Have you ever stopped to think about how much time you spend cleaning things? Your house, your car, your clothes—the list goes on and on. And how often have you wished there were some magic way to get your cleaning chores done so you could move on to the activities you really enjoy?
That mind-set is behind one of the most lucrative and recession-resistant industries in America: cleaning. Certainly you look at cleaning in a less-than-enchanted light as you’re toiling through your own kitchen and bathrooms on a Saturday when you’d rather be going to the movies. But mopping, vacuuming, and polishing all take on quite a different connotation when they’re the foundation for a business that can provide you with a secure financial future. That business is a cleaning service, and the industry is rich with a variety of markets ranging from residential to industrial, from basic to high-tech.
Regardless of the industry niche you choose, one of the appealing aspects of a cleaning service is the opportunity for repeat business—when things get cleaned, they usually get dirty and have to be re-cleaned. It’s a wonderful, inevitable cycle that means regular revenue for a cleaning business.
You may already know what type of cleaning business you want to start, or you may still be exploring your options. This book will give you the information and tools you need to start a residential cleaning service, a commercial janitorial service, and a carpet cleaning business. It will also introduce you to a variety of specialty cleaning services that will work as independent operations or adjuncts to another cleaning business.
This guide is structured to take you step-by-step, starting with your decision to start a cleaning service through running a successful, profitable operation. It begins with an introduction to the industry, a look at how successful operators got their starts, and some basic business planning elements. Next, it looks at specific types of cleaning services, including a residential cleaning service, janitorial service, carpet and upholstery cleaning service, and other specialty cleaning businesses. Then it discusses various startup and operational issues, such as your legal structure, insurance, location, vehicles, personnel, purchasing, equipment, and financial management.
It’s a good idea to read every chapter in this book, whether you think it applies to the particular business you want to start or not. For example, even if you’re planning to start a residential cleaning service, you may pick up some good ideas from the chapters on janitorial and carpet cleaning services. And when you read about other cleaning businesses, you may decide to offer similar services.
Because the best information about business comes from people who are already in the trenches, we interviewed successful cleaning service business owners who were happy to share their stories. Their experience spans all types of cleaning service operations, and several of them are examples themselves of how to blend more than one type of operation into a successful business. Throughout the book, you’ll read about what works—and doesn’t—for these folks, and how you can use their techniques in your own business.
You’ll also learn what the cleaning service business is really like. The hours can be flexible, but they’re usually long. The profit margins are good, but only if you’re paying attention to detail. The market is tremendous, but you’ll have a substantial amount of competition, which means you need a plan to set yourself apart.
Like anything else, there’s no quick path to success. The cleaning service business takes hard work, dedication, and commitment. It’s not glamorous; in fact, one of the biggest challenges you’ll face is the industry’s menial image. But by investing your time, energy, and resources, you can be the one who is truly cleaning up, both literally and figuratively.