| A janitorial cleaning service is one of the best | | | | slip resistant, steel toe shoes |
| businesses for a hardworking, blue collar person to | | | | hard hatGeneral Supplies: |
| start from scratch. Every business and every building | | | | dust mop, brooms, and dust pans |
| needs to be cleaned once in a while - in some cases, | | | | vacuum cleaner |
| many times each day. With the overhead involved | | | | window squeegee and buckets |
| with hiring employees to provide janitorial services, it | | | | wet mop and bucket |
| is convenient for a company to outsource to a | | | | scrub brushes |
| commercial janitorial service provider.This is where | | | | towels, lots of towels |
| you step in!If you are reading this article, you are | | | | window cleaning solution |
| probably looking for advice on how to start a | | | | degreaser solution |
| janitorial service. Hopefully the following information | | | | carpet cleaning solution |
| and advice will get you moving in the right | | | | plunger |
| direction.Start Up Costs and Financing Sources:$500 | | | | drain "snake" |
| and upIt is possible to get started with almost no | | | | basic tool set: hammer, screwdrivers, wrenches, etc. |
| investment, but you will be in a much better position | | | | tape measure |
| if you have a few hundred dollars of basic equipment | | | | utility knife and plenty of blades |
| available. Equipment for a full-scale commercial | | | | tool belt |
| janitorial service may run many thousands of | | | | ladder |
| dollars.Writing a sound business plan describing how to | | | | 50-foot water hose |
| start a janitorial service in your area - including | | | | pressure washer |
| detailed market research and plans for future growth | | | | chainsaw |
| - may help you to secure some of your initial funding | | | | weed whip |
| from venture capitalists or angel investors.Pricing | | | | a cargo van to carry it allIncome Potential:$15,000 to |
| Guidelines for Service:Base your time at $20 to $50 | | | | $60,000 per year, going solo.There is a limit to the |
| per hour (before taxes and expenses) and price your | | | | amount you can earn working alone. As you become |
| services according to the time you expect to spend | | | | more successful at negotiating with clients, you can |
| on each task.Itemize the exact services you intend | | | | eventually start hiring other people to do the work. |
| to provide. Charging by the hour tends to make | | | | The ultimate earning potential is unlimited.Target |
| clients comfortable asking you to do more and more | | | | Market:One of the nicest parts about janitorial |
| work for the same money. Be clear that you provide | | | | services is that you don't have to look for new |
| certain services for a certain price. By charging a flat | | | | customers week after week. After you secure a |
| fee, you will continually earn a better hourly rate as | | | | few accounts, you will have a fairly steady source of |
| you improve and become more efficient.Advertising | | | | income that only changes infrequently.Convenience |
| and Marketing:Get listed in the yellow pages under all | | | | stores, restaurants, grocery stores, strip malls, and |
| of the main services you provide. This is more | | | | office complexes are all great places to start |
| expensive than one general listing, but you can't | | | | looking.Tips for Success:Always be professional and |
| expect all of your potential clients to look under | | | | courteous. Everyone encounters stressful and |
| "Janitorial Services" when they are really looking for | | | | undesirable working conditions once in a while. It will |
| "Window Cleaners".Face-to-face selling can go either | | | | carry you a long way if you can remain respectful |
| way. Some managers and store owners like the | | | | and calm when dealing with these situations. Don't let |
| fortitude of this very direct way of marketing, but | | | | your clients walk all over you, but don't let them walk |
| others find it very annoying - especially if they get a | | | | out on you! |
| lot of people coming in and asking to wash the | | | | Janitorial services are very repetitive from day to |
| windows. Always obey "No Soliciting" signs.Walk | | | | day. Keep a mindset toward using your time more |
| around town and identify businesses which look like | | | | and more efficiently. |
| they really need your help. Send a professional-looking | | | | Go the extra mile. Do what you can to go above |
| brochure to the general manager.Essential | | | | and beyond your clients' expectations. This translates |
| Equipment:A janitorial cleaning service can start very | | | | to job security and a better reputation in the |
| small and build up as it grows more popular. It is | | | | industry. |
| sometimes possible to start out by using the | | | | You should get your janitorial cleaning service |
| equipment of the client companies, buying your own | | | | bonded and insured. If you are not bonded and |
| equipment with that revenue.Get a unique uniform - | | | | insured, your prospects for business are very |
| and unique does not mean outrageous! A uniform | | | | limited.Training, Skills or Experience Needed:The best |
| looks much more professional than jeans, and it can | | | | training is to have worked as a janitor for some time |
| provide a marketing service for you, as well. When | | | | so you know what you're getting into. It is not easy |
| people recognize your janitorial cleaning service | | | | work. Read a few books on how to start a janitorial |
| working at the company down the street, it lends | | | | service. No matter how much you already know, you |
| credibility to you when you approach them for a | | | | are sure to find new information that will help you to |
| contract.Much of the following equipment will become | | | | be more successful.Schooling is not usually necessary, |
| useful as your business expands:Safety Equipment: | | | | but you can earn better money and find more |
| dust mask | | | | contracts if you learn to maintain HVAC or other |
| safety goggles | | | | common equipment. There are independent classes |
| heat resistant gloves | | | | available for this type of training.© Copyright |
| heat resistant apron | | | | Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved. |