People are on the move A huge segment of the population is constantly on the move.
Because of job change, military, family status, or a who armament of other reasons, people are shifted from one place to another.
This leaves a huge need to clean up and get the apartment or house ready for the next renter, after a tenet moves.
Commercial cleaning differs from Janitorial Cleaning because it is "on demand" and not a schedule service.
Commercial cleaning involves deep cleaning sites which have been vacated either by someone living there or working there.
This evolves sanitizing, trash removal, window cleaning, stove and oven cleaning, carpet and hard floor cleaning, bathroom and fixture cleaning.
In other words the site must be cleaned from top to bottom.
The object is to get the apartment or home into a presentable condition for the sales people to re-rent it.
Clean up before next tenant This type of cleaning is difficult at times, in that, some tenets may have lived there for some time and an accumulation of dirt's must be removed.
A layer of oils on all surfaces in the kitchen area, soap scum in the bath area, carpets that have been neglected all become a cleaning nightmare.
No matter the condition it is only a routine challenge for the professional cleaner.
If you are just starting our, visit your local Janitorial supply store for advise on what products to use when tackling certain conditions.
There are many good products on the market which are both safe and economical.
You must take into consideration, the efficiency of a product in that how fast you can clean with little or no side effects.
You must take care in handling products which are alkaline or acidic.
Don't take chances on getting burned or causing a rash from strong abusive products.
Look to trade Magazines There are several trade magazines on the market that give tips and, of course, advertise current cleaning products and procedures.
The magazines are free, worth receiving, and very useful.
Many commercial cleaners don't clean carpet.
I believe this is a mistake.
Carpets are not that hard to clean and it adds considerably to the value of your service.
There are good deep cleaners which clean by rotary system.
In other words, using a buffer.
One such product called SAC-10 by Imperial Research works on static attraction to draw the dirt from the carpet fiber.
This is a very effective system and most commercial cleaners have a buffer they can use because they also use it for cleaning hard floors.
The Minnesota company is very accommodating and does not require you to buy large quantities.
Another way to go is using a good portable extractor for carpet and hard floor stripping.
Never ending process This is a very lucrative market to get into because it is a continuing process.
Every time someone moves, someone has to cleanup after them.
Apartment complexes are a good source for business.
They may have a maintenance person on staff but very seldom do they have full time cleaning people.
Business can be had by approaching Realtors, and Real Estate management companies.
People move out of a home and leave it to the realtor to have it cleaned and readied for presenting to prospective buyers.
Another source of business is commercial office buildings, and manufacturing facilities.
The same thing goes as for an apartment.
The facility has to be cleaned and readied for the next tenant.
Some cleaning people also offer painting.
I would not get into that because it is a specialty and ties up your labor too long.
Do painting only if you have people designated just for that.
It's better to make arrangements with a painter to give him/her referrals for a commission.
That way you don't have to worry about the liability of doing the work or being required to have contractors license.
Cleaners don't have to have a contractors license because they are not altering the structure of the facility.
Good money maker All in all, commercial cleaning is a very good business to be in.
You should have a van and equip it with the needed supplies and machinery to do the job.
First is cleaning materials, like cleaning compounds, towels, scrubbers, etc.
Equipment may include a buffer and portable extractor.
Make up a good flyer and take it around to prospective customers, in person.
Introduce yourself and your service in a professional manner.
Ware a uniform if possible to accent your professionalism.
Make your flyer as informative as possible and professional as looking as possible.
It's not hard to do using today's computers.
Send prospects a monthly news letter, telling them of new products and cleaning tips.
Every time you have idle time, use it to revisit prospective customers.
Take them something, like a bottle of spot cleaner or dust rag.
They will remember you when it comes time to have their next cleaning job.
Most commercial cleaning jobs are billed on a thirty day invoice.
If you don't know the customer and it appears to be a one time job, ask for payment at the end of the job.
Make sure the customer knows all charges up front and agrees to them.
If possible have the customer sign a work order before beginning the work.
This assures that charges were explained and agreed to before work started.
If you work at it It is not often that a customer will go back on their agreement, but it is best to be professional and have a signed agreement before work is commenced.
If you are looking for a business that takes very little money to get into yet pays very well, commercial cleaning might just be the thing for you.
Happy Trails