Before you decide to start a carpet cleaning business, you may want to talk to other carpet cleaners to find out more information about the typical business environment. Try to find out what type of money you can expect to earn, what start up costs you will need to consider, the pros and cons of the job, and so on. Be sure to consider what the cost for equipment will be, and research different ways to fund your start-up business. You will also need to do some market research to find out where the most customers will be; this should be done before you start a carpet cleaning business.
Writing a business plan is a very smart move if you intend to start a carpet cleaning business. This plan will outline all your start-up costs, your target markets, your finances, your budget projections, and your long- and short-term goals. Writing such a plan does not have to be excessively difficult, but it will take some time and patience. Community colleges often offer courses on writing business plans, and many websites on the Internet are dedicated to this topic. This is an important step toward success when you intend to start a carpet cleaning business, so even though it is a tedious step, it is one that should not be skipped.
Be sure you are familiar with the carpet cleaning process, and understand that this job can often be quite dirty. You will more than likely spend a significant amount of time building your business, and you can expect to work between five and seven days a week for many hours if you want to be successful. You must, therefore, either be enthusiastic about carpet cleaning or at least able to do it for long periods of time without getting burnt out on the process.
Securing a business loan is one of the most common ways to finance yourself when you start a carpet cleaning business. Bring your business plan with you to the banks or credit unions so you can give your best pitch and show how prepared you are. If you have your own investment capital, be sure to hold yourself to a strict budget to ensure the business is truly profitable. Begin marketing immediately. Think about ways to reach customers who are likely to need carpet cleaning services. This may mean building a website, making up flyers and business cards, or even advertising on the radio or television. Research rates to ensure you are competitive with other carpet cleaning services in the area, and don't be afraid to run promotions every so often.
