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[S336]Setting Up A Cleaning Business

by David Mattins, Dav

Working in an environment where it is dirty and full of cluttered things around will not get good results from employers. Working hours will get affected, deadlines are not met, or half-baked work will not produce profit for the company. A spic and span office is a must to create a healthy atmosphere. Naturally, this is where you come in.

Profiting big from an office cleaning business is no joke. With tens of thousands of buildings and operating companies around you, there is no excuse for not being able to succeed in a business such as this. If you want to open one and keep those clients satisfied, here are the best ways to start your own office cleaning services.

? Get a business license

This is totally easy, and you can do this by yourself. Apply, call your county recorder's office and make inquiries on how to apply. Make the necessary requirements and pass. If you don't know the local number of the designated office, surf the internet for websites that can provide you with additional information. Follow procedures and wait for a few days until you receive your license. Once you have it, think of a catchy name that should be recognizable and memorable. Most companies use the name of the owner, so that should work too.

? Get a bond

If you have no idea what a bond is, it's where insurance provide protection for your client. If your employee breaks something, the insurance will cover all the cost and pay back the client. You won't have to do anything and let the insurance company that you are applying to do it for you. In order to get a bond, find the right company that offers one. Do a little research and find the best deals out there.

? Get those necessary tools

When we say necessary tools, it means your supplies and equipments, or probably machinery if want one. Find those better brands with low prices at the discount store. Jot down all the things you might need to buy: glass cleaner, rags, furniture polish, trash bags in various sizes, brooms, toilet bowl cleaner, to paper towels, and so on. Also purchase a vacuum cleaner that is lighter and easy to carry.

? Buy spray bottles

Buy plenty of these bottles to transfer those liquid cleaning supplies. One reason why you're doing this so that your clients won't know which products you are using. Once he or she knows, say goodbye to your client!

? Run the business from an office space or your home

Get yourself a spacious office so that transacting business is better and professional. Bear in mind that you are running a cleaning business, so make sure your place is spic and span. This will simply impress your clients and make dealings with you. Another option is your home: this will be more personal and you don't have to worry about the monthly rent.

Now that we laid everything for you, start creating your own business. Use smart judgment when dealing with clients and hiring people. In no time, your business will blossom and make more money than you could ever think of.

For more inf see: How to start a cleaning Business

Although these days I mainly write informational articles like these and run an online business, for many years I ran a redbrick janitorial supply company. Some of the things I learned there made me think that maybe, just maybe, I'd made the wrong choice within the cleaning industry!

What made me think that? Well, my company supplied cleaning chemicals and equipment (it still does - I just don't work there anymore!) to end-users and also to what, in the UK, are termed Contract Cleaners. These are firms who clean on a commercial and contractual basis for other businesses - hence the term Contract Cleaning.

Some of these companies specialise in heavy-duty, one-off cleans at industrial and catering sites. That's a dirty, tough job. However, the ones I noticed who seemed to be making the money - and some of them made really serious money - were the ones who specialised in light office cleaning.

It took me a while to figure out why and, by this time, my own business was well established and I didn't want to change it. Had I known the money to be made in cleaning offices a few years earlier, I would have put the wheel over and changed to cleaning services instead of supplies.

But that's history. The thing I'd like to share with you in this article is WHY you should look at a cleaning business as your choice of employment. Here are a few reasons that might tempt you:

1. Low entry cost. You can start an office cleaning business with just a few hundred pounds or dollars plus a pickup truck, panel van or even an estate car. I've seen it done. Contrast this with starting up a janitorial supply business. In my experience I would say that if I started that type of business again - knowing what I know now - I'd want to have about GBP50K ($100K) in my pocket before I'd even consider it.

Why? One word - stock. OK, let's make that two words - stock and premises. No, that doesn't do it. Three words - stock, premises and transport. I think you might see where I'm going!

Yet I've seen many Contract Cleaning businesses start up with minimal equipment and succeed. Yes, some fail. In business this happens. But generally in the office cleaning industry those who work at it will succeed. That brings us to the next point.

2. Grow as slowly or as quickly as you like. This is one of the few types of business where a pretty good income can be had from the word go. If you're happy with that, fine! Maybe you just want to work three or four days and spend the rest of your time on your leisure. On the other hand, I have seen these office cleaning businesses simply explode in terms of turnover for those that want it. One in particular that springs to mind went from zero turnover to just under GBP1M (about $1.9M) in SIX MONTHS.

If that doesn't get your attention I don't know what will! Now before you get too excited, that's a turnover figure from a firm who was really trying hard. Profit margins are generally pretty good though, so although you might not be an overnight millionaire like some business ideas promise, you would be earning serious money at those sort of figures.

3. Swift transition into a management position. Sure, at the start you'll be the one doing all the work. That's the way things are - but office cleaning businesses have to employ workers to do the work. That leaves you - the boss - to manage the business. I have yet to see one successful owner of this kind of business get their hands (or anything else) dirty on a regular basis. Maybe sometimes you WILL have to do that - but the vast majority of the time you'll be the one in the suit - out getting further contracts!

4. Good exit opportunities. It may seem strange to mention selling a cleaning business before you have even started one but consider this: most people never, ever think of the day when they may well want a change. Cleaning businesses with a good contracts portfolio and a healthy turnover to profit balance can literally be worth a fortune. Bigger outfits snap them up every day of the week. Could you see yourself retiring in ten years time? Or less? I've seen it done. Maybe you can do it too!

To conclude this short article I would point out that, although starting and running a cleaning business is pretty easy, only you will be able to make it work. It's not an easy money option - but it's a darned sight easier than many other business options I have seen. A last piece of advice. If you are serious about starting out down this road, go and work for a cleaning business for a while. Sure, it's maybe not the greatest job you'll ever have but consider it an investment for the future. Then go and set your own up!

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Both David Mattins & Steve Dempster are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

David Mattins has sinced written about articles on various topics from Tattoo, Small Business and Cleaning Business. David Mattins, Author of Start A Cleaning Business. David Mattins's top article generates over 18100 views. Bookmark David Mattins to your Favourites.

Steve Dempster has sinced written about articles on various topics from Backpain, Family Travel and Recreation and Sports. Steve Dempster was until recently a Director of a janitorial supplies company. Learn more here about how to go about having. Steve Dempster's top article generates over 165000 views. Bookmark Steve Dempster to your Favourites.