Start a domestic cleaning business? (UK)

**Amazin** · 01-28-2011 04:54 AM

I'm in the process of starting a cleaning business, in London. I already bought my public liability insurance and have started doing some door knocking. Haven't got a customer yet but it has been interesting so far.

Some people asked me to leave a card (which I don't have yet), some are thinking about it. They say you should target rich areas, I live in Leytonstone so its not a rich area. I have knocked on 50 doors so far, 2 people told me that they already have a maid so I do think there is a potential there.

Any tips or advice will be great, thanks

**Mega B** · 01-28-2011 04:59 AM

I would also say target the Rich area as most middle to lower class families tend to cut back on such expensive services in hard times like we have at the moment.

You could try adding your services to Craigslist in the london area that could work very well for you i think.

**LP560** · 01-29-2011 02:23 AM

A cleaning business isn't a bad idea. I'd check into commercial buildings as those require DAILY cleaning.

Some more info here: Home Business Ideas - Home Cleaning

**crozuk** · 02-08-2011 09:14 AM

No direct experience myself but a friend ran a franchised cleaning company for years. Worth remembering is a crowded market with a great deal of established competition. You'll have to start small, and from what I've been told reliability and constancy are key.

As the previous poster suggested craigslist could be a good platform - but I tend to find in the UK that Gumtree is a better site (for where I live anway). Gumtree is where I always look for lower costs services and to avoid the big companies. Could be a god place to get yourself listed, and remember its free, so just one lead from that and your quids in.

Good luck with the venture,

Richard

**KirkKimberley** · 02-08-2011 02:00 PM

Presentation. Make yourself very presentable and marketable.

Have a business card, and a website.

People are going to have to trust you around their most prized possessions, make sure you and your business looks very presentable.

Kirk

**barbaragabogrecan** · 02-09-2011 11:53 PM

One of the biggest fears people have about starting a small business is the fear of having no real security. But for natural entrepreneurs, security comes from designing your own life.

**Amazin** · 02-10-2011 05:05 AM

One of the biggest fears people have about starting a small business is the fear of having no real security. But for natural entrepreneurs, security comes from designing your own life.

that comment is awesome. right now I have some tough decisions to make as my contract is coming to an end and will lose my job in a week. Here are my options. Sign on dole and focus on getting this cleaning business off the ground, or possibly work as a recruitment consultant and make money for other people. This is my problem: I don't want to work for other people where I will be rewarded only a fraction of the value I generate. I was watching The apprentice on youtube and saw this old episode where this woman generated £6m worth of business over the course of year. Her bonus for that year was only £27k on top of her salary! If I work for myself, I can take in all the award and I decide when I start and finish each day. Having that control is simply priceless.

I would also say target the Rich area as most middle to lower class families tend to cut back on such expensive services in hard times like we have at the moment.

I live in East London so its far from being a rich area. I've knocked on about 400 doors so far, only 2 people are looking for a cleaner. Some say they might need it in the future so just asked me to drop my business card which only received yesterday. I can see potential because many already have cleaners and that shows people can afford it. I'm planning to create a contract so I can sign people up. Some asked me for references which I can't provide. I need to find a way to get around this without lying or provide a fake reference.

**KirkKimberley** · 02-10-2011 09:20 AM

Let them know you do not have references, but you will offer your services for free for one month. You should land everyone.

In sales it is called the 'leave them with the puppy' strategy. If you want to get rid of a puppy, leave it with a family for a week. In a week, go try to get the puppy back.

Once most families/people see how nice it is to have a cleaner, how much de-stressing it is, and how great you are, they will make room in their budget for you.

Kirk

**bozzie123** · 02-10-2011 02:10 PM

Basically, your target market is going to be either rich families who have the money to hire a cleaner and might as well make the most of it, aswell as them you have your working class families who have limited time to do the cleaning, use a government statistics site and try and match an area with your target market, and visit that area, or complete a questionnaire, to see who might be intersted and whether its worth continuing with

**Amazin** · 02-17-2011 12:57 PM

I found out something quite shocking and discouraging today. Lot of cleaners (mostly foreigners) in London are doing it for as little as £7 per hour. I'm thinking charge £12 per hour so I can pay my employees £7 when I employ them. £7 is ok if I just want to make a living but no way I can run a business on that. I'm actually thinking of going outside London if I have to. I also phoned few local businesses today, one of them might be interested. Most businesses will have a cleaner, I think the only ways for me to get a commerical client is A:they are not happy with their current one, B its a new business C:they stoppped in order to cut overheads but now looking for a cleaner again

**KirkKimberley** · 02-17-2011 01:14 PM

If I may make a suggestion. You should quote on the size/amount of the job rather than the hourly rate.

So, if you figure a job is going to take 3 hours, and the going rate is £7, quote them £21 for the job. Now, if you complete the job in 2 hours (by working hard, smart, and becoming more efficient), you will get paid more than the £7 per hour.

Thanks,
Kirk