By
Lanee’ Blunt
Start up a commercial office cleaning service |
An office cleaning business is a very easy business to open and the start-up cost is relatively low. It is recession-proof because most of your clients will
also have businesses that are profitable such as lawyers, doctor's offices,
CPA's, hospitals, restaurants and schools. The hours may be all over the place, you
may work mornings, evenings, or some companies may want you to clean for them
when their staff has finished and gone home.
Get commercial space for your office cleaning service
Set
up an office. Rent or lease office space large enough to have a small reception
area with work space for your staff. Think about how much space you will need
to store equipment, and supplies. It should have a storage area for your
supplies. Most of your clients will not come
to your office but you may need to have a space to do repairs or laundry.
Determine Legal
Ownership
You
must set up your business as a legal entity. Decide which form of ownership is
best for your particular business: sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), corporation, or S corporation. Apply for an Employer Identification Number
(EIN) from the US Internal Revenue Service if you have hired employees. Apply
for a cleaning service licenses required by your state. Get bonded and insured.
Open a business bank account so that you can keep your personal finances
separate from your business.
Purchase Equipment
Buy
the supplies, tools and equipment that you will need to get started. Get
business cards printed. Create a website about your business.
Marketing
Advertise your office cleaning business. Locate
new businesses in your area. Go to the county tax collector's website and look
up new business licenses and new business building permits. Send direct mail or
create a flyer. Make cold calls to doctor's offices, lawyers, or CPA's. Send direct
mail describing your office cleaning business to a mailing list. Carry your business
cards with you and at every opportunity give your business card to someone.
Reference:
Startingabiz: Starting an Office Cleaning Business; Sam Rodman