There are not many certainties in life, but cleaning is one of them. It doesn’t matter who or where you are, things need to be cleaned. Whether it’s a house, an office, a venue, everything needs to be cleaned regularly. This is even more true now during the times of COVID, where thorough cleaning is a requirement by law for many workplaces. Cleaning companies are often classified as “recession proof businesses”, the demand for them is growing, they do not require a lot of overhead and it is relatively simple to “start small.”
So how does one start a cleaning business? Read on and learn.
What are the three types of cleaning business?
It is generally accepted that there are three types of cleaning businesses – residential cleaning, commercial cleaning, and specialized cleaning.
Residential cleaning – This is the cleaner who visits homes to clean the home. This includes cleaning carpets, bathrooms, kitchens, and rooms. It also includes polishing, mopping, and dusting. Residential cleaners have to be keen on detail and should know how to respect other people’s space and belongings.
Commercial cleaning – This is the cleaner who visits businesses like offices, studios, and shops. Their work includes wiping down furniture, cleaning up canteens, and general tidying. There is a lot of ground to cover so those who wish to be commercial cleaners should know how to handle the tasks that come with it. Specialized cleaning – This is the cleaner who needs to have expertise in a field or area. It can be cleaning up chemical spills or cleaning up graffiti or some other specialized cleaning tasks. Those who offer specialized cleaning services should need more training, and accreditations. They should also have health and safety protocols in place as well as small business insurance.
What is a cleaning business’ market?
One who plans on starting his or her own cleaning business should do research to learn about the business’ potential market as well as the demographics of the market. The results of the research would help a person determine the kind of cleaning business that they would like to start. Those who are planning on having a residential cleaning business should have access to an area in the locality where people are capable of paying for the services.
How much money is needed to start a cleaning business?
The budget needed to start a cleaning business varies, depending on the type of cleaning business that a person would like to start. Those who are planning on starting a residential cleaning business may not have to invest in cleaning equipment since most of these would be provided by the homeowners. Those who are planning on setting up any of the two other types should have to invest in the right kind of equipment. Equipment trolleys can cost £250 to £400 each. A professional vacuum cleaner should cost around £100 at least. A sweeping machine can go for £200 to £2,000 per unit. A van to be used for moving the equipment would be around £3,000 at least.
Is a business plan needed?
A business plan is going to be important for a cleaning business since it will serve as a guide for the business venture. It will allow the owner to have a clear knowledge of the services offered and how much these would cost. It will also offer information on the area where the services will be offered as well as information on the competition. A good business plan for a cleaning business will also include a strategy on how the business will be promoted and how it will grow. These pieces of information would help owners plan better, forecast the revenue, and predict the costs. This document is also important for businesses who are looking for investors.
Are there any regulations and trainings required for a cleaning business?
To have a cleaning business, a person does not need to have a license. However, it would greatly help if the owner has a clean criminal records check. Training are not necessarily needed. However, in the current climate basic training like the NVQ or the Cleaning Operatives Proficiency Certificate would make a business look even more credible. An owner of a cleaning business will also need to have employer’s liability insurance. Aside from this, a commercial cleaning business owner will need to follow the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations (Protection of Employment) that state that when a business has a cleaning contract in an officer or some other business premises, the business should have existing staff doing the work. It is also important for cleaning business owners to follow the health regulations and safety regulations since the job entails having to work with chemicals that can be harmful to the employees.
Is there a business structure that a cleaning business should have?
A cleaning business should be registered with the HMRC so it can pay the right tax and the National Insurance (NICs). One of the requirements would be to file the business structure of the business. There are three types to choose from.
Sole trader– This is the most popular structure for cleaning businesses owned by just one person. There are no fees to pay for setting one up, as well as no running costs. The owner of the business is liable personally for any debts incurred by the business and he or she is also the one responsible for paying NICs and taxes. Partnership – A cleaning business run by two people should have a partnership. The two parties will have to share everything in the business and their agreement should be put in writing. Limited company – People who choose to have a limited company is able to protect their personal assets in cases when the business fails. However, there are legal requirements and regulations that they should work on. Should a person have a hard time or may not have enough time to work on setting up a business and working on the requirements, there are companies that offer company formation services that they can take advantage of so they can focus on other aspects of the business.
Is marketing the brand and the business important?
Building the brand of the cleaning business is important. The first things that an owner can do to promote the business would be through recommendations from the first customers as well as referrals from them. One can also encourage current customers to have their friends try the services and offering discounts on the services. An owner can also try to advertise in the local area through ads in local newspaper, local radio stations, and also through flyers and posters. There are more marketing techniques that an owner of a cleaning business can apply to market his or her brand and venture.
Starting a cleaning business may seem like a tough thing to do. However, with the right guidance and the determination to have one running, any difficulties will just be a walk in the park.
published under Business Address Guides
