipment.

Pressure Washing

A high pressure washer delivers a powerful jet of water to

clean many things - from vehicles to builders plant - and

farms to buildings.  Equipment is expensive (but could

lease/hire) so there is much demand for a mobile service.

Industrial Cleaning

Cleaning of factories, industrial machinery is a possible

'big business' service.  A pressure washer would be a

valuable tool here.

Car Valeting

Cleaning of new and used cars is potentially big business

with millions on the road.  Equipment not always necessary

and could offer a mobile service.  Offer to the public - or

get motor trade contracts.  Can employ unskilled staff at

modest rates - but charges can be œ40-œ60 a car!

Carpet/Upholstery Cleaning

A proven money maker cleaning these items for homes and

businesses.  Ideal owner operator concern with very high

charges.  Special equipment is required.  Some competition,

so operate at the 'quality' end of the market to do best.

Exterior Cleaning

Contract cleaning of outside areas e.g. shopping centres, car

parks, office/factory grounds is a reasonably new opportunity

offering potential for all to start.  Comprises mainly litter

collection and sweeping - but the new type tractor mounted

'jumbo' vacuum cleaners are set to revolutionise the service!

Definitely one of those services that could be tomorrows big

business success!

To Conclude

You may well discover many more cleaning opportunities,

because new services are being invented all the time!  Most

of them quickly become 'essential' - something people want. 

Good selling/organisation can get you started.

Cleaning is a humble enough opportunity for you to start and

succeed in.  But, the takings can be those of a much more

impressive concern.