Insurance coverage is one of the most overlooked items in one’s business. The policy is to cover instances that may occur in the future, such as lost items, negligence in the use of chemicals, theft, damage to equipment and the like. The right coverage would be able to keep one’s risk and thus one’s premiums to a manageable level.

The basic coverage for a business includes general liability insurance, auto insurance if the business has vehicles, worker’s compensatory insurance and breakdown insurance. These coverages are most often bundled into one policy but one needs to verify with one’s agent as to the actual coverages. But the industry where one has chosen to be part of has specific risks which may not fall under the basic policy package. So in order for one to be able to perform the job engaged for, one needs to cover the following risks inherent in the cleaner business.

1) For keys. Keys are important in the business as most of the activity is done after work hours. If one the employees loses one or any of the keys provided the business, one would need to pay for the actual key, lock adjustment or even replacement of these locks. By having insurance for this, one need not worry about this.

2) For property left in one’s care and supervision. This type of insurance covers property given to the cleaner for use or left in their care and supervision. This includes rented or leased property or equipment like vacuum cleaners or industrial grade floor machines.

3) Thievery. This coverage is not the same as the insurance against the cleaner’s own employee’s theft, but if the cleaner’s employee’s negligence allows the occasion that the criminal act of theft be realized. An example would be leaving the back door unlocked and thus allowing thieves to gain unlawful entry.

4) Against pollution. As a cleaning company, one works with an array of chemicals used to clean the work site. Pollution may occur when there is accidental spillage or mishandling of these volatile chemicals.

5) Business losses. The risk insured against in this type of coverage is sudden business loss or downturns that were unforeseen. A prime example is the sudden closure of business or bankruptcy of the cleaner’s biggest client making the bottom line go to the red. Having this insurance allows one to be financially supported until the business income returns to normal.

6) Non-cleaning materials. This coverage is for the office equipment of the cleaners. This may just be a rider if one works out of one’s home.

So there are some risks associated with the cleaning business which is not included in a typical business insurance policy coverage. The risks may be a lot more since one performs a highly specialized service, one small act may ruin a small business such as this one financially. It would be best to discuss these risks with an insurance expert or specialist so one may be able to adequately prepare for them.

See: How to start a cleaning service

Many people consider cleaning houses as quite a lowly job especially in the culture we live in. It could not be the most glamorous job that you’d pick out for yourself at any given day, but there is actually good money in this service, and as many people would also say, there is dignity in hard work and a job well done!

What else can you think from a small business? Residential cleanings services can allow you to home base and it will also give you the opportunity to spend time with your kids and family. You will also get the upper hand on choosing who your clients will be and how much you will charge them for the services you’ve rendered. Aside from that, you’ll be having your salary at the end of the day and this gives you the opportunity to manage your cash flow better.

Moreover, a residential cleaning service may be started in a day. You can start of earning tomorrow and then you’ll probably be considering hiring a staff aside from yourself in a couple of month’s time.

Here are s few tips and tactics to help you out in starting your own residential cleaning services.

1. Give your cleaning service a name. Write down on a piece of paper everything that you need to do, or you may just print out this article.

2. Make a plan. Prepare a table with four columns such as this -

o The first column should have the data on all the cleaning services that you’ll be offering. It is better to categorize cleaning so you can also make an outline of the tasks and chores connected to that area. Example is sorting out the areas in the house that needs cleaning.

o Second column is where you will put in the amount of time needed on each area, or you can also note that time may vary depending on the size of the cleaning area. Try estimates on your own house first.

o On the third column – you may browse on the prices of maid services online or by checking out flyers and brochures of existing maid services. This service fee is just for cleaning services and it exclude any cleaning material that you will buy to serve the home of your client.

o In the last column, put in only the prices of the ones disposed of soon after the cleaning such as rags, cleaning agents, deodorizers and etc. Do not list prices of equipments such as vacuum cleaners or brooms.

3. Make simple flyers having your name, contact numbers and pricelist. Slip it into your neighbors’ mailboxes as you take your leisurely afternoon walk or just pass it around people that you know.

4. Always answer your phone cordially. You might soon have a prospective client just a few minutes after your walk. Have a notepad and pen ready so you can write down your clients’ name, address, contact numbers and schedule of preferred services.

5. And lastly, be sure to give discounts or promotional offers on services while you’re just starting out. You’d get more clients this way faster and you’d soon build your reputation as a professional cleaner.

see: How to start a cleaning service