The cleaning industry in the US is massive and if you play your cards right, you’ll have no shortage of clients. Yet what do you actually need to do to get off the ground?
We understand that starting a business is a big undertaking and that it can be intimidating. That’s why we’ve put together this easy-to-follow guide that will help you figure out how to start a cleaning business from scratch without bombarding you with jargon.
Are you ready to learn more and start building a business? Then read on!
1. Finding Funding and Building a Budget
Like any business, starting a cleaning business requires capital. You can know everything else, but without funding, you’re stuck. So, where can you find this key funding?
One option is to start a cleaning business with your own savings. If you’d like to do this, you’ll need to have several thousand dollars that you can remove from your savings.
If you don’t have this much money in your savings, you could apply for business financing or try and find investors. Either one of these will require you to write a business plan.
You should also consider your business budget: how much are you going to spend on supplies, transport, and other expenses?
2. Finding Your Target Market
Now that you’ve got an idea of how much you’re going to be able to spend and where that money is coming from, you need to think about who you’re going to target. Transportation costs will limit the area that you can serve, so think of whether you’re going to try to serve a wider area or concentrate on a smaller one.
You should also consider whether you’re going to be a residential or commercial cleaner. Residential cleaning is the easier sector to break into, as you’re less likely to be competing against major companies.
You may also wish to specialize in one type of cleaning. For instance, perhaps you’d like to focus on cleaning carpets or kitchens.
3. Register Your Business
Now that you know who your target market is, it’s time to register your business with the IRS and any other relevant authorities. When you register your business, you’ll need to choose your business name too. To learn more about what you should consider when choosing a suitable name for your cleaning business, read our Starting a Cleaning Business Checklist.
If you contract with a business and are a 1099 contractor, don’t assume that the business is paying your taxes. You’ll still need to file them yourself.
4. Find Your First Clients
Your business is now legal and ready to start operating! All you need to do now is find yourself some clients. One great place to start is by asking friends and family to recommend your services to those in need: referrals like these could find you a regular client!
However, you may also wish to advertise your services online or in a local newspaper or magazine. Make sure that you spread your name far and wide! As you gain more customers, you’ll be able to dedicate more cash to marketing, which in turn, will help you find more customers. Read our free and low cost marketing tips to get some ideas of what you can do to start growing your cleaning business.
Now You Know How to Start a Cleaning Business
We hope that you’ve enjoyed this look at how to start a cleaning business. While the world of business can seem intimidating for a newcomer, if you follow these steps, you’ll have laid a solid groundwork for your business to build on.
If you’d like more help, our coaching can help you take your business to new heights! CBF Smart Start teaches you the fundamentals of starting your cleaning business the right way so you can get on the path toward becoming a Mop-Free Millionaire!
