If you are interested in starting a business with reliable demand, low overhead, and minimal operating costs, a housekeeping business may be a great choice. Cleaning services tend to have lower upfront costs and can be up and running quickly with little capital. This can be a rewarding and lucrative business for those with a strong work ethic. If you want to learn how to start a housekeeping business, try following these steps:
1. Research the Market
The first step in how to start a housekeeping business is to get to know your local market. Identify potential competitors and target customers. If you want to succeed in the cleaning industry, you need to determine how you can offer value to your customers and solve a problem better than your competitors. Research existing housekeeping businesses in your area, and pay close attention to their specializations and whether there are gaps in their offerings. Note how much they charge for their services and whether client reviews are positive or negative. This will provide insight to help you map out the basics of your cleaning company.
2. Find a Specialty
If you want a successful housekeeping business, you need to focus on providing quality service. The services you provide should be based on local demands. Decide whether you are going to start out in residential cleaning or commercial cleaning. Vacation rental cleaning can be a lucrative niche. Are you going to specialize in a specific type of service, such as carpets or eco-friendly cleaning, or will your expertise be efficient and friendly service? When you are first starting out, specialized cleaning services are typically only worth offering if you already have experience or access to the resources needed. Otherwise, training and equipment costs may outweigh revenue.
3. Plan a Budget
Finances are one of the top reasons why new businesses fail. This is why one of the most important steps in how to start a housekeeping business is to calculate startup costs and plan a business budget. Startup costs may include business registration, insurance, supplies and equipment, promotional materials, employee wages, website, business software, emergency fund, etc. Determine which expenses are fixed and which are variable. Then, build a business budget that includes your estimated fixed and variable costs. You can adjust this budget once you get started and have a more definitive idea of costs and revenue.
4. Choose a Brand Identity
Authentic branding is important in any industry. Your business’s brand, including its name, logo, and colors, provides potential clients with a first impression. Choose a name that is unique and memorable but also makes sense for a housekeeping business. Before committing to it, check to make sure the name, domain, and social media handles are available. Your logo and colors should appear professional, sleek, and reliable. Use your color choice and wording to communicate your unique selling point.
5. Register the Business
When you start a housekeeping business, you need to choose how to set it up from a legal standpoint. You can choose to operate as a sole proprietorship or a partnership with another person, or you can set it up as a limited liability corporation (LLC) if you want to separate your personal and business finances. You might also want to look into becoming a franchisee of a larger cleaning service chain. This gives you the benefit of built-in brand recognition and policies; however, you will have less control over your business. A business lawyer can help you decide the best options for you and your business. In addition to registering the business, you will also need to take out insurance to operate safely.
6. Buy Supplies
In order to operate, your housekeeping business needs its own cleaning supplies and equipment. Here’s a sample list of some of the supplies and equipment you may need to start out:
- Scrubbing brushes
- Cleaning cloths and dusters
- Mops and buckets
- Vacuums
- Specialized cleaning sprays and chemicals
- Spray bottles
- Gloves
- Face masks
- Garbage bags
- Vehicle with enough space for equipment
- Laptop for business tasks
- Smartphone for management and communication
7. Find Clients
By this point, you know how to start a housekeeping business. However, in order to succeed, you need to attract clients. Tell as many people as you can that you started a cleaning company. Share details with your friends, family, and others that you encounter. You may want to consider advertising where people in your market will see it, such as social media, TV, billboards, mail, etc. You could also set up a referral program to motivate existing clients to recommend your business to others.
8. Utilize Housekeeping Software
An excellent tool for a new housekeeping business is housekeeping software. ResortCleaning’s housekeeping software includes a full suite of operational management tools to help you run your business more effectively. The mobile app allows your staff to stay up to date on tasks while on the go. The software also helps you manage bookkeeping, brand standard management, inventory, scheduling, invoices, and even team management.
Get Started with ResortCleaning
Now that you know how to start a housekeeping business, it’s time to incorporate tools to help you run your business efficiently. Request a demo today to find out how ResortCleaning can help you improve operations and manage the chaos!
