How To Start A Roof Cleaning Business

Avoid Further Roof Damage

If left untreated, algae can cause rot and damage your roof. If that happens, youll have to repair or even replace your shingles earlier than expected. Avoid the headache of needing roof work by relying on our professional roof cleaning service. We remove any algae before it takes hold and causes additional damage to your shingles.

In todays market, a lot of asphalt shingles are constructed using crush limestones. This limestone acts as a rich food source for algae to thrive on your roof. Living in Jacksonville, Florida creates a perfect environment due to the amount of rain and sun we receive. The black streaks you see on your roof is a form of this bacteria called gloeocapsa magma. This bacteria protects itself by creating its own layer of sunscreen so it can survive on your roof. Not only will the bacteria eat away at your roof, but it will cause your roof to be not as reflective. This means your roof isnt reflecting sunlight away from the house which can actually increase your overall energy consumption.

During the estimate, well access your roof and come up with a custom roof cleaning package specific for your roof. Whether you have asphalt or tile shingles, we have the experience and tools to get it looking new again. Give us a call today to schedule your free roof cleaning Jacksonville, FL estimate. Were on a mission to get every roof in Jacksonville sparkling clean!

How To Promote & Market A Roof Cleaning Business

Let us now focus on some of the techniques that make it easy to apply to promote your roof cleaning business.

How Do You Quote A Roof Cleaner Job

Roof cleaning is more dangerous than standard exterior cleaning, simply because you need to be on a ladder and the roof itself. You will also typically need longer hoses to reach the water source, and specialty cleansers meant for shingles and tiles. In turn, roof washing is often pricier than standard exterior power washing.

Some contractors charge by the square foot, usually between $0.08 and $0.35, and others by the hour. When starting out, you might struggle to estimate a roofs size and how long it takes to complete the project, so dont worry if your first jobs seem underpriced, as youll be able to hone your pricing technique in time.

Don’t Miss: How Are Roof Shingles Made

Is This Business Right For You

The roof cleaning business is great for any previous roofing contractor, cleaner or household maintenance worker. It has a high profit potential, and its great for eco-lovers, explorative types, and hard workers alike. Workers can be their own boss, control their own schedule, eliminate costly trial-and-error methods, and experience a rapid startup.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Get Ready To Pay Taxes

Whether or not you need to collect sales tax on your roof cleaning business will vary by state, so check with an accountant or your states website to note your requirements. Youll also need to pay self-employment or business tax yourself if youre not sure the best way to file taxes after opening your own business, consult with an accountant or invest in a tax program such as TurboTax, to make the process easier.

Read Also: How Much To Replace Garage Roof

Set Up Business Accounting And Bookkeeping

To keep track of your finances when starting a cleaning company, you’ll need to set up a bookkeeping and accounting system. This is important so that you understand your business’s cash flow and will also be important for tax-filing purposes.

Business accounting is how your business records, organizes, interprets, and presents its financial information. Accountants analyze the financial condition of a business to help the business owner make better decisions.

Bookkeeping is the recording, organization, storage, and retrieval of financial information related to your business.

The main difference between the two is that bookkeeping is how you record and categorize financial information, whereas accounting puts the information to use through analysis, strategy, and tax planning.

Many small businesses will use an outside bookkeeper, paid hourly to handle all entries, pay all the bills, and manage invoicing and receivables. Having help with this aspect of managing a small company can be indispensable, and the time it can free for a busy owner, is invaluable.

Choosing The Right Equipment And Cleaning Products

The equipment you need will depend a lot on the type of cleaning business you have decided to launch.

You can start a residential cleaning service with just a few basic supplies, and you dont need to purchase anything until youve landed your first client!

A good quality vacuum cleaner is probably going to be the most expensive item of equipment, but you dont need one with all the bells and whistles to get started with.

Other items include a mop , rags, cloths, toilet brush, dusters, broom, dustpan and brush and paper towels.

Youll also need cleaning products such as an all-purpose spray, furniture polish and window cleaner. We recommend choosing environmentally friendly, commercial grade cleaning supplies .

Dont be tempted to go for low quality tools or products simply to save money youll end up spending more time at each job to get the desired result, and you could even end up damaging your clients house or office furniture / carpets.

Read Also: How Much To Replace A Roof On A Mobile Home

Get The Skills For The Roof Cleaning Business

Acquire Skills

Skills give you money. Did you know that? Starting a business without acquiring the skills for doing that business is dangerous. If you do not get the skills yourself, you will have to employ others with the required skills.

The roof cleaning business requires trained personnel because of the risky nature of working on top of roofs. Do not expose yourself and your workers to such risks. Get the appropriate hands-on training to avoid unnecessary risks and damaging the rooftops.

Some of the risks involved are:

Stability Is the roof stable enough to support a human being of your weight. If the top is weak, you risk falling with it.

Weather conditions In the rainy season, roofs become slippery, while in the dry climate, they are too hot. What are you supposed to do to protect yourself in such changing weather conditions?

Pitch Some roofs are so steep that you have to take precautions before setting your foot on them.

Holes An open roof hole can be deadly to you or your workers.

Ladder The ladder you use must be strong enough to ensure your security. Secondly, ladder placement is a skill you have to learn.

Step Ladders

Key Considerations About Roof Cleaning

When it comes to roof cleaning, you should seek out a professional roof cleaning service and avoiddoing it yourself.Roof cleaning isnt as costly as you might think, explains Ivy Bauman, a health writer atAustralia2Write and Write My X . Rather than seeing the cost of professional roof cleaning as anexpense, think of it as an investment in the lifespan of your roof. The alternative, if you dont getyour roof properly cleaned, is having to replace it which is far more expensive.As well as having more experience of roof cleaning, a reputable company will also be much bettersuited to handling the necessary chemical cleaners needed to successfully clean roofs.Additionally, by using proper equipment which has been regulated, they are also much less likely tocause damage to property.

Also Check: How Long Does It Take To Install Roof

Tips For Establishing A Roof Cleaning Business

The first thing which you need to determine is the start-up cost of course because you need to estimate the expenses entailed in the business for you to track your financial transactions regularly. The things which you need to purchase are rinsing tool, ladders and other cleaning supplies. Because you are rendering a service, you also need to have a purchasing insurance to cover for the protection of the tools once they got damaged.

In this business, marketing strategies are very important because this is how you will be able to capture the trust and interest of potential clients in availing of your service. The most popular and low-cost forms of advertising are through distributing of flyers and brochures, putting a banner and placing an ad in the local magazine or newspaper.

If you have competitors in your area, you also need to think of ways on how you will be able to surpass them by offering things which they do not offer. You can effectively investigate them by looking at their rate and accreditation in the Better Business Bureau . Of course, nothing beats the best way to surpass them by simply doing your job well in cleaning the roofs of your clients. Always bear in mind the maxim, the result of a good work is more work.

The final process which you need to undergo in this business is thinking to open a franchise. Even though you need to work adhering to their rules, the promotional will already be done and the cleaning materials will also be determined.

Best 5 Roof Cleaning Franchise Opportunities In Usa In 2022

Roof cleaning franchise business provides a good opportunity for those entrepreneurs who are looking for an inexpensive concept which will always be in demand. One can buy a franchise operating in the field for up to 100K and spend only on equipment, cleaning detergents and salary of a few employees. Nevertheless, roof cleaning business caters to the needs of a wide range of customers. It includes both residential and commercial services. The ones embrace mold, dirt, dust, grime removal ventilation, window, chimney and gutter cleaning lightning installation, and a lot of others. The most advanced roof cleaning companies try to use up-to-date cleaning tools and methods. A lot of them apply environmentally friendly cleaning materials as well as modern devices. If you`d like to become an owner of a roof cleaning franchise, take a glance at our selection of top companies operating in the industry. There is sure to be something special for you to buy!

Read Also: How To Open Mini Cooper Convertible Roof Manually

Write A Business Plan

Once you choose a niche for your cleaning company and define your cleaning services, it’s time to write a business plan.

Although writing a business plan isnt mandatory for a cleaning business, it can help you crystallize your ideas and avoid many mistakes.

Studies show that entrepreneurs who take the time to write a business plan when starting a cleaning business are 2.5 times more likely to follow through and get their business off the ground. The work that goes into creating a business plan also helps new entrepreneurs build skills that will be invaluable later.

For insights and free downloadable business plan templates, read this definitive guide on how to write a business plan. And if your time is limited, read the section of that guide on how to write a one page business plan. Several excellent one-page business plan frameworks can help you put together a quick, actionable plan to start a cleaning business of your own.

Finally, look at these ten business plan tips on writing a great business plan.

Advertising Your Gutter Cleaning Business

For some business name ideas: Gutter Business Name Ideas

You can start with basic business cards and flyers. Create a flyer that includes a special introductory rate for your gutter cleaning business. Distribute the flyers in a neighborhood where you would feel comfortable cleaning the average size of houses there at the rate on your flyer.

You can also create a flyer to pass out in a neighborhood where you just finished a job. The flyer can let potential customers know that you just did a job in their neighborhood, and that they can take advantage of the same pricing.

Yard signs can also be an effective way to advertise.

A low cost website will be an asset if you intend to become more established. It doesnt have to be fancy. Include your services along with important contact information. If you choose to include pricing, be careful of your wording. You dont want to give a customer the impression they will be paying one low price, but then find out the actual price is much higher for the size of their house.

Don’t Miss: How To Open A Roofing Company

Make Sure The Price Is Right

One of the reasons Queen Bee attracts and keeps so many customers is that its prices are highly competitive, and its more convenient than other companies.

They still pay their staff well and grow their profits year after year, too. As we told you initially, Chris told us theres no better time to start a cleaning business than now.

The following chart shows the monthly revenue and margins for Queen Bee. His gross margins include everything except marketing and net margins are after marketing. This also includes the salaries of both Chris and his wife.

How To Start A Cleaning Business

A cleaning business can be lucrative and rewarding at both the residential and commercial levels.

Before you pack up your mops, brooms, and Magic Erasers, consider these facts:

• In May 2018, there were about 924,290 jobs in residential cleaning with the titles maid or housekeeper, and estimates suggest that 236,500 new cleaning jobs will be created by 2023.
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics also shows the cleaning industry growth at 7%, above the national average for all occupations. The field is expected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, presenting a good opportunity for prospective business owners in this category.
• Hourly rates for house cleaning range from $20 to $50 per hour per worker, with most home cleaning visits lasting at least two hours with one worker for $75$110.

Household cleaners market value worldwide from 2017 to 2025 *

But, even if youre motivated by the potential to become a cleaning business owner, its natural that youd still have some questions when deciding whether to start a cleaning business.

One of the first decisions youll need to make as a business owner when you start a cleaning company is to decide if youre interested in starting a residential or commercial cleaning service.

Read Also: Is Replacing Your Roof A Good Investment

What Are The 4 Types Of Business Entities

• A sole proprietorship is the most basic business entity. A sole proprietorship means that one person is solely responsible for business profits and debts.
• A partnership is a shared responsibility between two or more people who hold personal liability for a business.
• Limited Liability Company is a business structure that permits owners, partners, or shareholders to limit personal liability but still includes tax and flexibility benefits associated with a partnership.
• A corporation is an entity legally considered separate from its owners. That means that corporations are permitted to own property, be held liable, pay taxes, and enter contracts.

Be sure to consider which entity will work best for your cleaning company while considering future business goals.

Also, remember that when starting a cleaning company, most states require you to register your cleaning business before you take on cleaning jobs, with the secretary of state or county clerk in the county in which you operate your business if the trade name under which you operate your business differs from the legal business name of your business.

Watch Your Roof Cleaning Business Grow Every Year

Roof Cleaning Business Total + Stain Block Year 1 homes $85,000 + Stain Block 150 Year 1 homes+ Stain Block 175 year 2 homes $107,500 Every Weekend

Strip Malls need cleaning too!Clean Mold / Grime from Dryvit surfaces!Make $$$ THOUSANDS

I’ve tried roof cleaning products that required 3 times the recommendation, costs were just crazy and even the soft wash roof cleaning fad. To make a living I need a product that is reliable, and fairly priced. Roof Cleaner QSE has worked for me over 8 years!

Also Check: How Do You Clean Your Roof

Startup Requirements And Equipment For Your Gutter Cleaning Business:

Insurance I recommend some form of liability insurance for any type of home improvement work. In some states liability insurance for a gutter cleaning business may be required by law. If an accident involving person or property where to happen, you need to be covered. Talk with your insurance agent. A basic liability plan for cleaning gutters should be a lower cost than some other home improvement businesses. If you plan on doing any roof work, be prepared to pay much more.

Taxes If you are planning to make more than a few hundred dollars a year, you should file a business name with the IRS, get an Employee Identification Number , and set up a business account with your bank. As a sole-proprietor of a small business, taxes should not be too difficult. An accountant can also be a help.

Contractor License Your state or city may require a license to perform work. Make sure you are legally permitted to do work in your area.

-Ladders- a 24 ft./26 ft. ladder should be enough for majority of gutter cleaning jobs, but a 32 ft. ladder will be more than adequate for 99% of any jobs you may get. If you are going to start with just one ladder, a 24 ft. ladder should be sufficient. Werner makes a 26 ft. multi-ladder that could be flexible enough for various uses.

-Vehicle- Any vehicle you can can fit your ladder on will work. If you use a multi-ladder, you could even fit your ladder in a small car. For larger ladders you may want to invest in a ladder rack.