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

Jarv1758

I have just started up an ironing business in the Bracknell and surrounding areas. I also will do your washing and ironing. If anyone is interested or has any good tips for starting up let me know.

silecroftian

Good to see genuine people stilll exist in this world

Maz

Wow! brilliant thread! As far as I know, there are no ironing services in the area that I live in - ripe! Definitely going to start one up!

Thanks to everybody who's posted on here with all your info and advice.

loulou83_2

I'm also concerned about getting insurance and wondered if anyone could advise me on where to go to get it cheap? I'm starting up an ironing service in Beckenham to supplement my full time job so I'll only be looking for 2 nights work per week and dont want to spend a fortune on insurance.

Stephb1986_2

loulou83 wrote: »

I'm also concerned about getting insurance and wondered if anyone could advise me on where to go to get it cheap? I'm starting up an ironing service in Beckenham to supplement my full time job so I'll only be looking for 2 nights work per week and dont want to spend a fortune on insurance.

Hi to be honest the insurance is one of the expensive things and as your only doing it for 2 nights a week it doesnt sound like its worth it. instead what you could do is when you get the clothing in check through all the stuff for burns ect stuff that is a do not iron or dry clean only if you think you can steam it fair enough but if not send it back untouched and dont charge them for it, we've had a few customers send football tshirts with big burn marks on them we have sent them back and said we havent ironed it as there was a burn mark even though we are insured why should we take the blame for something we havent done! the other thing we're getting quite a bit of at the moment is ski wear for some reason people dont look at the labels and its a do not iron jumper ive just steamed a few and sent them back its not worth the risk of burning something and losing a customer.

if there is a burn on the item just give the customer a quick call asking them if they knew about the burn and do they still want it ironing. that way you have covered yourself.

HTH

Stephb xxx

loulou83_2

Thank you Steph, I was hoping someone would say that! I'm definately going to take your advise and just be very careful with what I iron rather than spending money I dont have on insurance.

9to5_no_more...

I have left my 9-5 admin job this week as I just cant handle the 2 hour commute and the monotonous doing the same thing for the same time every day. I also have a local bar job which I am still doing, so am thinking of starting up an ironing service to complement my wages as far as I know there is not one here. The only thing is I live in a small village in west wales, does anyone think this could be profitable in such a small area, I do drive so could offer the service in surrounding areas too. Also how much would u charge in a small area like this where people do not earn the same as in the cities, most are prob on min wage but most are also quite lazy so should get some customers I hope.
I am planning to do a door 2 door leaflet drop and any help on wot to put on it would be much appreciated.
thanks

Stephb1986_2

Hi 9to5 no more i think the best bet for you is to charge £10 per 20 items of clothing (that way no bedding can be included) and a minimum charge of £5 up to 10 items that way you aren't losing out by going to someones house and them only having 7 things you still get £5 in your pocket. You could perhaps target B&B's to do guests clothing ect.

Make sure your leaflet is bright and readable

It doesnt cost to be careful with peoples things just make sure you check everything especially the things we get in dresses from monsoon ect they can be well over £100 each i dont want to be standing there all day to buy a new dress because i didnt check it properly

HTH

Steph xxx

katiekat

Hi!
I started up an Ironing service last year due to being very skint and have never looked back! My Partner (ace Photographer, also available for weddings in the Bristol area!) designed me a great little advert, I did a leaflet drop not hundreds just around certain areas and waited for the work!
It was quiet at first but then started to build up and now I have at least 8 regulars & on a good week I can earn £90/£100 a fantastic boost to the finances. I invested in a good Steam Generator Iron bought on ebay with my first few jobs ( a must for ease of ironing & good quality finish)
I would reccomend doing this to anyone who doesen't mind a bit of hard work! :j

Maz

Can anybody advise which is the best steam generator iron to buy please? I've had a look on eBay but there seems to be many and various, with a big price range. What's a good one if you're just starting out?