One of the easiest businesses you can start from home is a laundry service. The best thing about this business is that it can be done regardless of your location and the variety of clients you might get. If you are thinking of starting this venture, here are some steps that you can follow.
1. Plan your budget and startup costs
Before you start a laundry service, it’s necessary to do some research and come up with a reasonable budget. You will need money to buy the equipment and the necessary supplies. You also need cash to pay for marketing and advertising campaigns, which can attract more clients. The best way to come up with your budget is by looking at the various expenses you will incur during your startup and dividing them into monthly or quarterly amounts.
2. Invest in a washer and dryer
The main equipment in this business is the washer and dryer. You can rent these machines but for your convenience, it might be better if you purchase one so you don’t have to deal with outside repairmen who may increase the cost of renting the equipment. It’s best that you buy a commercial-grade washer since it will be used several times a day. You can buy both machines at any home appliance store or you can also find them new and used on eBay.
3. Stock up your laundry detergent and bleach
For your laundry service to be successful, you need to make sure that the clients’ clothes come out clean. When people do their laundry at home, they usually use liquid detergent and bleach. They usually run out of these supplies before their next trip to the grocery store. Ensure that you have a steady supply of liquid laundry detergent and bleach for your clients.
4. Ready your home for the service
You need to make sure that your home is ready for the laundry business. While you do laundry, you will be receiving clients and guests so it would be easy if your home resembles a business office rather than your living room. Your laundry area should have a desk and chair where you can meet with clients and keep track of their accounts and different services. You have to clear out space for storing unwashed items, another space for folding them, and even another area if you plan on ironing or steaming them. You also have to think of home maintenance services like dryer vent cleaning to ensure the optimal performance of your machine.
5. Market your services
Your next step is to market your business without being pushy or aggressive. The secret to getting more clients is by marketing yourself well. Start by handing out flyers in your neighborhood, encouraging satisfied clients to spread the word, and investing in professional business cards which you can hand out to potential clients. Try to look for coupons or special offers in the newspapers, which you can then post on your website or door. If there are businesses near yours, offer them a deal in exchange for letting you place an advertisement in their shop.
6. Get some legal documents in order
You need to make sure that you have all the necessary legal documents ready when you start your laundry service. You will need a local business license and a local tax identification number so you can hire employees and create an LLC. These documents are important regardless of where you live because they prove that you’re operating legally and collecting all the necessary taxes from clients.
7. Hire employees if necessary
If you’re thinking of starting a laundry service and bringing in more money, it might be a good idea to hire employees. You can hire professionals who know how to do different laundry types like dry cleaning or steaming and folding. It’s best to start with two employees if you want your business to stand out from the rest. When hiring new employees, you need to check their criminal records and also do a drug test. This is because most of them will be working with your clients’ clothes so it’s important that they’re reliable and responsible.
8. Expand your service if necessary
The laundry industry has room for more than one business in any neighborhood or street so it would be easy to add more services if your current one is successful. For example, you can hire a pick-up and delivery service for ironing or steaming clothes at customers’ residences. You can also start a dry cleaning business by purchasing machines that clean without water.
The laundry service business is fairly easy and can be done at home as long as you have the right gadgets and equipment. If you think that this is the business for you, then look into getting a washer and dryer set up in your home now!
