How to Start a Cleaning Business in 2022: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

How to Start a Cleaning Business in 2022: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide

 

Starting a cleaning business can be an inexpensive way to become a successful entrepreneur. There will always be homes that need cleaning, and it's a job that people are eager for.

 

Want to own a cleaning business but don't know where to start? You just need the right strategies and the right checklist.

 

 

 

Cleaning service is an affordable and potentially lucrative option for those looking to start a business.

 

 

 

Follow this guide on how to start your own cleaning business. It will be very beneficial to you.

 

Why start a cleaning business?

 

A clean environment is essential for a healthy life, whether at home, in the office, in industry and in public places, no one can deny the benefits of a clean environment.

 

Everyone loves that clean, put-together feeling. But not everyone has the time to devote to the process it takes to make it happen and that is why there are cleaning industries.

 

 

 

Research on the cleaning industry reports that there were over 875,000 documented cleaning companies with over 2015 million employees in the United States in 2015, and since then the number has only grown.

 

By starting a cleaning business, you tap into a huge market with a plentiful customer base. There will always be a demand for cleaning services, allowing you to stay in business and keep every client's home spotless.

 

Below are many reasons why a cleaning business is worth starting.

 

Stable Market:  Commercial cleaning offers a stable market with consistent demand.

Repeat the deal:  Cleaning is an ongoing service business. There is always a need to clean up which brings you a consistent business as well as a stable and regular income.

Does not require formal education: You or your employees do not have to invest in expensive training or recruitment costs.

Low overhead:  Apart from cleaning supplies and other essentials, you can start a commercial cleaning franchise with little capital. You invest in tools and equipment as your business grows.

Work from home : You don't necessarily need an office, workshop or warehouse. you can run your business from the comfort of your own home.

Be your own boss : Starting your own business means you will be working for yourself. You have full control of your schedule and expenses. You pick and choose the jobs you want to do.

Flexible working : Being self-employed means you can work when it suits you best, whether that's 7 days a week or mornings only.

No experience required : Starting a cleaning business does not require any specific qualifications or certificates. All you need is hard work, determination, and a desire to do well.

Exploring these benefits and knowing the reasons why you want to start your own cleaning business will help you stay motivated, even if you encounter obstacles along the way. This motivation will make it easier for you to overcome setbacks and move your cleaning business towards success.

 

How to Start a Cleaning Business - Step by Step Guide

 

Below is a complete guide on how to start a cleaning business from scratch.

 

Choose a niche

Do your research

Choose a name

Obtain a license

Join professional associations

Create a business plan

Prepare your equipment

Create an online or social media presence

#1. Choose a niche

 

The essence of planning is determining the type of cleaning service you want to provide. The cleaning services industry is vast. So think about your abilities and create a niche for yourself, as you grow you may decide to expand.

 

Here are some types of cleaning services you can consider:

 

Residential cleaning service

laundry

Rug/Carpet Cleaning Services

Pool cleaning services

car wash

Residential cleaning services

 

This is the most common type of cleaning service that pays well. With the surge in corporate job applications these days, many people are outsourcing house cleaning, cooking, laundry, and other household chores. This shows that there is a market for cleaning services.

 

You can render your service on a daily, weekly or monthly basis depending on your clients. This involves general household chores and tidying up the entire environment and may include: dusting, cleaning surfaces, washing toilets, mopping, disinfecting, polishing, vacuuming the whole house , etc

 

laundry

 

The laundry business is the most demanded cleaning service today and it is very lucrative. People want to wear clean and well-ironed clothes, but don't have enough time to wash and iron them.

 

Unlike other cleaning businesses, laundry services require a high level of professionalism and may require quite a bit of capital due to the expensive equipment required.

 

 

 

To be successful in this type of cleaning business, some of the equipment you need to acquire include: washing machine, iron, ironing board, clothes hanger, bucket, etc.

 

Carpet/carpet cleaning

 

Carpet cleaning is hard to start. It's not like other types of cleaning services. it requires expertise and equipment like a heated carpet extraction machine and you need to apply certain tactics to stand out from the competition.

 

Carpet cleaning involves thorough cleaning, deodorizing and disinfecting of carpets in commercial and residential buildings.

 

Pool cleaning

 

This is another specialized type of cleaning that requires experience and high start-up capital. With the increase in home swimming pools, specializing in pool cleaning is a good business to venture into.

 

Your services will be tailored around hotels, leisure centers, schools and residences, etc. Some of the pool equipments are robot cleaner, pressure cleaner, suction cleaner, etc.

 

car wash

 

Car wash service is a very lucrative business to venture into. With millions of cars circulating on the roads daily, you can be assured that hundreds of cars regularly visit car wash centers.

 

Venturing into the car wash business will bring a constant and stable income, especially during the rainy seasons.

 

 

 

A strategic location is very important for this kind of business. Additionally, you need to be professional and trustworthy to gain the trust of your customers.

 

#2. Do your research

 

Another important step to take when starting a cleaning business is market research. This involves doing a quick survey to find out the selling points of other cleaning companies in your community.

 

While doing your market research, find out the going rate for housekeeping services in your area. This will give you an idea of ​​what your charge rate should look like.

 

Also, research your competitors. This way, you can find out where their strength lies and develop strategies that will help you perform at your best.

 

#3. Choose a name

 

When choosing a name for your business, think of something that sounds both professional and catchy. Make it both unique and search engine friendly so your business comes up when people search for the services you provide.

 

Check if the name you have chosen will make a good web domain name. Make sure it's available.

Make sure the name you choose has not already been registered as a business.

Design a logo to go with your name. Make it look modern and sleek because you'll want to print it on business cards, use it on your website, and use it in other promotional materials.

 #4. Obtain a license

 

A professional cleaning service will need a state license to operate effectively. Check your state's Department of Commerce website for information and forms.

 

Another consideration is insurance to protect you in the event an expensive decorative item is damaged or broken at a customer's location. Customers will be reassured if you tell them that you are both licensed and insured.

 

 

 

You may also need to change your car policy for businesses if you plan to shuttle other cleaners to their job sites.

 

#5. Join Professional Associations

 

Joining professional organizations will give you a chance to network - you never know where a business leader will come from. It is therefore necessary to be open to the exchange of services with other professionals.

 

You can clean up the local print shop in exchange for discounted or free flyers. You can also benefit from reduced insurance rates by being part of one of these organizations.

 

#6. Create a business plan

 

To get proper guidance at every stage of starting and running your cleaning business, you need a business plan. It is a written description of the future of your business. it contains your business purpose and tells what to do and how you plan to do it.

 

Cleaning services offer great potential, whether you want to work in private homes or on a commercial level. Starting a cleaning business is like starting any small business; you'll need a solid business plan and a good marketing strategy to help you succeed.

 

#7. Get your gear ready

 

Your choice of the right cleaning equipment makes the difference in the overall effectiveness and efficiency of your cleaning. Make sure you have the right safety gear to protect you and any employees you may hire while on the job.

 

If your budget is low, you can rent gear for the first few weeks so you have a chance to make sure it's up to your standards before you make a purchase.

 

 

 

Depending on the services you offer, you will need to purchase the following equipment:

 

Broom

mops

Napkins/hand towels

Toilet brush/toilet bowl cleaner

Bucket Bag

Sponges

Vacuum

Brush

Gloves and protective mask

Drinking extractors

Biodegradable chemicals

office van

Garbage bags

Detergent/cleaner

Wet floor signs

door signs

Disinfectant

Furniture varnish

Ladder

#8. Create an online or social media presence

 

Creating an online presence that highlights the type of services you offer is one of the best ways to attract potential customers in today's world.

 

Social media can play a huge role in overcoming this industry problem by giving you a way to highlight the good that your business is doing. Remember that social media reviews are the new word of mouth.

 

How to Get Clients for a Cleaning Service Business

 

Even if your cleaning business has a dedicated advertising budget, promoting it in other ways is still helpful. Try to get additional exposure by:

 

Market your business online

 

Whether you've just started a cleaning business or you've been around for decades, building a digital presence is key to reaching new customers.

 

It's relatively easy to build a simple website with inexpensive tools like WordPress or Wix, and some plans include features for creating company logos, analyzing visitor behavior, and buying online ads.

 

If your budget allows, you can also pay a professional developer to create a website and optimize it for search engine rankings.

 

Social networks are excellent platforms to promote a business, so you should at least create a Facebook page. Creating a Facebook business page is free, and advertising tools let you target businesses and consumers by location, age, profession, and other criteria.

If you don't feel comfortable managing your online presence, tech companies or employees may be willing to trade digital labor for cleaning services.

 

Online reviews

 

If you want your cleaning business to stand out online, the best way to get as many reviews as possible is online.

 

Online reviews are great for building your authority and getting noticed in the area. They also make your business more professional in the eyes of the public.

 

Yelp can be a useful platform to help cleaning businesses grow their customer base, but you'll need to respond diligently to customer reviews to maximize your social media efforts.

 

Recurring jobs

 

Many successful cleaning business owners will agree that the real art of growing your cleaning business is recurring jobs. Selling your cleaning services in advance can help you build a strong cash flow and always know there will be work.

 

You can 'prevent' your customers from becoming repeat customers by sending them emails, text messages or offering them an irresistible discount if they plan to use your service for 3 months, 6 months or 1 year in a row . Only then will they not see your services as a one-time job. There is software that can help you organize all of this.

 

Ask for customer references

 

After each completed job, you can ask your prospects for referrals. If you don't want to be too aggressive with this method, you can use cleaning service software, such as Genio, where your customers can log in through a simple link and recommend your business.

 

Networking with related businesses

 

Networking with cleaning companies that are not direct competitors is another way to find new customers.

 

For example, if you run a carpet cleaning business, meet the window cleaners in the communities where you work. Other small businesses often recommend service providers they are comfortable with, and you can do them a favor by referring them to your existing customers.

 

Participating in local events can also help you build business relationships in your community. You can offer your cleaning services for free to a charity or non-profit organization to give back to the community and generate positive publicity.

 

Disadvantages of Starting a Cleaning Business

 

Clean-up activities are very lucrative, but they also come with challenges. Here are a few things to know before you start:

 

It's hard physical work : Cleaning is not for the faint-hearted. It's very physical work that involves repetitive motions, carrying heavy supplies, reaching high shelves and crawling on your knees to reach corners.

Income might be slow : You might not make a lot of money in the first few months (or even years) of starting your business.

It's highly competitive : Cleaning is such a lucrative market that start-ups are popping up left, right, and center. You'll need to keep your head down, stay ahead of your competition, and stay focused on achieving success.

It's stressful : Managing work schedules, employee salaries, legal compliance and advertising, and the actual cleaning can take their toll when you do it all yourself. Be sure to factor in some downtime.

Jobs can take longer than you think : It's so important that you get the timing right and leave plenty of time to complete the jobs. If people have a very messy house, then what you think will take you 1 hour may take you 2 hours or more!

Cleaning company stories

 

What's stopping you from starting a cleaning business? Do you have doubts about your ability to run the business and be successful in it? Well, you'll never know if you don't try.

 

Many cleaning business owners have become successful cleaning business owners with little or no experience or funds.

 

If you're still unsure if you want to start your own cleaning business, here's a compilation of stories from 3 successful cleaning business owners and how they became successful.

 

Mitchell Spitzer

 

Mitchell Spitzer started his cleaning business from the trunk of his car and now has a multi-million dollar business on his hands. Today, it has five MaidPro offices and more than 100 employees.

 

It all started when she lost her job at an insurance company in Illinois. She had to return home to Naples and start university. His cleaning business idea was born as a way to earn extra money while studying.

 

Initially, she did the housework herself. As her client base grows, she gradually begins to hire a few people. "It wasn't glamorous at first," she says. There was a case where none of his employees showed up for work because they had all gone to the same event the night before. She had to ask her family members to replace them. She had a support system, which is a good thing, especially as a start-up.

 

Speaking of overcoming the challenges, she says, “You just have to face the challenges, overcome the obstacles and do whatever it takes to get the job done. »

 

After a few years she had a much larger team and started working in her garage. That's when she learned that MaidPro was looking for franchise owners. Once again, she got into it. Making this decision came with the benefits of a company car and an office. Now it has more offices and employees. Almost twenty years after starting her cleaning business, she is still looking for opportunities to expand. She's not afraid to go for it because she's not afraid to take risks and make mistakes. Source: cleaningbusinessboss.com

 

molly maid

 

Molly Maid is one of the most iconic cleaning company brands, recognizable by its iconic pink and blue branding.

 

Their story began in Ontario, Canada, in 1979 with Chris and Adrienne Stringer. The Stringers believed that busy homeowners would much rather spend their free time doing much more enjoyable activities than cleaning – and the Molly Maid brand was born.

 

Since 1979, the company has grown into an international franchise and performs over 2 million cleanings each year worldwide. Source- highspeedtraining.co.uk

 

adam johnson

 

Adams Johnson, owner of TurnClean Services LLC, shares how he lost his job and had to find a way to support his family. His cleaning business made a profit of $100,000 in the third year.

 

After staying home for six months and being broke, his friend who owns a property management business suggested he start a cleaning business. The idea was laughable because he knew nothing about cleaning or running a cleaning business. He says that after being turned down for jobs he applied for, time and time again, having a cleaning business didn't seem like such a bad idea anymore.

 

He started by cleaning out two vacant houses run by his friend. At the end of that day, he had won $500. That's when he decided to start his own cleaning business.

 

He says he is still learning a lot from his business. In his words, with a ton of hard work, he survived the first treacherous 3 years of being an entrepreneur. Each year, its turnover has continued to increase.

 

He says that although he started his cleaning business because he had no choice, looking back, there is nothing else he would rather do. For Adams Johnson, losing his job became a blessing that opened him up to becoming his own boss and being financially independent.

 

Conclusion

 

The cleaning business is one of the most profitable businesses that's easy to start. In fact , it is listed among 35 sure ways to earn $200 a day.

 

Although very competitive, it requires little capital to start. As long as you can distinguish yourself from your competitors with quality services, innovative ideas, marketing skills, credible business structure, specified niche, good public reputation, etc., you are well on your way to winning. the money.

 

Reference

 

entrepreneurs.fr – Step by step plan on how to start a cleaning services business

wikihow.com – How to Start a Cleaning Business

cleaningbusinessboss.com – Stories of successful cleaning businesses

sba.gov – Write your business plan

highspeedtraining.co.uk – Why start a cleaning business?

thebalancesmb.com – 5 Reasons to Start a Commercial Cleaning Business from Home

insights.workwave.com – How to Start a Cleaning Business: A Guide in 8 Simple Steps

academy.getjobber.com – How to start a cleaning business with no money