Creating a business plan for your cleaning business<\/h3>
Unless you plan to apply for financing, you don\u2019t need to create a business plan for your cleaning business. But doing so could still be helpful. Laying out your plan clearly will allow you to spot potential obstacles to your success or reasons why you might want to reconsider starting a business or explore other options.<\/p>
A great cleaning business plan should include:<\/p>
- Company overview.<\/strong> The name of the business and its owners, the business type and its address. Perhaps a short mission statement explaining your goals for the company.<\/li>
- Your target market.<\/strong> Who will you market your services to and why? It pays to be as specific as possible. The better you know your audience, the easier it is to market to them.<\/li>
- Products and services.<\/strong> A full list of what products and services are offered by your business, plus how much you will charge.<\/li>
- Competitors.<\/strong> Who are your competitors? How does your business differ from theirs? Why is yours better?<\/li>
- Marketing plan.<\/strong> Are you planning to distribute brochures? Where will you market your business? What\u2019s your monthly marketing budget for each marketing platform?<\/li>
- Financial plan.<\/strong> How much will it cost to launch your business? What are the estimated monthly running costs? What are your monthly sales forecasts? (You should list a minimum viable target amount, an average target amount and stretch targets for long-term growth.)<\/li><\/ul>
How to set up your cleaning business<\/h3>
To set up a successful cleaning business, follow these steps:<\/p>
1. Decide on your services<\/h4>
Before you start your cleaning business, decide what your niche will be. Will you offer residential cleaning, commercial cleaning, or specialty cleaning like carpets or post-construction? Determining this will help you choose a business name and marketing plan later on.<\/p>
2. Choose your business structure<\/h4>
Now that you know what business structures are available, you must choose one of the four. Typically, starting as a sole proprietor is the easiest and cheapest option, but incorporating gives you more legal protection.<\/p>
3. Register your business<\/h4>
After choosing your structure, you can register your business (if you\u2019re not using your legal name). Then, apply for a municipal business licence if necessary.<\/p>
4. Apply for financing<\/h4>
Although starting a cleaning business typically has low startup costs, you may still need additional financing<\/a>. Assess your current finances and estimated initial costs to determine whether that\u2019s the case. If you don\u2019t need a lot, a business credit card or line of credit may be a good option for purchasing small things like cleaning equipment. But you may need a term loan if you want to buy property or make any big purchases.<\/p>
5. Buy commercial property and equipment<\/h4>
While commercial property isn\u2019t necessary for most cleaning companies, you may want it for storage, employee operations or office space. Use your loan or own finances to purchase or rent the property, then buy any equipment you may need, such as:<\/p>
- Vacuum cleaners<\/li>
- Mops and buckets<\/li>
- Brooms and dustpans<\/li>
- Cleaning cloths<\/li>
- Spray bottles<\/li>
- Scrub brushes and sponges<\/li>
- Floor buffers and polishers<\/li>
- Carpet cleaners or steam cleaners<\/li>
- Pressure washers<\/li>
- Protective gear (gloves, masks, eyewear)<\/li>
- Cleaning chemicals<\/li><\/ul>
6. Build your brand<\/h4>
Once you\u2019ve completed all the prior steps, you\u2019re ready to open your cleaning business. But you need customers. You may already have some from prior jobs or word of mouth, but creating a brand can help you expand. Design a logo, create simple business cards and set up a website and social media page. When the clients start coming in, focus on building trust with them to collect reviews and referrals.<\/p>
Setting up business banking for your cleaning business<\/h3>
When it comes to handling your finances, you may be wondering, do I need a business bank account?<\/a> Legally, if your cleaning business is a corporation or registered partnership, then the answer is yes. Even if you\u2019re a sole proprietor, setting up a dedicated business account has plenty of benefits.<\/p>
Separating your personal and business expenses makes it easier to track income, manage cash flow and prepare for tax season, while also helping you build a professional image with clients and vendors.<\/p>
- Your target market.<\/strong> Who will you market your services to and why? It pays to be as specific as possible. The better you know your audience, the easier it is to market to them.<\/li>