Janitorial businesses typically clean office buildings, schools, hospitals, and retail storefronts. They also handle residential cleaning.
Before you start a janitorial service, it’s essential to consider how you will be paid. Consider negotiating a payment model that works well for you and your clients. It would help if you also considered the cost of supplies and transportation.
Start with a Business Plan
Whether you start a janitorial service, you must draft a business plan before investing any money. This will help you determine your budget, expected expenses, and potential profits.
Pick a name for your company that sounds professional but is also search engine friendly. You’ll want to use this name for your website, business cards, and other promotional materials.
Depending on your industry, you may also need to create a pricing structure. For example, carpet cleaning services often charge by the hour, while window cleaners will charge based on the size of the windows to be cleaned. You’ll also need to find a place to store your equipment and supplies. Consider renting a small warehouse space. This way, you can avoid wasting money by purchasing products that aren’t used.
Do Your Research
A clean and well-maintained workspace can have a positive impact on work productivity. It also helps to reduce germs and illness among employees. Many businesses hire janitorial services to keep their offices tidy, hygienic, and organized.
Janitorial cleaning services are routine maintenance tasks that should be performed regularly in commercial spaces, such as sweeping and mopping floors, cleaning washrooms, trash removal, and dusting. A janitorial service company can help businesses adhere to industry standards and health and safety requirements.
It is essential to do your research when choosing a janitorial service provider. A quality provider will be flexible enough to customize their services for each client’s needs. They should be reliable and able to communicate clearly with their clients. They should also be able to meet deadlines and provide a guarantee.
Get the Right Equipment
Choosing the right equipment for your business is essential. You’ll need various cleaning materials, including brooms, mop heads, disinfectants, trash bags, and more. You’ll also need specialized cleaners for different surfaces. It’s also essential to find a company that takes safety seriously. This means setting up warning signs and ensuring employees access the proper safety gear.
Janitorial services are a type of commercial cleaning that focuses on office environments. They typically provide small, everyday cleaning tasks like sweeping and mopping floors. They may also perform larger tasks like deep carpet or upholstery cleaning, which occur less frequently but have longer-lasting results. Some janitorial companies specialize in specific industries, such as schools or hospitals. This allows them to offer more personalized service and better understand the particular needs of their clients.
Get Licensed and Insured
One of the first things you should do is get licensed and insured. Janitorial services can be a risky business, especially when it comes to cleaning at heights or on slippery floors. Make sure you have general liability insurance and a workers’ compensation policy. It would help if you also considered getting a janitorial service bond designed to protect the business owner from damages resulting from an employee’s criminal or negligent acts.
While shopping around for a good insurance company, be sure to ask about their policies. Some janitorial service providers provide additional coverage, such as equipment and tool insurance. Some also offer errors and omissions insurance, which can help you defend against lawsuits brought by clients. This is important if a client claims you were negligent or made a mistake during your service.
Market Your Business
With relatively low start-up costs and a nearly endless list of potential clients, the janitorial service business has much to offer the aspiring entrepreneur. But to succeed in your venture, you’ll need to market your services effectively.
Start by creating a website. This will allow you to showcase your work, including before-and-after photos and customer testimonials while building trust with potential customers. It also allows you to highlight your company’s credentials, such as awards, professional memberships, and community commitment.
Direct mail is another effective marketing tool for janitorial businesses. Distribute door hangers in neighborhoods you want to serve, leave postcards at real estate offices and daycare centers, and go door-to-door in these communities. Be courteous when approaching homeowners and respect their space if they have a “no solicitors” sign on their door.