Post by Kevin on Feb 17, 2008 8:49:28 GMT -5
If I had to do it all over again, what I would do?
I was going to keep this pretty simple. If I had to start a cleaning business today what would I do, I was going to list some of the mistakes that I made so you can avoid them. This thread does not replace the
24 basic steps which are located here, this is more of a insight of the actual business part of operations.
When I was making my rough draft I decided to change it to a do and don`t list. I hope you find it useful, if you have any questions simply reply.
Do
Name your business after the area you service, example Michigan Services, Southeast Services, Downriver Services
Don`t
Put the word cleaning or janitorial into your business name as you will branch off into all aspects of services for residential and commercial property.
Do
Buy the basic of equipment, general cleaning supplies roughly $150 worth of cleaners and such, 2 mop bucket systems, 1 floor scrubber, 1 good carpet extractor system with upholstery tools,1 window washing system, 1 pressure washer, 1 good standard vacuum, 1 backpack vacuum, and a good toolbox
Don`t
Go overboard with your initial purchases, set a budget and hold to it. Now in the past I have said you can hold off on the scrubber and rent for awhile. I suggest now to just buy as it is more time consuming returning the machine.
Do
Advertise moderately in the yellow pages, simple $10-25 ad`s for specific categories, example a 3 line ad in window washing.
Don`t
Purchase large 1/2 page or full page ad`s
Do
Join a local chamber or business association the very first day. Make sure to play an active roll.
Don`t
Join a local chamber or business association if you are not going to attend meetings and be active.
Do
Get a website. Have it made for you, or make one yourself. Make sure it looks professional.
Don`t
Spend tons of money on cheap flyers, make brochures or handouts that are professional in appearance, that direct people to your website for more information.
Do
Join as many industry associations as you can, such as IJCSA to learn as much as possible while having your business advertised online. Learning more =Earning more. Info here
Don`t
Rely on the associations for your only source of online advertising and online generated income. Place as many links back to your business as possible.
Do
Get an accountant to handle your books. His/Her fee is simply the cost of doing business.
Don`t
Think your a CPA, if your not. The roughly hundred dollar fee you pay every month to the accountant is worth it in the end having all your tax records up to par.
Do
Concentrate on direct mail, to your potential customers informing them of the services that you perform.
Don`t
Pay another service for the direct mail, unless they have proven results, if you plan to do this call other providers and ask what their results were.
Do
Have all the work you perform on written signed work orders or agreements.
Don`t
Take jobs on verbal agreements.
Do
Build up a relationship with a janitorial supplier either online or local for your supplies.
Don`t
Buy your supplies at a pharmacy.
Do (big mistake on my part) This is a critical do!
Pick one phone number now that will be your phone number for the length of you business,
it should be a local number that no matter what you can take with you wherever you go. When I started my business it was a home line, and then I moved I had to change the number, then I moved again. All those
previous advertisements, even after the call forwarding ran out were now useless.
Don`t
Get a 800 number
Do
Use 10% of every job to re advertise your business.
Don`t
Use a line of credit, credit cards, loans etc.. to get you through the start up of your business. You have a interest fee and in turn have
to mark up all your services by that interest fee, in turn taking your bids out of competitive range.
Anyone got anymore?
I was going to keep this pretty simple. If I had to start a cleaning business today what would I do, I was going to list some of the mistakes that I made so you can avoid them. This thread does not replace the
24 basic steps which are located here, this is more of a insight of the actual business part of operations.
When I was making my rough draft I decided to change it to a do and don`t list. I hope you find it useful, if you have any questions simply reply.
Do
Name your business after the area you service, example Michigan Services, Southeast Services, Downriver Services
Don`t
Put the word cleaning or janitorial into your business name as you will branch off into all aspects of services for residential and commercial property.
Do
Buy the basic of equipment, general cleaning supplies roughly $150 worth of cleaners and such, 2 mop bucket systems, 1 floor scrubber, 1 good carpet extractor system with upholstery tools,1 window washing system, 1 pressure washer, 1 good standard vacuum, 1 backpack vacuum, and a good toolbox
Don`t
Go overboard with your initial purchases, set a budget and hold to it. Now in the past I have said you can hold off on the scrubber and rent for awhile. I suggest now to just buy as it is more time consuming returning the machine.
Do
Advertise moderately in the yellow pages, simple $10-25 ad`s for specific categories, example a 3 line ad in window washing.
Don`t
Purchase large 1/2 page or full page ad`s
Do
Join a local chamber or business association the very first day. Make sure to play an active roll.
Don`t
Join a local chamber or business association if you are not going to attend meetings and be active.
Do
Get a website. Have it made for you, or make one yourself. Make sure it looks professional.
Don`t
Spend tons of money on cheap flyers, make brochures or handouts that are professional in appearance, that direct people to your website for more information.
Do
Join as many industry associations as you can, such as IJCSA to learn as much as possible while having your business advertised online. Learning more =Earning more. Info here
Don`t
Rely on the associations for your only source of online advertising and online generated income. Place as many links back to your business as possible.
Do
Get an accountant to handle your books. His/Her fee is simply the cost of doing business.
Don`t
Think your a CPA, if your not. The roughly hundred dollar fee you pay every month to the accountant is worth it in the end having all your tax records up to par.
Do
Concentrate on direct mail, to your potential customers informing them of the services that you perform.
Don`t
Pay another service for the direct mail, unless they have proven results, if you plan to do this call other providers and ask what their results were.
Do
Have all the work you perform on written signed work orders or agreements.
Don`t
Take jobs on verbal agreements.
Do
Build up a relationship with a janitorial supplier either online or local for your supplies.
Don`t
Buy your supplies at a pharmacy.
Do (big mistake on my part) This is a critical do!
Pick one phone number now that will be your phone number for the length of you business,
it should be a local number that no matter what you can take with you wherever you go. When I started my business it was a home line, and then I moved I had to change the number, then I moved again. All those
previous advertisements, even after the call forwarding ran out were now useless.
Don`t
Get a 800 number
Do
Use 10% of every job to re advertise your business.
Don`t
Use a line of credit, credit cards, loans etc.. to get you through the start up of your business. You have a interest fee and in turn have
to mark up all your services by that interest fee, in turn taking your bids out of competitive range.
Anyone got anymore?
.... 