ChatterBank5 mins ago
Starting Own Cleaning Business
12 Answers
I am thinking of starting my own small business as a cleaner. I thought about this as I have my own steamcleaner and plently of elbow grease.
How would I go about starting my own business?
Would I need to be VAT registered etc?
Any helpful tips/hints would be gratefully received.
Many thanks
muchlovex
How would I go about starting my own business?
Would I need to be VAT registered etc?
Any helpful tips/hints would be gratefully received.
Many thanks
muchlovex
Answers
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.Self employment is definately the way forward in this country especially as you approach middle years.
Before buying expensive equipment maybe you should have done some market research and put feelers out to companies, etc to check your viability. You may have found their is strict competition for your services which usually means cutting profits to the bone in order to survive.
Service industries are definately the right market to get into and wish you luck on your venture.
Before buying expensive equipment maybe you should have done some market research and put feelers out to companies, etc to check your viability. You may have found their is strict competition for your services which usually means cutting profits to the bone in order to survive.
Service industries are definately the right market to get into and wish you luck on your venture.
Hi Rov, thanks for the info.
I already have my own steamcleaning machine which i use at home.
I was looking to undercut most other cleaning companies and only offer my services to local households rather than large companies. I already work part time (2 days per week), so was thinking of working for myself for the remainder of the time.
I already have my own steamcleaning machine which i use at home.
I was looking to undercut most other cleaning companies and only offer my services to local households rather than large companies. I already work part time (2 days per week), so was thinking of working for myself for the remainder of the time.
Also anyone, can set themselves up to be VAT registered. I did it once myself. The book-keeping is fairly straightforward and is a way of reclaiming the VAT on items used in the business. However on the minus side it means on every job you do you will have to charge VAT so you will have to balance the two.
Then you're not likely to reach the VAT ceiling, you don't have to register for VAT until you income/turnover reaches that limit.
You will need to keep proper books though, as you will be responsible for your own self-employed tax and NI on earnings. You need to tell the taxman and keep proper books on your income and expenditure.
You will need to keep proper books though, as you will be responsible for your own self-employed tax and NI on earnings. You need to tell the taxman and keep proper books on your income and expenditure.
you need to work out a few things first
1) how much does everyone else charge in your area
2) Are you going to charge "by the hour" or "x amount to do your whole house"?
3) are you going to use all your own equipment and cleaning products?
4) are you going to go to people who are in or are you expecting them to give you a key?
5) do you have any references?
I have a cleaning lady who started when she was made redundant from her office manager job. She chrges £12 an hour, but she is fast and good, and uses all her own products and equipment (vacuum, broom, mop, polish etc). We checked out her references before we employed her, but for the first few times i was there, then we started leavign a key under the mat, then we gave her our key (it's a real leap of faith to let someone have unrestricted access to your house). She advertised in our local village shop, and in the parish mag. She is completely full. I have no idea as to whether she pays tax and NI but i would think so. As the others have said, insurance is important because she left a tap running once which overflowed the sink and started pourign through the ceiling!
1) how much does everyone else charge in your area
2) Are you going to charge "by the hour" or "x amount to do your whole house"?
3) are you going to use all your own equipment and cleaning products?
4) are you going to go to people who are in or are you expecting them to give you a key?
5) do you have any references?
I have a cleaning lady who started when she was made redundant from her office manager job. She chrges £12 an hour, but she is fast and good, and uses all her own products and equipment (vacuum, broom, mop, polish etc). We checked out her references before we employed her, but for the first few times i was there, then we started leavign a key under the mat, then we gave her our key (it's a real leap of faith to let someone have unrestricted access to your house). She advertised in our local village shop, and in the parish mag. She is completely full. I have no idea as to whether she pays tax and NI but i would think so. As the others have said, insurance is important because she left a tap running once which overflowed the sink and started pourign through the ceiling!