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How to start a cleaning company: 8

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simple steps
Thinking about starting a cleaning business? Read our bite-sized guide to
success...

by Lucy Wayment Updated: Jun 24, 2015 Published: Feb 20, 2014 Like Tweet 230

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Appear Here triumphs at Startups
Youll need to have a clear vision about where you plan to position your cleaning business in this Awards 2015 as winners are
somewhat crowded market and carve a niche for yourself to ensure your start-up stands out. unveiled
Read our eight simple steps to get your cleaning venture on the path to success. (http://startups.co.uk/startups-

http://startups.co.uk/how-to-start-a-cleaning-company-8-simple-steps/ 10/12/2015
How to start a cleaning company: 8 simple steps - Startups.co.uk: Starting a business a... Page 2 of 6

1. Determine what type of cleaning business youre going to specialise in awards/appear-here-triumphs-at-

There are three main types of cleaning company: startups-awards-2015-as-winners-
are-unveiled/)
Domestic domestic cleaning will involve cleaning peoples homes (normally while theyre
at work) and can be undertaken by you as soon as you secure some clients. You may Retail marketplace crowned Simply Business
eventually take on staff as your client-base builds. Startups Business of the Year at UK's 12th
Commercial in order to clean commercial properties youll need a team of people (the annual awards which celebrates the best of
properties will be tend to be large office buildings) and it may be that your role is more UK start-up talent...
managerial than on the ground cleaning.
Specialised there are lots of niches to explore, from window cleaning to schools to
vehicle cleaning.
Bear in mind your skills set (are you prepared to clean every day or are you more suited to the
administrative side of a cleaning business) and where theres the best market opportunity in
your desired area.

2. Research, research, research

As mentioned above researching the potential market and local demographic will be key in
determining the type of cleaning business you should start. If youre planning on running a
domestic cleaning venture youll need to ensure that people in the local area are financially able
to pay for someone else to do their domestic chores, likewise for a commercial business are there
enough viable contracts to win? Market research will also be key in determining your prices
Former Techstars MD Jon Bradford
(try posing as a prospective client and ringing around the local competition to ensure your
pricing point is competitive).
joins Central Working
(http://startups.co.uk/startups-
3. Decide on your business model (could franchising be an option?) 100/news/former-techstars-
From the outset its important to think about your long-term plans for your cleaning business. If managing-director-jon-bradford-
youre looking for a business that you can grow slowly and organically and that you can keep joins-central-working-board/)
control of in the long-run then going it alone is probably sensible. However, to hit the ground
Bradford joins as non-executive director to
running (and if youre nervous about some of the elements of setting up a business) you could
help guide Startups 100-listed workspace
consider franchising. Theres lots of franchises in the cleaning industry with average upfront
companys future direction
costs of around 12,000.

4. Budget appropriately for your equipment

IN NEWS (HTTP://STARTUPS.CO.UK/STARTUPS-100/NEWS/)

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Cleaning equipment costs can vary considerably. For domestic cleaners, more often than not the
equipment is provided by the households, but if youre thinking of launching a commercial
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Its important that you ensure any outlays you have to spend on equipment will be counteracted
in profits.

5. Create a marketing plan

As well as some initial spend on equipment it may be necessary to allocate some budget for
marketing. One of the hardest elements of starting a cleaning company (and in fact any service
business) is building up a client list. Depending on the nature of your business some traditional
advertising such as classified listings and flyers could be the best place to start although its
worth considering investing in some online advertising as well, such as pay-per-click
(http://startups.co.uk/how-to-create-a-successful-pay-per-click-ppc-marketing-campaign-
without-overspending/), particularly if you are offering a niche service (and can therefore go for
a specific search term such as Brentwood carpet cleaner). And dont be afraid to go out and
knock on some doors cleaning can be a personal business and prospective clients may be more
likely to sign up if they meet you face-to-face!

6. Develop a strong brand and build a reputation

Once your business gets underway and starts to gain momentum its important to build a brand
that you can be proud of as apart from any marketing spend youll mainly be reliant on
gaining customers via word of mouth and personal recommendations. To build a brand identity
its a good idea to have a logo designed and to have a uniform for any staff with clear branding
on it. Subscribing to trade organisations which have a compulsory standard for membership can
also help create a professional reputation, as well as getting satisfied clients to provide
testimonials. Try to create a USP that isnt just about price something that clearly defines your
brand as a cleaning business that wont be forgotten.

7. Managing cashflow and getting paid

As with any new business, cashflow can be sporadic initially but particularly for domestic
cleaners as clients can be somewhat unreliable in terms of how regularly theyll want you,
bearing in mind holidays, sicknesses etc. In addition youll need to work out a payment system
with clients that works for you. Typically people expect to pay their cleaner cash-in-hand per job
but for your cashflow you may want to insist on an advance payment system.

8. Training and regulations

You do not need a license to run a cleaning business but obtaining a criminal records check from
the CRB (http://www.crb.homeoffice.gov.uk/default.aspx) can only improve your image (and
that of your staff) as trusted professionals. Training is also not a prerequisite but some basic
training such as an NVQ or Cleaning Operatives Proficiency Certificate could give your business
credibility.

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How to start a cleaning company: 8 simple steps - Startups.co.uk: Starting a business a... Page 3 of 6

If youre going to be taking on staff theres a number of regulations youll need to bear in mind.
Typically cleaning work is not well paid its likely that your staff will receive the minimum
wage (currently 6.31) so youll need to keep on top of annual rises
(https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates). Youll also be responsible for employers
liability insurance and if youre taking on commercial cleaning jobs youll need to adhere to the
Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations
(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tupe-a-guide-to-the-2006-regulations) which
state that when you take on a cleaning contract with an office or other business premises you
must use their existing staff. Lastly, theres a number of health and safety regulations to
consider, as cleaning often involves working with potentially harmful chemicals.
For a detailed step-by-step guide on how to start a cleaning business read our comprehensive
guide here (http://startups.co.uk/how-to-start-a-cleaning-business/).

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