First impressions are everything. No matter how beautiful your house looks on the inside, if the ride up to your house doesn’t catch everyone’s eye, the interior will simply be an afterthought.
Now, the problem arises when you’ve spent thousands of dollars setting up the perfect driveway, but because it’s always going to be exposed to the elements unless you get it seal coated.
This is a dilemma everyone that has a driveway will encounter at some point in their life. That means endless potential customers. That’s what makes the driveway sealing business so lucrative!
If you’ve been on the fence about starting up your very own driveway sealing business, you’ve landed in the right place.
In this article, we’re going to do a complete rundown of how you can start a driveway sealing business so that when you get out there, you know exactly what to do and how to do it. So let’s jump right into it!
Check out the demand
The first thing you need to do is see if there’s even a demand for a driveway-sealing business where you live. The best way to do that is to either drive around your neighborhood or town and take note of how many houses have sealant on their driveways.
If the number is relatively low, that could either mean that people don’t know they need to seal their driveway or they don’t think it’s necessary. In that case, you can do some market research and see if you can convince them otherwise. It could potentially open up demand in the area.
But if the number of houses with sealant is high, then starting a driveway-sealing business is definitely a great idea! Make sure you’ve already done the research before you get out there. So you get into the market where you can actually make a profit!
Figure out which type of business you should have
With businesses like driveway sealing, there are two ways you can do things. You either set up your whole business and company, or get a franchise from another company.
Doing it all by yourself can be pretty tough. It requires a lot of research, time, and money to get everything up and running. But if you’re the type of person that likes to be in full control of everything and call all the shots, then this is the way for you.
The other option is to get a franchise. This is a great way to get started because all the research and groundwork will already be done for you. And you’ll have the support of an established company behind you.
You will, however, have to pay them a pretty penny for the privilege. It’s important that you figure out which route is best for you and your circumstances before jumping in headfirst.
Get the Products sorted
Before you launch your driveway sealing business, you’ll need access to a seal coat. To do this, find a local manufacturer and open up a contract with them. In addition to telling you if there are any restrictions on what Sealant can be used in your area (including environmental), they will provide the product itself.
If you want to be extra prepared, find a second manufacturer as a backup in case something happens with your primary source.
To save money and increase profits, consider buying a seal coat tank and mixer instead of renting one every time you need it. This will require an initial investment, but it will pay off in the long run!
No matter which way you go, as long as you have the sealant sorted, you will have the main materials that you need to make sure that your business runs as smoothly as possible!
Come up with a solid business plan
Whenever you start a business, it’s important that you don’t just wing it. Every business has to be backed up by a solid business plan. This is true for a driveway-sealing business as well!
Your business plan should include your marketing strategy, your financial projections, and your goals for the future. This will give you a roadmap to follow as you get your business off the ground.
Not only that, but it will also make it easier to get funding from investors or loans from the bank. So it’s definitely worth taking the time to put together a well-thought-out business plan and getting all of your ducks in a row for every driveway.
Get the right insurance
No matter what type of business you’re starting, you need to make sure that you have the right insurance. This is even more important for a driveway sealing business because you’ll be working with dangerous chemicals.
Liability insurance is a must to protect you in case someone gets injured while you’re working on their driveway. You should also get property damage insurance in case you accidentally damage someone’s driveway while sealing it.
Make sure you shop around and get the best rates for your business. The last thing you want is to be stuck with a huge bill, or worse if something goes wrong!
Sort out the legal work
There are a few legal things that you need to take care of before you start your driveway sealing business.
First of all, you’ll need to get a business license from your city or county. This will allow you to operate legally in your area.
You should also look into getting a DBA, which stands for “doing business as.” This will allow you to operate under a different name than your own, which can be helpful for marketing purposes. With it, you can get a business bank account and start building up your business credit.
Next, make sure you are up to date on all of your taxes! This is important for any business, but especially if you’re self-employed. There’s nothing worse than getting in trouble with the IRS, so stay on top of your taxes and make sure you’re paying everything you owe.
Finally, make sure you’re familiar with the EPA’s rules and regulations regarding seal coats. This will help you avoid any fines or penalties down the road!
Get the equipment
The next thing you need to do is invest in the right equipment. This will vary depending on the size and scope of your business, but there are a few things that you’ll need, no matter what.
First, you’ll need a seal coat tank and mixer. You can either rent or buy these, but as we’ve discussed before, it’s much better to buy them if you can afford it. This way, you won’t have to worry about renting them every time you need them, it’ll be more convenient and you’ll save money in the long run.
You’ll also need a few other tools, like a squeegee, a broom, and a garden hose. These will all come in handy when it’s time to seal someone’s driveway!
Last but not least, make sure you have a way to get around. You’ll need a truck or van to transport all of your equipment, and it should have a rack on the top so you can easily access everything you need.
Find your team
If you’re going to be a one-man show, then maybe you can go for a while without a team. But eventually, you will need to expand and get some help. So it’s a good idea to look into creating your team from the start.
This will be even more important if you’re starting off big. Even if you’re super hands-on, if your team isn’t reliable, you’ll have a hard time getting your business off the ground.
Look for people who are hardworking and trustworthy and who have experience in the seal coating business. You can post ads online or ask around local businesses to see if anyone is interested in joining your team.
Once you’ve found a few good candidates, sit down with them and discuss your business plan. This way, they’ll be on the same page as you from the start and can work on growing the business together.
Get the word out and get started!
You’re almost ready to start seal-coating driveway after driveway! But before you can start, you need to let people know that you’re in business.
There are a few ways to do this. You can put up flyers around town, post ads online or in local newspapers, or even go door to door to introduce yourself and your business.
You can also offer free estimates to potential customers. This is a great way to get your foot in the door and show people what you’re capable of.
Once you’ve got a few customers, it’s time to start seal coating! Make sure you do a good job and always be professional. If you do a great job, your customers will be happy and will spread the word about your business.