Starting A Roof Cleaning Business
Roof cleaning can be a great source of income, whether you are already a roofer, and are expanding your list of services, or someone looking to start a new roof cleaning business. If you are already a roofer, your equipment purchases for a roof cleaning company will be much less. If you are starting from scratch, your startup costs will be much more.
Need help choosing a roof cleaning business name?: Roof Cleaning Business Name Ideas
Planning
Before registering your company, it would be wise to plan your way to a successful business. Some points to consider are:
- How great is the need for roof cleaning in my area? This can be somewhat easy to find out by simply driving through neighborhoods and seeing the condition of roofs. If you are already a contractor, you may have had multiple requests from customers for having their roof cleaned, indicating a need for the service to be offered.
- How many companies are offering roof cleaning services in my area? Do some research to see what your competition would be if you started your own business.
- What will my startup and operating costs be? Your startup and operating costs will largely depend on the methods of roof cleaning you will use.
Roof Cleaning Methods
There are 3 basics methods, although the first one mentioned is NOT recommended.
1. Using a high pressure power washer.
Yes, a pressure washer will certainly “clean” a roof. It will also remove granules from an asphalt shingle roof, damaging it, and therefore decreasing the lifespan of the roof. This method, while only requiring a pressure washer for equipment, and not requiring any chemicals, is NOT recommended. Most customers requesting a roof cleaning are looking to enhance the look of their roof by removing the ugliness of stains and algae, not decrease the lifespan.
2. Using a chemical mix with low pressure application.
This method will use a power washer on low pressure to apply a chemical mix to the roof. The mixture is often a combination of chlorine bleach and TSP (trisodium phosphate). The mixture will dry, and then must be rinsed off. This method may need to be repeated in order to remove stubborn stains. Care must be taken as chemical run-off and over-spray can kill or damage plants and grass.
3. Using an eco-friendly algaecide with low pressure application.
This method applies a safe, organic algaecide using a power washer on low pressure. Depending on which cleaning products you use, there may be special application methods along with application accessories you will need to purchase for your power washer in order to properly apply the product. This method is deemed safe for plant life, animals and humans. The cost can be greater than other methods.
You will need to do your own research to decide which method is best for your business plan.
How To Register A Roof Cleaning Company
To start a roof cleaning business, you first need to register it. A roofing cleaning business can be profitable, but you must be legally registered as a business in your state before you clean your first roof. Each state has specific guidelines you must follow in order to start a legal company and make money in that state. Before you start a roof cleaning company in your state, or before trying to clean roofs in another state, make sure you are obtaining the necessary permits and licenses, and are properly registered for tax purposes. The information in the links below will apply not only to an individual wishing to start a roof cleaning business, but also to someone want to start a gutter cleaning business, siding installation business, or other roofing-related businesses.
Below are links to US registration, UK, and Canada:
United States: Click on your state to find out how to start your roof cleaning business in that state.
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
How to Start A Roof Cleaning Business in Canada
How to Start A Roof Cleaning Business in the United Kingdom
