| For many people, working for someone else is just not | | | | a price on. However, if the client really needs the |
| an option. Having to punch a time clock for meager | | | | service, call around to similar services at your local |
| wages can send the most diligent person over the | | | | Laundromat and price accordingly. You may also want |
| edge. In addition, there are home situations that | | | | to check with other cleaning services in your area for |
| demand a more flexible schedule, like young children or | | | | pricing, since the rates can vary so widely from big |
| the illness of a spouse. Whatever the reason many | | | | cities to rural areas. For instance, you would charge a |
| are finding it necessary to leave the traditional work | | | | lot more in Dallas Texas than in a small town in |
| force and search for good ways to make a living. | | | | Missouri. |
| Now that you may have found yourself looking at | | | | Now that you are armed with pricing information, get |
| starting your own business where do you start? If this | | | | out and find some clients. The best way to do this is |
| is an unexpected change, you may not have a lot of | | | | by talking to people you already know. Your church or |
| cash saved up to start a new business and there are | | | | school organization can be a great place to start. |
| precious few businesses you can start with little or no | | | | These are people you already know and trust so |
| cash. One good choice for the small budget is to start | | | | getting their business will be much easier. You can also |
| your own cleaning business. | | | | check with the local real-estate offices for leads on |
| To start a cleaning business you need just a few | | | | abandoned foreclosures and rentals, and many |
| products. Until you get a dedicated clientele, you will | | | | realtors moonlight as property managers so they could |
| need a good overall cleaner such as 409, a duster, | | | | have homes needing cleaned the day you call. |
| some rags, toilet bowl, and window cleaner. You may | | | | It can be slow going at first while you build your |
| also need your home cleaning equipment such as the | | | | reputation and get the word of mouth advertising |
| broom and mop or even a steam cleaner. However, | | | | started. Be patient and realize that in the beginning you |
| these can be purchased exclusively for the business | | | | may have to rely on undercutting the competition to |
| once you begin to make money. | | | | get any work. Be careful though you will not want to |
| All that is left is to set your prices and get a few | | | | get extreme in this area or you will find yourself |
| clients. Setting your price can be difficult when you first | | | | working 70 hours a week and making little or no |
| start out. A good rule of thumb is five dollars per room | | | | money. Moreover, eventually you may need the help |
| and ten per bathroom. That is only a guideline though | | | | of your fellow cleaners if you get behind or to |
| and may be adjusted for variables such as pets, | | | | subcontract when they do. A cleaning business can be |
| windows and laundry. Personally, I would not do | | | | your ticket to freedom with a little planning and a lot of |
| laundry; it is extremely time consuming and hard to put | | | | work. |