How to Open a Residential Cleaning Service

Start a residential cleaning business.

Ongoing demands for cleaning services can potentially mean year-round profits and repeat business. Many homeowners find it more difficult to keep up with the weekly cleaning in a big house, and hiring a cleaning service makes life easier. Residential cleaning services can provide services for contractors and new construction homes, or existing homes for homeowners. Opening your own residential cleaning service requires minimal start-up costs, and you don't need any special skills or training. The cleaning business allows you to set your own hours and decide how much money you want to make.

Things You'll Need

• Business name
• Business license, if required
• Insurance
• Advertising (website, business cards, flyers)
• Cleaning equipment
• Transportation

Instructions

1. 

   Obtain a business license and choose a name.

   Choose a memorable business name and apply for a business license, if necessary. Contact your local government to find out if a business license is required for a residential cleaning business and how much it will cost to open your business.

2. Purchase insurance for your business. You will need insurance when working in people's homes. Compare insurance quotes online, and contact some local insurance companies to get price quotes.

3. 

   Open a bank account.

   Speak with an accountant to open a bank account for your cleaning business. Discuss your options regarding taxes and the differences between an LLC (limited liability company) and a corporation. Although you can run your cleaning service as a cash business, you must pay taxes on your earnings.

4. 

   Advertise in the newspaper.

   Place a catchy ad in the newspaper, and use free online advertising sites to drum up some leads. After you incorporate your cleaning business, it's advisable to start advertising your business in the newspaper and online.

5. 

   Place an ad in the phone book.

   Place an ad in the phone book for high-end areas. Create a professional website, and add customer testimonials as you get them. Print business cards and professional flyers, and pass them out.

6. 

   Choose your service rates.

   Decide how much you're going to charge for your cleaning services. You can earn more money per hour by cleaning rental properties for a landlord. Study your competitors' rates and services, and find a way to stand out from the crowd.

7. 

   Purchase cleaning equipment for your business.

   Purchase all of the cleaning equipment for your business. Visit a discount store and pick up mops, scrub brushes, cleaning gloves, and soap. Buy a vacuum cleaner and a step ladder. A work van may be helpful for transporting equipment to the jobs.

References

• Starting A Cleaning Business