Cleaning Agency

[TomboyFemme]

I work full time but have an idea for a business which I would love to see to fruition. In the past I've worked as a self employed cleaner as it allowed me to work around school hours and is fairly good pay compared to many of the other lower paid jobs.

I'd like to start a cleaning company, not cleaning myself but finding work for other self employed cleaners. Clients would pay me, I'd take a cut and pass on the wage to the cleaner. I guess that's an agency?

I'm thinking I'd have to advertise for cleaners first and then pass on work as it came in?

Has anyone done anything like this?

[Usuallyinthemiddle]

You'll need to decide how to pay them and bear in mind they get paid regardless of whether or not you do.
Lots of laws governing temps and holiday pay, NI, employment laws etc.

Are you going to do the bus dev to get the work yourself?

[Usuallyinthemiddle]

You'll need to be GDPR compliant with their personal data, set up a payroll function, contracts for clients etc unless you go down the contracting route and the cleaners invoice you. But then you risk them cutting you out and taking the extra ££.

[Usuallyinthemiddle]

And insurance for breakage, unlocked doors, theft etc

I think if you haven't worked in a temp agency before it would be a big ask. Cash flow will be your biggest hurdle. The temps need paying weekly.

[Usuallyinthemiddle]

Sorry all that sounds negative. It's one thing I know about! It's possible but go into it with your eyes open.

[MaybeDoctor]

This is quite a good business model - I know someone who makes it work and earns what seems to be a fairly good income.

The main issue would be finding reliable cleaners who are happy to work for slightly less than the top rate, to allow for your cut. It might be people who don't have the confidence to run the administrative side of things. It goes without saying that you need to think of NMW and, I would argue, the living wage.

Quality control - are they doing a good job? If the cleaners don't clean to the required standard that will be an easy way to lose customers.

You will have to step in and fill in gaps by cleaning yourself on a regular basis!

[BlackcurrantJamontoast]

Insurance?
You will need to run and fund DBS checks?
VAT?
Running a payroll? Employers national insurance?
Holiday pay?
Sickness pay?

You are making a self employed job of cleaner into a paid job. You become their employer. Agencies are employers.