A wonderful technique to control client expectations is through cleaning contracts. Find out more about the most effective techniques to secure cleaning contracts for your company. Making sure you are financially and legally safe as well as acquiring new clients for your commercial cleaning company are essential for the success of your commercial cleaning business. This covers all cleaning services, such as janitorial, housekeeping, pressure washing, and others.
Let’s look at how to expand your customer base, how to get the proper company licenses, and what sorts of insurance you’ll require.
What is a commercial cleaning contract?
A contract for commercial cleaning services is a written agreement that specifies the parties involved, the services to be rendered, the timing of the services, and the manner and timing of payment. Contracts are considerably better than handshake agreements because they clearly state what each party is expected to do and lessen the possibility of misunderstandings.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to periodically evaluate your contracts and revise them if your scope of services changes. You must ensure that any new or modified Office cleaning Melbourne contracts reflect the clients’ requests for more frequent office cleaning.
A cleaning agreement could include:
- The days and times you or your employees will be on the property
- The kinds of cleaning tasks required, as well as any exclusions (windows, floors, dishes, etc.).
- The quantity of workers who will do the cleaning
- The period of the contract or agreement’s validity
- Payment conditions, such as the total amount due, when it is due, and any late fees that may apply if a payment is not made on time
- Information about how to reach both parties
How can I get customers for my cleaning company?
It may seem difficult to get new customers for your cleaning service, but with the correct marketing plan, you can establish a website and connect with nearby companies much more quickly than you may anticipate.
You can expand your clientele in the following ways:
Make a website:
Any commercial business owner who wants to be regarded seriously must have their own website. Thankfully, platforms like WordPress make it simple to complete. You can think about hiring your own developer to get you started or contacting a tech-savvy friend or family member for assistance. Having your own website might make it simple for search engines to find you if someone is looking for your business online.
Use social media:
It’s far simpler than cold calling to build a presence online and utilize targeted advertising to connect with local prospects using Facebook and other platforms.
Check online reviews:
Just three websites where businesses can advertise themselves and request feedback are Yelp, Facebook, and Angi (formerly Angie’s List). Asking your pleased clients to leave reviews online can help your new cleaning company grow significantly.
Old-fashioned referrals:
A word-of-mouth campaign is still an efficient technique to advertise your brand today, even in the era of technology. You might think about giving your clients, family, and friends a few business cards and asking them to keep you in mind if they know of anyone who might require your services if asking them for recommendations feels awkward.
Connect with similar companies:
If you own a cleaning company for homes or offices, you might work with businesses in related industries like dry cleaners, carpet cleaners, and window washers. For instance, if you recommend someone to a dry cleaner, be sure the dry cleaner is aware that you did so.
Make contact with managers and realtors:
Getting to know people in your neighborhood real estate community could be a major asset if a house, business or flat is being sold or leased as it may present a new chance for your company.
A residential realtor may advertise your services to home buyers, sellers, and Airbnb property owners if you provide house cleaning services. Property managers and office managers could be able to help you win new janitorial contracts if your janitorial services involve Office Cleaning Perth and commercial businesses.
Join local groups:
Most likely, your local chamber of commerce will provide networking opportunities where you may promote your company. Attending networking events like these and others in your community can help you get consumers.
How can I expand my cleaning company’s clientele?
You can take a number of actions to improve your chances of landing additional contracts. Here are some tactics to consider:
Do your research
You might begin by researching the competition if you want to flourish in the cleaning sector and draw in new clients. You should investigate issues like:
- What kind of cleaning services are there in your neighborhood?
- What services do they offer, and how effective are they?
- What kind of web presence do they have, and do they have good reviews?
- What sort of fees do they impose?
- What kind of service agreements do they have?
- How do they market their services? on social media? Google or Facebook ads?
This information may be found in abundance online and from any potential customer. You may enquire about potential clients’ cleaning requirements, how those needs are being addressed, and whether they could think about employing you instead.
Your loved ones, coworkers, and business associates could be willing to lend a hand. A buddy can inquire with her work about the types of cleaning services the company employs, their rates, and to suggest you company as a substitute.
Make a marketing plan:
You ought to come up with your own marketing strategy. This doesn’t need to be a major hassle. An outline of your services, the kinds of people you wish to draw in, and the most effective methods to reach them might suffice.
What your area of expertise is and how you stand out from the competition are two important factors to think about. Do you exclusively use cleaning products that are safe for the environment? Do you have a specialty for cleaning offices, houses, or particular kinds of spills?
Flyers and business cards can be powerful marketing tools, particularly if you can persuade your clients to spread the word about your enterprise. If one of their recommendations turns out to be successful, you might give a current customer a discount or perhaps a free day of cleaning.
Prepare an elevator speech:
Prepare an “elevator speech” that highlights the advantages that your company offers. In order to deliver it to someone in a brief lift ride, it should be brief and to the point. Make sure you practice this so that it appears more like a conversation than a pitch. To get their opinions on your strategy, you may turn to friends, family, or your current clientele.
Which license categories are necessary to secure cleaning contracts?
You’ll probably require one or more business licenses when you launch a cleaning company.
A cleaning business license, a registration certificate, a vendor license, or a seller’s permit are necessary in several states. Whatever name it goes by in your state, these licenses enable you to do taxable business there.
You will probably require a Doing Business As license if the name of your business is different from your legal name. A DBA license has numerous advantages for you even if it is not necessary, such as:
- Establishing bank accounts in your DBA name
- Using your DBA identity to sign documents and receive compensation
- Prohibiting the use of the same company name by others
- Letting prospective clients know you’re a real company
Consult your municipal or county clerk’s office to find out what the criteria are since you might also require a business license from your local government.
What kind of insurance and bonds do I need for my cleaning company?
To attract clients for your cleaning service, you might need to present documentation of your insurance and bonding.
Contracts may need to be secured through janitorial/surety bonds, particularly with bigger clients. A surety or janitorial bond is a sort of financial agreement between your firm, your client, and the insurance provider who provided the bond. The bond says that if you don’t fulfil a service contract, the insurance provider will pay the client back.
For cleaning businesses, you’ll also require business insurance. Let’s examine the available choices:
General liability protection:
You are protected by general liability insurance from typical business hazards such client injuries, client property damage, and advertising injury. It’s frequently the first insurance coverage small business owner’s purchase.
Insurance for commercial property:
Commercial property insurance provides coverage for the repair or replacement of damaged, lost, or stolen commercial property. It includes the actual site of your company as well as other assets, including machinery.
BOP, or business owner’s policy:
Your general liability insurance and commercial property insurance are combined in a business owner’s policy (BOP). Usually, the cost is lower than buying the policies separately.
Insurance for workers’ compensation:
In the majority of states, companies with employees are obliged to have workers’ compensation insurance. It covers the medical expenses and lost pay for work-related injuries and illnesses for you and your staff, which your personal health insurance is not likely to cover.
Business auto insurance:
In the event that one of the vehicles you use for your business is involved in an accident, commercial auto insurance will pay your legal fees, medical costs, and property damage.
Non-owned and hired car insurance:
Your personal, leased, or rented automobiles are covered by hired and non-owned auto insurance when used for business-related activities. Your personal motor insurance is unlikely to protect you for an accident that occurs while you are visiting client offices or purchasing cleaning supplies.