Hi,

I am interested in starting a cleaning company in my area. Any suggestions/advice/tips are welcome.

Thank you.

Offices? Residential? Special situations? Helping people unclutter?

All the above.

Hi, Momma!

Stringer would say that there's more money doing the commercial jobs. I've already spoken to him about this a number of times. I've thought about getting into the cleaning business myself. Just haven't acted upon it. For me, I would probably start in the residential, simply because I have more connections there and would find it easier to get work.

How much experience have you had cleaning for others in order to make a profit for yourself, please?

Thanks!

I've been a caregiver for three years now & that's half my job. I clean my own house. I'm very meticulous and thorough when I clean.

I've been a caregiver for three years now & that's half my job. I clean my own house. I'm very meticulous and thorough when I clean.
I bet you could get lots of cleaning jobs by posting ads in senior centers (with their permission).

Not a bad idea. I'm brainstorming, taking notes, taking suggestions right now. When I'm healed I can start putting things into action.

Originally Posted by ChihuahuaMomma
I've been a caregiver for three years now & that's half my job. I clean my own house. I'm very meticulous and thorough when I clean.


I bet you could get lots of cleaning jobs by posting ads in senior centers (with their permission).

Those sort of places would definitely be one of the resources to find work.

Thanks Clough.

Do you already have the necessary liability insurance, Momma?

Do you already have the necessary liability insurance, Momma?

No, like I said I'm just in the brainstorming phase right now.

From ezinearticles.com --

The first step is to prepare a business plan. This does not have to be a long document, but should be fairly comprehensive and address the following points:

*The company name, address, phone number, owners/corporate officers and statement of purpose.

*Description of the business, products and services you intend to sell.

*The legal structure, business management, employees, support personnel, insurance and financial considerations.

*A look at your competition and your marketing plan.

*A three to five year financial plan with documentation including a cash flow worksheet, balance sheet, and income statement.

Put together a support team including an accountant, attorney and insurance agent. If you are not comfortable doing bookwork and administrative tasks you might want to also look for a part-time bookkeeper or virtual assistant who can help with these duties.

Other start up tasks include:

*After deciding on your business name do a trademark search and assumed name search to make sure the name is available. Most states have web sites that allow you to do an online search.

*Decide if you are going to work out of your home or lease office space.

*Apply for any necessary licenses, get your federal tax ID and file assumed name.

*Contact your local small business center and get a copy of your state's small business start up guide. Each state has their own individual requirements and will have fact sheets or guidebooks that will indicate if there are specific licenses, permits or forms you need to file before starting your business.

*Open bank accounts in the business name.

*Obtain the appropriate insurances.

*If necessary, secure financing.

*Set up a system for accounting and payroll.

*Obtain business tools, computer, fax machine, and office supplies.

*Purchase cleaning equipment and supplies.

*Obtain a logo.

*Order or create your business stationary - business cards, letterhead and brochures.

*Have signage created.

*Create an operations and employee manual.

*Hire employees.

*Set a start date.

*Send out press releases.

*Join trade associations, the local chamber of commerce and local networking groups.

*Check on domain names and develop a website.

Begin marketing your business. Your business plan includes a marketing plan so use this as your guide. Your initial marketing may include direct mail pieces, ads in the local paper or radio, and perhaps a banner ad on a complimentary website. Think about developing alliances with other local businesses. Make sure that everyone you know realizes that you have a new business. Send out postcards or letters announcing your new business to friends, family and business acquaintances.

Have realistic goals for the first year of your business. Do not expect that clients will come knocking at your door. You have to convince prospective clients that you provide the services they need at an acceptable price. Once you have a few clients on board, get testimonials from them that you can use to convince other prospective clients that they need your services.

And (in case you need more ideas for start-up) ---

How to Start A Residential Cleaning Business (http://www.homebiztools.com/ideas/residential_cleaning.htm)

How to Start a Cleaning Service - Entrepreneur.com (http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/businessideas/startupkits/article41426.html)

If anyone has ideas for a name, through it out there.

If you're going to be transporting any chemicals of any kind, that will affect how your liability insurance will be.

I can certainly help you and will be glad to do so with marketing on the Internet, if you would like to do that. That's how I get most of my business for the things that I do.

If you're going to be transporting any chemicals of any kind, that will affect how your liability insurance will be.

I can certainly help you and will be glad to do so with marketing on the Internet, if you would like to do that. That's how I get most of my business for the things that I do.

Help would be great. Thank you, Clough.

If anyone has ideas for a name, through it out there.

Absolute Cleaning Service is one idea. Sounds professional and most likely will get you listed first on many lists.

Absolute Cleaning Service is one idea. Sounds professional and most likely will get you listed first on many lists.
She should make sure this (or any) name is not already in use in the area.

A+ Cleaning
Attila the Cleaner
Scour Power
The Bluejeaner Cleaner

When I started my resume business out of my home, my village wanted $40 a year for a license, but the township and the county didn't charge anything.

Congratulations Momma. Starting your own business is exhilarating, challenging and can be very rewarding.

The information that Clough and WG have given you is a great start.

The key In my opinion is that you must never waver in your desire to succeed. There can be many setbacks but they are only challenges not roadblocks. Don't get discouraged, always onward and upward. There is no better feeling than controlling your own destiny.

And as WG listed in her post, you have to go after the business. Decide why you are better and promote that.

Good luck to you.

(WG no commas died in the preparation of this post. :))

Stringer

Thanks Stringer.
WG-Id like to incorporate my name (Cherish) int the name or something...

Thanks Stringer.
WG-Id like to incorporate my name (Cherish) int the name or something...

I believe that Clough would advise that the first word in your company name be one that starts with a "A" or "AA" or "AB" so you are first in web responses to your company when someone is inquiring.

Stringer

Ohhhhhh... good point

Hey, Momma!

I'm back, at least for a little while. Daughter came home.

Please click on the following searches.

Absolute Piano Tuning, Rock Island, IL - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Absolute+Piano+Tuning%2C+Rock+Island%2C+IL&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=)

Piano Tuning, Rock Island, IL - Google Search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Piano+Tuning%2C+Rock+Island%2C+IL&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=)

There's plenty more out there. Those are just a couple of examples.

Thanks!

Thanks Stringer.
WG-Id like to incorporate my name (Cherish) int the name or something...

You can of course use your name in the title of your business. It is also towards the beginning of the alphabet. Google likes to list things alphabetically, however it doesn't like repeated words. Yahoo on the other hand, loves the repeated words.

Please click on the following link. I dominate the first several pages of the search. And, that's for my name alone.

LINK (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=Craig+Clough&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=)

Wow.

That's not all, Momma! You can also get excellent exposure! It depends on the words that you use in ads and/or on a website.

But, I need to get to bed now. I'll be happy to share with you on a future time, the websites that are essentials on which to post. You can be appearing on the first page in a Google search within minutes!

Thanks!

Cool. Thank you. Could I use this method to advertisemy blog?

Congratulations Momma. starting your own business is exhilarating, challenging and can be very rewarding.

The information that Clough and WG have given you is a great start.

The key IMHO is that you must never waver in your desire to succeed. There can be many setbacks but they are only challenges not roadblocks. Don't get discouraged, always onward and upward. There is no better feeling than controlling your own destiny.

And as WG listed in her post, you have to go after the business. Decide why you are better and promote that.

Good luck to you.

(WG no commas died in the preparation of this post. :))

Stringer

I thought so too but I was afraid... :o:rolleyes::)

WG-Id like to incorporate my name (Cherish) int the name or something...

Cherish the Shine
Cherish the Sparkle
Not Just Dust
Cherish's Mop
Cherish Cleans Up (your house, not your bank account)

Motto: Satisfaction guaranteed or your dirt back free!

Before I go Momma, I just wanted to share something else with you. I was helping someone else on this site. The ad that I placed appeared first on the first page on a Google search in one minute.

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/small-business/internet-ads-423807-6.html

Thanks and good night!

Cool. Thank you. Could I use this method to advertisemy blog??

Yes. Sleepy time here...

I had a question. Would I need to obtain licenses just to post an ad on cl for cleaning services?

Hello mamma:

Some small business's that don't have a payroll, and don't collect sales taxes, aren't required to have any license at all. I'd bet your cleaning service is one of them. Ask a CPA just to make sure. DON'T call your city or county and ask a bureaucrat. They don't know the law.

excon

I had a question. Would I need to obtain licenses just to post an ad on cl for cleaning services?

Craigslist doesn't require people who post ads to submit their qualifications for services, except in the Skilled Trades section, Momma.

If you try posting there, you'll get the following at the bottom of the posting box.

Unlicensed licensed: [include licensure info]

Also please remember to incorporate Momma for your own protection it isn't expensive.

Stringer

Would I have to claim this income on taxes? What do you mean by incorporate momma?

I'm almost entirely self-employed. I have to claim everything for me to be legal.

Hello m:

He means forming a corporation for your business. That way your personal assets are protected. If you have NO assets, you could operate as a sole proprietorship until you get some assets. A sole proprietorship is what you are if you don't incorporate.

excon

Hello m:

He means forming a corporation for your business. That way your personal assets are protected. If you have NO assets, you could operate as a sole proprietorship until you get some assets. A sole proprietorship is what you are if you don't incorporate.

excon

I don't know what forming an incorporate means...

Hello again, momma:

There are companies out there that help you form a corporation. It costs a couple hundred dollars. If you do that, and you happen to get sued, your house (if you owned one) would NOT be at risk in the lawsuit. That's the advantage of forming a corporation.

If you don't have assets to protect, and I think that's your situation, then don't worry about it for now.

excon

Hey, Momma!

Are you ready to really get your business noticed on the Internet?

Hello again, momma:

There are companies out there that help you form a corporation. It costs a couple hundred dollars. If you do that, and you happen to get sued, your house (if you owned one) would NOT be at risk in the lawsuit. That's the advantage of forming a corporation.

If you don't have assets to protect, and I think that's your situation, then don't worry about it for now.

excon

Thanks for dumbing that down for me :P I do not have a house. Not even a brand new car, LOL. Thank you for the info.

Hey, Momma!

Are you ready to really get your business noticed on the Internet?

No, I don't have a business yet. Lol.

Originally Posted by Clough
Hey, Momma!

Are you ready to really get your business noticed on the Internet?


No, I don't have a business yet. Lol.

But, perhaps you might want to get started, at least, on a smaller scale?

I don't even have a name yet. I haven't even finished my research or bought supplies. Shoot I'm not even healed enough to hold a broom. But I will in the near future.

I have a number of different names for my businesses. But, basically they all fall under my first and last name for tax purposes. It's important just to get noticed.

For instance, I bid $3,000 today to do a deck cleaning and refinishing job. I got the job. They found me on the Internet. They also found other things in which I'm involved.

Because of something else in which I'm involved, it turns out the customers and I have a great connection!

Here's another thing. Years ago, someone found me on the Internet because they were looking for goats in Iowa. They're an animal rescue. Because of the way that I worded my ad, it caused them to find me by accident. They then decided to have their piano tuned by me!

How about we try the posting of an ad for just your blog? If we do, you'll be amazed at the result!

I'm just trying to show you how this Internet advertising thing works. If you put my first and last name in a Google search, I'm first in the world!

It's actually become kind of a game to me. I like to try to beat other businesses in my area on the Internet who are providing some of the same services that I am.

Yes, that would be cool. If you Google my name, I'm the entire first page :P It was totally accidental though. I have a unique name.

Here's a vanity search for your name.

Link (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=%22ChihuahuaMomma%22&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=)

Are all of those about you?

If we just do a test ad, I'll bet that your blog could come up on the first page in a Google search within minutes!

We could consider this practice for when you do advertise for your cleaning business.

Cool, what do I do? I'd love to advertise my blog.

Would I have to claim this income on taxes? What do you mean by incorporate momma?

File incorporation papers with your state to do business and receive your tax number. Then purchase your liability insurance.

Cool, what do I do? I'd love to advertise my blog.

First, I'd like for you to join the following site.

Welcome to Hoobly (http://www.hoobly.com/)

Please let me know on this thread when you've done that.

Please also heed the advice of Stringer always. He's a major player in the cleaning industry. His advice is as good as gold and second to none!

I hope that you got my voicemail message from my home, Stringer! I'm a bit nervous here, house and dog sitting being without a phone!

Thanks!

I visited your blog again, ChihuahuaMomma! Wow, you've added quite a bit to it! Wanted to leave you another message there, but couldn't find where to do that.

How is your arm, please?

Wanted to leave you another message there, but couldn't find where to do that.

Found where to do it and left you a comment there...

Question:

This'll get you back to here, Momma! :)

Do you actually have running water and electricity out there in Washington State?

I mean, it's clear out there on the other end of the world! :D

First, I'd like for you to join the following site.

Welcome to Hoobly (http://www.hoobly.com/)

Please let me know on this thread when you've done that.



Done!

Do you actually have running water and electricity out there in Washington State?Hello Clough:

Momma and I live in a rain forest. There's water running everywhere. But, we ain't got no lectricity, though. I'm sitting here pumping as fast as I can.

excon

Haha, Yes we have running water and electricity, even internet :o

Thank you, I found a really cool template site that I used. I love the new layout.

My hand is doing great. The scar has healed over really nicely. Three more weeks of physical therapy.

What about "Cherished Homes Cleaning Service"

What about "Cherished Homes Cleaning Service"

It's close to the beginning of the alphabet, Momma. If you add the letter "A" to the beginning, it will be right there!

I'm here now, Momma!

Originally Posted by Clough
Do you actually have running water and electricity out there in Washington State?


Hello Clough:

Momma and I live in a rain forest. There's water running everywhere. But, we ain't got no lectricity, though. I'm sitting here pumping as fast as I can.

Excon

What? Running down from Canada? I'm glad that you're getting the exercise with the pumping of the generator! :p