How to Start a Business in Housekeeping

Some people have a real knack for housecleaning and love to do it. Others hate it and would love to find someone--and pay for someone--to do it for them. Many women work full-time jobs and could easily be convinced to give housecleaning chores to another person to do for a fair price. Starting your own housekeeping business could be an answer to prayer for you as well as for the clients you are sure to find.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car Proper licensing or registration Business flyers

1. Research what the legalities are for your business by calling your city hall. The staff can usually direct you to any state departments you may need to be in contact with. It is always important to keep good records of who you talked to, when you talked to them and what was said. You need to be in compliance with any regulations regarding chemicals, taxation, employment and business laws. Once these matters are undertaken, you can begin attracting clients.

2. Determine what you are going to charge people; will you work at an hourly rate or by the job? Remember that you are a valuable resource to your clients, but you must keep costs low enough to get clients.

3. Distribute flyers or brochures on bulletin boards around your city; be sure to ask permission when needed. Grocery stores, laundromats, restaurants, coffee shops, public buildings--anywhere where workers are likely to see your flyers are where you should concentrate your efforts. Leave a flyer in your shopping cart for others to see, as well as with your tip when dining out.
   
   You may want to consider having magnetic signs made up for your car with your business name and contact information on it. Don't forget that your mileage is a business expense--keep track of it!

4. Offer specials to get clients. You could offer a "spring cleaning" or "back to school" special. Consider marketing your business by calling homes from the telephone directory. If you get an answering machine it might just mean a busy family lives there and needs your cleaning services--have a special message prepared for these occasions.

5. 
    

   Be professional at all times. Be prompt and do an unexpected little extra for your clients, such as leaving the toilet paper folded in that special "V" that hotels do, or take a few minutes to organize an untidy cabinet. Always exceed expectations and you'll leave a positive impression.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be hesitant to collect the money due to you for your services. Make sure that the client is happy with your services before you leave and have no faults with your work. If you are leaving an invoice, make sure it plainly states your terms--and leave a referral card for them to use. Don't give away your services! Giving away your services gives the impression that your not a good business person--give a discount instead. Give 110 percent to your work. If you expect to get repeat business your work really has to shine! Don't cut corners when cleaning for your livelihood.
• Always make sure you have proper insurance coverage and that you are "bonded," which protects you from accusations of theft.

[rickwalker99]

on 10/7/2009 For more info on House Keeping... Please visit the following link:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4811623_start-business-housekeeping.html

[rickwalker99]

on 10/7/2009 Green Housekeeping

GreenEfficient's LEED certified green housekeeping services are exactly what your LEED facility needs to meet innovation or O&M credits. Our green janitorial service promotes amazingly good IAQ (indoor air quality), and therefore occupant health. We are able to maximize paper, plastic and metal recycling iniatitives while reducing water & electricity consumption through proven techniques. These services meet or exceed LEED specifications and and are managed by a GreenEfficient staff LEED-AP.