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What will I be doing ?
The first janitors were doorkeepers and watchmen. As locks became more reliable, the castle’s owner’s must have said, “Grab a broom !” and the predecessor to the modern janitor went to work.
Today, there are about 28,000 full-time janitorial services in the country, with many of them operating from homes across the nation. Most janitors serve the cleaning needs of businesses and stores. This is an especially important job in today’s work environment where dirt particles can damage sensitive computers and other electronic equipment.

What will I need to start ?
The skills required for cleaning are few. However, to clean efficiently requires training and experience. You can develop on-the-job experience by working as a janitor for a school or office, or as an employee of a successful janitorial service.
The equipment you’ll need depends on the type of janitorial service you offer. Many janitorial services specialize in retail stores, offices, industrial buildings, warehouses, schools, hospitals or other sites. Some services specialize in a type of cleaning such as floors, carpets, walls and ceilings or glass cleaning. So defining what you do will help you determine what you need to start.
Fortunately, you can find much of equipment and supplies you need at a single location : a wholesale janitorial supply store. In most cases the supply store is operated by experienced janitorial service owners who can help you select equipment and supplies that are most efficient for what you do. Check area telephone books for janitorial suplliers.

Who will my customers be ?
Your customers will be companies, individuals, municipalities, manufacturers, schools, hospitals and others. One small janitorial service lost a major contract and needed to replace the income to pay for floor cleaning equipment just purchased. The owner decided to put the equipment to better use by specializing in stripping and waxing floors with a special polymer finish that offered both shine and durability. Within a couple of months she had replace the income from the large account with numerous smaller accounts that gave her business more stability.
To find your customers, think like them. If you’re thinking about starting a janitorial service for a specific retail area. Talk to potential customers about their cleaning needs and schedules, how much they pay for janitorial services and what it would take to earn their business. You may soon have your first customers lined up.
Some janitorial supply stores also work as job brokers, finding janitorial contracts and selling them to their customers. Ask supply stores if they also broker janitorial contracts.

How much should I charge ?
The hourly rate for janitorial services is $25 to $60. However, most services quote prices based on the size of the job, frequency and skills needed. Square-footage is a common measurement. However, the square-foot price for floor care is quite different from that for emptying trash cans. Consider taking on a few jobs for a low hourly rate until you develop the skills and experience to work efficiently and know how best to price jobs.

How much will I make ?
Once you’ve developed contract jobs, most of your time will be billable. Until then, plan to spend as much as 30 percent of your time marketing your janitorial service. How much will your overhead expenses be ? They typically range from 20 to 40 percent, depending on the equipment required.

How can I get started ?
The difference between a profitable janitorial service and one that is nearly bankrupt is, typically, knowledge. Learn your trade, develop skills, learn to work efficiently, find out what your customers want. The more you know about your business and customers, the more successful and profitable your janitorial service will be.
The SIC code for janitorial services is 7349-02

From the book of Dan Ramsey, Title : 101 Best Home Businesses, CAREER PRESS, 3 Tice Road, P.O. Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417, 1-800-CAREER-1, 201-848-0310 (NJ and outside U.S.), FAX : 201-848-1727

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