[richyvezy]

Hi all

Firstly, let me say what a great site this is, very informative on alot of issues etc. Congrats to all the people behind it and those who monitor it.

Having become very disallusioned with my mundane job and making other people feel better and richer for my efforts, I'm seriously considering starting a cleaning business. I have ambitions of eventually providing a whole range of cleaning services from all sorts of domestic cleans/windows to all types of commercial/office cleans to maybe outside of house painting etc.

This is where my problems begin as I'm like a kid in a candy store with all these ideas going round in my head, I just can't think straight. I'm chomping at the bit to get going without really knowing where to begin !!
I've spent weeks/months searching the internet, researching and gathering loads of information including documentation etc. All is very good and informative but I thought I'd place a post on this forum asking for advice and wisdom from people who were probably in the same boat as myself and as excited as I am right now.

Any guidance and advice of where I go from here so that I can put my enthusiasm and ideas into practice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Richy

richard.verrinder@ntlworld.com

[Ged]

Richy

one thing you could do and it's what i did is contact your local chamber of trade and see if they do a new business start up course. the one i did was three days (or evenings) and was brilliant. you will be given free advice from experienced business people. they may help you to focus your ideas.


Good luck


Ged

[*Chris Browne]

Also try  business link  http://www.businesslink.gov.uk everything you can think of will be mentioned on this very comprehensive site.


Chris




www.scsf.co.uk

[Fox]

Hi

As excited as you may be don't run before you can walk!  What experience have you got in the cleaning industry?  What do you do now?  Can you use these skills for your business - eg, management, accounts, admin, H&S, sales, etc etc, think about the skills you have and the ones you will need help with, sort out training or employ someone to do it for you.

Slow down and decide on one part of the business - do you want to go into commercial cleaning or domestic?  Office cleaning?  Builders cleans?  Window cleaning?  Start with one section then you can diversify when you are set up.  Are you planning on employing straight away or are you going to do it yourself?  Will you be working from home or an office? Also think about the financial implications.

Many questions I know and hopefully you have thought about most of them but if you are going to run a successful business you need to walk into it with your eyes wide open.

A good business plan will cover most of the questions above, speak to whoever you are going to bank with they normally give out free software for business planning it will help with your decisions.

If you have specific questions please post them, I am sure people will do their best to help.  Good luck.

Fox

[martin19842]

hi there

ok if you look in this months CHT cleaning and hygenie, you'lll find an amazing figure the UK cleaing market value, and the rate of annual increase in business.

its big, so the first thin you need to do is decide where yuor going to start

domestic or commercial???

domestic-- then advertising and buidll the client base

commercial --  offices, factories, build cleans, or another specialist sector

DONT TRY AND DO THEM ALL

focus your efforts into one directio at a time, get that up and running, and then you can look at diversification

i will always the champion the cause of "PRODUCT AND SERVICE MIX" thats vital, but on DAY one your MIX will be very small.

as you grow you'll find the MIX helps the bottom line.  which lets be honest thats why we are doing this., and a better lifestyle

so take one step back,  what market is on your doorstep?? do you have any commercial leads from previous jobs, or do you know someone, who is looking to change the cleaners at the workplace.

you may find that your first service is already out there.

I have a very simple principle-- we are the ultimate cusomer driven company???

the answer is yes!!!!!!! now what are you looking for.

we'll research it and quote it, and if the client agrees it then it opens up a further avenue.  this is how we got into High Level cleaning, Flood restoratio work, and now full property refurbs after LOSS.

hope that helps

regards

martin

[richyvezy]

Ged, Chris, Fox and Martin

Many thanks for your replies, especially Fox and Martin with your calming words of advice.

My biggest challenge was to convince my wife that this was something that WE could do and be successful at. Once she came round to the idea I wanted to get going straight away etc and was getting carried away so thanks for bringing me back down to earth.

I now have a more clearer idea of where I want us to start. We are going to concentrate on the domestic cleaning area side and develope from there in time.

No doubt if I have any more questions or concerns I'll post them on here.

Cheers

Richy

[Art]

Richy,

Have a look at www.scsf.co.uk


Arthur

[richyvezy]

Thanks Arthur. How long will it take me to become a full member to be able to appreciate the site fully ? I'm still in the very early stages of getting my business plan going !!

[Art]

Richy,

 Once you supply Public Liability insurance your membership will be upgraded, but in the meantime you can still join without full access, which you might find useful. Any problems just shout

Arthur

[richyvezy]

Arthur

Does it matter that I haven't decided on a Trading Name yet ?

Richy

[Art]

Makes no difference, best thing to do is join the forum then when your sorted with company name, insurance etc. You can submit details then.

Any problems use the contact option on the homepage

[richyvezy]

Arthur

For some reason I'm having problems with the site (not a good start eh ?). Do I need to join to be able to access anything on the home page as I'm clicking on things and nothing is happening ?

Very confused....

Richy

[*Chris Browne]

richard

you have mail

chris

[Ian Gourlay]

I would have thought one of the barriers to enter The Commercial Market is Cash Flow.

Also if you become a Specialist Such as Carpet Cleaning it takes time to get your marketing right.

If you enter The Domestic market it takes time to build a Customer base,


Have you worked out how long it will take you and how are you going to pay household expenses,

Are you sure your partner is on board.

In the past I have found that when I thought my partner was on board she was not and claims I bambolzed her with my tunnnel vision.

[richyvezy]

Chris

Yes I've recieved your mail thanks, I look forward to joining the forum and hearing from you in the near future.

Ian

We have some money available along with backing from family and friends as they know how much we want this.

Having read previous replies above, my initial plan now is for me to stay in my current job for now and for my wife to concentrate on building a decent client base, hence why it was important to make sure she was 'on board'.

Before finding this forum I was all set to quit my job and put every effort into starting up the business. But after taking some appreciated advise and reading other posts on here I've decided patience and carefull planning etc is the way to go. I may be wrong and would value your opinion and thoughts.

In fact, it would be interesting to know if there is anyone else out there that was in a similar situation - did you start your business around your current job or quit it to put all your efforts into your new venture ?

Cheers

Richy

[kestrel]

hi, have you thought about geting into carpet & Upholstery cleaning with truck mount system. There is a lot of money in this industry

If you are interested we are a very sucsessful company, looking for people all over the country who want to own there own business, basically we set you up with a large territory, all equipment, all paperwork ( including business cards etc) and we supply you with work in you area, full training on every aspect of the business, prochem training courses, six day phone assistance. etc, everything is covered and your business is set up to follow our sucsessful formula. This is not a franchise, for more information please contact Kevin : 01934 516631 or 07792 060511 or email at kestrel.carpet.cleaning@fsmail.net

This is a fantastic oppertunity !

Thankyou Kevin

[richyvezy]

Kestrel

Have sent you mail but have yet to receive a reply. Any reason ?

Richy