You are back at home in London, unemployed, watching unpaid bills pile up on the dresser. You are racking your brain, what can you possibly do to earn that extra bit of income.
We live in a fast, ever-changing world where people are simply unable to work, study, set aside time for leisure activities and at the same time attend to problems that might arise in and about their homes.
This kind of fast paced lifestyle has led to a lot of tasks being outsourced, creating in turn a niche market from which companies like Clean Carpets have successfully navigated all the way to the top.
Welcome to the wonderful self-rewarding world of carpet cleaning.
So why start a carpet cleaning business?
Many have wondered, “Is it really worth it starting a carpet cleaning company in London?”, and with good reason as frankly, many have tried and failed.
It is worth noting that a significant number of buildings put up after the 1960’s came with wall-to-wall carpeting installed, as this was considered the icing on the cake. When we consider the cost of replacing pre-installed carpeting, coupled with the shaky decline of the global economy, it turns out to be a considerably expensive affair.
Situations like these have played into the hands of the carpet cleaning industry making them million GBP companies, practically assured of success. As a carpet cleaning company, Clean Carpets has been able to overcome the challenges one can expect to find in this highly competitive field, to become a famous London carpet-cleaning firm.
So you want to start a carpet cleaning business?
First thing you need is to write out your business plan. The aim is to provide a systematic guide outlining your business goals, how you plan on achieving them and in what timeframe.
Some of the points to include in your business plan include:
- Identify your target customers
- Services you plan to provide.
- A hiring plan for staff.
- Marketing; how to.
- Equipment needed
- How much your services will cost.
The most important part for any business is to come up with an appropriate budget and stick to it. Note how much cash you have at your disposal; be keen to include any extra funds needed to get your venture up and running.
Factor in things such as price of equipment, the cost of business necessities such as operating licenses, certification, training and the likes. Calculate how big you intend your staff to be and carefully list their expected salaries.
Location, location, location. You need to zero in on suitable business premises. This should be big enough to accommodate your staff and cleaning equipment with space to spare. Most start-ups begin working from home and as long as it suits your needs – from space to easy accessibility for clients – there is nothing wrong with that. Keep in mind however, that as the business grows, you may have to consider bigger premises.
Next, you will need to set-up business necessities. This includes – but is not limited to – business licenses, safety certification, health certification permits as well as insurance for you and your workers, to name but a few. You will also be required to open a business account; personal and business finances should never mix.
Never underestimate the importance of filing tax returns. Tax returns for your business are different from personal tax returns. When it comes to taxes, a good accountant is invaluable. Qualified accountants/CPAs are costly, but they will end up saving you time, money and reputation. A good accountant is a sterling investment, an invaluable asset for your business.
A qualified attorney is necessary for any new small-to-medium-enterprise. As an individual to bounce ideas off, to consult on certain topics such as liability insurance, compensation for workers, and other legal issues.
After sorting out the backbone of the business, you can start figuring out what kind of equipment is necessary. There is a wide range of cleaning equipment for sale, an industrial vacuum coupled with a steam carpet cleaner and detergents will prove irreplaceable. This is a basic tool-set and will require expansion as your business grows so this is more of a personal choice as to what fits your budget, and what is best suited for the task.
When it comes to equipment, you also need to budget for accessories an example such as what chemicals and cleaning solutions work best for you. Do not be afraid to ask for help from established industry professionals like and remember, a little advice can go a long way!
With staff, location and equipment issues all sorted out, the next step is aggressive marketing using print, door to door and of course radio and television which may be slightly more expensive but will work wonders for your publicity.
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