Apartment Preparation Service

Start-up cost: $500
Potential earnings: $20,000–$30,000
Typical fees: $50 and up per apartment
Advertising: Yellow Pages, direct contact with apartment owners,
banner ads at Web sites such as Apartments.com or
ApartmentFinder.com
Qualifi cations: Knowledge of cleaning procedures and painting skills
Equipment needed: Cleaning supplies, sweeper, mops, buckets, painting
equipment, cell phone
Staff required: No
Hidden costs: Insurance, equipment maintenance
What You Do
You add the fi nishing touches to apartment buildings before the next tenant moves
in. To increase your marketability, off er several services, including carpet cleaning,
wall washing, painting, wallpaper repair, and overall cleaning services. Set fee
schedules appropriately depending on individual services (or off er an all-inclusive
package price). Advertise your services to many apartment complexes. To cut
down on driving, try to get a contract with a multiunit apartment complex that
off ers short-term lease options.
What You Need
Invest in good-quality cleaning equipment, including a sweeper and carpet cleaner.
Start-up costs can be as low or as high as you want, depending on what services
you are going to off er and the quality of equipment you purchase. Th is business
can be started for a relatively low cost with high return on investment. Keep a cell
phone with you so that you can easily respond to your next customer.
Keys to Success
Th is business is not for someone who is afraid of using good, hard elbow grease.
Be prepared to encounter some messy situations. An apartment preparer might
spend quite a bit of time on their hands and knees cleaning baseboards and fl oors.
Consider the health of your back and always wear a back brace. In addition, invest
in a good pair of kneepads and rubber gloves.