It’s the time of year again. A time for reflection, review and new plans for 2006. For some, perhaps also a time for R&R, hopefully recuperate from Christmas shopping and over abundance of food in the coming few days..
I’d be taking leave from posting for a few days. Perhaps do my bit of reflecting, planning and come out with more money making ideas for next year. See you in 2006. In the meantime go easy on the food and wine. God Bless.
I recently wrote on home cleaning business. The figures I gave are in my home country. At first, the figures I calculated does not seem very interesting, a search on Google however reveals something interesting.
In America, home cleaners charge between $ 30 to $ 60 per hour. Some services charge $ 75 to $ 85 for a 3 bedroom home with 2.5 bathroom. This is quite a good business when you consider the points below.
1. Demand. Most people don’t like to or have time to clean their homes especially those in the higher income bracket.
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Home cleaning business is a less competitive area compared to cleaning office and commercial building.
Some time ago, I engaged a home cleaning service to clean our home. This got me thinking if this is a viable business. The cleaners charged 99 per month for bi weekly cleaning at 4 hours each time. This works out to be 12.375 per hour. The cleaning service pays the actual person doing the cleaning, 25 per day (I asked), which works out to be slightly more than 3 per hour. The necessary tools and detergents are by the home owners. Only cost incurred is wages and transportation expenses.
This business involves hiring workers, sending them to various houses and then transporting them to the next homes. Collection is done at the end of the month. As they do not fix the actual timing of cleaning, quite a lot of effort is required to schedule workers and customer’s homes. How do potential customers contact them? Just put some sign boards around the targeted residential areas. Due to long working hours and commute, many young couples like this arrangement. Where I live, stay in maids is common for families with young children.
We no longer use the cleaning service after the quality of work dropped. The challenge to run this type of business or most any business is getting good workers.
Business advantages
1. Low and minimal capital
2. Easy entry and exit if business don’t work out
3. Demand is fairly high
4. Expansion is possible
Business disadvantages
1. Getting good workers
2. Scheduling work with customers
3. Requires vans and drivers
Some other friends I know use slightly more expensive cleaners. The cleaning service requires a signed contract for 3 to 6 months or more. This would be a better way of running the business.
