What I like so much about starting an office cleaning business is you
can start small, even doing it as a side-business -- and bring in
profits right away without laying a ton of cash out to get going.
It's a service business -- which is the
right type of business you should be looking at in today's economy.
Just pick up the paper and check out
where the economy is heading. You'll know what I mean about providing a
service...
Manufacturing is down or going
overseas. And selling your own product takes a heck of a lot of money
just to get started.
Starting a cleaning business takes
little cash and little energy to start making money right away.
Realistically, it's going to be at
least $500 if you take into account the cost of registering your
business, paying for some liability insurance and the other basic
startup costs.
Of course marketing is an additional
cost and where you should allocate your money -- no matter what business
you start. (There are studies to show how the businesses who spend the
most on advertising are the businesses who typically make the most
money.)
Description
Your potential customers are not simply
businesses who occupy "office" space. Rather, your customers are on
every corner and in locations like hospitals, stores, hotels, and other
types of buildings cleaned on a regular basis.
Some cleaning companies only do
cleaning, while others offer a full range of other duties and diversify
(always a good idea) and include services such as equipment cleaning and
even maintenance and janitorial servicing (fix leaky faucets, empty
trashcans, fill towel dispensers, etc.).
Most commercial cleaning services work
after-business hours when the employees have gone home. Some people find
this as a benefit. But if you're looking for a cleaning business where
you work during the day, you may find starting a house cleaning business
a better option.
Valuable
skills and Requirements
Although you need to be thorough,
you'll find the office cleaning business is not as tedious as cleaning
homes. The office manager wants the job done right -- where a homeowner
may expect it to be 100% perfect.
I'm not suggesting you can be a slacker
when you clean the office. I'm just making a comparison you should think
about.
However, dealing with business people
requires a more polished business approach (although I feel the best
sales people are those who can "be regular" and still make the sale.)
Business people want to work with
business people. If the person you're meeting with is dressed full-tilt
in business attire, you will be foolish to show up in jeans and a
t-shirt.
I don't mean to state the obvious, but
just because you're in the cleaning business doesn't mean you shouldn't
dress sharp -- at least when prospecting.
How much you can make?
A commercial office cleaning business
can often make very healthy profits, sometimes up and over six figures a
year. Typically you won't see this working alone, where a range of
$35-$50,000 a year is more typical.
The higher profits come from larger
accounts and by promoting the "add-on" services.
Note:
According to Dusty Florez, you can make $55,000 working just
part-time.
Startup
Costs/What you need to begin:
To get started quickly and
without spending a lot of cash, you can start an office
cleaning business with the basics.
- glass cleaner, all-purpose (strong) cleaner
- a regular vacuum cleaner, like one from home.
Because this is really a service
business and startup equipment is minimal (to get going), you can
typically get rolling for less than $200.
If you are going to offer larger
commercial cleaning services, such as power washing or if you will
shampoo rugs, you should rent equipment to get started.
This is more an opinion where you can
easily find varying views. It's something you should research on your
own because renting is only beneficial if you use the equipment
occasionally.
Most of where your budget should be
spent on marketing in the beginning.
Targeted direct mail sales letters will
allow you to speak personally to your prospective clients and will help
you set-up sales without having to make those cold calls we all hate.
Sales letters are also nice for setting
up a "warm" call.
If you mention you're going to be
calling to set up an appointment, it will help you to be more welcomed
when you dial the phone.
Pros and Cons of the Office
Cleaning Business
Commercial work can be more lucrative
than house cleaning and the hours are much different, as I already
mentioned.
You may have less clients, but the jobs
are larger and you can solidify your business with contracts -- which
isn't always as easy with homeowners. (Businesses expect to sign
contracts, where homeowners regret them.)
D. Dusty Florez
(Dusty Florez, is currently offering
his best selling book
"Make
A Fortune By Starting Your Own Office cleaning Service")
a step-by-step course to building your own office cleaning service.)
