Customer Reviews

How to Start a Home-Based Housecleaning Business

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Currently we operate our own cleaning companies. I am always looking for material to help with becoming a better provider of our services. To this effect, I was somewhat disappointed with the generalities of the book. It does not cover how to do bidding, advertising, marketing, setup, etc... in enough detial. For the beginner looking to start a business, you may want to talk with a local or out of town company first. You will learn quickly that you need to put customers first, service with a smile and be willing to be flexible.

Overall this book was ok. Nothing special about it. I am a cleaning business owner and noticed that the book was flawed. I would like the author to please show me where a person can get 1 million dollars worth of insurance for $250-$400 as the book states. Most people can not even get insured for that amount in any state until they have been in business for 3 years. The author left out a lot of information and I would not recommend this book to anyone who is serious about starting a cleaning business. The only thing decent in the book is the appendix, but even that is not detailed enough. I give it two stars for effort and because I am a nice person.

This book not only details the ins and outs of running a cleaning business, but it also deals with the emotional and cultural issues that surround housecleaners. This book taught me a lot about dealing with problem people/customers. I especially liked the section on how to get rid of bad customers. No one ever touches on those points, and I'm really glad that these two authors do. Bravo for a book written by human beings and not machines!

Thanks! We loved this book! Not your typical boring biz book.
It really seems geared toward people who are starting up without a lot of money. We found the information on taxes and advertising very helpful, we've gotten some new clients based on the search engine information. Very humorous book too. Nice job.
I also recommend Don Aslat's book.

I knew absolutely nothing about running my own business, especialy a house cleaning business. This book was easy to read and I believe covered all the bases.
Got streight to the basics and might have had a little extras in there too. Alot of helpful information on advertising, which was what I needed info. on most. For example, I would have not known to not advertise in the classified adds. I didn't know it was outdated. I have not found ALL their advertising advice to be what I experienced. For example: The suggested you NOT advertise in the yellow pages of the phonebook but online instead, saying you would get greater success by advertsing online. However, I have found the opposite to be true. I have had great success by advertising in the yellow pages of the phonebook and nearly no success by advertising on the internet, but maybe I wasn't putting my add with a prominant enough company. I advertised with a well known telephone company in THEIR directory when I could have advertised with Google and maybe exposed my business to more potential clients.

I would say that this book is absolutely great for beginners and well worth the small investment, especialy if you have had no experience at all with cleaning houses or business in general.

Great info. on taxes, advertsing, record keeping,registering a business name, getting a business liscence, etc... for the *small* house cleaning business (not for those who want a huge company with many employees).

Rhonda

I had hoped for a lot more detailed information in this book. Everything from the price range of advertising to were to look for information was generic and broad. You mean I can go to my library and look things up??!!! Gee thanks for that one! I don't want to be to harsh this book could be so much better with the amount of experience the author claims to have. Didn't get to much of a personal feel like she promised in the very begining of the book.