HOW TO START A CLEANING COMPANY IN 7 EASY STEPS
Cleaning companies are often a great option for new entrepreneurs entering the market, as there is not as much risk involved when it comes to getting the business off the ground. This means that they can be started with low start-up costs, at least compared to other companies in other sectors. This allows you to get started faster (and get paid faster) than other industries.
If you want to become an entrepreneur but don't have a lot of capital, the cleaning industry might interest you. One of the best parts of having a cleaning company is that you have the freedom to work on your own or with a small team of employees. And this means relatively low overhead and operating costs.
In fact, usually what you'll need to start a cleaning business is a bit of hard work, initiative, and knowledge when it comes to marketing and licensing. Of course, as with any business, there are certain steps that you must follow to start this business path.
How to start a cleaning company step by step
We share our guide with 7 easy steps to open a cleaning company.
1. Find out if you are a good candidate for a cleaning company
The first step is to find out if you are a good fit for this industry. While most people handle cleaning tasks in their own homes, that doesn't mean their methods and results would be up to customer standards.
So how do you know if it would be a good fit for you?
An easy way is to offer your services for free to a couple of family members or close friends. Ask about all the services you intend to offer your customers in exchange for brutally honest opinions and feedback.
If they are extremely satisfied with the cleanliness, this is a good indication of what the cleaning industry is for you. If they are not happy with your work, you know that a cleaning business might not be the best option. But don't be discouraged, there are still plenty of profitable industries to choose from.
2. Decide the structure of your company
Do you plan to do all the cleaning yourself?
Would you rather be the owner of the company and hire workers to do the cleaning?
Are you starting the business from scratch or would you rather buy a franchise?
These are all the questions you will need to answer before proceeding with this guide. The answer to each of those questions will largely determine how you proceed with the next steps.
In addition, you will have to decide the legal structure of your company, will it be a sole proprietorship or an LLC?
3. Establish what makes you unique
Your potential customers are likely to have a lot of options when it comes to choosing a cleaning company. That is why it is extremely important that you decide what differentiates you from your competition. When you decide what your value proposition or specialty will be, you can start looking for potential customers.
Do you charge cheaper than the competition?
Does it provide better services, and if so, how can you prove it?
Are the products you use more environmentally friendly than the competition?
Do you offer extra services, such as washing windows, the interior of ovens, etc., that your competitors do not?
Establishing what makes you unique is crucial in any business, but especially for a cleaning company.
4. Decide your prices
You need to do your research on how much you will charge for your services in your area. A good way to do this is to find out what the competition is charging and then lower those prices slightly.
Since you will be a new business in the market, it is a good idea to offer a more affordable price than your competitors but without offering a lower quality of service. This is one way to show potential customers that you are a better choice.
5. Find out what licenses you will need
When opening any business, certain licenses are needed to operate. It is important that you research what specific licenses are required in your area for a cleaning company.
Each state has its own rules and regulations when it comes to licenses. It will depend on that if you need a commercial cleaning or regular license, and a bond.
6. Develop a plan to acquire customers
In addition to calculating your prices and your unique value proposition, you will need to decide how you are going to acquire customers, that is, an extensive marketing and advertising plan.
However, this does not mean that you will have to spend a lot of money. Thanks to technology, you can reach a large number of potential customers through social media without spending a lot of money.
Regardless of which social network you decide to use to attract new customers, it is important that you have a strong and aggressive marketing and advertising plan.
