Gutters are excellent at collecting water from roofs and directing it down specific channels, but they also do a great job of collecting other debris. While homeowners can clear out this debris themselves, many prefer not to, aren’t comfortable on a ladder, or don’t have the time. Instead, they have a gutter cleaning business remove the leaves, branches, and other stuff that collects in their gutters over time.
Gutter cleaning is part of the ”building exterior cleaning industry”, a $9 billion industry that’s seen 5 percent annual growth over the past five years. The industry at large, and gutter cleaning, in particular, present many promising opportunities for prospective business owners.
Start a gutter cleaning business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Gutter Cleaning Business
- Form your Gutter Cleaning Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Gutter Cleaning Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Gutter Cleaning Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Gutter Cleaning Business
- Get Gutter Cleaning Business Insurance
- Define your Gutter Cleaning Business Brand
- Create your Gutter Cleaning Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
There is more to starting a business than just registering it with the state. We have put together this simple guide to starting your gutter cleaning business . These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
What are the costs involved in opening a business ?
A gutter cleaning business can be started for less than $2,000, especially if business owners already have some equipment. Business owners need:
A vehicle that can transport a ladder
A ladder (24 or 32 feet is sufficient for most jobs)
A ladder stabilizer (to keep the ladder off the gutters and for safety)
Buckets and tarps (for collecting debris)
Heavy-duty rubber gloves
Insurance
Business owners may also want a pressure washer for quickly cleaning downspouts, and a leaf blower for quickly cleaning dry debris. These aren’t absolutely necessary.
Those who don’t have a vehicle that can carry a ladder can start out renting a truck whenever they have a job. Once the business generates enough income to purchase a larger vehicle, business owners can get something that will hold a ladder.
What are the ongoing expenses for a business ?
The ongoing expenses for a gutter cleaning business are minimal. They include fuel, vehicle maintenance, and insurance premiums.
Who is the target market?
The primary market for a gutter cleaning business is homeowners who can afford to contract out at least some home maintenance. These tend to be middle, upper-middle, and upper class homeowners.
How does a gutter cleaning business make money?
A gutter cleaning business charges homeowners for cleaning out their home’s gutters. Business owners will frequently base their fees on how many linear feet of gutters a home has, although they may calculate a flat rate for the whole job. It’s also common to charge more for second-story gutters than first-story ones.
As an example, assume a business owner charges $1.00 per linear foot for first-story gutters and $1.50 per foot for second-story gutters. On a two-story house with 80 feet of first-story gutters and 45 feet of second-story gutters, the price would come to $147.50 (80 ft. x $1.00 + 45 ft. $1.50). The business owner may quote $150 to the customer for this job.