How to Start a Successful Cleaning Business

As the amount of British people now hiring a cleaner rises and the contract cleaning market is expected to grow (according to FM World), there’s never been a better time to start your own cleaning business. Below are a few things to consider if you want to be successful:

Do you have what it takes?
The qualifications needed for starting your own cleaning company will of course depend really on the type of service you offer. Some things are most definitely required though and that’s that you’ll need determination to make the business work and a strong passion to please the customer and always provide an excellent job. If your heart isn’t in it, you won’t succeed.

What is going to be your specialism?
What type of cleaning business will it be? Domestic – will you be cleaning homes? Commercial – will you choose to clean offices and commercial properties? Or perhaps more niche such as window or vehicle cleaning? Don’t try to be everything; pick the best you can serve and focus on this entirely. The type of business you wish to set up will also determine where your business is primarily located, whether that’s from home or commercial premises. It will also have an impact on how big your team of people needs to be, if any.

What about costs?
In order to be successful, you’re going to need to invest in good quality cleaning equipment. Domestic cleaners may not require as much, however a commercial cleaning business will most likely require professional vacuum cleaners, sweeping machines, equipment trolleys, supplies from Brosch Direct and new vehicles. Do some market research to find out a little more about how you should price your services. Learning how to estimate labour and calculate your overheads will allow you to set a competitive pricing structure and make the profit you need to be successful. Try not to undersell yourself in those early days.

Will I need to invest in marketing?
According to new research from Royal Mail, the majority (81 per cent) of UK SMEs believe marketing is ‘critical’ or ‘essential’ to their business growth. After the initial spend on equipment, you’ll want to consider allocating a budget to marketing spend. The industry is competitive and building up a client list can be tough at the start. Some traditional print advertising along with flyers and business cards could be a good place to start, but think about advertising online too. Set up a page on Facebook and encourage friends and family to share. Use the page to post photos of your work and introductory offers to attract interest. If you’re offering a niche service, investing in pay per click online for your local area may be well worth it.

How can I portray a strong image?
Take good care for your brand image and customers will notice this. Research into other cleaning companies in the area and decide how you can make yours stand out. A number of factors contribute to your overall image including your employees, your marketing materials and your vehicles, not to mention your company’s policies and integrity.

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