How to Start a Janitorial Business in Huntsville, Alabama
A healthy economy and strong growth prospect have created a number of opportunities for work in the janitorial field in the Huntsville, Alabama area. If you are considering start a business, then you may want to take a look at a janitorial service.
Here are some pertinent advice on how to start a janitorial business in Huntsville, Alabama.
Create a Business name
Create a janitorial business name and go to the downtown Courthouse to get a license. You may want to go to the county's office as well, so that you can have a license for both Huntsville city and Madison county to be safe. You can either pursue this janitorial business as a full time job or a part time venture.
Prior to opening your business, you must decide on a company name. Find a name that sound serious to give you a marketing edge. If you indent to register you business as an LLC instead of a sole properitorship, check with the State of Alabama to see if the name is already registered.
Get a Business License
The average janitorial business license will cost about $50 to $100 dollars, depending on the amount of income you anticipate or what special areas of commercial cleaning you intend to do business in.
Create Proprietary Material
Meet with a graphic designer and design a log or stationary business card. There are a lot of graphic design business in Huntsville such as Kreashuns Graphic Group and Amis Graphics to name a few. Contact a low budget Huntsville web designer to have a small business web site built. It is important that everything you do be done in a professional manner as you will be targeting professional office building and high end clients with enough income to afford regular commercial cleaning. You business logo, stationary and website should convey the same message.
Research the Industry in Alabama
Conduct some research and analysis on the Janitorial and commercial cleaning business in Huntsville. Find a niche where there is much room for growth. Contact the National Association of Certifed Cleaning Contractors for janitorial training material, janitorial seminar information and general information on starting a janitorial cleaning service
Set Achievable Goals for Your Business
Before moving further set short and long term goals for your janitorial business. Your goals will be your yardstick to measure progress and a guide in every business decision. You can get in the janitorial business by cleaning office space and other properties yourself or you can hire a team of cleaners. Hiring a team of cleaners will require you to understand Huntsville City and the State of Alabama rules and regulations, but It will give you the opportunity to go out and find new commercial cleaning opportunities.
Create a Janitorial Business Contract
Create a business contract. A cleaning contract protects you from any liability and establishes a list of expectations between you and your clients. The usual cleaning service contact will have general cleaning services such as vacuuming, buffing floors, dusting, mopping, emptying garbage receptacles, the cost and time . If you are very concern about creating a bullet proof contract, visit the NACBC office for guidelines.
Purchase Bonding Insurance
Prior to rendering services, ensure that your clients sign the contract. You may want to purchase bonding insurance for your business. If you plan to employ people, contract an insurance broker and acquire bonding insurance. Also familiarize yourself with the laws regarding liability and workman compensation in the State of Alabama. The bonding insurance comes in handy in the event one of your employees steals from a client. The bonding company will cover the cost.
Find Wholesale Cleaning Supplies
Find a janitorial / cleaning supplies wholesale with reasonable prices within the City of Huntsville or Madison. Find deals on discount cleaning supplies and try to buy in bulk.
Advertise Your Business
Advertise your business on and offline. Post ads on craiglist, merchantcircle, and other community sites that will allow you to post ads for free. Carry your business cards with you and give it to everyone you encounter. Join networks of small business groups in Huntsville. The Women Business Center, Chamber of Commerce, African American Chamber of Commerce just to name a few. Ask your clients for referral; word of mouth is still the best form of advertising