Top 26 Janitorial Business Tips

Janitorial Business : Starting a professional janitorial business in Nigeria is easy, maybe not very easy.

However, the more challenging part of it is keeping an excellent reputation.

That is the part that requires hard work and real commitment.

It is a nice thing being one’s boss as a janitor.

But in the real sense – the customers are the main boss.

Give your customers first class cleaning services.

Charge an amount more affordable than what your competitors charge.

Then you are on the very right track.

Starting a business is easy, but the more challenging part of it is keeping an immaculate reputation.

That’s the part that requires hard work and commitment.

The most important thing to remember is that when you are your own boss, really … your customers are the boss.

Give them what they want, and charge a competitive rate.

Ideally, this should be a little cheaper than your competitors.

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Read also: Top 20 business Gurus in Nigeria and their profiles

 1. Carry out research work: Janitorial Business

Before starting seek advice from the National Association of Certified Building Contractors.

A company that helps entrepreneurs in the Janitorial industry

Before starting your cleaning, business seek advice from professionals or experts in the business.

It is also advisable to read several articles or reference materials – online, business journals, newspapers, reports, research works etc.

Read some of the articles we’ve written before on related subject.

There already exists a large pool of already existing corporate Janitorial companies in town.

Corporate Cleaning Service is an industry that has witnessed good growth in developed countries around the world.

In Nigeria today, in some towns and Cities, Janitorial services is already deep-rooted.

Starting a janitorial business requires a number of important steps.

Therefore, prior to getting started, you should have completed the following items:

See also: 18 Tips to Start Dairy Business 

2.Janitorial Business: Business Plan

Just as with any other type of company, you will need to have completed a good solid business plan.

This plan should contain at the very least an overview of your company.

And the services you plan to offer.

The strategies you plan to use in order to obtain customers.

Financial information such as a cash flow and income statements.

And an action plan for how your company plans to achieve its profitability goals.

Your business plan should be considered your blueprint for success.

And you should refer to it often in terms of taking action and getting things accomplished.

You will also need to make your business plan available to banks.

Or other lenders for review in the case that you apply for a business loan.

3.Janitorial Business: Business Name

When starting your business, you will also want to decide on a name for it.

While many people start out as sole proprietors, meaning that they simply work as a one-person operation.

Others start a business entity such as a corporation or an LLC (Limited Liability Company).

In doing so, there can be some real tax and legal benefits,.

So you may want to consider going this route – especially as your company grows.

When deciding on a name for your company.

Be sure to come up with something that lets customers know what type of services that you offer, such as “Bob’s Office Cleaning.”

That way, potential customers aren’t left guessing as to what it is that your company does.

When you do decide on a name.

Be sure that it is a name that isn’t already being used by another company in your area.

See also: How to start groundnut oil business 

4. Get a Certification

Although no license is typically required of cleaning companies beyond a business license.

Cleaning businesses are increasingly pursuing Cleaning Industry Management Standards  certification.

Acleaning industry certification created by the ISSA, a cleaning industry association.

Certification could provide some indirect business protection, as the standards are designed to help businesses avoid problems in the first place.

Organizations like US Army Medical Company.

State Farm Insurance and Denver Public Schools all require cleaners to be CIMS certified before awarding cleaning contracts, Wagner says.

Since customer interviews are part of the process, one option would be to pursue a conditional certification before launching a business.

5. Meet the Professional Janitorial Service

Professional Cleaning Service is also known as or termed, Janitorial Service. The person who renders the service is named a Janitor [jan-i-ter] – (noun).

That’s is, a Janitor is someone who is employed, be it at home, an office building, hospital, bank, school, etc. His/her job is to remove garbage, to clean up the public areas, and to do minor repair jobs. He/she is in essence, a porter or better referred to as a caretaker.

Starting a professional cleaning business in Nigeria is very feasible.

Janitorial business has as it stands, today, not been effectively utilized in this country yet.

This make people who have the willingness to grab the immense opportunity provided in the industry to thrive very well, with ease.

6. Janitorial Business: Think You’re Ready?

Be sure to follow workplace heath and safety regulations.

And don’t take on any job without visiting the site first.

Before you commit to a project, establish your scope of wor.

By determining the number of workers and service hours.

Tasks and frequencies of a given contract.

In this industry, a great first impression often paves the way to more jobs down the road.

Read also: How to Start Fuel Importation Business 

7. Janitorial Business: Get the needed Equipment 

Prior to getting started, you will also need to obtain some necessary cleaning equipment.

At the very minimum, you should have the following items:

• Commercial grade vacuum cleaner with attachments
• Floor buffer
• Broom
• Mop
• Bucket
• Squeegee
• Wet floor signs
• Dust pan and brush
• Toilet brush
• Paper towels
• Extension cord
• Furniture polish
• Cleaning products
• Garbage bags
• Rags
• Rubber gloves

In addition, you should also obtain a good cart or other type of similar vehicle to move all of your equipment and supplies around in.

This will make it easier for you to get through the larger office buildings and establishments. Most, if not all, of these items can be purchased at a local janitorial supply store.

Janitorial Business

8. Decide what type of cleaning you want to specialize in.

Janitorial businesses can do commercial or residential cleaning.

Maid service jobs become stable income.

If you keep your customers happy.

They will remain a weekly or bi-weekly customer for years to come.

In the circumstance however, there are two basic sides to janitorial business.

These are: Residential and Commercial Janitorial Services respectively.

1. The Residential arena

This consists primarily of residential maid services, along with carpet cleaners, window cleaners, and a variety of other cleaning services required on a less-frequent basis.

2. The Commercial arena

This is dominated by janitorial services, which typically provide a wider range of services than maid services, along with other cleaning companies, such as carpet and window cleaners that target businesses rather than individual consumers.

Basic Requirements for Professional Janitorial services in Nigeria

9. Take It to the Professional Level

Today, Professional Janitorial business goes beyond the mere mopping or cleaning of the floor, there is more to it. Environmental concerns and new technology has taken the business to a whole new level.

10. Janitorial Business: Set yourself apart.

The business owner should work personally when starting the business.

To assure quality standards are met.

Because reputation is the main ingredient for success.

When you begin to hire employees.

They must be trained to meet the high standard your customers will expect.

Also, it is a great idea to do the things other janitorial services do not offer.

That is doing windows, cleaning litter boxes, cleaning your refrigerator, or car.

Because that makes your business unique meeting individual needs.

Janitorial Business

11. Make business cards or have them made.

They have many deals such as 1000 cards for approximately #3500.

• It should say something like:
  • Ruth’s Janitorial Service
  • Professional Cleaning
  • Residential
  • Commercial 561-123-4567
• Your first customer can be an excellent reference.

12. Janitorial Business: Ask around about the prices .

You can call them up out of the phone book, and ask them what they charge.

Don’t tell them you are getting information to become their competitor.

Just get at least 3 general price quotes on charges.

Without knowing the going price in your area.

It is hard to say what you should charge.

13. Have a good reputation, the equipment, insurance, etc.

It is a good idea to charge a little less than the lowest price found.

Maybe a promotional offer of #500 an hour for the first few customers.

And raise the price for new customers to #500- #700 an hour.

Maybe about #20 to #50  cheaper than anyone else.

14. Create a professional looking flier similar to the business card.

These (and the business cards) can be gradually placed on bulletin boards.

Passed out, or on display.

You will get calls from them, but it is not enough.

See also: 7 Tips for Fumigation Business 

Janitorial Business

15. Focus on a Particular Market, Yet Diversify

It’s such that that anyone who fails to catch up is not just left behind, but left out.

Because of the size of the cleaning industry.

It is recommended that you focus on an aspect of the industry.

Carefully concentrate on growing your business in your choice market.

However, the possibility of you serving multiple market groups is never limited.

16. Write a little sales statement that is said nicely within 30 seconds or less.

People are either interested or not interested, and do not need sales persuasion.

Make calls right out of the white pages for residential, and yellow pages for commercial.

Calls require a mind set of devotion.

Especially since you don’t have a boss.

Say to yourself, “I will call 2 pages out of the phone book a day.

Or I will make calls for one hour a day.

And then plan the time you will do it, set the alarm –whatever.

Without self-discipline, your business will not be successful.

Janitorial Business

17. Have a Long-Term Vision for the Business

Before jumping into the business, you should have a long-term vision and must be in good shape physically and health wise.

Your customer base must be refined to the market group you can serve best.

Professional janitorial services can be operated on either part-time or full-time basis either from home or a commercial location.

For a business to be successful, many things have to be considered and sorted out.

A good business person has to put some key things into consideration in order to avoid a deadlock at a point in the future.

Read also: 7 Tips to Develop Saving Plan Business 

Janitorial Business

18. Try to avoid talking to people as much as possible call during the time most people are working.

The answer machine will come on, and you can simply leave a message.

If they are interested, they will call you back.

• A sample message would be,
  • “Hello, My name is Wendy White.
  • I have recently started a cleaning service in your area, and I am calling to see if you “might” be interested in cleaning services?
  • If you are, please call me back at 561-123-4567.
• And hang up unless a person answered.
• If they do answer, they will say no thanks, or how did you get my number, or how much do you charge.
• Don’t worry about any negative comments.
• You will get positive responses. Some people will laugh and think God had you call to help them.
• It is a good idea to have a 3 to 4 hour minimum.
• Working for one or two hours is barely worth the drive.

These key things are the factors that do have effect on every business; Big or Small.

And they determine the life span of the business.

See also: 9 Tips to start Plantain Flour Production Business 

The following are the key factors that will determine the size, quality and life span of the business, they are;

Factors and Basic Steps in Starting Good Janitorial Business

19. Get the Capital

Prior to capital, start first, with an accurate and detailed feasibility study.

Follow this up with a well composed business plan.

You should not have problem determining the initial capital to start the business.

The kind of service you want to render will also determine the capital you will raise.

is the major factor that do determine the size and strength of any proposed business.

That’s why your feasibility study and business plan is comes first.

It will always decide the fortunes of the business.

See also: Top 13 Ways to Start Car Wash Business 

Janitorial Business

20. Get a good Location

Your company should be sited strategically in areas very close to its targeted customers.

This will give them the opportunity to come and make inquiries.

It will also give your customers the ease or relief while trying to know where to contact you.

A business that is well located has a lot to offer the business owner, such as:

– giving you the opportunity to know you customers better.

– it will also attract new customers.

– it will make it easier to walk up to customers within walking distance and advertise your service.

– once a customer is physically close to your business, you have a far better chance of persuading them to patronize you.

Read also: Top 7 Business Capacity Building Tips

21. Janitorial Business: Register Your Business name

One big advantage of registration with state and local government is safeguarding your business n1me.

No one else can register a business with that same name.

This will also make it easier obtain business insurance.

Or attract investors, since they will know you are not personally responsible for the company’s well-being.

Another benefit of registration is receiving some legal protection.

22. Janitorial Business: Advertisement

Any business that is not recognized by people is as good as dead.

There are so many advertisement avenues available in the world today.

Of course, a good number of them have produce quite effective and positive results for so many establishments over time.

They most often than not, leverage on the various advertisement channels in order to get across to markets where lies their target audience.

Some of these means are:

– Complimentary cards

– Distributing of flyers or handbills in public places or a target location

– Pasting of posters

– Advertising on TV or Radio stations

– One-to-one mean of advert is not left out.

– Advertising on social media, such as on – Facebook, twitter, Instagram etc.

See also: 11 Tips to Start foodstuff business 

23. Janitorial Business: Staff required

Non-skilled labors will be a good option to start the business with, initially.

But, as the business grows, that is, in size in terms of customer base, professionals help will be sought.

These would man sensitive areas like; receptionist, customer care representative(s), accountant, etc.

As the business grows the operator of the business will need to upgrade his skills and knowledge in his area of specialization.

And there will be need to provide adequate training for the employed staffs as well.

Read also:  Top 62 High-quality Wood-work Business Equipment 

24. Janitorial Business: Pricing

Ask around about the prices of other professional cleaning services in your area to help you in designing your charges.

Without this, you may find it difficult to say what to charge.

Your charges should be highly affordable in order to give you a fair chance to compete well with your competitors.

 25. Janitorial Business: What are the Market Potentials in Janitorial Business?

Your Potential customers are the sets or groups of people that you refined your services to meet their demands.

They to a large extent determine your market potentials in this janitorial business.

Some are listed below:

–    Household/Residential
–    Commercial premises
–    Industrial (Manufacturing) facilities
–    Medical facilities
–    Educational apparatus/facilities

When considering a commercial cleaning business, you will want to establish who your target market is.

This is important, because if you don’t have a large enough market in your area, your company may not be profitable.

Therefore, you should do a thorough assessment of the best potential customers for your cleaning services within a specific demographic distance.

In operating a commercial cleaning company, the best target customers for your business will likely be the following:

• Office buildings
• Doctors / Medical buildings
• Insurance agencies
• Companies in strip malls
• Retail shops

If you are starting out small, you will probably not want to target larger establishments such as big corporations.

This is because you would need several crews in order to cover the entire location each night.

See also: 27 Tips to Start Botox/Dermal fillers Business 

26. Janitorial Business: Facilities/ Equipment Needed

–    Vacuum cleaner
–    Cleaning Chemicals
–    Mops of different kinds
–    Trash can liners
–    Micro-fibre clothes that come in varying colors
–    Soaps (Detergent and Laundry soap)
–    Buckets
–    Green cleaning products for tougher stains
–    Deodorants
–    Hand towels

Note:

–     For residential, it is best to use their products: this way they will not blame you for any chemical reaction creating a stain.

You can also bring your own products if they don’t have any or don’t have a preference for what you use.
–    It is best to personally be at the job site at first to make sure the customer is happy
–    Try to avoid talking to people as much as possible or calling during the time most people are working.
–    Always do your work as if you are being watched or monitored.

In essence, put in your best at all times.

Janitorial Business

If you need a complete business plan, please let us know.

Or, you want us to help you set up this business, kindly contact us.

Otherwise, Please check out these other business ideas you can do.