Starting A Gutter Cleaning Business

What Is Involved In Running A Gutter Cleaning Business?

A gutter cleaning business owner begins his or her day by preparing the day's schedule, making sure that all of the vehicles in the fleet are stocked with all the supplies they need. This is also the time to meet with crew leaders, if the business is large enough to employ a crew, to discuss scheduling, employee performance and any customer service issues.

The gutter cleaner drives a planned circular route without backtracking from job to job. However, there is the occasional all-day job. Once the gutter cleaner arrives at the job site and assess the work, he or she sets up their ladder and gets to work removing all of the debris that has accumulated in the gutters. While cleaning, any missing or damaged gutter screens are replaced. Finally, the gutter spouts are flushed and all attachment points are checked to ensure security.

After the job is complete, all ladders and equipment are put away and the work area is straightened. The client has the option of paying immediately or receiving an invoice to pay later. Now it is time to move on to the next job. Once the final job scheduled has been completed, the gutter cleaner heads back to the office to file invoices, restock work vehicles and other end of the day duties.

Equipment Necessary To Run A Gutter Cleaning Business:

Ladders
Gloves
Trash bags
Protective eyewear
Reliable transportation
Pressure washer with a telescopic wand and gutter cleaner attachment
Business cards
Cell phone or two-way radios
Computer with Internet access
Website
Hoses
Leaf blower
Business cards

The Cons Of Running A Gutter Cleaning Business:

image of full gutter

Work is performed up high on roof tops or ladders
Physically demanding labor
Seasonal trade

The Pros Of Running A Gutter Cleaning Business:

The ability to set your own schedule
A great occupation for anyone who enjoys the outdoors
You can offer additional related services such as snow removal, gardening or window washing to earn more money

Skills Necessary To Run A Gutter Cleaning Business:

Communication skills
Ability to lift at least 100 lbs
No fear of heights
Detail oriented

Licenses Necessary For Running A Gutter Cleaning Business:

You will need a business license and possibly bonding and insurance. Check with the Chamber of Commerce in your area for any additional license or permit requirements.

Associations:

image of an eavestrough

National Rain Gutter Contractor Association

American Association of Rain Carrying System Installation Specialists

Gutter Installers Association

Employees & Job Requirements:

As your company expands, you may wish to hire additional crewmembers. Gutter cleaning crewmembers navigate to jobs, do manual labor, and are reliable enough to take on any task delegated to them.

Approximate Minimum Startup Cost:

Investing in nothing more than a reliable vehicle, garden hose and ladder it is possible to start a gutter cleaning business out of your home for less than $2,000. If you decide to start with a larger business, the cost will increase accordingly.

12 Steps To Starting A Gutter Cleaning Business

Before You consider a Gutter Cleaning Business, see 16 Questions to Consider Before Starting a Business
1. Ensure A Gutter Cleaning Business is for You!

You have a choice as to what business you're going to start, so start one that's right for you. Getting into the right business can dramatically increase your success. Get into the wrong business and your success rate drops. Read Five Secrets to Getting into the Right Business for more information.

2. Understand How A Gutter Cleaning Business Operates

How can you run a Gutter Cleaning Business if you don't know much about the business? What if you run into an issue that you can't or won't deal with? Then what? You're in a business that you hate working in and that's a problem. See Understand How a Business Operates for more information.

3. Make Sure there is a Profitable Market for Your Business

What's the use of starting a Gutter Cleaning Business that is not profitable? You'll be putting all your effort in something that can't support itself or you. There are a variety of issues when it comes to setting the stage for profitability. See Tips for Identifying a Profitable Market.

4. Create a Business Plan For Your Gutter Cleaning Business

A business plan is a must for any size business because it helps you stay focused, see the big picture, and get funding. It's something that you create when you start your business and then update as your Gutter Cleaning Business evolves. Read our free online guide on How to Write a Business Plan

5. Set up your Business Team

Setting up your team includes finding the right employees and professionals that will help you run your Gutter Cleaning Business.

You don't need to employ everyone you work with, but you will need a team of people you can depend on, which could consist of a lawyer, accountant, banker, and consultant, as well as professionals in your industry. See Creating a Business Team for more on this subject.

6. Get a Small Business Loan if You Don't Have the Money to Start

If you don't have the money to get started, then you'll need the necessary financing or you won't have the opportunity to start your Gutter Cleaning Business. This can be done as a small business loan, a personal loan, or other small business financing options.

For more on financing your Gutter Cleaning Business see our guide on Financing Your Small Business

7. Legalize Your Gutter Cleaning Business

In order to run your Gutter Cleaning Business legally you'll need to abide by government rules and regulations on the state and local level.

You'll need to do your research, determine what type of business (sole proprietorship, corporation LLC, etc.) to register, create and register your business name, and register your Gutter Cleaning Business with state and local authorities.

To go through the business registration process, see Chapter 6: Making Your Business Legitimate, starting with 6 Easy Steps to a Good Business Name.

8. Get Equipment for Your Gutter Cleaning Business

In order to run your Gutter Cleaning Business successfully and efficiently you'll need to acquire the right type of equipment. How can you run an online business without a computer? You can't! This is an important issue. See Acquiring Equipment for more on this topic.

9. Insure Your Gutter Cleaning Business

Make sure you have the proper insurance for your Gutter Cleaning Business. Without the right coverage you could lose everything you've worked for. For tips on insuring your Gutter Cleaning Business, see our free online guide: Insuring Your Small Business.

10. Prepare To Accept Money

You'll need a way to accept money, you can't depend just on cash or checks. You'll need to accept plastic: Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. To do that you'll need to apply for a merchant account. See Setting Up a Merchant Account for more on this topic.

11. Set up Your Accounting System

Running a Gutter Cleaning Business requires you to collect taxes, and report your earnings. So it's best to set up an accounting system in before you start your Gutter Cleaning Business. See Setting Up Your Accounting System for more on this topic.

12. Acquire Customers for your Gutter Cleaning Business

In order to exist, every business needs customers. Getting customers is one thing you'll need to be good at. If you can master the tasks of getting customers, it's just like turning on a cash machine almost any time you want. See Acquiring Customers for more on this topic

See Also: Our Free Online Guide to Starting A Business

Gutter Cleaning Business Issues's:

Estimating Startup Costs - Find out if you're forgetting something

Business Location - Choosing A suitable one For Your Gutter Cleaning Business

Gutter Cleaning Business Research:

Image of a gutter full of leaves

Here are some popular terms people are looking for online. These may help you during your research.

gutter cleaning
gutter cleaning service
gutter cleaning tools
gutter cleaning tool
gutter cleaning equipment
rain gutter cleaning
gutter cleaning services
gutters cleaning
cleaning gutter
gutter cleaning business

Business Builders For Your Gutter Cleaning Business:

Business cards for Your Gutter Cleaning Business

Business Plan for Your Gutter Cleaning Business

Business Insurance for Your Gutter Cleaning Business

Small Business Loans: Finance Your Gutter Cleaning Business

More Business Ideas:

Share |