Example Business Ideas
Running an Efficient Residential Cleaning Service
Written by Rayzelle Forrest Young for Gaebler Ventures
Tips on how to operate a successful residential cleaning service. Discusses the importance of sticking to a schedule and being prepared for each job
Owning and operating a residential cleaning service efficiently can be done if you take the necessary steps to set it up properly.
Being in any business for yourself, including a cleaning business, takes a self motivated and business savvy person to be successful. Running an efficient cleaning service can be done if you're committed to staying organized and providing excellent service to your clients.
Get Proper Licensing
Before you start taking any business you will need to obtain a business license in the city where you will operate your service. A business license can be acquired by going down to the city offices and obtaining the necessary paperwork from the business licensing department. There will more than likely be a fee associated with submitting your business license paperwork so be prepared. Depending upon what city your business is in, the fee is usually under $100.
Get Clients
Advertise your business with flyers, door hangers, business cards, postcards, etc. Put marketing materials wherever you think residential house cleaning clients will be. Another good place is to advertise your services is online at Craig list.com. This online classified ad website receives more traffic than any other internet classified ad site and it's completely free to post an ad. You may also want to think about running a small ad in your local newspaper over the weekend. Weekends are good because that's when readership is at it's highest.
Deliver Excellent Service
People will pay for a something over and over again if they feel they are getting excellent service. Arrive at all your cleaning appointments on time and ready to work. Leave the house spotless and smelling clean in order to assure your clients you are delivering the absolute best service there is. If you have to move around any belongings or furniture to get the job done be sure to put them back exactly in the place you found them.
Keep Supplies Stocked
Keep an abundance of supplies. This will help you to avoid running out of supplies during a job as well as wasting time having to leave in the middle of working. Take an inventory of your supplies at the end of every week and restock whatever you're running low on.
Stick To A Schedule
Set up a set cleaning schedule for all your clients and stick to it. The easiest way to do this is to schedule to see clients on the same day of the week every week or every other week. This will help you and the client remember when it's their day to have their home cleaned.
Develop a Set Pay Schedule
Devise a set pay schedule to help you and your clients remember when it's time for money to be collected. An easy way to do this is to collect pay from your clients on the days you provide service to them. This way they will know, every time you show up, they need to have pay ready. Doing this will avoid any confusion with you and your clients on how often they need to pay you.
Rayzelle is an entrepreneur and writer. Based on her experiences as an owner of her own dance studio, she will share her personal tips on being a successful entrepreneur.
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