College Money

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Whether you’re living on your own, got a room at the dorm, or are still back home, the problem of money is a big one, especially while you’re in college. You need money in order to buy the things you need, you also need money in order to enjoy college life as a whole and have fun.

Which is why we have continually encouraged our readers to start earning money on their own either by getting part-time jobs or starting your own businesses. And at college, one of the many ideal business models is a cleaning business, because you already have an immediate clientele: college students who don’t want to take up the chore of cleaning their own space because they are too busy doing other things. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, or so they say, and we think it’s a great idea to do this.

So how to start a cleaning business when you’re in college? First, you need to decide what kind of cleaning do you want to do or are comfortable with. Some variations of a cleaning business are the following:

• Window cleaning. Your job is to keep windows clean. It might sound simple at first – but it actually involves an element of risk because of the surface (glass) and its placement (those who live several stories high). The surface area that needs cleaning also varies – some windows are made from floor to ceiling, while others are so tiny, you wonder how you’ll be able to clean it. The good new is, window cleaning is a tedious job that not a lot of people are keen on doing, and it pays well enough (an average of $300-500 a day if you’re a professional). Remember that you might not just need cleaning supplies but probably a ladder, tools that enable a far reach, etc. You might not actually score college students but landlords, building administrators and property owners.
• Household cleaning. This is the regular overhaul of cleaning. This includes sweeping, dusting, wiping the furniture and glass surfaces, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming. If you go into this business, make sure that you interview first the homeowner and get to know them in terms of how they clean their house and if they have any rules to go by. Cleaning is a relative term to many people, so make sure that you ask them what specifically do they want cleaned. Do they expect you to take out the trash? Do they also need you to do the dishes? Clean the pet cages? Water the plants? Restock their own cleaning supplies and hygiene products (i.e. toilet paper, dishwashing liquid)?
• Outdoor cleaning. This may involve shoveling snow, raking leaves, hosing and washing down the driveway, cleaning the gutters, cleaning the roofs and pipes, etc.
• Laundry services. This may involve cleaning and washing of clothes, putting them in the dryer, having them pressed or dry-cleaned, etc. This is more complicated than other cleaning businesses because you need to invest on industrial washing machines and laundry cleaning products.

Some tips:

• Give an estimate before accepting a job. You need to assess how the room or house looks, and how dirty it is, and figure out how long it will take you to clean them. Never underestimate for fear of charging too high – it’s better to be able to give a discount later rather than charge an additional fee because you extended your hours.
• Write up an agreement or contract before proceeding. It may sound like a simple task or chore, but there are a lot of security risks involved. You need to protect yourself against unwanted accusations like jewelry gone missing, or a stereo component that kibitzed because it was inserted in the wrong electrical socket, or allergic reactions to the cleaning materials you used -  a home is different for everyone so make sure that you will not be held liable for any damage.
• Clarify a cleaning schedule. Some clients would just want you to clean on a one-time basis, while others would request that you clean several times a week. Also make sure that they give you access by having a duplicate key or having someone to let you in whenever you go there to clean.
• Create cleaning packages. The better way to handle the pricing for your business is to have packages. You can modify them as you wish but it’s better to have a base where you can set the prices. For example, people who hire you to clean dorm rooms can afford considerably less than those who own a house.
• Before accepting a job, hand out a survey asking the people who live there if they have any allergies, if they prefer that you don’t enter certain rooms or don’t touch certain things, etc.
• Buy only the best cleaning products and those that are trusted brands in the market. List everything that you use and put them in a brochure, so you can show it to potential clients.
• Wear protective clothing like aprons, gloves, hair nets, and even face masks, if need be.
• Advertise, advertise, advertise. Make sure that you have a business card and a website. Find free ways to drive traffic to your site to minimize your expenses. Do word-of-mouth marketing.