Tips for Starting a Part-Time Cleaning Business in Tough Economic Times

You're ready to start a side business to supplement your income or maybe you're looking to change careers or need a new job right now. Whatever your situation, you might think that a cleaning business is just the thing for you. But will it fit your circumstances and working personality?

There are more types of cleaning businesses than just home cleaning. Below are tips to get you started in your new business venture. These ideas may just help you get customers even in uncertain economic times. I had a thriving part-time cleaning business for 4 years that I started during a time when people were keeping a tight hand on their pocketbooks. You can cater to the needs of customers in your community and come out on top.

The #1 resource you will have in making your small business last in a slow economy is the ability to think outside of the box. When you consider a cleaning business, what's the first thing that comes to mind? For many people, it's home cleaning. But you will be limiting yourself if you don't think beyond that.

Home cleaning clients are great to have and they might even be your main source of income. But you'll quickly learn that to survive being self-employed, you need to have more than one source of income. This will help your business stay steady when others are failing because their focus is too narrow.

Here are a few ideas for various cleaning jobs to consider.

• Office or other business
• Windows
• Apartments and apartment buildings, i.e. hallways and laundry rooms, move-out/move-in cleaning
  
• One-time jobs like cars, boats, RVs, garages or basements
  
• Foreclosures
• Cleaning houses for real estate companies (besides foreclosure, this could be show homes in newly constructed neighborhoods or other homes that are empty and the real estate company needs cleaned)
  
• Cleaning houses for home buyers or sellers either before they move in or move out
• Event cleaning such as for graduation parties, kid's parties, baby and wedding showers
  

This list could go on. I just wanted you to start pondering the possibilities. One-time jobs can be quite lucrative. Busy parents or business people will hire you to do the jobs they don't have time for. When I had my cleaning business, I would get calls about the same time every year for spring or fall cleaning jobs such as for windows, ovens, refrigerators and kitchen cabinets.

Some of these jobs, especially one-time and foreclosure cleaning, might make money now, but it's wise not to count on them for your bread and butter income. Just because something is currently popular doesn't mean it will continue to be. For more tips in this regard, read my article linked below on what the biggest self-employment mistakes are and how you can avoid them.

You don't necessarily have to count on friends and family to be your first business contacts, but you do need to make an assessment of who you know. Lists are great for this. Make one for every group of people such as:

• Family
• Friends
• Coworkers
• Business owners you've had contact with

Make lists for the type of cleaning jobs you're willing to do, those you absolutely won't do, and those you're flexible about. Here are some other useful lists:

• Surrounding neighborhoods you'd like to work in
• Supplies needed for each type of job you're considering

These lists serve two purposes. The first is as sort of mini brainstorming sessions to help you understand all the possible avenues for your new business. The second is for organization. You might look at your lists and decide to cross out things you initially added to them but thought better of it.

This forces you to focus on how you want to begin your business and how you might expand it at a later date. For instance, you might not have enough money for supplies for a certain job, but once your business grows you'll consider purchasing them and expanding into that area. Another list after you've figured this all out is one which includes all the ways in which you would like to market your business.

I can't give you a price guide to follow since the cost of services can vary greatly depending on where you live. The best thing to do before you start advertising is to call many other cleaning businesses, both small and large, and ask them what they charge for their various services. Here are some questions you should consider asking:

• Do they charge hourly or per job?
• Do they charge cancellation fees?
  
• What hidden extras do they charge for?  (But don't use the word 'hidden' when you talk to them.)
  
• Do they give a discount if the client has their own cleaning supplies?
• Do they charge extra if they have to travel past a certain point?
• How do they accept payment?

Why are these things relevant? Besides having a gauge to help you price your own work, this helps you know what the competition offers. What if you have a client that wants you to clean once a week but wants to pay once a month? Are you willing to accept those terms? If the competition does, then that's something to consider. You don't want to price yourself so low that you can't make a living, but you need to keep up with the competition, especially when money is tight for everyone.

If home cleaning isn't your thing but starting a window cleaning business appeals to you, then you might want to visit professional window cleaner Don Marsh's website. He has some good videos on YouTube, one of which I linked at right.

He also has an encouraging and informative blog on his site where he gives tips for free. Check it out below:

• Don the Window Cleaner

I've also linked to a video with Jean from the Janitorial Store. It's an introduction to a series of videos on starting a cleaning business. She begins by asking potential entrepreneurs to consider what it really takes to work for themselves.

The Janitorial Store site is also full of information on starting a cleaning business. Included on the site are links to blogs from successful business owners.

• The Janitorial Store
  

Marketing and small business start-up specifics are beyond the scope of this article. This hub is meant to get you thinking about what you need to do to start a cleaning business. But you'll need to do your research regarding the business forms, invoices, accounting and taxes.

You'll also need to think about how you will advertise your business. Will it be word of mouth to start? You can also use classified ads in print and internet.  The IRS and Small Business Administration websites are a good place to get ideas.