Home cleaning services help busy homeowners and renters get the clean, inviting home they want. They can provide recurring house cleaning, move-in or move-out cleaning, deep cleaning and more.
Many small home cleaning services offer flexible pricing options, including hourly rates or flat rates that are calculated by square footage. Many also have a referral program to reward clients for their business.
Getting Started
The startup costs for a cleaning business depends on the size of your team, the type of supplies you need to purchase, and the rates you charge in your area. Typically, it is less expensive to start a cleaning business with fewer employees, and you can find inexpensive supplies at bulk retailers such as Sam’s Club or Costco. If you offer specialty services such as green cleaning, you might need to purchase more expensive equipment.
Once you determine what kind of cleaning services to provide, you can create a marketing plan that highlights your unique selling points. For example, if you are a professional cleaner, you might be able to offer more efficient cleaning times than other service providers. Or, if you are a move in/out cleaner, you can help tenants leave behind no trace and retain their security deposits.
Developing a marketing strategy is essential for any small business, and a cleansin business is no different. To attract new clients, you will need to reach out to your network and advertise your services on social media and in local classifieds. You can also offer special promotions and discounts to new customers to encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
Another important aspect of starting a cleaning service is securing funding for your business. Without adequate funds, you won’t be able to purchase necessary equipment or hire new employees. There are many sources of funding for small businesses, including Small Business Administration loans and microloans. You can also look into online lending platforms that provide funding to startups and small businesses.
In addition to securing funding, you will need to decide on a legal structure for your business. The most common option is a sole proprietorship, which is easy to establish and offers minimal risk. However, if you want to limit your personal liability, you might consider forming a partnership or incorporating your business.
Once you have secured your first clients, make sure to keep them happy by providing excellent service. Encourage them to share their experiences with your business on social media and through trusted review sites like Trustpilot. This will help potential new customers make an informed decision about hiring your company.
Pricing
Pricing is a key consideration for a small home cleaning service. It can be based on an hourly rate, a flat or calculated rate per square foot of the home, or a combination. The type of services you offer and the number of clients can also influence rates.
The average cost for a basic or standard cleaning of an entire house is about $100 to $150. This includes mopping, sweeping, dusting and vacuuming in every room of the home. The price may be slightly higher for more extensive cleaning, such as deep cleaning or sanitizing a kitchen, basement or bathroom.
Other factors that can influence the cost of your cleaning services include your location and the types of supplies you use. For example, you might charge more for cleaning products that are organic or eco-friendly, or you may choose to provide them as part of your services to attract a particular client base.
One of the ways you can differentiate your service is by offering a range of add-ons, such as washing windows or doors, cleaning out refrigerators or ovens, or cleaning carpets. These can increase your total sales and help you establish yourself as an expert or authority in the field of home cleaning.
There are also specialized services that you can offer, such as a move-in or move-out cleaning service. This is a service that many landlords hire to clean out vacant apartments or homes before handing them over to the next tenant. This service can be more expensive, but it can also help you secure recurring business from new clients.
Another way to increase your sales and build customer loyalty is by offering discounts. This can be done by offering a first-time customer discount, or by creating a loyalty program that rewards repeat bookings.
You can find a lot of information about the rates for home cleaning services on the internet, but it’s important to visit a few properties and get a feel for the prices in your area. You may also want to talk to existing customers about their experience with different providers, and ask them what they think makes a good cleaning service.
Finding New Clients
Getting new clients for your small home cleaning service is one of the keys to a successful business. It can be done through word of mouth, online marketing, or cold calling. The most important thing is to find a strategy that works for your particular situation and budget.
Many potential customers search online for local cleaning services before making a phone call or contacting a company directly. For this reason, it is essential to make sure your website is optimized for search engines. This means having the right keywords in your business name, description, and other places on your site. It also means ensuring that your Google Maps and Yelp profiles are accurate, with high-quality photos and consistent information across all platforms.
It is also helpful to set up an email newsletter for your business. This will allow you to send a personalized message to your current and prospective customers without having to worry about spamming them. Another benefit of an email list is that you can use it to target your advertising to people who are most likely to be interested in your services.
Angela of Neva Home Cleaning is an example of a cleaner who uses a combination of traditional and digital marketing techniques to find her ideal client base. She has a dedicated customer support team that responds to inquiries around the clock and makes it easy for potential clients to sign up for cleaning services. Additionally, she advertises on Facebook and Instagram, attends job fairs, and speaks to real estate agencies to promote her business.
Referrals are also an important source of new clients for cleaning companies. For this reason, it is essential to always carry business cards with you and provide your existing customers with several to give out to their friends and family members. In addition, it is beneficial to incentivize referrals with offers like free cleanings or discounted rates for new clients.
Many small businesses reach out to local companies that would need the services of a cleaning company. For example, they may offer janitorial services for schools, doctor’s offices, office buildings, or government facilities. This is a great way to build up your prospect list quickly.
Keeping Current Clients
Getting new clients is a lot of work, but it’s also important to keep current ones. This can help your small business maintain profitability and avoid cash flow problems. A good way to do this is by offering additional services. This could include adding car detailing to your residential cleaning services, for example. Providing flexible options that clients can choose from can increase the likelihood that they will return to your company.
Another way to retain current clients is by offering discounts for frequent services. Many businesses in the cleaning industry use this method to get people to commit to weekly or monthly cleanings. This can make the client feel special and is a great way to build long-term relationships. Many clients will be happy to recommend your cleaning services to others, so this is a great way to find new ones.
In addition to marketing your cleaning service through local business networks, you should always strive to provide excellent customer service. This can be done by being punctual and friendly to your customers, and by being available to answer any questions they may have. It’s also important to have insurance for your cleaning business, which can be obtained by contacting a reputable insurance company.
Many people who are looking for a way to start their own home based business use their own resources to get started, such as savings from their day job or 401K money. However, this can cause issues down the road, so it is best to find an alternative method of funding for your business if possible. Using funds from a business bank loan is one option to consider. This type of loan can be approved in under 20 minutes, so it is a relatively quick process.
Getting started with a small business can be hard, but it’s rewarding to own your own company. With some effort, you can build a successful cleaning business that makes you proud of your accomplishments. Once you’ve built up a stable base of loyal customers, you can focus on expanding your business and enjoying the rewards of your labors.