When it comes to starting a janitor service business, don't quit your day job. Most businesses can be very risky. One of the most important things you can do when you are starting, is to be honest with yourself and have realistic expectations. You want to be optimistic, but you do not want to plan to do more work then you will actually do. Most of the time businesses work best, if you can start them part-time on the side. Also there is less risk to starting a business this way and you can actually make more money per hour.
Having a janitorial business works really well as a side business, because it is something that you can do this after regular business hours. Most of the time janitorial work is done very early in the mornings. It is fairly easy to get around paying other full-time job, at least for the first few months. After you get your business going, you can always hire people to work the night shift for you. If you start your janitorial business this way, will require less investment capital or start up capital to begin your business. You want to also plan on having enough money to cover six months worth of expenses. Not all of your customers will pay you up front. In fact most of them, will want to pay you after you have finished the service or even 1 to 2 months after you have finished it. You will need to have your money in savings, so that you can buy your equipment to begin your business, and so that you can pay your employees while you are still waiting to get your customers will. Plus it is always good to have a financial reserve, because you have to close the business down immediately, you will not be having to pay off credit card debt or business debt in this sort of a situation.
Create a business model for your janitor service business, one that will work. Decide how quickly you want to grow your business. And whether or not you want it to be a small or a large business. I have found that the two most profitable businesses to own our small and large. Medium-size businesses do not make much money as small or large business models and are not worth the investment, unless you are planning on making them a large business eventually. Small business models allow you to streamline your business and make it run as efficiently as possible. You don't want to schedule another employee for work until you absolutely need you. If you want to make the most money per hour that you work, like $60-$80 an hour, a small business model is probably just what you need. This will allow you to hire one or two employees, and always keep them busy. With a large business model, the goal is that you will not have to work in the business for more than one or two years. Then you will be able to make enough money to hire a manager, and you will be able to learn how to play golf. To make a large business successful, it takes a lot of planning, and being able to train a very competent manager. Not everyone is capable of creating a large business. Usually, more people are effective at creating small profitable businesses, and that is why so movies exist today.
Thursday
Starting a Janitor Service From Home
Starting a janitor service is an excellent way to make money working from home. Although it is a low tech business you can make a pretty good income if you are willing to work nights and weekend. There is a high demand for people who are willing to work hard and provide their customers with great service. Another benefit of this business is that it does not take a lot of materials to get started. Often you can finds the materials you need right around you house.
Step- 1 Do you research. Before you begin a janitorial services business you should know what to expect. You need to understand the types of services offered by other janitorial companies and the level of local competition. You also need to know what tools you use and what the expected hourly rate is in your area. This is the rate other janitors are making. You want to remember to charge by the job and not by the hour. Doing this, you will normally make more money.
Step 2- Start the business. You probably don't want to spend a lot of money to get started. I started my first window cleaning business with a spray bottle and a towel. After the fourth job, I had the squeegies, the extension poles and all the other equipment I needed to do a professional job. I do suggest you have start up capital to cover basic business expenses, marketing materials (fliers, business cards, and a little extra to supplement your income while you are getting started. With low budget advertising you could do this comfortable on $20,000. ( I have done it on as little as a 1,000 but I did the first 50 customers for a very low initial price because I had to start making money immediately.
Step 3- Start simple and get licensed. Getting a license is easy. Most state and cities require a license. It unusually costs 50 to 100 dollars for each. It may help you to be licensed and bonded too, it just depends on the market. It is important for you to start simple- the basics include mopping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning bathrooms and emptying garbage cans. The alternative to this would be to find an under serviced niche in your market and start with that. (You can make more per hour offering specialty services.) Best luck starting you janitor service business from home!
Step- 1 Do you research. Before you begin a janitorial services business you should know what to expect. You need to understand the types of services offered by other janitorial companies and the level of local competition. You also need to know what tools you use and what the expected hourly rate is in your area. This is the rate other janitors are making. You want to remember to charge by the job and not by the hour. Doing this, you will normally make more money.
Step 2- Start the business. You probably don't want to spend a lot of money to get started. I started my first window cleaning business with a spray bottle and a towel. After the fourth job, I had the squeegies, the extension poles and all the other equipment I needed to do a professional job. I do suggest you have start up capital to cover basic business expenses, marketing materials (fliers, business cards, and a little extra to supplement your income while you are getting started. With low budget advertising you could do this comfortable on $20,000. ( I have done it on as little as a 1,000 but I did the first 50 customers for a very low initial price because I had to start making money immediately.
Step 3- Start simple and get licensed. Getting a license is easy. Most state and cities require a license. It unusually costs 50 to 100 dollars for each. It may help you to be licensed and bonded too, it just depends on the market. It is important for you to start simple- the basics include mopping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning bathrooms and emptying garbage cans. The alternative to this would be to find an under serviced niche in your market and start with that. (You can make more per hour offering specialty services.) Best luck starting you janitor service business from home!
Tuesday
Starting a Janitor Service: Seven Tips to Help you Get Started
Starting a janitor service is an excellent home business opportunity. It is a relatively low-tech profession with minimal overhead. All you really need to get started is a strong work-ethic and some basic cleaning supplies. However, to get your business off the ground, you will need to employ some smart business strategies. Here are seven tips to help you get started:
1. Do Your Research – Before you begin your janitorial business, you should have a thorough understanding of the services typically offered by janitor services, the tools needed to complete these services, and the going hourly rate. You should also find out how many other janitorial services there are in your area, the services they offer, and the markets they target. Try to determine if there are any markets where the demand is higher than the supply and if you could reasonably enter said markets.
2. Establish Start Up Capital – As you do your research, determine your startup costs. These should include buying supplies and tools for the job, investing in marketing materials and business cards, paying for business licenses and insurance, and hiring employees, if you plan to do so. Remember that you will not usually get paid right away, so you will need enough money to get you through at least the first month of business, possibly longer if it takes a while to establish several clients. Take the time to build up your capital before you start your business so that you have a cushion if things do not go well at the beginning. This may mean delaying the start of your business, or only operating on a part time basis at first while maintaining a full time job.
3. Start Simple – It might be tempting to offer all possible janitorial services right at the start so that you can reach the largest market. Instead, start with the basics – mopping, vacuuming, dusting, emptying garbage cans, cleaning bathrooms – and target a defined group to begin with. Choose tasks that require relatively low-cost supplies and tools that require no additional training to operate. Doing a few things really well will earn you a better reputation right from the start. You can always expand your services once your business has been established.
4. Get Liscensed, Bonded and Insured – It may seem unnecessary at first to shell out the money for a business license and for insurance, but these are critical elements to having a professional business. Not only do you protect yourself from potential liabilities, you also appear more professional to clients.
5. Invest in Quality Products – It will be tempting to buy a cheap vacuum and the cheapest cleaning products you can get your hands on to increase your margin of profit. Instead, research your options and invest in products that will offer the best results. Put some money into a high-quality, industrial vacuum. Buy a few different floor cleaners and mops and figure out which ones work best. Using high quality supplies will not only improve the work you do, it will also make you more efficient, allowing you to do more in less time.
6. Focus on your Reputation – Make your customer service a top priority. Janitorial businesses are built around repeat and long term clients so make sure that you not only do an excellent job cleaning, but that you present yourself and your employees as professional, honest, hard-working, and client-centered. Clients want to hire people they trust to be in their facilities after hours, without having to worry about things getting broken or stolen. Make your business policies client-friendly and try to resolve any disputes with future business in mind.
7. Don’t Rely on Fliers – Or newspaper adds, for that matter. Those are passive methods of advertising – you post something and wait for the clients to come to you. Instead, employ some active marketing strategies. Take note of newly opened businesses in your area and give them a call – better yet, stop by and introduce yourself. You can also offer to clean for free the first time, or offer a discounted rate for signing up for several months at a time. To encourage word of mouth referrals, offer incentives to current clients for every new client referred.
Following these easy tips will help your new janitor service find success quickly.
1. Do Your Research – Before you begin your janitorial business, you should have a thorough understanding of the services typically offered by janitor services, the tools needed to complete these services, and the going hourly rate. You should also find out how many other janitorial services there are in your area, the services they offer, and the markets they target. Try to determine if there are any markets where the demand is higher than the supply and if you could reasonably enter said markets.
2. Establish Start Up Capital – As you do your research, determine your startup costs. These should include buying supplies and tools for the job, investing in marketing materials and business cards, paying for business licenses and insurance, and hiring employees, if you plan to do so. Remember that you will not usually get paid right away, so you will need enough money to get you through at least the first month of business, possibly longer if it takes a while to establish several clients. Take the time to build up your capital before you start your business so that you have a cushion if things do not go well at the beginning. This may mean delaying the start of your business, or only operating on a part time basis at first while maintaining a full time job.
3. Start Simple – It might be tempting to offer all possible janitorial services right at the start so that you can reach the largest market. Instead, start with the basics – mopping, vacuuming, dusting, emptying garbage cans, cleaning bathrooms – and target a defined group to begin with. Choose tasks that require relatively low-cost supplies and tools that require no additional training to operate. Doing a few things really well will earn you a better reputation right from the start. You can always expand your services once your business has been established.
4. Get Liscensed, Bonded and Insured – It may seem unnecessary at first to shell out the money for a business license and for insurance, but these are critical elements to having a professional business. Not only do you protect yourself from potential liabilities, you also appear more professional to clients.
5. Invest in Quality Products – It will be tempting to buy a cheap vacuum and the cheapest cleaning products you can get your hands on to increase your margin of profit. Instead, research your options and invest in products that will offer the best results. Put some money into a high-quality, industrial vacuum. Buy a few different floor cleaners and mops and figure out which ones work best. Using high quality supplies will not only improve the work you do, it will also make you more efficient, allowing you to do more in less time.
6. Focus on your Reputation – Make your customer service a top priority. Janitorial businesses are built around repeat and long term clients so make sure that you not only do an excellent job cleaning, but that you present yourself and your employees as professional, honest, hard-working, and client-centered. Clients want to hire people they trust to be in their facilities after hours, without having to worry about things getting broken or stolen. Make your business policies client-friendly and try to resolve any disputes with future business in mind.
7. Don’t Rely on Fliers – Or newspaper adds, for that matter. Those are passive methods of advertising – you post something and wait for the clients to come to you. Instead, employ some active marketing strategies. Take note of newly opened businesses in your area and give them a call – better yet, stop by and introduce yourself. You can also offer to clean for free the first time, or offer a discounted rate for signing up for several months at a time. To encourage word of mouth referrals, offer incentives to current clients for every new client referred.
Following these easy tips will help your new janitor service find success quickly.
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