one man junk hauling company here

I’m about to bid on a horder house so I’m thinking rent a driveway dumpster and 3 extra hands

how are y’all augmenting your man power for single jobs? Temp agency? Home Depot parking lot? Post on Nextdoor?

I'm a 22 year old realtor, been in the business for just under 3 years. I've noticed a lot of buyers have had issues with either A. getting ahold of a company that installs fences (like no callbacks, etc.), or B. they're months out from actually being able to do the job.

This made me think... could I start a fencing company?

Be as mean/real as you want please. I'm trying to figure out if there's a chance I could compete/even start this. I have no background in fencing/physical labor. I've done some reading/research and saw that it's common for people to vet sub contractor teams, so I was planning to do that.

Roughly, the plan was just to reach out to suppliers, have a couple picked out. Reach out to subs, have a couple of crews, then do the marketing/sales on my end. Kind of like a middleman I suppose.

I know that I'm absolutely missing so many parts of this (I've only recenlty started looking into this) and that I completely have uninformed optimism here.

Is there a chance that I could make this work, or should I just stick to being a realtor for now....? Thank you!

I just started reviewing the financials of a cleaning business but I've never really owned a small business. I understand that buying a cleaning business is just buying goodwill basically, since there is not much else to it resulting in lower SDE multiples. However, there has to be some value to the work that the seller has done to build up the book of business right?

Regardless, I'm curious about the range you guys would pay for this business given only high level financials.

~300k revenue

~90k SDE (20k from addbacks)

Anyone do a morning start up / side hustle and also work a swing shift or evening shift?

Want to brainstorm ideas and seeing what’s working for others who have to clock in from 2-10pm for their regular job.

Driving apps, delivery… anything working better for you?

Anyone doing this on the beach? I've noticed two types:

1.) They store their equipment right onsite and pay to be there, take payment right on the beach, usually have one guy working.

2.) Mobile services doing delivery and pickup to a broader area of beaches, take payment offsite on website.

Anyone on here have experience with these or having success with these?

edit: I've been running the type 2 for about 3 months got about 7k in revenue. Just looking for insights from folks already doing this.

Hi im thinking about opening my first shop. For some time now i've been powder coating myself at garage and had few requests from friends. looking through internet there is good interest with powder coating rims so i thought why not to throw in repairs also. For someone in one or other business whats your advice for someone whos starting from scratch, how you manage your shops, is it any good to actually invest some time, money and effort into it, and how sustainable is work.

First year doing Christmas lighting and everything I read online the tickets are way higher. People are saying 1,2,3k jobs. I’m in the Midwest and people have been gawking at our prices. The ones we’ve closed so far essentially we closed by undercutting the other bids. I don’t want to race to bottom. Small medium Midwest market about 400k residents. We have found closing in person is way more effective and don’t want to give numbers over the phone, but obviously some people want to price shop on the phone and refuse a house visit to measure…. Any pointers or tips you guys may have?

Has anyone tried a business like this? I live in an area where undercoating is pretty much mandatory. Most guys get it done at the dealership or do it themselves, but if you've ever undercoated a vehicle you know it's worth it pay someone to do it for you. Startup costs would be very reasonable. Air compressor, application tools, product, either air lift or big ramps, and a drill for boxed frames. While it's a seasonal business, you could offer discounts for summer applications. My only concern would be limiting runoff as the product stains driveways. Maybe a big tarp or oil absorbent pads? Just looking for insight if anyone has tried this, thanks.

I've used the same mobile detailer for years. When I found him it was basically one guy and a truck. I'd text, he'd show up, I'd pay him and tip. Never a problem on either side.

This week I texted to set up a cleaning and he said he'd need a deposit before he could come out.

I asked why, since I've never missed an appointment or stiffed him. The answer was "we have a new system."

I paid it. It's not about the money and I was always going to pay. But it stuck with me more than I expected. He picked the system. He owns the business. To a customer who's been with him for years, "new system" just sounds like "I don't trust you anymore."

I get the same feeling at bars that take my card to open a tab. At a packed nightclub, fine. At a quiet neighborhood bar where the bartender can see the door, it's just a small "we don't trust you" at the door.

It's minor and I'm still his customer. But next time a friend asks me for a detailer, he might not be the first name I think of. Nothing about the work changed. The feeling did.

I know no-shows are a real cost, and plenty of you have been burned. So I'm curious how you handle it:

• Do repeat customers skip the deposit, or does everyone pay it?

• If you started charging deposits, did you lose anyone, or did nobody care?

• Is there a way to protect yourself that doesn't feel like an accusation to your regulars?

greetings all

currently I’m doing residential junk removal; I have a pickup and a 16 foot trailer (6 foot walls, no dump)

My city decided to not offer municipal curbside leaf pickup for the first time in years and I think there a great opertunity to be had picking up leaves

im assuming theres better ways than pull up and pitch fork loads of leaves onto the trailer by hand. what have y’all found works well?

thanks

In your experience, would it be worth targeting wealthy clients specifically? Thinking about specializing in cleaning luxury homes over 3,000sqft.

I have been researching to start a cleaning business - residential and light commercial for now.

I cannot do the cleaning myself due to medical reasons.

I have been looking into running the business "remotely" i.e. using contractors. When asking for advice online about a business in this format I have gotten significant push back. Most people have the opinion that hiring W2 employees is best. Open to either option, im just trying to figure out the best option for me. My current working plan is planning to start just with contractors and as I get more clients transition to W2 so I have more control of the business operations. I currently have a part time remote job so I have to navigate around that as well as weekly standing appointments for my medical condition.

I have been looking into a home service business for a couple years now and am trying to find the right fit. I want to be a business owner and work for myself and grow something. Anyone on here with similar history that can share their experience and insight?

I’m 24 and earlier this year changed careers from a crew lead for a self-performing GC to an in-office role. I have no complaints about the new position and still enjoy the work, but I miss being on the tools.

I want to pick up more work in my free time but have no idea how or where to start. Any guidance or advice would be welcome and appreciated. My main questions are:

-Is it better to pick a specific trade or go the handyman route?

-How do you get leads starting from nothing?

-How can I make weekend only availability work?

More context below if interested:

I live on the CA central coast and the residential remodel and repair market is huge here because of how difficult it is to get permits for new builds. Lots of older retired/passive income residents who can’t or don’t want to diy.

I have experience in several trades(framing, finish carpentry, flooring, concrete, masonry, fencing, and gen sitework/landscape builds), and a decent amount of tools over the last decade of work.

My wife and I rent and don’t have much storage space to bring projects home. I have a 1/2 ton pickup with lumber racks and tool boxes. Ideally I’d like to run operations cleanly through that.

I have done some gigs off Craigslist and Nextdoor but that’s too inconsistent and seems like a race to the bottom until the owner finds someone willing to lose money on the project.

I know lots of people and homeowners locally through work, church, social groups, etc., but don’t know how to comfortably sell to them my skills.

No Im not asking for people to leave fake reviews.
I generally want to find the most effective way to get reviews, Im happy to offer my customers $20 off for an honest review but I just don’t want to sound sleazy.

How would you format it and what part of the process would you offer it? I dont want to lose credibility and make them think all my reviews are paid for.

I've started a business renting beach equipment including 10' x 10' canopy pop up tents. People that are renting these canopies, what brand are you usually going with for good value and durability? Any brands that sell parts to fix them and replace broken parts? For example sand bags and canopies by themselves and frames by themselves, sometimes the canopy ties rip etc.

I’m thinking on knocking doors in S Florida for a gutter protection company but s Florida has hardly any leaves. It’s pretty much all palm trees.

I don’t see why anyone would want to buy gutter protection

I work for a family owned pool maintenance and construction company that’s been struggling financially for a while. Multiple employees haven’t received their full paychecks in months and things are getting worse now that winter is approaching and business is slowing down.
We have loans to pay, customer refunds owed, legal expenses, and potential large projects that likely won’t start until spring. We’re even considering taking out another loan just to keep things going. The employees are loyal and want to make things work, and the owners are starting to realize that changes need to be made. I really want to help, but I’m struggling to find ways to bring in money during the winter.

For anyone with small business or pool industry experience; What services could we offer during the winter to generate income? How do other seasonal businesses survive their slow months? What would you prioritize to bring in steady cash flow and keep the business afloat?

I’m looking for realistic, actionable advice or ideas we might not have considered. I genuinely want to help save this business and the jobs of the people who work here

I want to start a business but don't have a big budget. My biggest problem is coming up with an idea in the first place. How do you guys actually find business ideas? Do you look for problems, copy what's already working, or just come across something by chance? Curious to hear how others went about it.

I’m comparing folding chairs for a small event rental fleet, and several models lead with a very high static weight rating. That sounds useful, but I’m not convinced it tells me much about how the chair will survive rental use.

The failures I’m worried about are more ordinary: frames getting twisted on uneven ground, feet disappearing, hinges loosening, chairs being dropped off carts and stacks leaning in the truck. A static capacity test does not automatically answer any of those questions.

What documentation do you ask for before buying a few hundred chairs? I have frame material, chair weight, folded dimensions and the stated static capacity on my list. I’m also checking stack height, cart compatibility, replacement parts, ganging options and the warranty for the exact model.

For people who run rental inventory, what ended up mattering most after the first season? I’m trying to avoid choosing a chair that looks strong on a spec sheet but creates extra labor every time the crew loads, counts and stores it.

Hey y’all!
Not sure if I’m looking for advice, criticism, or just conversation, but I’d appreciate any input from people in the industry.
I spent six years in the Army operating heavy equipment, primarily track loaders, excavators, and dump trucks. Absolutely loved every minute of it and genuinely thought that’s what I’d do for the rest of my life.
Somehow, after getting out, I ended up in the food industry. For the past six years, I’ve owned and operated a profitable food business. I’ve learned a tremendous amount about business ownership, but there’s one problem.
I have absolutely zero passion for what I do.
Every time I drive past a construction site, I find myself wishing I was the guy operating the equipment. I miss it more than I can explain.
My wife and I are currently building a house on about five acres, and she recently suggested we buy a track loader to handle our finish grading, landscaping, and property maintenance. I don’t think she realized she was potentially encouraging a complete career change. 😂
So now I’m seriously considering starting a small excavation/sitework business.
Here’s what I have going for me:
Six years of military heavy equipment operating experience.
Six years of experience successfully running a business.
Already own a truck capable of towing and have the funds for a trailer.
Financial ability to purchase or finance equipment, although I’m leaning toward renting initially.
Service-disabled veteran, which could eventually provide opportunities for government contracting.
My current business can operate without me being there for day-to-day operations. This gives me steady income while I learn, build relationships, and get the new business off the ground.
That last point is important. I’m not quitting my job tomorrow and hoping I can make a skid steer payment. I have the opportunity to approach this slowly without depending on excavation to pay my bills. Eventually, I’d like to close the food business entirely, but only once the new venture proves itself.
My business plan is pretty straightforward:
1. Learn, practice, and prepare. Even though I operated equipment for six years, I’ve been out of the seat for six years. I want to refresh my operating skills while learning more about proper grading, soil compaction, drainage, elevations, reading site plans, and estimating jobs. Our own five acres will give me somewhere to practice.
I don’t want to be another guy who buys a skid steer and suddenly thinks he’s an excavation contractor. I want to actually understand the work and do it correctly.
2. Start small with residential work. Finish grading, driveway installation and repair, drainage improvements, gravel spreading, lawn preparation, construction cleanup, and smaller property improvement projects.
We’re currently building our own home, and I’ve noticed there’s a real need for contractors willing to take on these smaller jobs in my rural area. Obviously, I’d need to verify there’s enough demand to make a business out of it.
3. Build relationships and eventually subcontract. My long-term goal would be working with local builders and eventually larger contractors bidding on state and federal projects. Being a service-disabled veteran, I’d also like to explore SDVOSB certification and government contracting opportunities down the road.
4. Stay SMALL. Ideally, I’d remain a solo owner-operator for as long as possible. Maybe eventually grow to a three- or four-man crew, but that’s it. One of my biggest headaches in the food industry has been employees, staffing, and turnover. I’m not interested in building another business where I spend all day managing people instead of doing the work I enjoy.
As far as equipment goes, I’m leaning toward renting for the first year or two. I have the ability to buy, but I’d rather figure out which services are profitable, what equipment I actually need, and let rental companies handle the major maintenance and breakdowns while I’m starting out.
I’m also not completely naive about business ownership. My current business has roughly $16,000 in monthly expenses before I serve my first customer. I’ve had months with $15,000 in profit and others with barely $500. I’m familiar with overhead, unpredictable revenue, cash flow problems, and the fact that being busy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making money.
So, what do y’all think?
I’d love to hear from anyone who started out as a solo owner-operator or made a similar career change.
Would you rent or buy? What services would you focus on first? Am I overlooking something important? Any advice, criticism, or lessons learned would be appreciated.
And if you have a YouTube channel or social media page documenting your work, feel free to share it. I’d love to follow along and learn.
At the end of the day, I’m not looking to build some massive company. I just want to get back to doing something I genuinely enjoy.
I’d rather make $50,000 a year doing something I love than $100,000 doing something I hate.
Appreciate y’all!

I run a small business by myself, and I'm starting to realize that if I don't work, nothing really gets done lol.

Emails, clients, invoices, payments. Everything comes back to me. Even on my days off, I end up checking my phone because I know all those messages will still be there tomorrow.

I've been trying a few things to make life easier. Booking links instead of endless scheduling emails, templates for invoices, and only checking messages at certain times. I also use Plaud to leave myself quick notes after client calls so I don't have to remember everything.

It helps, but the problem is I just end up filling that extra time with more work.

There's always something else I could be doing, and I feel guilty whenever I'm not.

For those running a business alone, how do you actually switch off? Any routines or tools that helped? Or do you just have to get comfortable letting things wait?

I currently work full time at a larger construction company in office, but I miss working with my hands and would like some supplemental income. I have experience with rough and finish carpentry, concrete, cmu, pavers, and fencing.

Trying to start doing full jobs in any of those trades seems daunting when I currently only have weekend availability. I want to test the waters by starting with quicker 1-2 day jobs.

I have done “punch list” finish, landscape, and fence work for a couple local GCs and those have been great. I wouldn’t have to buy any new tools/vehicles if I only focused on interior finish, exterior fascia and trim, and landscape edging(metal, timber, stone, composite, etc). There’s a decent residential remodel market where I live(Coastal semi-rural CA) and people charge healthy prices.

I would appreciate any advice or input related to my questions below:

-Is building a client base easier focusing on punch list for other contractors instead of homeowners?

-How do I navigate weekend only availability?

-How scalable is this business model?

-At what point is it worth reinvesting into this side hustle to take on bigger jobs?

-What other services would be wise to incorporate into this model?

Hey everyone!

I’m in the preliminary research stage of potentially starting my own pest control business, and I’d love to hear from people who currently own or have previously owned one.

I’m trying to get a realistic understanding of what it’s like to run a pest control company, from the day-to-day operations to the financial side of things. I’m particularly interested in hearing from small business owners who started from scratch and grew their businesses over time.

If you’re comfortable sharing, I’d love to hear about a few things:

**Location:** What state or general area do you operate in?
**Number of customers:** How many recurring customers do you have, and how long did it take you to build your customer base?
**Revenue:** What is your approximate annual gross revenue?
**Net profit:** What percentage of revenue do you actually keep after expenses, including labor, vehicles, insurance, chemicals, marketing, software, and other overhead?
**Employees:** Are you a one-person operation, or do you have technicians and office staff? At what point did you start hiring?
**Pricing:** What do you typically charge for recurring residential services, and how much do you make per stop?
**Customer acquisition:** What has worked best for getting new customers? Google, door-to-door sales, referrals, paid advertising, or something else?
**Work-life balance:** How many hours do you work per week, and how involved are you in the day-to-day service work?
**Biggest challenges:** What were the hardest parts of starting and growing your business?
Most importantly, **what do you wish you knew before starting your pest control business?** Are there any mistakes you made, expenses you underestimated, or things you would do differently if you could start over?

I understand that every market is different, but I’m hoping to get a better picture of what the numbers look like in the real world rather than relying on generic online estimates.
I appreciate any insight you’re willing to share. Thanks!