Want to Make Money Cleaning Houses. How to Start.

I cleaned condos down the shore one summer. I just put up an advertisement in the lobby, with permission, and people called. I used their products. At 20 yo, I didn't even think of being bonded and insured.

The cleaning services I use are licensed and bonded. I retain them through groupon. They will use my cleaning products, and use their own, only after seeking my permission, and charge me for the use of same. They detail what they will and will not do as part of the cleaning, and will charge me extra if I ask for something extra. They do not go near anything electronic.

Good luck to you and yours,
F. B.

I have allergies to fragrances. No one uses anything that is not mine.

Put an ad in the paper, keep it running all the time until you get so full that you can't take on another house. Have references. Don't worry about getting bonded or insured. Most people won't want you to clean anything that is worth much.

IF you decide to...say for instance their carpets and tell them you know how but in the long run totally ruin their carpets you'd have to pay for that error. So you might want to make a list of everything you are willing to do in the basic price, what you'd be willing to do for extra pay, and how much each extra task will cost.

Make sure you request cash payments only though, they'll write a check then it can bounce. You will have to pay and take some of them to court eventually and still not get what you should have.

I started by going on Craigslist. I got hired by a single dad who just divorced and downsized from a 5-bedroom house to a 3-bedroom apartment. He'd been living there for three months and had barely unpacked a thing. I helped unpack and organized and cleaned everything and now he keeps me on to come in once a day every two weeks to just clean. Even though I am aware he got a *really* good deal, he pays me $15 an hour under the table. My feelings were that since it was my first job and I didn't have any true cleaning references, I'd take it (especially since that's like making $20 an hour since I'm not paying taxes on it.)

Yes, you will get more customers if you are bonded and insured.

All my cleaning people have always used my supplies. They sometimes make recommendations (eg, I prefer to use X instead of Y to clean the tub) and then I buy the product recommended by the cleaning person unless I have a specific problem with it.

I have always hired from word of mouth. The trick is finding the first house, and doing an exceptional job. If you do, that mom will probably know other moms, and your name will get passed around. I live in a neighborhood of working moms, about 60 houses, and all of us have one of only 3 cleaners, because once one of us found someone good, that person recommended to others. Once that first cleaner's schedule was full, someone else found a second good person, and we filled up her schedule too. Then the third.

My other tip:
Decide if you are going to charge per house, or by time.
If you charge per house, then list what you consider standard, and what you will charge extra for, and how much you charge for those items (eg, windows, cleaning out the refrigerator, etc).

If you charge per hour, then by all means still have a list of standard stuff to show the person at the interview, but also be prepared to clean whatever the homeowner wants at the hourly rate.

Make flyers/cards and leave at Hospitals and Schools and the Court Building. These are the people that dont have time to clean their own home. I ask the Clients if there is anything that is a great value, if there is I tell them I wont get near it. And if I do break a dish or clock, and if its more than what they pay for cleaning, I will do a couple of cleanings free. I use my own products and towels, vac/mop.This is better so when you ask for a raise, mention that the price of cleaners do go up. I'm paid with cash. I worked for a small local cleaning company for 15 yrs. and recently went on my own, so it was easy for me knowing the do's and don't. Word of mouth from Friends and Family, go on FB, will help get clients

Word of mouth is a good place to start. Have you actually cleaned for anyone? Getting good references is important.

If you have children in school, advertise your services in their directory for a nominal fee. Our HOA has a website and people can advertise their businesses there for a nominal fee.

I absolutely recommend being insured and bonded. I would not hire anyone to come in my home to work if they are not insured and bonded, even though I trust them.

Keep in mind that you will need a good CPA to make sure you are paying all of your taxes properly so that you won't end up "surprised" at tax time.

The lady who helps me uses my supplies and I do purchase the brands she likes for special jobs, such as bathroom cleaner. I provide everything else from garbage bags, paper towels, water. They bring their own mop and bucket and rags.

Good luck with your new venture!

Bring your own products in a pail you take with you from house to house.
Advertise by making your own professional looking flyers.
Post them in obvious places in areas you want to work (park board, on the exterior of group mailboxes etc). Get permission when necessary.
Remember it will have your info so you will most likely get a call if you are
not supposed to post somewhere. Many hm assoc have ordinances for
this type of thing.
I would definitely get insured & bonded as you will be inside people's
homes. It's costly but worthwhile if something comes up missing & they
decide to blame you.
The homeowners should all have brooms & vacuums.
Use a contract template (google one to use) for them to sign so you don't
get stiffed.
Outline in this contract or supplemental paperwork what your cleaning
entails (dust, vacuum, bathrooms) & what it doesn't (no window blinds or
behind fridge etc) so it is clear up front.
Get business cards made up so you look professional & so you can hand
them out. You can get free "basic" ones on Vista print up to 250, I think.

My cleaning lady brings most of her own cleaning products and equipment. I use the Bona system on my floors and she is very familiar with that system so she uses my products and equipment for floors. I would be happy to have her use my vacuum but she prefers to use hers because she has added an extension cord and it is lighter weight.

You probably need to talk with potential clients about what kind of products they prefer to use. If they are wanting specific things used I would insist that they provide them.

Good Luck with your new business.

M

Word of mouth. Use their products or add 5 a week onto the cost. I used my own vacuum.

I wasn't bonded and insured, I mostly cleaned for people I knew. I was also young.