cleaning business

scooper

myself,partner friend and her partner are all starting a cleaning buisness,we have jsut started advertising and getting outr name out there as a new business.
i know we have 3 months to declare ourselves as a new business,but would like any info of what we ahould be looking out for or genral advice on how people started to succeed throught there small business.
we have just enquired about a business bank account,which we are reading throught the material now.
s it worth opening a account yet or wait for 3 months to see how we get on,to see if we are making enough money to deposit cheques etc?also liability insurance,where is the best place to start looking to get quotes?

any advice welcome

Kilty_2

If you are going to be operating as a partnership, just sort out a business account now, most banks will give you at least 12 months free banking if not 18. I'd sort out the stuff with HMRC as soon as possible too, so you don't forget about it.

Public Liability Insurance - I'd try Lloyds TSB Insurance since I've heard that they are competitive (although I'm only basing this on what I've heard - I dont need PL insurance for my type of work).

To get yourself out there in front of people as well as advertising you should take part in business networking. Have a look at https://www.4networking.biz and sign up for the online forum, you'll make some valuable business contacts. Treat networking as a way of making contacts rather than simply pushing your services and you'll do well.

Networking is how I managed to get my now 9 month old business off the ground!

I'd also look into having a good website created for your business, since it's an extension of any printed marketing material and more people are using the Internet now than ever (although there might be a little bias in my advice, since I'm a web designer/developer by trade ).

WrenBoy

Get yourself a bank account asap. Opening a bank account can be straightforward, but in my experience it can often take many weeks or even months. Banks have complicated rules regarding money laundering and may come back to you again and again for more information, even if it was not originally requested on the application form. Once your business starts earning you will want to cash cheques, pay suppliers, etc immediately and you could experience cash-flow problems if you don’t have a bank account.

I use Abbey’s business account, good but basic and no charges (ever). I have also used HSBC who have 12 months free banking.

Also agree with Kilty’s advice on getting a website – everybody looks everything up on the internet these days.

Good luck with your business.
Wren

scooper

Thankyou both for those suggestions.i will open this account as soon as possible

thankyou again

greyteam1959

Another few tips...........
Get yourself an accountant ASAP so that you are keeping the right financial records from the start.Take his advice on what sort of a computer accounts package you should be using.
Get a solicitor to make your partnership legal......partnerships are the worst to sort out when they go wrong.
Do not give credit to anybody for any reason and also get paid up front if you can.
Set up a basic web presence you can do this for very little money these days do not spend thousands of ££££s setting up a website.
Make sure that your advertising is cost effective.....
And possibly the best bit of advice last ( and something you should have done first !!) get in touch with your local Business Link its free and they are very very helpful
Hope this is useful

billbob

Are you going to take on staff? As you'll need to take out Employers Liability Insurance.

Good luck!