How to Start a Part Time Office Cleaning Business
For the entrepreneur looking for a part-time start-up business, an office cleaning service has much to offer. Most offices expect the cleaning service to do their work after business hours, which gives flexibility to the small business owner looking for part-time work. The start-up costs are relatively small, typically limited to basic supplies, bonding and insurance. Once the business gets started, word-of-mouth can be an entrepreneur's best friend and the business growth can be as slow or quick as desired.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Cleaning equipment
- Cleaning supplies
- Vehicle
- Surety bond and insurance
- License
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1
Purchase the cleaning equipment and supplies that you need to clean offices. Purchase vacuums, all-purpose cleaners, mops and buckets, personal protective equipment, toilet brushes, sponges and garbage bags. Make sure you also have a vehicle available to travel to the offices and deliver cleaning supplies as necessary.
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2
Get bonded and insured. Demonstrate your credibility and protect your future clients by securing a bond from a bonding company. Provide the bonding company with your personal information, submit financial information and give them permission to check your credit rating.
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3
Find out whether your locality requires you to have a business license for a part-time office cleaning job. If they do, fill out the appropriate applications and secure a license.
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4
Hire employees as necessary to help you meet business demand. Interview these employees carefully as you need to hire people who can work autonomously and who are scrupulously honest, as they will be in your client's offices when it is closed and will often work with little or no supervision.
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5
Prepare a brochure marketing your office cleaning services. Calculate a price sheet to include in the brochure when you meet with clients. Set your prices according to square footage, the number of offices or as hourly wages.
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6
Pitch your business to office managers through personal sales calls, referrals, phone calls and email contacts. Consider offering a promotion such as a one-time free cleaning so that the potential client can evaluate your work.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Consider specializing in particular types of cleaning such as medical offices, carpet cleaning or window washing. This allows you to keep your business part-time and focused.
Create your headquarters at home to keep start-up expenses low.
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