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

skintbint_2

aron80 wrote: »

Wow that's pretty good, so how many hours did you average a week then? and how many leaflets or advertising did you do?

averaged about 8 hrs a week (thats all i was looking for 2 kids under 3at the time!), found leaflets a waste of time better corner shops also endedup with a cleaning job as one of the ladies couldnt find a decent cleaner

Bo_Peep

Hi all,

Looking for other people's experience, please...

I have a few regular domestic customers on my books now but not enough to make a steady income from and am thinking of branching out into ironing for businesses such as hotels, B&Bs, restaurants, etc.

Does anyone have any hints or advice on how to get started on this? I was thinking of contacting them all via mail with an information pack and a letter introducing myself and my services. Does this sound OK or is face to face always better?

Also, how would you price things? I iron bedding for my domestic customers so should I use the same pricing structure or charge differently? How do you all charge business customers? i.e. should I charge per item or by weight?

Any other suggestions of businesses to contact apart from the ones mentioned above?

Think that's all for now, but thanks in advance for any help!

Bo.

wayneyboy10

Hi First Post, just started a ironing service in North Northumberland (Berwick to Morpeth) if anyone requires and ironing service please PM me, Thanks to all for the great advice.

Bo_Peep

By the way, futher to my above post, I am based in Oxfordshire so if anyone in that area would like to make use of my services, please do PM me for further information.

Bo.

washy_woman

Hi Bo Peep,

I do linen for hotels and B&B'S etc, and have found that they all need a full laundry service and not just ironing, but you might be lucky, fingers crossed for you.
washy woman

bundance

Do you need your own transport to do this job, or can people come and collect the ironed clothes from your house?

thank you

Bo_Peep

Hi bundance,

Either! I drive so I offer a collection and delivery service but a couple of times when I haven't been able to get to a customer at a certain time they have dropped their ironing off at my house.

I think most busy people would prefer collection and delivery at their home or work but you may find that some people are happy to drop it off if you're local or on their way to somewhere else.

Also, the size of your transport can be significant as my small car isn't really big enough to transport more than one load at a time so in the past I've had to make several trips whereas if I'd had a van or something, I could have done the lot in one fell swoop.

Hope this helps.

Bo.

bundance

thank you

Stephb1986_2

Hi Bundance,

When we first started out 8 years ago we started with a old bedford rascal van it was cracking! It did us proud for a good while. We then bought a transit van which did us for a long while hardly broke down we now have a citroen relay and also a fiat doblo van which we are selling at the moment.

I think customers do prefer to have a van on the front I know some of ours do as they take so long to come to the door!

Some customers drop off their stuff if we are unable to fit in around their schedual.

Steph xx

lsbgkb

Hi,
Ive just set up in Bracknell (and 10miles around it), so if you know anyone around that area that wants a reliable, reasonably price, friendly service, please PM me.
Good luck to everyone!
Laura x