Hello all! My story is not that much different than your own, money is tight these days and I am in need of another source of income. A girlfriend of mine about two hours away from me told me she posted an ad on Craigslist offering cleaning services. Now this is something that appeals to me, I have always had a knack for cleaning and no job is too much. (I'm very results oriented.) My question is the legal issue. I do not want to post this ad and be sued for something outrageous! I know at a certain point I'd have to start claiming on my taxes, but I do not expect to be making that much. Hopefully just pick up a few customers and stick to that. Any advice? Should I post? Thank you so much!!

If you are asking about working off the books, not paying taxes (no matter how much or how little you earn) no one is going to give you advice on how to do that. It is, of course, fraudulent and illegal.

You should be bonded and insured - minimally - if you are going to work in other people's houses. Some areas require licensing, others do not. Without bonding you are personally liable for anything that is broken, missing, damaged - or if that's the allegation.

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

If you are asking about working off the books, not paying taxes (no matter how much or how little you earn) no one is going to give you advice on how to do that. It is, of course, fraudulent and illegal.

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I didn't realize it was illegal to do this. That is why I love this site, so informative!:) I guess I'm trying out all of my options that would work with my schedule, and this sounded like a good opportunity, however I am not trying to do anything that would get me into trouble. Id like to rephrase my question then, and ask how would I go about starting this kind of small business up?

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Originally Posted by HighandDryinnNy

I didn't realize it was illegal to do this. That is why I love this site!:) I guess I'm trying out all of my options that would work with my schedule, and this sounded like a good opportunity, however I am not trying to do anything that would get me into trouble. Id like to rephrase my question then, and ask how would I go about starting this kind of small business up?

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I would say check to see you need a license, checking into insurance and bonding, have some fliers made with prices and then either hand them out, stuff mailboxes (if it's legal in your community), hang some in grocery stores, that type of thing.

Good luck. All you need is one customer to begin referring you to her friends!

JudyKayTee, thank you for your help. Where would I go to inquire about this information? I'm sure I could check online, but talking to someone in person to confirm would be ideal.

Hi, HighandDryinnNy!

You should be directing your inquiries to city officials where you'll be working in order to find out specifically what you need in order to operate your business, where you'll be operating it.

Sure, it's illegal not to declare your income. But, concerning advertising on the Internet, it's not hard at all, but it does take a little effort and time to set it up.

I have a number of small businesses that I operate. Almost all of my new business comes from what I've placed on the Internet. Advertising on the Internet works so well for me, that I've discontinued my ads in the local Yellow Pages of the phone book.

After almost four years of posting ads and websites on the Internet, I probably have at least several thousand ads out there. Other than time and paying for some electricity to operate my computer, it has never cost me a cent beyond those things.

If you would like to know more about how to advertise and market your business, please let me know.

Thanks!

I would like to talk to Clough off this site - to ask some questions about my own interest in starting a cleaning business - is that possible

ConfusedinMD

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Originally Posted by ConfusedinMD112

I would like to talk to Clough off this site - to ask some questions about my own interest in starting a cleaning business - is that possible

ConfusedinMD

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No, it's not.

You can however start your own thread as others do and ask your question/s.

Stringer