I just started a Janitorial business L.L.C. and I would like to know how to bid like a professional on janitorial accounts. Is there a book I can purchase or a sq. ft. estimating chart I can obtain. Also if possible can you help me determine which insurances I will need to obtain for my business?

Your insurance agent can help you with the insurance you'll need.

You will need liability and damage and loss insurance, as well as bonding.

As far as bidding professionally on contracts...

I will tell you that the majority of people in the janitorial business dress to meet a prospect like they would dress to clean the place. - Bad idea for them, but good for you...

I say that because it's sooo easy to set yourself apart and make a positve influence simply by dressing like a successful professional.

Next, I would present the bid on a clean, typed or printed page.

Years ago, when I was in the business, we would bid jobs based on how many hours we estimated the work would take.

We would then take that figure and multiply times $12.50, which was our hourly rate (although you don't tell the prospect this).

The rate is much higher now, I'm sure.

Calculating the time it will take to accomplish your list of duties is not the easiest thing to do. Some people are faster than others... some are just plain slow. So, it stands to question whether you will be doing the cleaning yourself.

Other variables include the overall cleanliness of the facility you will be contracting on. What kind of a facility is it? Is it industrial or office? Commercial or residential?

Just doing general janitorial services... dusting, vaccuuming, mopping, etc. you should be able to clean between 3,000 to 5,000 square feet per hour.

When you first start, build a buffer into your bid. If you aren't winning bids... adjust your rate.

If you're winning all of your bids... ADJUST YOUR RATE.

Learn as you go!