| A cleaning business-whether residential or office-is a | | | | 3. Call existing cleaning companies, pretend to be a |
| terrific way to have a stable income. You're smart to | | | | potential customer, to find out the going rates and |
| investigate and be prepared and organized before | | | | services provided; |
| you try and get clients! | | | | 4. NOW, make a nice flyer and/or introductory letter |
| Here's five beginning steps you must do: | | | | about your service and start knockin' on doors, so to |
| 1. Check with your city or county clerk's office to | | | | speak! Dress nice, maybe have a t-shirt made up |
| see if you need a business license or fictitious name | | | | with your company name and/or logo at one of the |
| license. These are inexpensive ($25-$50) and usually | | | | online custom tee shirt sites where it isn't too |
| last 3 or more years; | | | | expensive to have two or three shirts made. |
| 2. Then, call around to insurance companies and | | | | Consider getting magnetic signs for your vehicle |
| compare prices for liability insurance (sometimes called | | | | advertising your company or a vinyl wrap. It's like |
| bond). This protects you if something breaks or gets | | | | having a mobile billboard; |
| damaged while you're on the job. And, yes, | | | | 5. You will need the basic contracts, forms for |
| sometimes you didn't so it, but with this you can | | | | estimates and book-keeping, intro letters to give a |
| keep a client! AND, when you can say to potential | | | | great first and lasting impression that you are |
| clients, "I have liability insurance" it not only makes | | | | professional and trustworthy. Additionally, contracts |
| you professional, but adds confidence. It shouldn't | | | | lock in your business and stabilize your income. It will |
| cost more than around $100-$300/yr for $100K | | | | save you time and money in the long run! |
| coverage (you don't need more than that for now); | | | | |