If the cleaning service you would like to put up is a janitorial service, you will need more hands than just your own to clean offices and other places of business.   You probably would not be able to handle this on your own because of your limitations as just one person.  Cleaning office spaces involves a lot of chores – carpet shampooing, toilet cleaning, even window cleaning.  You would not be able to complete all of this even if you stay and clean and sweep and dust the whole day.  You simply need to have help.

What is the process of hiring employees like?

Basically, you are responsible for your employees, and any damage they may cause to any client space is your liability.  That is the reason why your hiring process should be well thought of, and you should cover any legalities and possibilities you might encounter in the future.

For each of your applicants, you will need an application form which contains all necessary data about their previous job experiences and other relevant history.  You may need to provide the form itself so that all application form would be in sync. You will also need to ready an evaluation form which you or your partners will use when you personally interview the candidate.

After the initial interview, you will need to get consent from the candidate to release his information to you from other sources.  You need this to conduct background and reference information checks on the potential employee.  Background job and character checks are necessary because you need to know what kind of person it is you are hiring.  Remember, you will vouch for your employees trustworthiness so it’s not just their reputation at risk when they do damage to a client, it’s also your own, and your business’ image.

When you have already decided on the people you will hire, the next step is to integrate them into your cleaning service’s system.  Always have them fill out an employee information form for your employee and payroll records.  They would also need their W-4 forms, and their INS I-9 forms.  After wards, you have to provide the new employee with his team leader’s job description, and his job description as well.   Having employees also means you will need to be ready for other documents such as:

1.    leave of absence forms
2.    Request for time off form
3.    Record of verbal warning to employee
4.    Notice of deficiency/delinquency
5.    Attendance records
6.    Performance evaluation sheets
7.    Employee handbook
8.    Confidentiality agreement

You might not use all of them if you are lucky in hiring employees.  But just in case you catch a bad fish, it would be best to cover your behind.

You will also need to get your newly hir4ed employees in training under the cleaning system that you use.   You will need to have them trained in window washing, project cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, polishing, kitchen/pantry cleaning, bathroom cleaning, and all other areas of offices as well.

Aside from the above, you will need to make sure that your newly hires undergo a seminar on various cleaning equipment, tools, and cleaning agents.

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The types of supplies that you need for your cleaning business are based on various factors. Are you going full time or part time? Does your business advertise a total clean? Are you cleaning offices or residences? The type of cleaning that you do will determine the type of equipment that you will need to keep on hand or purchase.

One thing that I recommend is that you should always bring your equipment with you. If your customers want you to use a certain type of polish, you can either put it in your own supply cart or ask them to provide it. Having your own equipment always saves you valuable time. Instead of hunting in their closets for their cleaning stuff, you can easily have your own at hand and save fifteen minutes that you could easily use for the next job.

This checklist should help you out when you decide to purchase your equipment:
Normal cleaning supplies include rags, micro fiber rags, solvents and cleaning solutions. This category includes daily cleaning supplies like furniture polish, wax, and glass cleaning supplies, brooms, squeegees and dust pans. This can also include mops and buckets, as well as disinfectants.

Heavy duty cleaning supplies are those supplies that are used to combat heavy duty stains. Gutter cleaners can be considered under this category. A good vacuum, deep soak cleaning solutions, bathroom cleaners and other heavy duty and dangerous chemicals also fall under this category.

Big equipment is the equipment that you don’t normally find in homes. Items like steam cleaners, heavy duty vacuums, carpet vacuums and floor polishers fall under this category. This is usually needed if you have a commercial cleaning company or include carpet cleaning as part of your office cleaning services.

If you own a commercial or carpet cleaning company you might want to begin by renting or leasing equipment. It is much less of an investment than purchasing your own. You can easily lease big equipment for less than $10. Once your business gets off the ground, then you might want to consider purchasing your own equipment.

Miscellaneous equipment is the equipment that doesn’t necessarily clean but are needed to clean properly. A good sturdy ladder can be a great help and a great investment. If you have a lot of capital, why not buy a van that can double as storage and a way to get around? This is also a great source of advertising if you paint the side with your company name. Miscellaneous equipment also includes the things you need to bring on the job with you, like the receipt or voucher. A good clipboard would also be a great investment. You can use it to note down jobs or any client specifications for your employees and for yourself. It will certainly come in useful.

This article covers the basic equipment that you will need for your very own cleaning business. Most of these you don’t even have to buy because they’re just lying around your own home!

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One of the things that are so great about the cleaning industry is the number of niches that you can fill in it. It’s only really limited by your budget and imagination. Offices and other small businesses tend to hire outside cleaning services simply because they are areas that are occupied by many different people.

No one has an obligation to clean, so they hire out. It’s easy to break into the office cleaning industry. You can run an office cleaning business that can satisfy these types of clients and put money in your pocket as well. You can start this business as a full-time or part time business and be surprised at the results you can get.
It can be scary to take the step to owning your own business. It can be a risk that you might not be willing to take. An office cleaning business is an easy way to test the waters and eventually, you won’t need that day job anymore.

Here are a few nuggets of advice that can guide you through starting and running your office cleaning business with minimal fuss and maximum profit.

1) Get a license and insurance. This is because you will be working for companies. They will hire you as an external entity and they will check your credentials. Get registered at your local business association and join your local Chamber of Commerce. These steps will get you to meet local business owners who might be in need of your services. Not only that, you will establish what might become necessary contacts in the future.

2) Know your stuff. Ask the offices or companies what they expect from you. Companies tend to hire different cleaning services for different things like window washing or carpet cleaning. Ask them what they want from your company and be sure to deliver.

3) Become multi-purpose. Why would you want to be just one of the cleaning companies they hire when you can do it all? A multi-purpose office cleaning company is advantageous to you because you will be doing more work at one place for more profit. You can offer your services as a package. Companies will be sure to bite.

4) Don’t be scared. Compare your prices with other cleaning companies and adjust accordingly. Leave your business card at offices even when they have another cleaning company. Walk in and introduce yourself to the owners of your local stores. You never know when they might need your help and your services.

5) Accept one time deals. Sometimes, companies will hire you to clean a certain area that they can’t get their usual cleaning service to clean. For example, the company has a party at the local auditorium and must clean up after.

These are just some of the secrets that can help you become the success you want to be. Your office cleaning business could be the ticket out of that daily grind. Using our secrets, you can easily become one of the most successful companies in your town. If you want even more in depth information and secrets from successful cleaning business owners please read our books.

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