How to Start a House-Cleaning Business

More and more people are relying on house-cleaning professionals to save time. Hiring a cleaning service, once considered a luxury, is becoming more common in American households. This growing industry is a great place to start a small business of your own. Starting a business can seem intimidating, but with a few easy guidelines you can establish your own house cleaning business.

Get to know the area around youIt’s important to think about where you want to start a house cleaning business and why. Find the neighborhoods you know would be most receptive to this service. Do some research to ensure that you have a good business location.

Crank out a business planYou might think that your operation is too small for a business plan, but all business ventures should have one. A business plan will help you understand where you want your business to go and how to get it there effectively. Use the plan to establish operating procedures, loan applications, balance sheets, as well as profit and loss statements. You can use free templates available on the Internet to help get you started.

Finance the ventureSmall business loans are the best way to fund your operation. Look for programs on the local, state and federal levels. You can find low-interest loans, venture capital and grants to help you get started. Check out the U.S. Small Business Administration’s loan and grant’s search tool.

Structure and taxesOnce you have found the capital to start, the next step is to decide the legal structure of your business. Your business can be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or limited liability corporation. The type will determine what type of income tax return to file. Next, register with both the Internal Revenue Service and state and local revenue agencies to obtain the tax ID number for your business.

Licenses, permits and employer responsibilitiesMake sure that your business is legally licensed before your start up shop. Visit the Small Business Association’s online permit tool to get started. Understanding your employer responsibilities can help you avoid problems with employees. Creating a stable work environment will only help your business succeed. Once you have established your business, take the time to train your employees and prepare them for their tasks. Think about the most efficient ways and tools to complete your tasks.