Start your own cleaning service in as little as one day.

[edit] Steps

Make a plan. Even if it is just on a scratch piece of paper. Give yourself a name (example: CLEANING BY CATHERINE). Write down some prices of what you will charge for your services, based on size, frequency, etc. If you don’t have any idea what to charge make some phone calls and see what other people are charging in your area. Figure out what area you would like to target your cleaning service to.
Now that you have a basic plan, you are ready to get started. Use your computer to make a small flyer that can be attached to the doorknobs and mailbozes of your potential clients. You can make three flyers for every sheet of paper, only use the bottom half of the flyer for your information, the top will be cut out to fit on the doorknob. TIPS: Be creative but brief, use a card-stock paper, and only make a few at a time until you get it right.
Pick a nice day to walk around your targeted area to put your flyers around. Bring a notebook to write down the streets that you covered. Pass around 50-100 flyers and see what kind of response you get. Keep putting out flyers until you have the desired amount of clients.
When someone calls in reference to your flyer, get your notebook out and write down their name, phone number, and address. Talk to them a little about what their needs are and then make an appointment to visit their home and do a walk-thru. It is best to just give an idea of the cost on the phone, explain that you will give an exact quote once you have seen the house and spoke more in-depth about the clients needs.
When you go out to the house for the first time, bring your notebook and find out all the information that you can from the client about what they expect to be done, what special needs they may have. Example: no bleach products, to do the windows or not to do the windows, did they have a cleaning person before and didn’t like something that was done or not done? Take all the notes you can so once you have a client you keep the client.
You will need to give your quote on the spot so have some idea what you will charge. Have a base line price for a weekly service using the clients cleaning products, then adjust your price from there. Example: charge more for every other week cleaning (the house will become more dirty the more time between cleanings), charge more if you will be using your own cleaning products (they can be costly).
Just starting out try to keep your prices lower than competitors, and do a top-notch job. Word of mouth will generate more clients than fliers, so be dependable, on time, and a delight to be around and your cleaning service will take off in no time.

[edit] Tips

Pretend you are your client at least one time before you do anyone else. Time yourself, see what products you use, critique yourself.
Use products that smell nice, especially on the carpet.
Be friendly and on time.
Let the client know they can tell you if they wanted something done differently or something done that was not done. Some clients will be very picky, others not so much. The most important thing is to know your client.
What you want more than anything is positive word of mouth by your clients. Your business can grow as large as you like it to, as long as you have clients telling other people how great you are.
Don’t take on more than you can handle. Start off slow and grow.
If you plan on making this a business that will grow, look closely into the licensing and/or bonding laws in your state. Also, consider incorporating or becoming an, "LLC," to help protect you and your business.
Consider your personal legal or criminal history. Many potential cutomers will consider you unwelcome to work in their homes, businesses, or near their children if you have a criminal record, or you are going through a serious dispute with another person. Clear up any legal loose ends before applying to work for someone.

[edit] Warnings

Be prepared for how to respond to an unsafe work environment. From something as simple as a broken stair-step, to finding weapons or illegal drugs. Working in a private home or business can expose you to any number of unsafe situations. Establish in advance with your client what hazards you are not willing to face in your work environment.