Start a Cleaning Business and Discover the Joys of Being Your Own Boss

In this day and age of downsizing, outsourcing and pink slips, the idea of starting a business is appealing to more and more people: one less rat in the rat race. There’s something reassuring about being the boss—hardly are you going to fire yourself. And it’s exciting and rewarding to know that the success of any business is in direct correlation with how much time and energy invested.

Perhaps you should start a cleaning business.

The Importance of Paperwork

When it comes to running a successful cleaning business, it all starts with the paperwork: a business plan, stationary, business cards, a marketing plan and, most importantly, the business contracts who want to hire you when you start a cleaning business. 

One of the first things you need when you start a cleaning business is a contract. The contract is a legally binding document between the business and the client—pay in exchange for services. A workable contract should include the company name, address, phone number and email address; these are basic elements when you start a cleaning business. Also, include any licensing number associated with the business, because it gives the company professional credibility. 

List the cleaning services the company will perform with each visit. Services such as dusting, vacuuming, wiping down and polishing furniture, cleaning and disinfecting the kitchen/break area and the bathroom are must when you start a cleaning business. Make sure to list all services and duties and the cost of each so there’s no misunderstandings later. List any special services such as shampooing carpets and cleaning windows, how often the company will do them and how much these services will cost. 

Specify how many days a week the company will clean the client’s offices and at what time—morning, afternoon, or evening. Be sure to communicate when the fees are due: monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly. If it’s in writing, there’s no misunderstanding between the company and the client when payment is expected.  This is a good business practice when you start a cleaning business.

Finally, provide a couple of lines for the business owner’s and the client’s signature, along with date lines to note when the contract is finalized. Provide a copy of the singed contract to the client and keep the original.

And when you start a cleaning business, consider a Jani-King franchise. Jani-King is the industry leader in commercial and janitorial cleaning services. Its franchisees enjoy unequaled support in starting a cleaning business which includes helping to secure clients and perfecting best cleaning practices. Jani-King is the world’s largest commercial cleaning franchise company with more than 12,000 franchises in 15 different countries.