How to Start a Residential Cleaning Company
Residential cleaning companies deal with the upkeep of houses, apartments, and their contents. They may also clean commercial properties. They are often bonded and insured, with employees undergoing background checks and a 48-hour training program.
Some house cleaners offer one-time services, such as cleaning before or after a move or cleaning the property of a deceased relative. Others are more regular, with customers requesting weekly or biweekly visits. See our home page.
Getting Started
There are many ways to start a cleaning business, but you must register it and obtain a business license. You must also choose a business structure and name. A popular choice is a limited liability corporation (LLC), which reduces your personal assets at risk. Other options include sole proprietorships and partnerships.
Registering your company is necessary to separate your personal and business finances and protect yourself from legal liability. In addition to a business license, you need insurance and possibly bonds, depending on your state.
A website is a must to advertise your services and showcase your work. Use social media to drive traffic, too, by sharing before-and-after photos and cleaning tips. Creating an email list of current and past clients is also a great way to stay top-of-mind with potential customers.
The Maids
Maids are household workers who perform various cleaning tasks. These duties may include sweeping and washing floors, dusting and vacuuming, and scrubbing toilets and tubs. They may also perform laundry, ironing, grocery shopping, and cooking for the family.
The lives of maids are well-represented in many historical and modern television shows and movies. Examples of these include Upstairs, Downstairs, and the Downton Abbey series.
If you have a busy schedule or a large family, finding time to clean can be difficult. A cleaning service can take one item off your to-do list and leave you with a fresh, tidy home. They are bonded, insured, and thoroughly trained to provide you with a worry-free experience. They will not stop until your home is completely clean and you are satisfied with their services.
Cleaning Supplies
If you offer cleaning services for homes, make sure you have the right supplies to complete your jobs. Some clients may expect you to use their cleaning chemicals, so check with each client to determine what they prefer.
A professional mop and bucket is one of the essential tools for a cleaning business. You’ll also want to stock up on cleaning products like this Lime Scale Remover. It’s great for getting hard water stains off of shower doors and glass.
Another must-have is a pair of gloves. Whether you opt for disposable nitrile gloves or reusable ones, it’s important that your team wear them to protect themselves from harmful bacteria.
And don’t forget a wet floor sign, which is important to place near any areas where cleaning may be taking place. You’ll also need some cleaning business software, like Jobber, to manage quoting, employee scheduling, time tracking, and invoicing.
Cleaning Equipment
Residential cleaning services are generally smaller in scale than commercial cleaning, and they tend to require smaller equipment as well. Nevertheless, there are some larger pieces of equipment that you will need to invest in such as vacuum cleaners and carpet cleaners.
You should also consider whether you will provide your cleaners with these tools and supplies or allow them to bring their own. The latter option can be less expensive and easier for clients since they don’t have to worry about storing large items like vacuum cleaners.
You should also have a financial management system in place to streamline the process of billing and payments. The quicker you can bill a client and receive payment, the more efficient your operations will be. An intuitive automation system such as ZenMaid can help you achieve this. Find out more!