Franchise Information, advice and news.

Cleaning one's house is one of the most hated of household chores for many, although a privileged few can afford the luxury of a housekeeper or cleaner to come in and take care of the dirty kitchen and toilets.

Housekeepers, or domestic cleaners, are in big demand with modern parents, couples and even single professionals who all have little enough time for themselves or their jobs to tackle the upkeep of their homes.

However, many do have the ability to pay for residential cleaning, meaning the US market alone is a $9 billion industry.

Figures from one residential cleaning franchiser claims that this spending rate is even increasing by 20 per cent annually, meaning there is huge potential for anybody looking to take the plunge and get involved in the cleaning industry.

Of course, managing a franchise is very different to actually working in the sector "on the floor", as very few franchisers will actually need to get their hands dirty and start scrubbing their clients' toilets. Instead, anyone hoping to be a potential franchisee will be involved in running a team of cleaners or maids, managing their training, recruitment, marketing of services, balancing books and making sure all the business aspects of the company are spot on.

Nevertheless, having an interest or background in the cleaning market would be a distinct advantage to home cleaning franchisees, as a passion for getting the job done and making sure customers are happy is a vital part of a successful business.

Indeed, the "ability to self motivate" and "experience of sales and marketing" are regarded as two of the most important characteristics that franchisors look for in potential franchisees, according to the 2004 NatWest/British Franchise Association survey.

And increasing numbers of people, swayed by the availability, strong market and influx of franchises, are making the most of the opportunity to work for themselves and invest in a home cleaning franchise.

The support offered from large franchisers is one of the main plus points for any potential franchisee, with training, marketing, business and financial support, contacts and a successful business model being invaluable to new businesses – and something entrepreneurs setting out on their own do not have.

But the appeal of being your own boss means that, while franchisees do not have much of the freedom of choice that non-franchisees do, as marketing, budgets, recruitment, training, uniforms and the like are all regimented from the company's headquarters, there is still the chance to run a business and make it a success.

Copyright Adfero Ltd. 2007
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