I am looking to start a cleaning business and not sure if I should go into just cleaning offices, or cleaning out homes after people move out and before others move in. Anyone have any experience or advice on this to share?
DLynn
I have only a suggestion. I have an Aunt who was in the cleaning business for over 20 years. She is now on disability from various problems caused from the chemicals in the cleaning products she used over the years.
Please use a mask when you do your cleaning, or use chemical free products. (03/07/2008)
By LEONA LABINE
I live in Delaware and pay $90 for 4-5 hours of cleaning and I supply the vacuum cleaner and all supplies. This lady is an honest person and a wonderful cleaner. If she breaks something, she tells me or leaves me a note if I'm not at home. As an earlier post said, she doesn't change the bed linens, do laundry or dishes. I clear the small things from the bathroom countertops before she comes, and I pick up the old newspapers. Being honest...not stealing is most important. I lost several things before I found this lady. The going rate depends on the area of the country where you live. Good luck with your business. (03/07/2008)
By hj
My daughter was a military wife, and she made good money cleaning military base housing when the families were transferring or being discharged. The military does a pretty strict inspection, and, many of them feel that it is just easier to hire the cleaning done. She also put herself through college by doing the cleaning in a huge apartment complex where she lived. She cleaned appliances, cabinets, showers, and carpets after tenants moved out and before the apartment was rented again.
If you do cleaning for private households, you will get referrals from your satisfied customers to help build your business. I would suggest that you include all types of cleaning jobs when you are starting out, then you can change to a specialty in the future. (03/08/2008)
By Harlean
Do you want to work days, nights, or both? Most offices are cleaned after hours. I do one office that I have to do during their working hours because it is a pharmacy and they are very strict about anyone being in there without a pharmacist on duty. It is somewhat of a pain to clean with the workers there, but I have adjusted to it. Mostly I do houses that people live in, and I weed them out. I won't take on a job that I know the owners will be home. It is too time consuming to have them chatting with me all the time. Also, if I make any noises, I feel like they are thinking, "what did she just drop/break", so I rarely do one with them home.
I can get in and out so much faster if they are gone. I have been doing some of them for around 10 years. I would probably prefer to do houses that are vacant between tenants, just haven't ever ran across any of those jobs. Maybe I should look into that. I always charge by the job because you will get much faster once you get used to the house.
By Janell
My housekeeper comes to my home every other Wednesday. I pay her $10.00 an hour. She also drives 45 miles to my home and 45 miles back to her home. I need to give her a raise with gas prices the way they are.
Anyway, I heard that cleaning houses and apartments after someone leaves makes you more money. You might even want to check into cleaning houses that have been through a fire or someone died or was murdered. They really pay good on that. Sorry so gruesome. (03/13/2008)
By Penny Stoehr
I have been cleaning other people's houses and businesses for 30 years. It has been a very challenging job.
I started out with just a couple of houses, then word got around. Then I picked up a few more. You have to be honest, prompt, and do a very good job. Put an ad in your local paper or a small bill board at your local store. Word will get around and before you know it, you'll have yourself a little business. The starting rate around here (N.C.) is $50.00 on up. Good Luck! (05/30/2008)
By Sabrina Barr
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