Starting a Cleaning Business

[realserendipity]

Ive been offered the oppurtunity to pick another small cleaning companies customers as they are no longer physically able to work, the only problem is that Ive never cleaned houses for a living before. It wont be anything super huge just another part time gig for me, maybe 6 houses a week or so but I need advice on cleaning tips, and maybe how to

Comments

[munchkin1616]

not sure what info you need assuming you've cleaned your own home before, but here's what I can think of

[missmollymayhem]

I only want to add this: You'll need to get a business license and should consider becoming bonded.

[munchkin1616]

oooh, good one, forgot to add this along with #4. For sure don't forget to do this! It'll also help you figure out how taxes will come into play.

[shopgrrrl]

let me especially second the insurance. a friend of mine used to clean houses on the side and broke a $500 vase while dusting...she had to just work off the money since she couldn't afford to reimburse him.

[cmarie14]

I'm trying to remember some things I did while cleaning houses years ago

[cmarie14]

Gah, sorry, I don't know what I was thinking. That website is for food, not cleaning. I'm going to have to go through my bookmarks to find the correct site for you. :)

[tinamarie]

I'm glad you posted that site! I love it! *bookmarked* thanks!

[staygoldpnyboy]

i would say 40 dollars for an hour and a half is a rip off. i worked at a cleaning company and the charge was closer to 80. stainless steel is a bitch to clean. clean the tops of doors, and board runners or w/e
clean the toilet last! clean mirrors w/out a light on (if you can) it will avoid streaking.

[munchkin1616]

when you work on your own, the charge is less than going through a company. the person doesn't have the company name or reputation to rely on and they often pay out of pocket for items a company would cover that an individual doesn't.

[staygoldpnyboy]

shed have to get insurance (or she should) and supplies, that should be built into the price.

[munchkin1616]

yes, but since she's just starting out, she'd be better off to have supplies provided by the client (if possible), carry her own insurance, and keep her price low. without any reputation, she has no reason to charge what a company charges (or something close) as clients have no reason to stick with her and her prices over someone with a reputation.

[poetpaladin]

My biggest advice to you is to keep in mind that the $40 for an hour and a half is really not as much as you think. Consider time to drive there and consider the fact that you'll very likely be supplying the cleaning supplies. Also consider that it's considered self-employment income and you'll be taxed at a higher rate because you'll have to pay the employer's side of certain things, too.

However, you do get to deduct mileage. Check your odometer before you start driving anywhere and also your drive back. Note down mileage in a log book. For Tax Year 2007, 48.5 cents per mile will seriously help reduce your taxable income.

[munchkin1616]

much as I hate to disagree with you...

considering you get mileage back (plus more than you're likely paying in gas, so you get a bit for your driving time too), you're essentially working a job that you have at least some control over the schedule, the order you do the work, and you're likely able to listen to music while you work. considering that most jobs paying $26.67/hr require either massive education and/or lots of experience, it's not a bad job.

that said, it's well worth the time to consider the order you do each of the chores so you don't have to redo anything (dust before vacuuming, mop floors last so you won't have to walk on them, etc). if you can find a good mix of music and you find your best methods of working in each house, it can almost be a good stress reliever to scrub a tub or to have such thought time and it's always a good workout!

(then again, you know I'm almost always pro any job that pays immediately and allows you to wear sweats!)

[poetpaladin]

I was doing some consulting work on the side last year, charging about $100 an hour. I got the obligatory 1099 form this year and the taxes I was hit with was a bitch!

I'm not saying the getting paid $40 for an hour and a half is bad! Don't get me wrong. But it's never as much as one might think it is as taxes are higher on that $26.67 as a sole proprietor business than would otherwise be if one were earning $26.67 as an employee. So that's why I brought up the gas mileage and expenses deduction so these can be recorded from day one.

[munchkin1616]

yeah, but if someone usually works 10 hrs a day and brings home $65 vs working 3 hrs and bringing home just over $80, the tax bracket won't change much but the lifestyle will

[sourbunny]

i would speak to the previous business owner about what they did for each client and if anything special was done.
then go through with each client for specifics. if it seems like they are throwing in more than you bargained for, don't be afraid to speak up.
i cleaned house for a boss once (at the horrible hourly rate that i was getting paid at his restaurant--i felt so taken advantage of) and when i think of that i did--even laundry--it's apalling. i needed the money so i wasn't willing to speak up when i should have.

[munchkin1616]

maybe but maybe not... sometimes clients aren't liking a thing or two that someone does but don't want to speak up. it's why I'd go room to room with a client the first time and write details like "only use Pledge on coffee table, don't touch knicknacks on dresser, use soft cloth and water only on kitchen countertops" and have the client sign it. not only does this let them get exactly what they want in their home, you find out what works best (because they've learned through experience) and what might ruin something, and you have something if, say you use Pledge on the coffee table and it stains the wood.

[sourbunny]

yes, this is what i was recommending you do. however if they want to you to pressure wash the driveway or something ridiculous and act like the last person did it, it would be good if you knew that was not the case and felt okay about saying that you wouldn't include that in the $40 agreed upon.

[munchkin1616]

eh, I don't think it really matters what the other person did, this is a new contract with a new client. I think the list per room of what's covered is super important both to cover your bases and to discuss "extras." for example, you might agree to sweep the driveway as part of the regular cleaning but pressure washing costs an additional $x, and the materials must be provided, as well as 48 hr notice of this add-on. (This way, there is no need to discuss your rate with the client -which can be tough for some- as well as who provides the materials and making sure you know far enough in advance so you can expect to be at the home that much longer)