[allen7587]

Hi there my name is andy and i want to start my own cleaning company but need a little bit of advice because currently i am working full time as a chef but i have a passion for cleaning and was wondering how i would get orders where would be the best place to advertise how much per hour do i charge and could i do it to start with around my job to start with untill i get regular orders your help would be much appreciated thanks Andy

[martin19842]

hi there

your question is an extremely broad brush!!!

i would suggest that you start with specific questions.

you need to decide if you are going to clean domestic or commerical clients ?

then the service that you are going to supply, cleaning, carpet cleaning, pressure washing, or window cleaning, as the core service.

at that point the answers to the questions are a whole lot easier to give

regards

martin

[Mark Hughes]

Well stated Martin. This a a very broad brush approach to starting a business can only spell problems if no basic business plan is drawn up.

Research is one thing but has to be target market specific and will also help to get to know what resources are required to get started in the first place.

Such general statements to wanting to start up a new business make me nervous for people that think everything is a doddle to make quick money these days.

Keep up the good advice

[Pristine Clean]

Yes I agree with Martin, Good advice as always.

Mark has a point. Got to be honest here, years ago I never drew up a business plan.

We are soley commercial. We did try residential but too much hassle for us.

You will need a market, residential, commercial or both. Then the type of cleaning you are going into, i.e. windows, carpet cleaning or possibly a package.

Then research your equipment that you need and costings. If you have enough for that, check out insurance public liability, employers liability, treatment risk and the type of work that you are doing ..you need to make sure you are covered.

As for the best place to get orders... we are not in a restuarant now... Word of mouth, Advertise - Internet - local papers - Yell and after you get work - recomendations.

And no its not easy, its bloomin hard work. Extremely competitive almost cut throat. Dont give up work just yet... get some work in first and start cold calling.. er I am stopping now as I could go on  and on and on...


Best of luck
Dave

 

[BDCS]

If I were you I'd phone every restaurant in the area and offer a kitchen deep clean - you should know how, what you need and whats needed. Think of a reasonable price and charge 3 times that price. When you have done a few of these you might like to stick at being a chef - don't give up the day job just yet

[martin19842]

hi there

thank you Mark and Dave,

bdcs do i sense a bit of something??

but seriously every 10 days or so, someone posts saying they want to start a cleaning business, how do i do it, where do i get my customers, and what do i need to do.

i have until now remained relatively calm and positive,

but the truth is this is as Dave said an agressive market place, its not easy, and why should we that have strived to succeed give away all the tips. i agree this is a forum, to help and mentor and provide advice, but please people do a degree of homework, and research before posting the proad brush question.

i always provide advice to people that ask questions, and i will continue to do so.

but the cleaning industry isnt an easy industry, its not a cheap way to make money, but if you work hard and are prepared to put in the effort you can make money, and good money.

right rant over and i apologise if i have offended anybody, that isnt the intention, but i fear it is something that a lot of people have thought about saying.

so good luck, and please feel free to ask any questions.

regards

martin

[BDCS]

I honestly thought I was helping him - a much needed service, a field he should know and some advice on pricing from a chefs point of view ! There may be an element of something in some of my post as you may have noticed 

[martin19842]

hi there

trying to be more positive, after a small rant,

anybody that decides that they want to start a business, is taking a gamble, and therefore must have the desire to succeed, and therefore it does take a bit of gumption to do that.

but you have got to have a degree of common sense.

regards

martin

[Pristine Clean]

hi there

trying to be more positive, after a small rant,

anybody that decides that they want to start a business, is taking a gamble, and therefore must have the desire to succeed, and therefore it does take a bit of gumption to do that.

but you have got to have a degree of common sense.

regards

martin

Dont ask me how Ive managed to survive then for 20 odd years. Common sense. Now I know what I have been missing.

[martin19842]

hi there

dave, its a whole mix of things, if you ever read Richard Bransons books or see some of his interviews, he is the first to admit that he may not be the sherpest, and confused gross and nett profit for many years, but with some luck, hard work, and determination he is doing pretty well..

the same can be said about ay business person or sector, the other thing is that it helps to be in the right place at the right time.

have a great afternoon

regards

martin

[DREAM CLEAN]

Hi,

The main question you need to ask yourself Andy is " can I live for 6 months with out having a wage?" if the answer is no  then do not even start stay where you are.

Nick

[faisal]

Hi,
I would like to open cleaning company for domestic & commercial purposes.
I will be doing windows cleaning,Carpet, Ironing,all sort of homes & offices general cleaning.
I work as security guard and donot have any knowledge of cleaning and would be appreciate-able if anybody guide me step by step how to open cleaning company,What licence,Insurance, materials do i required.
How much minimum investment do i need or can i start from online/home.
Thanks a lot

[martin19842]

hi there

oh dear!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bu t ive just had a great idea www.nextweekslotterynumbers.co.uk you pay a membership fee, i give you six numbers and figures crossed your a winner.  am i  being a bit harsh ??


Now look, please dont wake up one morning and decide you are going to start a cleaning business, and then ask the question "how do i do it ?"

may i suggest you are specific questions?? people will then be more than happy to help,however please be under no illusion, this is not an easy business, cleaning is not your licence to print money, it takes long hours, and hard work.

regards

martin

[faisal]

Hi,
I am ready to do hard work.
Do i need any licence or public insurance for my company?
How to look for and employ staff?

Pls help thanks

[Mark Hughes]

Hi,

To start listing all the different things you need to do to start a business would take too long to write down here.

What you have to take into account is what capital you will need to get the business started eg equipment, van, cleaning materials, insurances etc etc.

There is also a psychological aspect to starting a business, meaning that you have to have the right mindset and mental commitment to making this a business that will be your main source of income. That means hard work, frustration sometimes and dealing with certain days where the customer comes down on you over a job and being able to pick yourself up and move on.

I suggest you start by going onto Google and search "How to start a cleaning business" and spend some time reading through as much content as you have to until it becomes clearer what is required to get a business started.

When you are ready, then start your planning stages and an official launch day.

Good luck

Mark

[Adam P]

Hi,
I am ready to do hard work.
Do i need any licence or public insurance for my company?
How to look for and employ staff?

Pls help thanks

what research have you done for yourself before letting us to all the work for you? what do you think you may need to get started?

have you googled any of your questions?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Do+i+need+public+liability+insurance+for+a+cleaning+business%3F
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=How+to+look+for+and+employ+staff+uk%3F

[martin19842]

Hi there

ok well you need public liability insurance, the amount depends on what sort of clients you plan to service.  the additional insurance available like employers liability depends on whether you are going to employ staff, professional liability, all risks, loss of keys etc, are all add ons that may need to be considered.

regards

martin