There is a growing number of Australian establishments that require the services of professional cleaning companies. This has become one of the fastest-growing service-related sectors in the Australian market. Starting your very own cleaning service business can be tricky if you do not know where to start.

Here is how you can have your very own commercial cleaning company.

Know Your Target Clientele

The first thing you would want to establish is the type of clients that you wish to serve. There are cleaning services that cater to commercial establishments like offices, malls, and the like. There are also companies that focus more on medical and healthcare cleaning. Still, there are those that provide cleaning services to industrial establishments as well as ordinary residential homes.

While you can cater to all types of clientele, this is not advisable for beginners in the industry. It is best to find a niche where you can excel and showcase your services. As you gain more experience and build the trust of your existing clients, you can always expand to other areas.

Plan Your Budget

Any business endeavour starts with a good budget plan. This lays down the foundation for all other activities. While it is possible to start a good commercial cleaning business for only AUS$1,000, it would be best to have a very clear idea of the different expenses you have to prepare for.

The bulk of your budget will be geared towards obtaining the necessary licenses and permits as well as marketing and advertising campaigns. Depending on where you live in Australia or where you intend to set up your business, you could pay around AUS$30 to AUS$60 for sole proprietorship.

All Australian businesses also have to think about having commercial insurance. This depends on the number of employees that you are hoping to employ. Of course, the more employees you have, the higher the premium that you will have to shell out.

As a provider of cleaning services, you will have to invest in the right tools such as commercial-grade vacuum cleaners. Brooms, mops, dusters, and cleaning and disinfectant solutions are also a must. Consider also the uniform that you and your cleaning technicians will wear. Include any personal safety gear that a particular cleaning job can entail. These can include rubber gloves, masks, and goggles, among others.

Do not forget your marketing and advertising budget. You can always minimize the cost by utilizing existing online platforms. However, do not forget to engage in conventional marketing and advertising approaches such as flyers, posters, and brochures.

The last part of your budget plan should focus on how much you are going to pay your employees. Having said that, you will need to determine how many cleaning technicians you need. Do you need other personnel such as a customer service representative, an office assistant, or other positions? Make sure that they will receive just compensation, otherwise, you might not retain their services for too long.

Determine the Kind of Business Structure You Need

In Australia, there are 4 basic types of business structure: sole trader, partnership, company, and trust. It is very important to choose the right business structure for your cleaning company because this will have an impact on your budget. It also has an impact on the taxes that you need to pay the government.

Majority of the cleaning companies in Australia are either sole proprietorships or partnerships. The beauty of going solo is that you have full control over everything related to your business. The problem in this business structure is that you cannot distinguish between your personal and business assets. This is unless you can exercise discipline in running the company.

For the most part, partnerships provide some form of personal liability protection for the different owners. Should your company close, your personal assets stay protected. The issue with partnerships is that you will need a higher budget. The tax structure can also be a bit more complicated.

Have Your Business Registered and Duly Licensed

It is important to have your business registered in the city where you will be offering the cleaning service. As already mentioned, the cost of registering your business will depend on the type of business structure that you have.

Make sure to coordinate with your local business licensing unit to know more about the different requirements. They may need you to supply them certain documents to help facilitate the registration of your business.

Find Clients and Maintain Good Relationships with Them

Word-of-mouth marketing is still one of the best ways to find clients. This is especially true for local businesses. There are also service platforms and online forums that function to connect individuals with cleaning companies.

It is okay to start with a few clients. You can always expand your client base in the future. Focus on providing exemplary cleaning services to your existing clients. If they are more than satisfied with your cleaning services, it would be a lot easier for you to ask for referrals. Some of them can also voluntarily refer you to an acquaintance.

Ask your clients if you can use them as references for your future clients. Some people are hesitant to get the services of a new company because they have not yet proven the quality of their services. Clients who are willing to be your company’s references can help you gain the trust of potential clients.

Invest in Advertising Activities

Advertising today is so much easier than a few decades ago. You can utilize the global reach of the internet to spread the word about your company. Create a website, a Facebook page, or an account in any other social media platform. This are some of the ways you can connect to your followers and potential clients.

As you grow your number of followers, you can then sign up with service-specific online platforms. These resources connect people with local service providers. Do not forget the traditional methods of advertising as some folks still rely on these techniques.

Starting a cleaning business requires hard work and careful planning. With these steps, you are one step closer to having your own cleaning services business.