How to Start a House Cleaning Company

Many busy single people and families alike need help keeping their homes and small businesses clean. As a result, there's always a market for a good house cleaning company to service residential and small commercial properties. The great thing is you don't need much money to get a house cleaning service started.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum cleaner
• Broom
• Cleaning supplies
• Insurance
• References

Instructions

1. Create a working business plan to help you define your market. Decide whether it will include residential or commercial customers or both. A business plan will also help you create projections and goals for making money throughout the year. Be concise, specific and detailed in all aspects of your business plan (see Resources).

2. Determine the various house cleaning services you will provide. Make a list that can later be placed in an advertising brochure and on your website. The more you offer, the better your chances of being asked to service a home or small business.

3. Get insurance for yourself and any workers you employ. No one is likely to hire someone who doesn't have insurance. Insurance will cover any injuries to self or property while working in someone's home or business. Shop around and be sure you understand the cost of deductibles and read the small print.

4. Run background checks on all your employees. You don't want to hire a thief or someone with a police record, nor do your clients want criminals scoping out their homes while cleaning them. Be sure to hire people with experience, references and a good work history. Determine if you will hire people to work as independent contractors for you or if you will hire them as employees of your company.

5. Procure the basic supplies you'll need to run a cleaning service, such as a vacuum cleaner, a broom and cleaning supplies and products. Your list of products and equipment can be as simple or as elaborate as your scope of services. Ensure all your employees have the right working equipment and are correctly trained to follow your directions and any special recommendations provided by the client. Buy your cleaning supplies at local cleaning supply stores, online or through various manufacturers (see Resources). Consider using the safest products on the market. These might include environmentally friendly (green) cleaning supplies that are organic. Comparison shop before buying. If you do use organic supplies, be sure to promote that in all your literature. Use special HEPA filters in your vacuum cleaners as they remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles. Consider having all employees wear dust masks for their own protection. Also, make sure you check federal and state regulations concerning cleaning products (see Resources).

6. Advertise in your local newspaper, Craigslist, the "Thrifty Nickle" and other publications and online sources. If you have a website, add the link and invite potential customers to download a 10-percent-off coupon or some other incentive. Reward your faithful customers who give you referrals with special discounts. Word of mouth advertising remains a top form of marketing for small companies, especially house cleaning services.

Resources

• How to Start a House Cleaning Business
• How to Write a Business Plan
• Environmentally Preferable Cleaning Products
• Wholesale Janitorial Supplies
• Organic and other Wholesale Cleaning Supplies