Gutter cleaning business license

The Small Business Administration has a great tool to help you write your business plan. As you can imagine, getting the right equipment for your gutter cleaning business is essential. The following list is not exhaustive, but it does include the basic equipment you will need to get started as a professional in this space.

If you want to buy any of the above items, check out my gutter cleaning equipment and supplies page for links to all of the corresponding Amazon product pages.

Using the items above, you can clean gutters with your hands, but there are other ways to get the job done. Check out this article by Bob Villa that shows you 5 ways to clean gutters if you want to know some alternative strategies for cleaning gutters quickly and efficiently. Of course, in addition to equipment, you are going to be need some form of transportation to get you and your equipment to customer sites.

If you don't own a truck that can carry the large ladder, you can rent one out for jobs as needed. But once you make enough money to buy or at least finance a decent used truck, you should do so. Marketing your business is going to be key to running a successful gutter cleaning business.

Because of the low barrier to entry, competition is going to be fierce, so you need to be on point with your marketing. If you want to go old school, you can also advertise in your local newspapers, circulars, or through direct mail, etc.

Walk around your neighborhood and leave flyers or even knock on doors on the weekends. Talk to folks and see if they would be willing to give your services a try. A lot of people forget about their gutters until someone reminds them they may need attention. When doing this, make sure you look and act professional. Show them you are a legit operation by having business cards and demonstrating that you are appropriately licensed and insured. Ultimately, you want to experiment with various marketing strategies — you may be surprised at what works best.

Most gutter cleaning companies charge by linear foot which is just how long the gutters are around the given area , with prices being higher for second story gutters. You may also want to charge a premium for roofs that are so steep that they are unwalkable. Here's an example of how you can calculate pricing.

Let's say you have a two story home with gutters on each level. Of course, the above calculation does not really help you figure out what to charge per linear foot. For that, you should evaluate the prevailing market pricing. Take a look at what other gutter cleaning services in your area are charging.

Some of them may have very detailed pricing information on their website. Or you can just call them for a quote. Try to be competitive or even undercut their prices.

As a beginner you are trying to take market share from existing businesses, so you will need to sweeten the pot. Ultimately, you may need to experiment with different pricing to find the sweet spot. I have many costs that are being taken out of that number- fuel, truck maintenance, insurance costs, and many other miscellaneous costs.

I also have to factor in the time it took to get to and from the job, and to communicate with the customer. This is something you can gently bring up if a customer ever balks at your pricing.

In your particular area, you may have to start at a lower price point. Do some research and find out what others are charging for gutter cleaning. Make sure your numbers are similar in order to stay competitive. How to clean gutters I realize cleaning gutters is not rocket science, but there are numerous ways it can be done. I suggest doing what you feel comfortable with, according to what you have specified with the customer. I am also a roofer, so I am very comfortable walking on a roof.

If at all possible, I try to clean gutters from up on the roof, reaching down into the gutter. This is mainly for speed. When the roof is too steep, I will set up the ladder every six feet or so, reaching feet to my right and left.

You need to do what is comfortable and safe for you. Make sure the feet of the ladder are on stable, level ground. It would be wise to wear heavy-duty rubber gloves, especially if the gutter debris is wet. You will notice some rather disgusting waste in the gutters, so it is important to keep your hands clean. I have encountered dead animals such as bats, birds, mice, and other rodents, mosquito larvae, ants, worms, along with various forms of animal excrement.

Another reason to wear gloves is to protect your hands from cuts. There are sharp edges on the gutters, screws and nails, metal flashing, and other roofing materials that can slice or pierce your hands. I have had my heavy-duty gloves ruined because of sharp edges. I am very careful about where I drop debris. Obviously, you do not want to throw half-rotten leaves down on a beautiful flowerbed or shrubs. The idea is not to leave a mess for the homeowner. Either use a bucket, lay down a tarp, or try to throw the debris in a pile that you can easily clean up later.

Every homeowner is different. STEP 2 Find a location and obtain all necessary repair equipment. You can also use your home to make repairs. Most governments will not let you do auto repairs out of you home or garage but in such case simply go mobile.

That is, use your home as a home office and go to your clients home or business to make the repairs. Whichever one you select, you will need to also obtain a general Business License and a federal tax ID number because a repair shop is a business. You will also need a Sellers Permit if you want to buy the parts wholesale.

If you will hire anyone to help you with the repairs, you will also need a state employer tax ID. Fees Obtain It Online Now! Since civilization begun as we know it, in about 12, BCE, a cleaning person or business to clean a house or another commercial business was always in need because, lets face it, no one likes to clean anything.

It will grow 5. Residential cleaning services is the highest requested service by female cleaning workers. In addition, baby boomers and other retiring age groups are driving the growth of domestic cleaning services. Thus, from to s, this business is one of the most promising business you can get into.

Get It Now In some states, construction licenses can help you collect damages if a client fails to pay you for your work. Aside from a business license that is necessary, there are other licenses you might need to clean gutters in the United States. Adequate licenses and permits show prospective clients that your business is qualified to handle the job and in compliance with local regulations, and they can keep you from getting fines that impact your bottom line.

Toggle navigation ProfitableVenture.