Construction companies are good at constructing things, but they often don’t want to deal with cleaning up. That’s where a construction cleanup business comes in.
Although starting a construction cleanup business is hard at first (then again, starting any business is hard), the market is big, and there’s a lot of room for growth. Here are the steps to take if you want to start a construction cleanup business:
1. Purchase the necessary equipment.
Here are some cleanup equipment and supplies you might need in cleaning up a construction site:
- Small bulldozers for removing heavy debris
- Window cleaning supplies
- Brooms and dust pans
- A trash pump for dewatering
- Metal polishing chemicals
- Stain removers
- Industrial garbage bins
- Safety equipment such as first aid kits, hard hats, uniforms, and dust masks
- Larger items such as trailers and trucks for hauling the debris.
Some of these tools may be pricey. You can always lease them at first if your capital isn’t enough to purchase all of them at once.
2. Plan thoroughly.
The first step is to carefully plan for your business. You need to understand your target market, initial costs, how long it will take for you to break even, and so on. At this phase, you need to come up with a solid business plan that maps where you want to take your business and how it will get there.
3. Sort out legal requirements.
Each Australian city has different requirements for a construction site cleanup business. You’d need to apply for a business license then form a legal entity.
Forming a legal entity such as a corporation will allow you to protect yourself in case your company gets sued. A legal entity is a separate “person” from its owners. You’d also need to apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN), register a business name, and set up a business bank account.
You’d also have to sort out your taxes and business insurance. Getting insurance is crucial for a construction cleanup business as it will protect you and your employees in case of an accident or injury on a job site.
4. Market your services.
A few places you can start when marketing your services are local construction companies, property management companies, renovation companies, and even janitorial companies. But before you reach out to any prospects, make sure you have your marketing materials on point.
These are the bare minimums:
- A brochure outlining the general and specific cleaning services your company offers. Make sure that they’d understand what types of construction sites you can work in.
- Before and after photos (if possible)
- A company Facebook page
Getting your first client can be tough since you won’t have the experience to back you up. What you can do is to offer a discounted or even a pro bono work for a client or a friend who might need your help.
Also, a company Facebook page is important since a lot of clients will look you up on the internet before considering working with you. Make sure your page is professional with a high-quality logo, a well-written “About Us” section, business hours, and contact information.
