A one-man housecleanng business is easily workable when one can adhere to a strict schedule.
Housecleaning services can be a highly profitable venture if the happiness of the customer is always placed at the top of the business owner's list of priorities. People who hire a housecleaner expect him to be self-sufficient; he must provide his own cleaning chemicals and equipment. If you can stick to a strict schedule for each of your jobs and know keep records in a filing cabinet, then a one-man housecleaning business may be for you.
Instructions
1. Purchase a business liability insurance policy. If one of your cleaning chemicals makes contact with a rare $2,000 houseplant, for example, you could be sued for the damage. Without liability insurance, you will have to pay the full amount of damages out of your own pocket. No matter how careful you are, accidents can happen.
2. Purchase and gather together all of the necessary cleaning chemicals and equipment. Keep chemical containers closed tightly and store them in a trash bag-lined box with handles on the sides for easy transport from the vehicle to the premises being cleaned.
3. Advertise your new business in the "Services" section of a local newspaper. In the advertisement, use affirmative wording such as "Quality cleaning," "A clean home is a happy home," or "You're more than a customer to me." Don't include your rates in the advertisement, but offer to provide a free estimate with no obligation required. Include your business phone number, and when you're called, always answer the phone politely and in a professional manner: "Thank you for calling ________ cleaning, [your name] speaking. How may I help you?"
4. Set a fixed dollar-per-hour rate for your labor, as well as a minimum service fee for smaller jobs. The minimum should cover your fuel costs and the cleaning supplies used for the job. The fixed hourly rate should apply only to jobs that take more than one hour to complete. Be prepared to mention these amounts if a customer asks, but tell him that you need to look at the property and discuss with him what is desired before settling on a total price.
5. Offer a special first-time price of between 25 and 35 percent off your normal rate as a "try before you buy" incentive for the customer. Most people won't turn down a deep first-time discount, and it allows them to see the quality of your work. Do a detailed job and, if hired permanently, be sure to do consistent quality work every time after that, as the customer will expect it.
6. Perform all duties expected of a cleaning service. This includes dusting all appliances; cleaning windows; sweeping and mopping; cleaning sinks and toilets; taking out trash; washing out trash cans, if necessary, before inserting new plastic bags; and any other duties the customer desires to have performed.
7. File receipts and bank statements related to operation of your business for tax deductions and for filing taxes at the end of the business year. Keep receipts when buying chemicals, mop heads, new brooms and even parts and services used to keep your business vehicle running. The cost of all these items can be deducted from the total amount of taxes you pay at the end of the year.
8. Get to every job location at the time agreed upon between you and the customer.
9. Maintain the following mindset: "I may be a self-employed cleaning person but the customer is still my boss."
10. Work toward making word of mouth your main method of advertising. By doing detailed and meticulous work at every job location, your customers will spread the word to others.
Related posts
Create flyers to promote your housecleaning business.Whether your business is just getting off the ground, or you are trying to acquire new customers, a flyer is a one of several ways to advertise...
Start Small BusinessYou can start a small business doing odd jobs for people, even in a slumping economy. As long as there are people who need things done for them, you can make money. Simply prov...
Aim for more clients through word-of-mouth promotion.You may increase sales for your home cleaning business by using several promotional methods to grow the local brand recognition of your company...
Experienced construction workers can take their careers to the next level as independent home improvement contractors.Home improvement businesses serve homeowners and real estate investors by prov...
Your better half brags about the quality of the finished household projects on your "Honey-do" lists. The guy next door thinks you walk on water after seeing your kitchen renovations. Th...
