Start an ironing service... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

debbie_debt

Siendi, it's great that you're so enthusiatic, but I'd be really careful about quitting a secure job (if that's what you will be doing) to do this - having a good read through it seems that everyone struggles to get customers for the first few months until your word of mouth reputation takes off. If I were you I'd maybe try and get your name known doing it in the eves/at weekends etc so you can still pay the bills while you get going!

Also, do loads of prep before launching - decide on how you're going to price the service, get your insurance in place, decide if you can deliver/collect adn if so what your turnaround time will be, sort out all the equipment you'll need to start up etc etc. I used to employ someone to do mine purely because they'd come and collect it from me at the office and drop it back with me at work for free so it was completely no-hassle.

then figure out as many ways of advertising for free/cheaply as poss - look into classified ads on ebay, gumtree, noticeboards, leaflet dropping etc, set up a free website and get that web address on all your advertising. And don't be too proud to plug your new business with friends and family!

Good luck with your new venture, I'm sure others will have loads of good advice for you.

kats53

Hi fellow ironers and those of you who are about to become one, hope you are all beavering away with loads of work! If your like me you will still be trying to attract new business. I have a couple of regulars and although because I also have a main job and I dont want loads of clients untill I'm more established, I would really like to have a few more regulars. So far I have advertised in shop windows, put some flyers out and advertised my services on mumsnet. So if anyone living in the south Tyneside area wants an efficient, friendly ironing service please DO contact me. Good luck to you al in your business ventures.

bargainbird

Oh i too am jumping on the Ironing Service Band Wagon, Have put an ad in our local Mag which covers 3 villages for a year , so am hoping for some work when Feb mag is delivered.

Just to copy everyone else anyone in the Newbury area can contact me too :cool:

kats53

Hi Bargainbird, welcome to the ironing brigade! lol. Good luck in your new venture!

Mumof2_2

I'm seriously considering starting my own ironing business from home as we really need some extra money - the typing I do for a company just isn't bringing in enough .

Anyhow, I guess the first thing to do is a business plan (which my husband will help me with). I'm thinking I'll need a steam generated iron too; do you use your normal ironing board or do you use big ones (don't have an awful lot of spare room!)

As for getting customers, is it just a case of putting a note up in the local shop window and telling other school mums / friends etc? I was thinking to charge per item rather than per hour / set amount for a black bag as I can't help thinking people would cram a bag full to bursting!!! I think I'd also offer collection / delivery if people spent over, say, £15.

Sorry, as you can tell I'm rather new to this! Looking forward to getting to know you all

piratefairy

Have also been considering starting an ironing service for quite a while now, and think I am ready to take on the challenge! Do many of you do this part time, as I have a full-time job so will be fitting the ironing / collections into my weekends and evenings. Where have you found is the best place to get insurance? And how soon would it need to become a registered company?

Stephb1986_2

Mumof2 wrote: »

I'm seriously considering starting my own ironing business from home as we really need some extra money - the typing I do for a company just isn't bringing in enough . Do it you won't look back and regret it seriously being your own boss is the best ever!!

Anyhow, I guess the first thing to do is a business plan (which my husband will help me with). I'm thinking I'll need a steam generated iron too; do you use your normal ironing board or do you use big ones (don't have an awful lot of spare room!) larger ironing boards are better as you aren't having to move the item more than a couple of times, we have one guy that is 4xl on a normal ironing board your talking about 5mins per item on a larger ironing board your talking 3mins. Also the most valued advice I can give is under your ironing board cover put a layer of tin foil then put the cover back, never collapse the board as it will end up wet at the end and will take ages to dry, with the tin foil the steam will bounce back but do be careful as sometimes you can burn yourself. But it does iron the underside for you.

As for getting customers, is it just a case of putting a note up in the local shop window and telling other school mums / friends etc? I was thinking to charge per item rather than per hour / set amount for a black bag as I can't help thinking people would cram a bag full to bursting!!! I think I'd also offer collection / delivery if people spent over, say, £15. Your best designing a leaflet 1/2 of a4 size make it colourful but not childlike clean looking, charge per item as people will cram 50+ items into a bin bag I know as we have a customer every week that does it. We have a free collection and delivery service minimum order of £10 which is 16 items even if it's less it's still £10 to account for fuel ect. You could always do a leaflet on Powerpoint (thats how we did ours) print them off hand them out in the morning to working mums ect, local shops, perhaps look at a local magazine that is delivered every month we have a local paper thats every month to advertise in that its £22 and it's delivered to over 10,000 houses. Ask customers to provide their own hangers so your not having to store them. Buy some scented bags from home and bargains or a local pound shop a permanant marker pen. Your pretty much ready to go

Thats all I can think of for now but if you do have any questions please send me a pm.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to PM me I will get back to you asap and I don't mind I'd rather help someone than you be stuck for a answer

Sorry, as you can tell I'm rather new to this! Looking forward to getting to know you all

Don't apologise we all have to start somewhere love

Steph xx

Stephb1986_2

piratefairy wrote: »

Have also been considering starting an ironing service for quite a while now, and think I am ready to take on the challenge! Do many of you do this part time, as I have a full-time job so will be fitting the ironing / collections into my weekends and evenings. Where have you found is the best place to get insurance? And how soon would it need to become a registered company?

Hi Piratefairy, You are probably best starting it off as part time till you have built up a customer base and have a regular income every week. Your question about becoming a registered company you have to do this within the first 3 months or there will be a £100 charge.

Steph xx

Mumof2_2

Many thanks Steph - you've certainly given me a lot to think about there!!!

piratefairy

Thank you, stephb..I'm going to design some flyers and do a trial in my apartments / surrounding area for a month or so, and see whether i think it will be worth starting as an actual business