Start & Run a Home Cleaning Business. Susan Bewsey

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      (c) In the case of litigation or tax problems, what is your success ratio?

      (d) What is your availability for me and my business?

      (e) What is your fee and what are your billing terms?

      (f) Where do you obtain your current sources of information?

      (g) Do you offer information seminars?

      These are just a few of the questions you may want to ask. Do not take up too much of the person’s time. Get a feeling for the person. Did he or she treat you well? Did you understand each other? Did he or she communicate in plain language or were you baffled by technical terms? Did he or she seem genuinely interested in having you as a client? These relationships are very important for you so choose well at the onset before any problems arise.

      You may need both an accountant and a bookkeeper. An accountant is a certified professional who prepares financial statements and tax returns and can also set up a bookkeeping system, prepare budgets, and provide general advice on all expenditures. If you need tax advice, go to your accountant.

      A good bookkeeper, though experienced, does not have the same level of knowledge and training that an accountant does. Keeping the books means keeping track of sales and expenditures and entering them in a ledger. You can and should do your own bookkeeping in the early stages of your business. This way, you learn the numbers that make your business tick. For further discussion about bookkeeping, see Bookkeepers’ Boot Camp, another title in the Self-Counsel Business Series.

      7. Purchasing An Existing Business Or Franchise?

      Purchasing an existing cleaning business or joining a franchised cleaning business are attractive options. However, before you go ahead, make sure that you do all the research and development that you would do if you were about to commence your own business. Do not take the word of a vendor that all is well. Ask to see the books and records for the business but don’t base your decision solely on finances. Make sure that you read and understand any contractual obligations you may have to make. Consult your lawyer and your accountant about all aspects of the business you intend to buy or the franchise in which you are interested.

      In the case of a franchise, you are in essence renting the use of the name and systems of an organization. Is the success of the business directly attributed to an individual, or could it survive and continue to grow with you as the new owner/operator? Always ask if there is anything you could do to enhance operations (e.g., Spend more time in the business? Spend more money on marketing?). Ensure that the vendor will cooperate with you in a smooth transition of the business. Make an effort to observe staff in operation.

      In the case of an existing business or a franchise, find out if there are any unresolved legal issues. If there are and you don’t find out about them beforehand, you could be adopting a giant legal mess. Keep your inquiries discreet and do nothing imprudent that would upset the business. The sale of a business is highly volatile. Clients who hear that the business is being sold could become upset about security issues and having strangers in their homes. Make sure the owners will cooperate fully and that the business’s goodwill remains intact.

      There are advantages in purchasing an existing business or investing in a franchise:

      • Goodwill is already established, as is the client and staff base.

      • Information about the market potential is readily available.

      • Much of the ground breaking has been accomplished.

      • Site operation has been previously approved.

      The disadvantages are:

      • Changes (even for the better) may be difficult to implement.

      • There may be problems with clients and staff accepting new management.

      • Costs may be incurred in advertising if it is needed to replace lost clients and staff.

      Learn everything you can about the business or franchise and get professional advice. Above all, remember to ask these questions:

      (a) Why is the business being sold?

      (b) What are the physical assets of the business?

      (c) What are the sales figures?

      (d) What are the costs?

      (e) How long has the business been in operation?

      8. Leasing Versus Purchasing

      Whether or not you decide to purchase an existing franchise or company, equipment is an important factor to remember during the initial phase of your business. The equipment needed will determine the size and scope of your business start-up. Some businesses may already come complete with basic equipment. But even if it doesn’t, you won’t need to invest a lot of your start-up money in costly equipment. The nature of the home cleaning business is that it is simple and inexpensive to run. However, as your business progresses, prepare in advance to expand into the commercial cleaning market. You may need special cleaning equipment or company vehicles. Leasing expensive items certainly has its advantages. There is little capital outlay, the convenience of immediate possession, and tax savings. (Check with your accountant to find out what the tax advantages are.)

      The following are pricey items that you might consider leasing:

      • Office space

      • Vehicle

      • Telephone/cell phone/answering machine

      • Computer and printer

      • Heavy-duty equipment

      On the other hand, leasing some types of equipment can be expensive. For the money you pay, you retain no value.

      With leasing, you can try the equipment out for a while and assess whether it is necessary for the company. A service contract may be included in the lease. Over the long term, you’ll be able to decide which, owning or leasing, is the more attractive option.

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      Setting Goals And Financing

      1. Your Mission Statement

      Your mission statement proclaims your operating principles. It is a statement about your business and your goals.

      The mission statement should reflect your personal objectives and the impact your business will have in the marketplace. It should be concise and readily understood by your market, your advertisers, your staff, and your friends and family.

       Case study

      Anytown is a medium-sized city of 300,000. It is an industrial base as well as the head office of several national companies. There is a university with a well-known medical school and six hospitals. The Cleaning Company Inc., located in Anytown, has СКАЧАТЬ