Many people in Phoenix and Los Angeles dream of owning their own business, and actively search for ideas online, during the morning commutes, etc. Although restaurants and retail stores are common and profitable ideas, you may not be so interested in all the potential competition. In such cases, why not consider starting a parking lot power sweeping company?
Like any startup, starting your own parking lot sweeping business will generally require a large initial investment. The bright side is that many commercial facilities are not interested in cleaning vast parking lots themselves, assuring you of a good client base. Naturally, there is the potential to start a very profitable business.
If you are interested in starting your own sweeping business, here are a few tips to help you out, from purchasing a parking lot sweeper to customer satisfaction:
Attend Tradeshows
Yes, there are definitely tradeshows for parking lot cleaning companies, and it’s highly advised you attend one before you start your own company. During the tradeshow, try to speak to a few parking lot sweeping company owners (preferably ones that run outside the area you plan to operate in) and ask about how their company is performing and any challenges they’re currently facing.
Once you’ve started your company, be sure to attend some more tradeshows. It’s a great way to meet potential clients, and even foster relationships with other cleaning professionals, which may lead to referrals.
Purchasing versus Renting
Initially, purchase one or two parking lot sweepers to start out. When your business starts gaining more clients, however, assess whether the growth is sustainable or a seasonal boost. In the case of an increase in demand due to weather, you may want ask a respected vendor like Total Clean Equipment about rental services. In fact, you may want to go with rental sweepers until your customer base is stable enough to merit purchasing an additional sweeper.
Secure Maintenance and Repair Options
Before finalizing your purchase, be sure to ask your vendor about warranty and repair services. If possible, try to choose a vendor that can handle any maintenance and repair work you may require. More often than not, sending your machine to your vendor for repairs is a faster option than sending it to the manufacturer’s service center.
Give Clients a Follow-up Call
Try giving clients a follow-up call a few days after you’ve completed a job for them and ask them if they are satisfied with the quality of your service. You’d be surprised how shocked some people are when they find out you aren’t trying to sell them something. This helps you build a stronger relationship, which eventually leads to customer loyalty. At the same time, this is a perfect opportunity to introduce any referral programs you may be running.
Sources:
How to Start a Parking Lot Cleaning Business, brighthub.com
Parking Lot Power Sweeping, entrepreneur.com
