Im starting up my own business (cleaning company) and would welcome any advise?

Question

my mistake (advice!!!)

Answer 1

Ok the obvious...


Adertise in yellow pages and things like directory enquires... forst place I look ie where can I get cleaning done...?

Hvae As in the name at the start so first in book.


Make sure you have voice mail as many will get hold of you at night.

Make sure your voice mail does not takes ages...


ie to leave a message press 1, to speak to somone 2 then whilst waiting give other helpful info.,


Never use internet forms for people to contact you... alsways at least give them the choice of email...


ie if I want a cleaner I pick 10 emails and ask for a brochure with one email and all the addresses in cc.

But those forms take too long and you cant send documents.

Also people email late at night.

Have pens and mesage pads next to phone or two phone lines.

Get insurance and make sure stuff dont mix chemicals and gas themselves.

Pick staff who have been unemployed a while as they will apreciate the job more.

Longer CVs also have more detail and funky haircuts often mean creative problem solving thinking.

GIf disolves gloss paint.

People with attiudes based on their mistreatment of others often prove to be come those with the best attiude if you treat them right and become their hero.

Likewise people stay where they get a living wage and employers are not anal.

Answer 2

Get a business line so your cleaning business will be listed in the phone book. You don't need an office to start. You can work by yourself untill you build up enough clients then you'll hire people. Make sure you do background check before you hire them. To get clients, advertise yourself everywhere. Do some research and find out how much other cleaners are charging in your area and what kind of services they offer. Green, organic clean is in demand now in some areas of the country. Read other cleaning businesses profile and learn from them.

Answer 3

I assume you have spoken to the Tax office and your Bank?
Also see if there is a small business group in your area these people support each other and pass on work contacts amongst the group. This means you can have help and support in the early day's of the Business.
Have you also looked into advertising your business, free ads etc.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

From financial point of view, go to your local bank who will offer excellent first time business rates, if you get into a cash flow situation later on they are always willing to help. Also, advertise yourself in the local daily newspaper/free weekly paper/any local mags - go into the nearest newsagents and look at the local papers and whilst you're there, put an advert in the window. Lastly, make sure you know your staff and can trust them completely - mine let me down very badly and my business suffered but we managed to scrape through - just!
Remember, thick skin, broad shoulders and a sense of humour is a must!! BEST OF LUCK.

Answer 5

Hi Lisa, congratulations on starting your own business! It is kind of exciting isn't it? Starting a business isn't always all fun and games though and I suggest you get as organized as possible. I have a website I would like to recommend to help you along the way. The site is www.cdwebmall.com. I hope this helps and the best of luck to you!

Answer 6

hi, try these sites for some great advice for starting a small business http://www.starttalkingideas.org/next_steps/getting_started
http://www.mybusiness.co.uk/
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1073858805&r.s=m
http://www.clearlybusiness.com/advice-and-support/
http://www.smallbusinessadvice.org.uk/busplan/getstart.asp
http://www.channel4.com/money/feature.jsp?id=32
my best advice would be to do as much research as you can, and don't stop doing it once you start your business! it needs to be a continual process.
also get advice from a business mentor or coach, ask business link ~(see link above) for free schemes in your area, and don't be affraid of asking for advice from more than one mentor, the more opinions and ideas you can get the better.

Answer 7

Be fair and honest in all your dealings and you will not go far wrong. Business Links will give you all the advice you need. visit http://www.businesslink.gov.uk Good luck

Answer 8

don't bother i have been running mine for 11yrs and its a night mare, its OK if you keep it small and do the majority of cleaning yourself.
but as soon as you start employing staff that's when the trouble starts.
if you are cleaning offices your staff will be key holders and you have got to trust them to do a good job and work the time they are paid for. good luck anyway

Answer 9

Make sure you employees do a good job, otherwise your reputation will go down the drains..!!

Answer 10

Go to www.startcleaning.blogspot.com for help.