Home Businesses on a Tight Budget - Part 6

Ok so we will go on to another option for prospective home business owners looking to start a profitable business on a shoestring budget. I'm really excited by this one because it might even be one of the few you can start with an almost nothing and expect to get a handsome reward in a relatively short time span. Really! Our next home business option is.......

Cleaning Service

This isn't the most glamorous of businesses but as long as there in dirt, dust and funny corners where they can both accumulate around the house, then you will be in business!

People are looking to outsource those aspects of maintenance that they really do not have to do in person. This could be because they are extremely busy or that they just prefer it handled by professionals. All you literally need are some cleaning materials and some extra hands who don't mind cleaning! You might need to invest in cleaning equipment like vacuum cleaners, carpet cleaning machines, and floor polishers but they are widely available and much more affordable as used items. You wont be needing any large spaces to start off but you would eventually as your staff strength and clientele grows.

Image: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Businesses that start off as domestic cleaning services often grow to include commercial clients as well. It is perfectly fine to stick to one area if that is the market you prefer to manage but the options for growth are very good.

General tips I gathered from owners of cleaning businesses that would be helpful:

• There really isn't a fixed start up cost for starting a cleaning business because people work differently and have different targets. If you are focused on commercial clients alone, you are more likely to need more equipment from the onset as opposed to one who starts a home cleaning service. It also depends on the value you place on service delivery. If you decide to use locally available products or go the extra mile to get the best cleaning products regardless of the cost. It's really up to you but the general rule of thumb is to keep costs as low as possible in the beginning.

• Believe it or not, the key to growth is to register your business. Most people start off businesses as a hobby but they always have issues trying to grow it because they never really positioned it to go from a hobby to a business. The first step to doing that is to get it registered. Serious corporate clients are big on paperwork and they wont take your business seriously if they perceive that you don't. Get it sorted out as early as possible.

• Sometimes its best to just hire the more expensive cleaning equipment when you are just starting out because they might be sitting idle for the most part. It's just too much money to tie down in the beginning. You might be better off securing a few retainers first where you are sure of a steady income to cover the costs over time. 

So stop holding back. This is one area where you can actually start with nothing but a good pitch to a potential client! Get out there and solve the dirt problem!!