Starting a parking lot cleaning business can help you own your own business and become your own boss. Interestingly, many types of businesses and institutions are willing to pay you for that service. That means you can make good money starting a parking lot cleaning business. But like any new business, you need to know the ins and outs of running the business to be successful at it.
So if you are thinking of starting this type of business with success and growth in mind, this post is for you. Keep reading to unlock the keys to your success here.
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Tips for Starting a Parking Lot Business
Let’s learn about “How to Start a Parking Lot Cleaning Business” in detail:
#1: Decide how you want to set up the business
When it comes to setting up a parking lot cleaning business, you need to first figure out how you want to run it. Will you be running the business alone or you will be hiring more hands to help you. Remember, as the business grows, you may not be able to handle the demand alone.
Also, will you be taking it as a side hustle or as a full-time commitment? What tools and equipment will you be using for your cleaning? All these need to be sorted out before you start the business. Having a good understanding of how you want your business set up will make the journey to achieving your goals easier.
#2: Take time to walk around your community AGAIN
Yes, you need to take a walk or drive around your community again. Even though you have walked through the area hundreds of times, you need to do it again. And this time, you are going to be seeing it from a business point of view. See the entire community through a lens of potential cleaning contracts.
Take note of all the commercial properties around and assess the size of their parking lots. This includes warehouse sites, shopping plazas, schools, and office buildings. They are all your potential customers.
#3: Register your business
To start a successful parking lot cleaning business, you will need to register the business. Apply for a business license at the courthouse and pay for every requirement to get your business registered in your city.
Also, contact the Internal Revenue Service to obtain your employer tax identification number (EIN). You will definitely need it for other important things in the future. That includes hiring employees and applying for financial loans.
#4: Create a financial plan
After registering your business, the next thing to do is to get your funding right. Starting a parking lot cleaning business will require expensive equipment such as a sweeper truck to help you smoothly render your services. You will also need to hire a couple of employees to help you with the job. That means you will be needing comparably a lot of money as your startup capital.
Sit down to estimate how much all these might cost you. Once you know the estimated costs, see how you can get that money. You can either turn to family and friends to raise some cash for you or you can apply to obtain a loan from your bank. If you have got a good idea about the business and you have a strong business plan, you can reach out to investors to raise funds too.
#5: Build your contact list
Identify who your target customers are and try to build a list to keep them with you. Your best sources of business for a parking lot cleaning business are commercial real estate management companies. These people are often contracted to manage commercial properties for the owners. They also usually have several properties in their portfolio. So, create a list of your potential customers and devise a strategy to reach out to them.
#6: Set pricing for your parking lot cleaning business
As a new entrepreneur in the parking lot cleaning industry, you need to understand what the pricing structure in the industry is to fairly compete with other parking lot cleaning businesses. On average, a parking lot cleaning business charges between $30 to $50 per house. So, see how you can set your pricing structure to a fair and competitive price to give you an edge in the market.
#7: Market your business
Even if you offer the best parking lot cleaning services, if people don’t know about your business, you will soon quit out. Therefore, as you are putting various things in place to start your business, don’t forget to get the marketing right too. Have an excellent marketing strategy behind your plans.
You can locally market your business through business cards, posters, fliers, a good sales pitch, and a good online presence. All these will work together to ensure the success and right patronage of your parking lot cleaning business.
If you changed your mind and want to start any business then, you can see our other business ideas that you can start with low investment. Here are following business ideas: