How to Start a Home Based Laundry Service

There are many people out there who don’t like laundry or have no time at all, and starting a home based laundry service can turn out to be a huge profit making business. One of the best things about a home based laundry service is that one doesn’t require a lot of startup capital, and your job as a business owner is clearly cut. Essentially, you’ll be picking up clothes and washing them at home before dropping them off. You don’t even need a lot of prior preparations as most of laundry services require things that you already have. However, just like any other business, success is about being organized, and there are a number of things that you’ve got to put into consideration.

Work Location

Before you start, you’ll need to decide where you want to work from. You may want to design a special laundry area in your home, work from your clients’ homes or even collect and cart your stuff to the nearest location offering self-service laundry facilities. All of these options have pros and cons and you’ve got to decide which works best for you. Working from home for instance, gives you freedom to designate specific areas for different purposes such as drying during inclement weathers, a place for dirty laundry or for hanging stuff that can’t go into a dryer and so on. On the other hand, working from your client’s home could cut a lot of cost as there are a number of things you wouldn’t have to buy. If you plan to use commercial self-service facilities, you’ll need to have several options to avoid unnecessary delays, just in case some are overbooked.

Obtain Equipment and Licenses

Once you’ve decided where you want to work from, you should go ahead and acquire the necessary equipment and supplies such as irons, detergents, laundry bags and so on. You’ll also need to check with your state authorities to establish what licenses and registration or taxation plans you need to comply with.

Define Your Services

You’ll have to decide what services you want to offer your clients. These may range from washing and drying, ironing, pick up and drop off services, as well as folding and so on. You’ll also need to come up with prices of each service you offer. When deciding your price, remember to factor in your costs such as commuting, supplies and any other overhead outlays.

Advertise your Services

You’ll have to devise ways of taking your services to where consumers are. There are many marketing tools out there that you can use. You may want to start by marketing your services to your family and friends, neighbors and acquaintances. The other option would be promising to give free gifts such as laundry bags to a few of your prospects. Consider putting your contact details and other info such as your web address inside the laundry bags or baskets.

Decide on Payment Method

You’ll have to choose how you want your clients to pay you. Do you for instance want to be paid before or after performing the services? Would you want them to pay by check, cash or PayPal and so on? Choose methods that suit you best before getting into business.