[juliet jenkins]

    Morning All!
I'm a self employed cleaner and have got by getting a few regulardomestic cleans just through word of mouth. I want to put some flyers out to pick up some more cleans to fill the gaps. So anyway, I've spent weeks thinking about what I should call myself (I know my hubbie could thinkof a few things but they probably wouldn't be appropriate!! ).So, here are the ones I've thought up and would really value your opinion on them ( the highest opinion wins!)

1. GEMINI CEANING SERVICES. ( That's my starsign!) 

2. SOLO DOMESTIC CLEANS. ( because it's only li'l old me doing the cleans!)

3. DONE & DUSTED ( Just happened to have a brainwave - doesn't happen very often, so I'm hanging onto it!)

4. DOUBLE J'S CLEANING SERVICES ( 'cos my initials are JJ!)

All your help is greatly appreciated!!!!

[Phoenix]

Good Morning Juliet

I'm torn between Gemini and Done & Dusted but saying that Gemini does sound the more proffessional, Done & Dusted is a little bit more of a gimmick, but hey, that only my opinion

Regards

Graham

[lisa123]

please make sure you check that no one else has the same names.
I'm sure there is a gemini and a solo and there is a member here called done and dusted.

sorry to rain on your parade, just be careful what you choose.

[paul bruce]

Hi Juliet, not sure where you are based ( no profile) but i know there are already cleaning companies named gemini cleaning services and done and dusted but if they are outside your area you should be ok.
That said i prefer done and dusted because it says what you do.

whatever you decide good luck .

Paul  ( also a gemini, we get bored easily dont we?)

[handyali]

as far as havin the same name as someone else - dont you need to check companies house to make sure you dont use the same name as someone else. you can do this online www.companieshouse.gov.uk.
Dont wish to sound rude but Double J's sounds a bit like Double D's.
Sorry but the way my mind works sometimes  :
Good luck choosing a name - always a nightmare   

[juliet jenkins]

   
Sorry about my lack of info, that's being a Gemini for you - always on to the next thing! Anyway, I've checked the Yellow Pages and Thomsons Local and can't see any of those names under the listing for cleaners ( commercial or domestic). I'm based in the Weymouth area and did put in a search on Google for cleaners under those names  - am I right in thinking that so long as there is no-one else of the same name & tradewithin a certain radius that it's okay to have the same name (uh,oh - that sounds a bit confusing doesn't it!? 
I've just checked the YellowAds again there's more cleaners listed there than the Thomson Local and I've even checked the Window cleaning section and I seem to be safe with my choice there too (lots of Coastal Cleans, Crystal cleans etc). I am trying to be careful with my choice (though I seem to be coming unstuck at the first hurdle!) At least the choice has been narrowed down to 2!

[juliet jenkins]

 
 I did check with Companies House who basically told me that so long as I didn't use the same name as anyone else within a certain radius it would be ok ( that is probably word for word, very helpful eh!) I think it was about a 5-10 mile radius???
I've double checked on Google again and although there are obviously other businesses with those names, I seem to be safe using whichever one I choose in this area.
Please keep suggestions coming as your advice is really appreciated!
Have to go now to watch the kids Easter Bonnet Parade (deep joy : hopefully they'll allbe winners and receive an egg, or there'll be hell to pay for me in this house tonight!!

[Paul Kettless]

Hi,

You are correct in that you can use the same name (kinda) as another company if in another area.  However, what you will be advised when registering is that it needs to have a slight amendment.

When I checked Complete Cleaning, there were numerous companies nationwide with this registered name, so we decided to add EA (east anglia).

So the actual name of our company is Complete Cleaning (EA) Ltd. Off course when speaking with customers etc we reduce to just the name.

Hope this helps
Paul

[AJCleaningServices]

Juliet,

All of the name's you have mentioned are general name that many cleaning companies use across the UK.  Why do you not try to be different, a special one, the one with personal touch: Juliet Cleaning Services.  By using your name in the name of your business you are saying to your potential customers that they would deal with a small business (many people like it).  Another good thing about it is that you would only give your name to something good (your service must be good if you work for yourself).

Good luck,

Arthur

[lisa123]

thats a good idea arthur, i should have mentioned something like that aswell, as my business is called Lisa's Cleaning Services lol 

Think like a customer, what does your name say to them?
small company, personal touch with customer care, Local service, etc
My customers like the fact they we are a small local biz, and that they can contact us direct, and cos we are local, we can pop and see them when they want a chat or if we need a chat with them we are only 30 mins max away.

[juliet jenkins]

Evening All! My gut instinct tells me to keep with Gemini Cleaning Services (it was the first one I came up with) but now I'm starting to really like Arthur's suggestion of Juliet's Cleaning Service. Thinking about it, the customers I've got through word of mouth were only given my first name and number and both points lisa & Arthur gave are the reasons my name gets passed on (not blowing my own trumpet here mind! :)
Also, back to Companies House thing - when I rang them to enquire about registering a business name, the chap told me that if I was earning below a certain limit, that there was no need for me to register unless I was registering as a Company or under Ltd - is this true?

thanks for your replies - every little helps!

Juliet

[BSF]

Evening All! My gut instinct tells me to keep with Gemini Cleaning Services (it was the first one I came up with) but now I'm starting to really like Arthur's suggestion of Juliet's Cleaning Service. Thinking about it, the customers I've got through word of mouth were only given my first name and number and both points lisa & Arthur gave are the reasons my name gets passed on (not blowing my own trumpet here mind! :)
Also, back to Companies House thing - when I rang them to enquire about registering a business name, the chap told me that if I was earning below a certain limit, that there was no need for me to register unless I was registering as a Company or under Ltd - is this true?

thanks for your replies - every little helps!

Juliet

I think you dialled the wrong number, no its not true;D

Whether you decide Ltd, sole trader or partnership it doesnt matter how much you earn you do have to tell someone companies house cause they will register the name you choose so no-one else can use it. Or tell the inland revenue for sole trader/partnership.

Regards

Paul

[supernova77]

I would go for Gemini Cleaning Services.

Also... Are you going to want a website in the future? What domain names are available for your chosen business name.

You only need to register with companies house if you are setting up as a limited company. If you are staying as a sole trader just inform the inland revenue.

Andy

[handyali]

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?r.s=sl&topicId=1073859917
you may find this useful to read. very good point about needing a website in the future 

[juliet jenkins]

I think the winner is Gemini Cleaning Services


Thanks for all your replies, much appreciated, I will keep you informed of how I get on and of any mistakes I make (mistakes are there to be learnt from - so my dear Grandmother told me anyway!)

Night All - off to bed to rest my frazzled brain! Plus I have to work tomorrow

Juliet

[arleysangels]

Just make sure you register with the Inland Revenue whatever you do.  You have to register within the first 3 months of trading.

regards

Nora

[Jan K]

Hi Juliet!

I trade under the name Done 'n' Dusted and am in Plymouth.........I don't have any problems with the name being 'gimmicky'. In fact that and my short but to the point ad in the Yellow Pages is how I get ALL my work (apart from word of mouth, of course).

I did toy with the idea of Your Chores as a name but coming from down yer it sounded really 'farmer-ish' coming out of my mouth lol 

[KEEP IT KLEAN]

there is also a done n dusted in kent!

[bevldavies]

Unless you are going to be a limited company you can call yourself what you want although best not to have the same name as another local company.  To be honest if you are going to be working on your own, I would consider just using your own name rather than having a company name.  I registered as self employed with the name "Shipshape" as I am by the Harbour but I never use it and people seem very happy to just use my name as they like dealing with an individual.  If you plan to expand and employ others then I would suggest using a company name.