Commercial cleaning service businesses leave companies free to work

Commercial cleaning services are a great option for tidy night-owls.

A commercial cleaning service business is far more common than many people think.  As the “maid” for places of business, you come in after everyone has gone home and clean up.  This type of touch-up cleaning service is usually done every week.  You can put together a whole roster of commercial cleaning clients that you visit on a schedule.

Who starts a commercial cleaning business?

There are over 50,000 commercial cleaning services in the United States, alone.  Even a look in the “yellow” pages shows only a fraction of the commercial cleaning services that are in your town.  Anyone with a talent for organization and an eye for detail can do well with a commercial cleaning service, full time or part time.

The number of employees your commercial cleaning service can hire will determine size the jobs you can take.  When bidding on a job you'll also need to consider the type of business, how many employees work there. 

The size of any type of cleaning business startup is determined by how much capital you have.  If you're starting with just yourself or a partner, you will need to get smaller offices and stores as clients to start.

The Basics
Most commercial cleaning services rely upon a working vehicle that can move at least four people and their equipment.  If you start small, you can get away with a smaller vehicle.  A commercial cleaning service that offers lower rates to start out can be selective and target clients that are nearby and closed during the hours you want to work.

You'll have to use some sort of vehicle to get your supplies and tools to the commercial cleaning service jobs along with yourself or your employees.  Be sure you have one that is big enough for both.

Before you start, you'll need the basic supplies a commercial cleaning service will use.  This includes a minimum of:

• brooms, mops and a vacuum
• buckets, brushes and rags
• plenty of trash bags
• surface cleaning products
• soaps, detergents and polishes

Some jobs may supply the materials they'd like you to use.  Though, most commercial cleaning services bring their own.

Regular expenses
Unless you start a “green” commercial cleaning service, you'll be spending money on gas every week or more.  Be sure and figure your transportation costs into your budget.  Bicycles with trailers or large front baskets are the only exception to this.  However, they can only be used if you're the only “employee” and the job is small. 

If you have employees, payroll is a large part of your weekly expenses.  You need to make sure you have enough money to cover those expenses on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, even if you're commercial cleaning service is only paid every month.

It should come as no surprise to anyone in the commercial cleaning service business that cleaning supplies are a regular expense.  That means planning for every room and situation on any cleaning service job.  You can get a good idea of what materials will be required from what kind of business your client is.

Finding clients
There are several different types of businesses that make use of commercial cleaning services.  They include, but are not limited to:

• medical offices
• warehouses
• retail stores
• food processing facilities
• sports facilities
• restaurants
• hotels

You may be surprised how quickly your business can get going by just passing business cards around.  Don't be shy about approaching business owners with information about your services.  As you expand your commercial cleaning service, you'll be able to build a quality proposal with good references.

Starting up
First, you'll need to find out if there are any legal or tax requirements for starting a business in your state or province.  There may also be local taxes on a small business as well as licensing fees.  You might be able to trade commercial cleaning services for accounting or legal help.

Next you should purchase supplies.  This is cheaply done by purchasing from wholesalers or making them yourself.  Be sure you have preferred brands of all common cleaning supplies. 

Then it's just a matter of finding clients and getting out there.  Write a list of services you'll be able to provide.  Make fliers and hand out cards to businesses you think could use your services.  Have a bid ready when each client contacts you.

See Also: How to Start A Business : Business Idea of The Day

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