How to Start a Cleaning Business in a Foreclosure Market

Foreclosure cleaning can be lucrative.

The foreclosure market provides cleaning companies with potentially lucrative business opportunities. Banks, mortgage companies and real estate firms rely on getting properties cleaned so they can put homes and commercial properties back on the market. Starting a business takes planning, cleaning expertise, equipment and advertising. Explore low-cost means to advertise and build a name and reputation in your area for providing dependable and affordable services.

Things You'll Need

• Business license
• Advertising materials
• Before and after pictures
• Website
• Database of prospects

Instructions

1. Contact companies that would give you "full service" capabilities. Look for companies that specialize in providing dumpsters, changing locks, adding security systems, pressure washing, cutting grass or general repairs and improvements. Structure your pricing relationship. Partner for referrals on jobs.

2. Take before and after pictures. Demonstrate your services by including pictures that show the condition of homes or commercial properties before and after you cleaned. Write a brief description of what the job required and what you did to make the property "open house ready" for real estate agents and potential buyers.

3. Launch your business with introductory pricing deals. Devise packages based on the number of rooms and adding carpet cleaning, for example. Provide special discounts for servicing multiple homes or retaining services on an ongoing basis.

4. Produce business cards and brochures. Get a graphic designer to design your print materials. Use your before and after pictures to showcase your capabilities. List services like cleaning carpets, hardwood floors, tubs, tiles and ovens.

5. Develop a website. This is important to have so that you can direct prospects to your website to see your services, capture their contact information, and have a means to communicate new services that you add as your business grows. Use your graphic designer to create the site.

6. Develop a database. Go through the yellow pages to gather names of banks, mortgage companies and real estate agents. Visit websites to get names and email addresses. Use all of the information to develop a database of businesses to prospect. Conduct an email marketing campaign by using email addresses in your database to send short letters promoting the business. Describe your services, add pictures and promote special rates for new customers.

7. Follow-up on your email campaign by taking a week to contact everyone on your prospect list. Prepare a short script that focuses on your services and special offers. Ask about their needs and how you can get listed as a resource. Explore being listed with referral companies. They can generate strong leads, provide feedback, and are often a "first stop" for companies that need cleaning services for foreclosed properties.

References

• Foreclosurecleanupbusiness: Foreclosure Cleanup Business
• Foreclosurecleanupinfo: Why Set Up Your Own Business?
• Workathomebusinessopportunities: Foreclosure Cleaning Business Boom
• Startaforeclosurecleanupbusiness: Tips