ken, thanks for all you've done for us in the past.the info about tennessee,the e-book,etc. i have a problem my friend,my son put the e-book somewhere in this box (the boy calls it his favorite sibling,the rest of the family calls it a computer, i call it a box).could ya please send me another?we can't find the other!ya see laura & i are trying to start a cleaning business together. we need to find out how to start & do it legal.sooooooo many questions.any ideas who to ask would be appreciated!thanks.

computer illiterate fred

-- fred in wi (sixuvusmeyers@aol.com), February 21, 2001

Answers

Response to kens' e-book 7 a cleaning business

Fred:

You need to be a bit more specific. What type of cleaning business do you have in mind? House cleaning? Business janitorial service? Dry cleaning? Automobile detailing?

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 21, 2001.

Response to kens' e-book 7 a cleaning business

fred,, click start button,, go to find , select files folders, type in, book , or e-book ,, and it will tell you where its at in your box

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), February 21, 2001.

ken, thanks for the "re"-e-book!as far as the cleaning biz goes, we're starting slow with peoples homes.i work 3rd shift & like to stay up after work ,while "normal" people are at work and the kids are at school,we could clean thier homes.we have 1 home, once every 2 weeks wich leaves a lot of room for expansion.questions we have include how to get bonded & insured,the cost of that, and well just how to start a small business the smart legal way, and eventually how to grow that business and diversify into cleaning not just homes but other businesses or even things like construction sites, etc.well i'm done dreaming for now ,we have 1 house to clean.stan i'll try that as soon as laurie shows me how.thanks again everyone!

-- fred in wi (sixuvusmeyers@aol.com), February 22, 2001.

Fred:

Also consider carpet cleaning. Hired a guy locally who showed up with a helper and a small, medium and larger unit in the back of an SUV. Kept in touch with his wife for the next job via cell phone. Apparently he had all of the business he could handle until getting arrested for another sideline enterprise ended it.

You may or may not require a business license. Your Country Recorder's or Clerk's Office or something like it should be able to help you there. Talk to just about any insurance agent about bonding. To advertise your services consider making up a one-page sheet and then working with the local paper to have it included in one of their deliveries. Another thing I would recommend is to have refrigerator magnets or business cards with a magnetic backing made up to remind customers of your service. You will probably need a name, such as Handy Maids, Housekeeping to Go or West Bend Housecleaning Service.

I have a made service come in about every 4-6 weeks, whether the place needs it or not (and remember I am a bachelor). Cost is $40 per visit (actually, it is $30 and I tip an extra $5 to both of them).

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 22, 2001.

Fred, I used to clean homes and offices. Homes are a good place to start. Don't overlook churches and small offices. Here in South Dakota you need to have a sales tax license from the Dept. of Revenue since there is sales taxes on services. I don't know what your state requires, but if it has a sales tax, more than likely you will need to charge sales tax. Also, make sure you determine what you do and use your own supplies, including vacuums and the like. If you don't, the IRS will consider you a household employee, instead of an independent contractor. The same goes if you don't have some type of oral or written contract with your client. You may want to contact your local officials as well as state officials for other licenses required. You can get liability insurance on yourself just in case you break something or cause damage to your client's property. It usually runs about $700 per year around here but you could just take your chances and be very careful. Around here the going rate now is about $9 per hour for private homes. Any heavy duty cleaning jobs can be charged at a higher rate. Make sure to keep a written log of your mileage and keep accurate records of income and expenses. Good luck.

-- JoAnn (jonehls@excite.com), February 22, 2001.

Joanns response is right on. Each state has thier own laws so you need to check out yours. I started cleaning six years ago. I had been a stay at home mom, but my husband was hurt at work and we went weeks with no income. Welfare or I had to go to work outside the home ( I will never say I was not working before LOL). I needed something with flexable hours since we still had four kids at home and most of the responsibility at that time was still mine. I did not relish the idea of working my fanny perpendicular off for minnimum wage so I did the only thing I could logically think of ( short of winning the lottery LOL). When I started I charged $10. and hr. I would do it differant now. Some cleaning companies charge by the job. $35. a standard three bedroom, one bath house. Then charge $5 more each bedroom and bath or xtra room. Even if you do not clean the bedrooms(most of the time I dont) there is still more work. It is an easy formula to remember. Why would I charge that way? Because after six years cleaning I can whip thru a house in a couple hrs. As it is if I get done early it hurts me to leave, so I poke around and work slower to keep my wage the same as when I started. Most of my clients let me leave when done anyway, but some do not and would be very upset to not get thier "hours worth". I fail to see why we should not be payed as good for a faster job as long as the quality stays the same. I have never had insurance. I tell my clients and they do not seem to care. I have cleaned businesses and homes as well as resorts. I like the private homes best. The rules are simple- do a good job- be honest- and be reliable. Always call when you can not make it. Seems simple, but I have heard so many complaints from clients who hired me when thier cleaners just did not call. Never, never snoop. I clean as if a video camera were on me. This day and age, it could be. I ran an add and got one new client each time I ran it. Our paper listed all adds alphabetically so I tried to start each add with an A so when people read them they read mine first. I have cut back my work load because one of my clients has offered to help me fullfil my lifelong dream of being a saleable artist. One of the fringe benifits. Cleaning can be a very profitable business. In some states it is not unheard of to charge $20. an hour. I could charge more, but since I am semi retired I dont. Good luck.

-- leeann ellenson (ellenson@paulbunyan.net), February 26, 2001.