Janitorial Cleaning Services Small Business Start up Guide

Janitorial Cleaning Services Small Business Start up Guide – A janitorial cleaning service is one of the best ways to invest your money today. As you can see, every business establishments and buildings always need cleaning services. Many businesses want to minimize maintenance costs for janitorial services that’s why they usually outsource janitorial clearning to a commercial janitorial service provicer. And this is your great opportunity to enter the scene. If you are a hard working and success driven person, you can start a janitorial cleaning services even with small start up capital.

Now you need to know how to start a janitorial cleaning services. This simple guide will help you.

Start Up Costs and Financing Sources:
P25,000 and up

Though it is possible to start a janitorial cleaning services with almost no investment, you are in a much better position if you have thousands of pesos of basic equipment available. It costs you thousands of pesos to buy equipment for a full-scale commercial janitorial services.

To start with a solid business foundation, it is better you write a sound business plan describing how you start and manage janitorial service in your area with detailed market research and plans for future growth. Writing a sound business plan will help you secure initial funding from venture capitalist or angel investors.

Pricing Guidelines for Service:
Base your time at P50 to P80 per hour (before taxes and expenses) and price your services according to the time you expect to spend on each task.

Itemize the exact services you intend to provide. Charging by the hour tends to make clients comfortable asking you to do more and more work for the same money. Be clear that you provide certain services for a certain price. By charging a flat fee, you will continually earn a better hourly rate as you improve and become more efficient.

Advertising and Marketing:
Get listed in the yellow pages under all of the main services you provide. This is more expensive than one general listing, but you can’t expect all of your potential clients to look under “Janitorial Services” when they are really looking for “Window Cleaners”.

Face-to-face selling can go either way. Some managers and store owners like the fortitude of this very direct way of marketing, but others find it very annoying – especially if they get a lot of people coming in and asking to wash the windows. Always obey “No Soliciting” signs.

Walk around town and identify businesses which look like they really need your help. Send a professional-looking brochure to the general manager.

Essential Equipment:
A janitorial cleaning service can start very small and build up as it grows more popular. It is sometimes possible to start out by using the equipment of the client companies, buying your own equipment with that revenue.

Get a unique uniform – and unique does not mean outrageous! A uniform looks much more professional than jeans, and it can provide a marketing service for you, as well. When people recognize your janitorial cleaning service working at the company down the street, it lends credibility to you when you approach them for a contract.

Much of the following equipment will become useful as your business expands:

Safety Equipment:
• dust mask
• safety goggles
• heat resistant gloves
• heat resistant apron
• slip resistant, steel toe shoes
• hard hat

General Supplies:
• dust mop, brooms, and dust pans
• vacuum cleaner
• window squeegee and buckets
• wet mop and bucket
• scrub brushes
• towels, lots of towels
• window cleaning solution
• degreaser solution
• carpet cleaning solution
• plunger
• drain “snake”
• basic tool set: hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc.
• tape measure
• utility knife and plenty of blades
• tool belt
• ladder
• 50-foot water hose
• pressure washer
• chainsaw
• weed whip
• a cargo van to carry it all

Income Potential:
There is a limit to the amount you can earn working alone. As you become more successful at negotiating with clients, you can eventually start hiring other people to do the work. The ultimate earning potential is unlimited.

Target Market:
One of the nicest parts about janitorial services is that you don’t have to look for new customers week after week. After you secure a few accounts, you will have a fairly steady source of income that only changes infrequently.

Convenience stores, restaurants, grocery stores, strip malls, and office complexes are all great places to start looking.

Tips for Success:
• Always be professional and courteous. Everyone encounters stressful and undesirable working conditions once in a while. It will carry you a long way if you can remain respectful and calm when dealing with these situations. Don’t let your clients walk all over you, but don’t let them walk out on you!

• Janitorial services are very repetitive from day to day. Keep a mindset toward using your time more and more efficiently.

• Go the extra mile. Do what you can to go above and beyond your clients’ expectations. This translates to job security and a better reputation in the industry.

• You should get your janitorial cleaning service bonded and insured. If you are not bonded and insured, your prospects for business are very limited.

Training, Skills or Experience Needed:
The best training is to have worked as a janitor for some time so you know what you’re getting into. It is not easy work. Read a few books on how to start a janitorial service. No matter how much you already know, you are sure to find new information that will help you to be more successful.

Schooling is not usually necessary, but you can earn better money and find more contracts if you learn to maintain HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems) or other common equipment. There are independent classes available for this type of training.