by Chris Lude, Co-Owner of Denver Concierge. Putting together operating forecasts is an important first step in deciding to start an independent or franchise maid service. Yet, too many entrepreneurs embark without bothering to prepare an operating forecast or understand the investment requirements and operating costs associated with a new venture. If such entrepreneurs had […]
You can buy books telling you what a low investment, high growth opportunity residential house cleaning can be. We believe that the house cleaning’s 50% per annum failure rate speaks for itself. It is an attractive industry, but it is the potential for limitless scale and profits from cleaning nice homes, not the misconception about […]
Managing equipment is like brushing teeth . . . in time, the negligent are left with nothing to worry about. For maid service operators, the cost of equipment and supplies is a pittance in comparison to the cost of labor. So some operators don’t bother themselves a lot with controlling equipment damages and losses.
We used to lament about the lemmings . . . that was before we developed a taste for them. Lacking barriers to entry, the maid service industry attracts anyone with enough money to buy an e-book, a bucket, and a vacuum. We once resented Competitor’s low prices. Then we came to realize that, for an […]
—–Original Message—– To:SCS Subject: website email My partner and I are starting a home services company, starting with residential cleaning, in New Hampshire. I have extensively researched the “M” franchises and have decided that while they have invested considerably in their approach and infrastructure, the ongoing requirement (AKA Royalties) is way too much to pay.
Independent home cleaning businesses aren’t scaleable because operators lack the tools needed to effectively and efficiently manage over 25 employees and 50 assignments per day. Top flight maid service franchises have developed the tools needed for managing such volumes but, because they favor penetration, over scale, most of their deals also are not scaleable.
It’s difficult to find an exceptional Manager worthy of receiving shares in your company. How do you choose the right person? How do you structure a sweat equity plan which serves to motivate and commit? How many shares are required to serve your purposes? When do you offer the sweat equity plan? The biggest trap in offering sweat equity is […]
When it comes to starting a house cleaning company, there are two sides of the stigma coin. The one side: your new house cleaning company is going to be a conversation killer at your next college reunion. The flip side: you don’t have to worry about the market being overrun next year by your alma […]
Introduction This article describes two separate methods to value your house cleaning company. You might be surprised to learn that if you are selling a larger business, the banks will ultimately have the final say in the valuation of your business, based on guidelines set by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Once you know how the market […]
It Pays to Train House Cleaning Professionals Among service industries, professional house cleaning is somewhat unique, in that it combines the potential for scale with a demand for exceptionally personalized service. The most successful professional house cleaning enterprises excel because they manage to grow by offering consistently better and customized service than their competitors, and […]