-
Step 1
Start small. You can begin a janitorial service with yourself as your first employee using cleaning equipment you already have. You will need to invest in a great vacuum, a mop and some rags. You can hit the thrift store for old t-shirts for dusting and towels for heavy duty cleaning. You can purchase cleaning liquids or you can go green, relying on basics like vinegar and water solutions to tackle almost any cleaning problem. Look online for endless recipes for do-it-yourself cleaning products.
-
Step 2
Insure your business. Obtain several quotes for janitorial service insurance and bonding. This is an absolute must-have. Select a solid policy that will protect both you and your customers—and eventually your employees—in the event of a mishap.
-
Step 3
Focus on free advertising. Craigslist (www.craigslist.com) and other free advertising sources are invaluable when starting out. Spend some time creating a few professional-looking template advertisements for your janitorial service and post them on various websites regularly. Make sure there are no spelling or grammatical errors.
-
Step 4
Invest a little in website and email hosting for your janitorial service. You can obtain a very basic website and related email addresses for very little money. It will be a worthwhile investment.
-
Step 5
Limit your janitorial service area. When first starting out, select one area to focus on, since driving back and forth across the county will cost you both time and money. For example, you could start your janitorial service within a 10-mile radius of your home. Offer deep discounts to get started. Offer a new customer rate that will get you in the door and then do such an amazing job, the client would be remiss not to use your weekly services.
-
Step 6
Begin hiring assistants. Always accept new clients, unless there is a good reason not to. If you are tempted to turn down a new client because you are too busy, it’s time to start hiring assistants. Congratulations, your janitorial service business is growing!
