[micsampip]

  As some of you know, I have only just started in this business but the market for domestic cleaning in my area seems to be excellent.

Before embarking in this line of business I rang some of the local domestic cleaning businesses posing as a potential client. Most didn't answer the phone. So just as any other customer would, I went to the next one on the list!! (this was an eye-opener in itself - hopefully their loss will be my gain)
Anyhow, the two businesses who were able to answer the phone had a waiting list of clients and one even gave me the name of a competitor.

A few friends I have spoken to about my venture know of people looking for cleaners. I have also had a few interested parties who might want to work for me.

I would like to pay £6/hr initially with a £0.50 bonus for attendance and quality of work.

If either drops on a continual basis, so will their bonus.

This bonus could be increased at set intervals i.e 6 and 12 months for loyalty.

I would charge the client £12 for regular cleaning i.e. 4-5 days/wk, £14 for weekly cleans and £15-18 for builders cleans.

My main worry is taking on employees and the legislation that it involves. I think I would rather outsource payroll and bookkeeping duties and concentrate on keeping customers and employees happy and work on gaining more business.

I know I've waffled a lot but can anyone give any advice or comments on the above and hopefully encouragement!!

[gordons]

Hi there i do bookkeeping and could arrange to do all your bookkeeping for you if you are interested? I will give you a special price normally bookkeepers charge between £12 and £20.

[micsampip]

  Hi Gordon, that sounds great. Whereabouts are you and do you do payroll?

Lisa 

[Fox]

Hi

Hope all goes well in your new venture.  You can learn loads about employment legislation through the internet and also think about becoming a member of the federation of small businesses or the chamber of commerce they will keep you up to date with all new legislation and have legal heplines you can call for direct advice.

While you are small I would suggest keep the book keeping in house.  Payroll is not that difficult with the right program and once you get used to PAYE and the system you choose to use it won't take more than an hour or so a week.  Many programs have accounting packages that run along side payroll aswell and they all have support lines to call when in doubt. 

When you are a small business growing it is essential to keep your finger on the button (as it is at any stage, but especially now!).  If you do your own books you will instantly know your sales and purchase ledger etc.  This will help when you need to make a decision quickly about a purchase or when taking on a large account.  If you have no experience in book keeping it is a must that you at least understand the basics, you need to know what is going on in your business. 

Think about how you are going to pay your employees, weekly, fortnightly, monthly, through BACS, chq, cash.  Get all the forms you need ready for completion, eg, application, h&s, starter form, p46's and decide what training methods you will use.

The biggest job when employing is the set up, once that is out of the way you will breeze through it, honest! 

Fox

[micsampip]

  Hi Fox,

That's great advice. I will definitely become a member of either of the two organisations you mentioned.

Believe it or not I have just left an accountancy course because I was more interested in the people side of management rather than the figures. I do however, understand the importance of being able to read and understand the figures in order to make informed business decisions and you are probably right, if I were to do it at home I would be in a better position to judge.

Will the Federation of Small Bussinesses or the Chamber of Commerce let me know which forms I might need when employing people - you mentioned p46 and H & S etc?

Thanks again,

Lisa 

[gordons]

Hi there im just outside glasgow but i have had english clients before i just had them send me there receipts and any info i needed and sent it back to them very quickly. They were very happy with it being done this way and i could do the same for you. Some of them actually said they got their accounts done by me quicker than their old bookkeeper that were local to them. I can doo payroll too. Please let me know what you think.

[Tim Downer]

Hi

If you go to your local tax office, they give free courses on how to set yourself up with staff, and all the trappings that go with it....Give them a try

Regards

Tim

[micsampip]

  Thanks Tim that sounds exactly what I'm looking for.

I've just had an interview with a business advisor connected to the Business Link. He thinks I ought to employ others immediately to do the cleaning whilst I concentrate on building the business and liasing with clients and employees. I don't know how realistic this is? I start their free business course at the end of the month.

I've also enrolled on a COSHH course and am on the waiting list for H & S and risk assessment courses.

I just want to be as prepared as possible.

Regards,

Lisa 

[blacksheep]

hi micsampip , i hope you dont mind me asking but does your local collage run  the COSHH course and does anyone know where i can get a h and s video for staff for when i start up, the thing is i dont know if i need it. i work for a very  very large company so we do h and s but when i used to work for a small firm, different girls to different sites we never had it done or when i did builders clean.i hope to do factorys

[micsampip]

  Hi there,

It's the Matthew Boulton college in Birmingham. They also run a range of cleaning courses - city and guilds and BICS.

Hope that helps

Regards

Lisa 

[garyj]

Premier Products also do one on DVD, also comes with charts, downloads, sign off sheets, certificates, etc. Tells you everything you need to know on H & S, colour coding, COSHH, risk assessments, fire evacuation, method statements, etc.  Its also quite cheap!!!

[micsampip]

  Hi Gary,

the DVD sounds good. Have you got the telephone number or website of Premier Products?

Regards

Lisa 

[blacksheep]

hi lisa thanks for info but Birmingham is to far for me at the moment. Have you taken the big leep yet or are you just putting things togeather like me,I have enroled for a book keeping course and going to outsourse pay roll. finding a property cheap enough is a pain to work from ,its 3 steps forward and 2 back lol. sorry forgot this fourm is just for business not chit chat got carrird away marie.

[micsampip]

  Hi Marie,

I think chit chat is ok too. This forum is about the friendliest I've come across.

I'm hoping to get going after the half term. In the mean time I will sort out my terms and conditions and get some adverts out. I have got my insurance sorted and have bought some very cheap equipment.

I'm on a business course next week so that should be helpful.

If you're thinking of out-sourcing your payroll, I came across a company through the Business Link website called Ceridian Centrfile 0800 0681 781. For companies with up to 5 employees they charge £1.95/employee. Might be worth a look.

I have already done a bookkeeping course and I'm in the middle of a sage course with learn direct - makes bookkeeping very simple. I might invest in a combined bookkeeping and payroll package from them when things get going.

There seems to be so much to think about, I'm sure I'll forget something.

Did you say you are looking for premises? What type of cleaning will you be doing? I will be running it from home to begin with to keep costs down.

Keep in touch and good luck,

Lisa 

[blacksheep]

HI LISA ,I am taken the easy way,  am going for factorys/offices.the booking keeping course is 18 weeks from sept ,so last night  i said to my self that would be my deadline/start date ,i was going to pm business soulations they are down the rd from me, see what there offering in terms of payroll. but i will give this number a ring thanks . there on the other fourm.there is a book site you might want to look up www.Lawpack.co.uk they have forms/help books on business as well as other things dont know if that will be of any use to you,i am going to get a book on  how to put in a tender, know one talks about that on here, so may be theres nothing to it  talk to ya later
                            marie