This is a great business proposition for people who want to make a lot of money, but are not afraid of hard work. People will pay you good money to clean their homes. Once the business has been established you change your role. You can concentrate on recruiting and co-ordinating a team of cleaning staff and the further development of the business.

As a starting point create postcard sized adverts for your new enterprise and put them in shop windows in the areas you wish to work. If your budget allows, create larger (A5 size) flyers with the same advertising information, which you will put up on bulletin/ notice boards, locally, and advertise in the local press. When a prospective customer phones, arrange to visit their home to put together a cost estimate. Before visiting any clients you are advised to time yourself doing various cleaning tasks to get an idea of how long each might take. In addition, contact other cleaning companies (anonymously) to see what the going rate for cleaning is in your area. When you visit a client, take a note pad, measuring tape and a calculator. Methodically visit each room, taking the rooms dimensions and noting what is there and any special cleaning instructions. Once you have done this sit with the client and go through each task, adding up the time for each. On the basis of the total arrived at you can quote for the work. Add a small margin to cover unforeseen tasks - there are almost always one or two. Once you have a few clients you need to start recruiting cleaners to work with you. Create some more postcard sized recruitment adverts, and place them in shop windows and notice boards. It is advisable to ask for and take up 2 references for each cleaner. Remember, that you will pay near the minimum wage and your profit will be the difference between what you pay each cleaner and the rate you charged the customer.

You will probably want to go along with the cleaner on their first visit to each customer, briefing the cleaner on what should be done in each room, based on the notes you made on your initial visit. As the size of your business grows this job can be undertaken by slightly higher paid ‘team leaders’. As soon as possible you will want to concentrate your time on pitching for work to potential customers, recruiting new cleaners and generally keeping things running smoothly. It is a good idea to have a ‘corporate look’ which includes a catchy name, attractive business logo and company uniform i.e. white shirt, black skirt/ trousers - all with your business logo, if possible. Aim to expand business by referrals and possibly offer clients discounts on future cleaning jobs if they refer someone who buys cleaning services from you. Also when you visit a client put your advertising flyer through the letter boxes of other flats in the block or other houses in the street. Obtain appropriate insurance to protect yourself.

How to Start a Home-Based Housecleaning Business by Melinda Morse and Laura Jorstad

Start & Run a Home Cleaning Business by Susan Bewsey

The Cleaning Encyclopedia: Your A to Z Illustrated Guide to Cleaning Like the Pros by Don Aslett