Do you enjoy cleaning? Although you are unique in your love of cleaning, you can turn your joy of making things clean into a profitable janitorial business! These services are always in demand; as long as there are people, there will be messes that need to be cleaned up and general maintenance cleaning that must be done. Janitorial work is steady, well-paying work that usually takes place in the evenings, at night, or on the weekend, when businesses are closed. Most companies provide services like sweeping, dusting, emptying wastebaskets and ashtrays, refilling paper dispersers or soap dispensers, vacuuming the floor, and cleaning the windows. Some clients may also request services above these, including buffing, waxing, or stripping the floors of the business as well. You may receive special requests for services like plant care or wall washing, among others. Some clients may even ask that you provide them with basic items like paper towels and toilet tissue instead of buying it themselves; determine if this is a service that you want to offer.
Getting Started
When you are getting started, you will need a business license and some equipment, and probably a van to haul it from business to business as you clean. To begin with, you will need basic cleaning supplies, a vacuum cleaner, and (if you plan to offer the service) a floor buffer. You must also establish the rates that you will charge. Most janitorial businesses charge by the job, such as a particular rate for doing a particular number of services for a set number of days each weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly period. Others may charge by the hour. No two jobs will require the same amount of work, so it is also an option to give estimates for each individual client request.
You may also have to be bonded to operate in your locale. This is due to the fact that most janitorial clients turn over a set of keys to their business to you; this is a position of trust, and most people just don’t trust the cleaning crew that much. It’s just a fact! If you hire anyone to help youhis response, they will also need to be bonded. You also want to take out liability insurance that will protect you in the event that you become liable for damages that occur during the course of your work.
Advertising Your Janitorial Business
When you first open your business, getting your first few clients may take some time. Approach potential clients and have a flier or business card ready to give them. Place ads in your local newspaper in the services or business section. Establish a top notch website that will allow you to be included in the search results of queries for janitorial services in your local area, and submit your business’ contact information to online directories. Don’t forget to place an ad in the old-standby phone directory, too.
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