How To Start A Commercial Carpet Cleaning Business
If you want to start a small business, a commercial carpet cleaning business can be a profitable business that requires very little start-up investment, education, or training.
Business Plan
Every successful small business starts with a business plan. If your goal is to clean commercial buildings, decide whether you will attempt to clean several small buildings, or clean all the offices in one or two high-rise buildings.
Will you do the cleaning yourself, or will you hire a team of cleaners? How many machines will you use? Will your business own vehicles, or will your employees transport the equipment to the job site in their own transportation? Your business plan will answer all these questions and will define the size and scope of your commercial carpet cleaning business.
Customers
The best way to pick up new customers is to offer free carpet cleaning services combined with a paid contract. No one can resist an offer of a free commercial carpet cleaning. Another way to get new customers is to team up with a custodial service. Most custodial services offer daily or weekly services like emptying trash, vacuuming common areas, dusting, and wet-cleaning floors. Periodic cleaning services like commercial carpet cleaning and window washing are subcontracted out to other businesses - like yours.
Equipment
Make sure your commercial carpet cleaning equipment is suited for the types of carpets you will be cleaning. Most commercial grade carpets are low-pile floor coverings that are easy to clean. You will probably require additional solvents to clean heavily trafficked or extra soiled areas.
Employees
If you have a big enough business to employ workers, be sure to do background checks on them. As a contractor, you may be liable for the negligent acts of your employees, or for negligently hiring people with criminal records to enter into business where a dishonest person could steal office equipment or computers. If employees pass a background check, then prior commercial carpet cleaning experience is preferable but not required. Most employees can be trained on how to do the job in a matter of hours. Employees should be prepared to work nights, when offices are closed.
Vehicles
Remember that if you buy a truck or van, it can double as an advertising surface. Invest in a professional paint job that advertises your business in its best light. Include your web site and your phone number, so customers who see your vehicle in traffic will know how to find you later.
