The cleaning industry is ideal for ambitious people who want to own their businesses but have a little start-up capital, and maid services are especially lucrative. Although the business is not glamorous and involves hard work, it can be the key to a very comfortable lifestyle.
Getting started is simple compared to many other industries, but there are critical steps involved. A would-be business owner should decide on a niche market, name the company, and get licensed and insured. They need to develop a pricing schedule and then market the business to the target clientele.
Choose a Cleaning Specialty
One of the biggest benefits of starting a cleaning business is the wide variety of available options. A budding entrepreneur can choose residential or commercial work and start either a full or part-time company. There are very few restrictions on business locations. Many successful maid services are based in owners’ homes. A new company can be a one-person service or involve employees. Owners may want to choose a target customer base as well.
For example, some businesses cater to a few select clients, while others take on many projects. Some new owners invest in software like Launch27, making it easier to grow their companies by streamlining scheduling and payment processing.
Name and License the Business
The first steps in launching a startup are naming it, getting licensed, and buying insurance. Before doing anything, a new owner should write down a value statement that defines the company and what it offers customers. Per Jobber Academy, it is important to identify what sets the business apart from the competition.
For instance, a startup might focus on green products, feature highly-trained, certified employees, or offer very competitive prices. The company name should be simple to spell and pronounce.
It might also include the owner’s values. For instance, an eco-friendly service may use the words “clean” and “green.” It is also essential to ensure the name is available. Next, owners need to get the appropriate local licenses and then buy insurance. It is risky to clean other people’s property without insurance because paying for one accident could cost enough to shut a company down.
Decide on a Pricing Policy
Settling on pricing can be a trial-and-error process that often takes new owners a while. Some niche cleaning markets command more money than others and demand ebbs and flows. For example, Forbes reports an increased demand for deep cleaning from residential and business clients who worry about keeping spaces disinfected and safe from the coronavirus. The market for deep cleaning is projected to continue, which means clients will likely pay well for the service.
It can take a few hits and misses to become good at estimating jobs. If bids are too high, customers go with another business, and if they are too low, owners may not make a profit. But with experience, the process gets easier and more accurate.
Build a Company Brand
Marketing is crucial to a new business, so owners need to get the word out as soon as possible. Ideally, their service area will be densely populated with potential clients. A shoestring startup with no advertising budget can still market its business by reaching out to friends, neighbors, local organizations, and churches. If a company builds a reputation for quality, honesty, and fair pricing, the customer base will begin to grow.
Owners who choose to maintain small businesses may continue to rely on word-of-mouth, but those who want to grow firms need resources like printed materials and social media to help them expand. It is possible to start a profitable cleaning company with little money or equipment.
Getting started can be as easy as choosing a niche market and name and then getting licensed and insured. Owners must also learn how to price their services. Finally, growing businesses must have marketing plans.
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