The 101s of Making a Cleaning Business Budget

One of the essential components of running a successful cleaning business is budgeting since it helps you keep track of your expenses and limit spending. However, it also gives you an insight into how healthy your business is, which is crucial for setting future plans and financial goals.

When you’re setting up your business in Houston, finding a profitable cleaning franchise for sale is one of the first steps to take. However, in order to keep it up and running, it’s essential that you make a detailed budget for your company. Read on to find out how to do it.

What are the expenses for a cleaning business?

Creating a meticulous budget that lists all the expenses, including payroll, tools, and equipment will help you run your business smoothly and create an efficient plan for future activities. Let’s take a look at how to properly budget:

Equipment

A cleaning business typically has low requirements regarding equipment. However, the minimum you should consider budgeting includes:

• A selection of cleaning products, including eco-friendly options
• A duster, bucket, mop, and vacuum cleaner
• A vehicle

Financials

Your bookkeeper should provide you with three principal financial statements which include:

• Balance sheet – what you owe and own
• Income statement – expenses and sales
• Cash flow statement – where your cash went and came

A cash flow forecast is another useful tool which can help you follow up on your progress compared to the goals you’ve set. It typically encompasses a period of 13 weeks, but you can also go for an annual forecast, then update the numbers monthly.

Payroll

Payroll makes a vital part of any company since that’s how your employees get paid for their job. To keep them motivated and happy, it’s essential they receive payments on time, regularly, and at the rate you agreed upon. 

Many owners decide to process payrolls on their own thus saving money. If you’re one of them, you can choose from a variety of platforms, some of the most popular being:

• Gusto
• Xero
• OnPay
• Quickbooks Payroll
• ADP Small Business Payroll

However, if you decide to outsource this process to an accounting firm, you’ll be able to focus on other aspects of growing your business. 

Payroll taxes

According to the US rules and regulations, you must pay federal and state income taxes, as well as  Medicare, and Social Security taxes. However, you’re also required to pay local costs such as state disability, school district taxes, and unemployment insurance. 

Another reason to outsource payroll to professionals is that you can face hefty penalties if you mistake any of the tax calculating specifics.

Break-even point

The point where your total revenue and total costs are equal is called the break-even point. This means your company isn’t making any profit, but it also isn’t losing money. It’s a significant point in the growth of any business since, once passed, it indicates your company is profitable. 

When you calculate this point, you’ll be able to define the minimum sales you need to generate money, and it can be an excellent guide for important decisions such as lowering costs and price changes. 

Where in Houston can I find a reliable cleaning franchise for sale?

Whether you’re looking to expand your cleaning business or only starting one, MaidThis Franchise is here to assist you in everything from finding your desired niche to providing proper training for your cleaners.

You’ll have access to a well-devised system that renders guaranteed success and a strong reputation. Whether your business is located close to the Space Center Houston or anywhere else around Houston, we’ll help you grow it. Reach out to us today.

8 Tips to Hire and Train Cleaners

Growing your cleaning business isn’t all about expanding the list of clients, it’s also about building a strong and reliable team that’s capable of delivering results that successfully turn first-time customers into loyal clients.

If you’ve already found your cleaning franchise for sale in Houston, your next focus should definitely be gathering up a crew of dedicated technicians. While this can be a complicated and exhausting process, a couple of practical tips will help you on your way. Keep reading to learn how to hire and train your cleaners.

How do you train the cleaner?

Employee training is a process that depends on the individual candidate and their knowledge, skills and experience. However, before you devise your training plan, it’s essential that you handpick your potential employees with utmost attention to detail. Take a look at the necessary steps:

Place your job ad

Create a job ad that underlines the strengths you want your team members to have. Clearly explain your company’s goals and why potential employees should apply. Enclose the necessary contact information, and post your ad not only on your website, but also on social media and job posting boards, and other professional networking websites.

Review the applications

Once past the application deadline, take time to review each application and sort them out based on how interested you are in an applicant. This way, you’ll create a pool of candidates that potentially fit the profile.

Interview

Conduct quick phone calls to get a general idea of the applicant, then schedule in-person interviews for a more thorough overview of each applicant and make sure you cover their strengths, background, and past experiences.

Make sure you conduct background checks and ask for previous employers’ references of the shortlisted applicants. Finally, you can hire the best candidates.

Create a handbook

Setting up a concise handbook for your employees is a great starting point. They can check it out before the training starts, use it throughout the process, and refer to it any time they need a reminder or advice. Think of it as guidelines for your perfect cleaners.

Use videos

Creating training videos is an excellent way to reach your employees and keep them motivated. Make sure the videos are short and contain essential information that’s clearly outlined. You can use this tool to record anything from proper usage of products and supplies to filling out forms. 

Categorize training

Once they become your employees, they should all pass the initial training where you should allow them to exercise and brush up the necessary skills. However, you should also create follow-up training sessions a couple of times a year where you’ll bring any updates and check their progress and consistency. 

Focus on soft skills

Apart from practical cleaning skills, ensuring your workers are great at communicating and teamwork is a must. Here’s what to focus on:

• Work ethic
• Communication skills
• Adaptability
• Decision making 
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Motivation and positivity
• Time management

Plan goals together

Your company should set both short and long-term goals, and doing it together with your employees will boost their motivation. However, you should make sure the goals are direct, realistic, measurable, and relevant to your company’s mission. 

Where can I find a profitable cleaning franchise for sale in Houston?

Whether you’re struggling with choosing the right niche for your cleaning business, looking at how to properly plan your business budget, or aiming to increase your cleaning sales, MaidThis Franchise is your go-to team.

With our extensive training programs and well-grounded business model for a quick start and long-term success. Whether you’d like to place your business near the Museum of Fine Arts or anywhere else across the city, you can count on our assistance. Give us a call today.

6 Ways to Expand Your Cleaning Business

Whether you’ve been in the business for years or you’re just getting started, there may come a time when you’re ready to expand your company. But before you take the leap, there are a few things you’ll need to do to get your business ready for growth. 

There are various ways to take your business to the next level in TX, Houston – from finding a cleaning company franchise for sale to expanding your services. Here’s a quick guide on how to expand your cleaning business.

How can I increase my cleaning sales?

The following strategies are just a few of the many ways you can expand your cleaning business and make more sales. Let’s take a look at them and begin your way to success.

1. Develop a niche market

One way to expand your business is to develop a niche market. This means targeting a specific type of customer or location. For example, you could focus on commercial office buildings or residential homes. By developing a niche market, you will be able to better target your advertising and marketing efforts, which will lead to increased sales.

2. Expand your services

Another way to expand your business is to expand the services that you offer. This could include adding new services such as window cleaning or pressure washing. You could even offer discounts for customers who purchase multiple services. This might be able to help you attract new customers and increase sales.

3. Use social media

Make sure that you have a strong social media presence and that you are regularly posting content that is relevant to your target market. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are a great way to reach new customers and drive traffic to your website or online booking system. You should also consider running social media ads which can be highly effective in reaching new customers.

4. Join a franchise

Franchises offer many benefits that can help you grow your business, including access to well-known brand names, proven business models, and extensive training and support. When you join this type of organization, you’ll be able to tap into an existing customer base and benefit from the franchisor’s marketing efforts. You’ll also have access to shared resources, such as suppliers and financial services.

5. Get listed on online directories and review sites

Another great way to reach new customers is by getting listed on online directories and review sites like Google My Business, Yelp, and Angie’s List. These platforms allow customers in your area to find and contact you easily. Make sure your listing is complete and accurate, and take the time to respond to any reviews or messages left by customers. This will help create a positive reputation for your business and attract new leads.

6. Offer discounts or promotions 

You can promote these special offers through your website, social media platforms, or email marketing campaigns. Be sure to clearly state the terms of the discount or promotion so there is no confusion among customers redeeming the offer.

Where in TX, Houston and the surrounding area can I find a cleaning company franchise for sale?

If you’re looking to expand your business, look no further than MaidThis Franchise. When you join our organization, you’ll be getting access to a tried-and-true system that has helped us build a strong reputation in the industry. 

Whether your company is located by Hermann Park or in another location in the city, we’re ready to help you. We’ll provide you with all the training and resources you need to get your business up and running, and we’ll be there to support you every step of the way. Plus, we have a great budget planning system in place so that you can make the most of your resources.

Reach out to us today to learn more about what we can do for you!

How to Choose a Niche for Your Cleaning Business

When starting a sanitization business, one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is what sort of niche you’d like to fill. There are many different options available, from residential services to commercial services, or even specializing in a certain type of services, such as carpet or window cleanups. 

If you find a cleaning company franchise for sale in TX, Houston, your possibilities may be even wider. So, how do you go about choosing the right niche for your business? 

How do I find the perfect niche for my cleaning company?

Once you’ve taken all of the following factors into consideration, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the perfect niche for your business. Here are a few things to consider that will help you zero in on the best choice for your needs and preferences:

What are your skills and experience?

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a niche is your own skills and experience. If you have previous experience working in commercial office buildings, then starting a commercial cleaning business may be the best option for you. 

On the other hand, if you’re good at detail-oriented work, residential cleaning could be a better fit. If you have some experience in the hospitality industry, you may want to focus on vacation rental properties. 

Finally, if you have experience caring for elderly or disabled individuals, you may want to focus on providing in-home cleaning services. Consider your strengths and weaknesses and choose a niche that plays to your strengths. You should also hire and train professionals who can adjust to the expectations of your chosen niche.

Who is your ideal customer? 

Another important factor to consider is who your ideal customer is. If you want to work with high-end clients, then starting a luxury housekeeping service may be the best route for you. 

If you’re interested in working with businesses of all sizes, commercial hygiene maintenance could be a good option. Sit down and think about who you want to work with and what sort of services they would need from you.  

What services can you offer? 

Not all housekeeping companies offer the same services. Once you’ve decided who your ideal customer is, take some time to research what services they would need and expect from a professional cleaner. 

This will help you determine what sort of services you should offer and what sorts of equipment and supplies you’ll need to get started. For example, residential cleaning businesses typically focus on providing regular cleaning services to private homes. 

This can include tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and bathroom and kitchen cleaning. Commercial cleaning businesses, on the other hand, typically provide their services to office buildings and other public spaces. This type of business may require specialized equipment and training in order to safely and effectively clean the premises. 

There are also opportunities for cleaning businesses to focus on specific niche markets, such as eco-friendly or green cleaning, pet-friendly cleaning, or even foreclosures and evictions. No matter what type of cleaning business you decide to start, doing your research and adjusting your budget ahead of time will help you to successfully launch your new business.

Is there a profitable cleaning company franchise for sale near me in TX, Houston?

Here at MaidThis Franchise, we’re always looking for new franchisees to join our team. We offer a proven business model and comprehensive training programs to help you get started quickly and succeed long-term. If you already have a business, we can expand your sales and take the business to the next level. Our franchisees benefit from our years of experience in the industry, as well as our strong relationships with suppliers and customers. 

In addition, we offer a wide range of services to meet the needs of both residential and commercial customers. Whether you want your business to be located near Historic City Hall or another part of Houston, we’re here to help you make that happen. If you’re interested in joining us, contact us today to learn more about our opportunities.