How to start a service business
Practical, step-by-step guides to starting a service business: real startup costs, licensing, pricing, and how to land your first customers. Backed by our own industry research.
How to Start a Cleaning Business
Startup cost
$2,000 to $10,000
A practical step-by-step guide to starting a cleaning business in 2026: startup costs, licensing, pricing, finding your first clients, and the tools to run it.
How to Start a Pressure Washing Business
Startup cost
$2,000 to $6,000
How to start a pressure washing business in 2026: equipment, startup costs, licensing, pricing per square foot, finding customers, and software to run jobs.
How to Start a Landscaping Business
Startup cost
$5,000 to $25,000
How to start a landscaping or lawn care business in 2026: equipment and startup costs, licensing, pricing, building a route, and the software to run crews.
How to Start an HVAC Business
Startup cost
$10,000 to $50,000
How to start an HVAC business in 2026: licensing and EPA certification, startup costs, pricing, finding customers, and software to dispatch and invoice.
How to Start a General Contractor Business
Startup cost
$5,000 to $50,000
How to start a general contracting or construction business in 2026: licensing and bonding, startup costs, bidding and pricing, managing subs, and software.
How to Start a Photography Business
Startup cost
$2,000 to $15,000
How to start a photography business in 2026: gear and startup costs, choosing a niche, pricing packages, booking clients, and the tools to run bookings and invoices.
How to Start a Handyman Business
Startup cost
$1,000 to $8,000
How to start a handyman business in 2026: licensing limits, startup costs, what services to offer, pricing, finding customers, and software to schedule and invoice.
How to Start an Electrical Business
Startup cost
$8,000 to $50,000
How to start an electrical contracting business in 2026: licensing steps, startup costs, pricing service calls and projects, getting customers, and the tools to run it.
How to Start a Plumbing Business
Startup cost
$8,000 to $50,000
How to start a plumbing business in 2026: licensing steps, startup costs, pricing service and emergency calls, getting customers, and the software to run it.
How to Start a Painting Business
Startup cost
$2,000 to $15,000
How to start a painting business in 2026: startup costs, licensing and RRP rules, pricing by the project, finding your first clients, and the tools to run it.
How to Start a Car Wash Business
Startup cost
$5,000 (mobile) to $5M+ (tunnel)
How to start a car wash business in 2026: mobile detailing vs. fixed-site, startup costs, permits, membership pricing, and the tools to run it.
How to Start a Pest Control Business
Startup cost
$10,000 to $50,000
How to start a pest control business in 2026: pesticide licensing, startup costs, recurring quarterly pricing, getting customers, and the software to run it.
How to Start a Catering Business
Startup cost
$10,000 to $50,000
How to start a catering business in 2026: permits and commercial kitchen rules, startup costs, per-head pricing, booking events, and the tools to run it.
How to Start a Roofing Business
Startup cost
$10,000 to $50,000
How to start a roofing business in 2026: licensing and insurance, startup costs, pricing per square, winning jobs, and the software to run it.
How to Start a Flooring Business
Startup cost
$5,000 to $25,000
How to start a flooring business in 2026: licensing, startup costs, pricing per square foot, finding jobs, and the software to run it.
How to Start a Moving Business
Startup cost
$10,000 to $50,000
How to start a moving company in 2026: licensing and USDOT/MC authority, startup costs, hourly pricing, getting jobs, and the software to run it.
How to Start a Tree Service Business
Startup cost
$15,000 to $75,000
How to start a tree service business in 2026: licensing and insurance, startup costs, equipment, pricing by size, and the software to run it.
How to Start a Pool Service Business
Startup cost
$5,000 to $25,000
How to start a pool service business in 2026: licensing, startup costs, building a recurring route, pricing, and the software to run it.
How to Start a Window Cleaning Business
Startup cost
$1,000 to $8,000
How to start a window cleaning business in 2026: startup costs, equipment, pricing per pane, building a recurring route, and the software to run it.
How to Start a Garage Door Business
Startup cost
$5,000 to $30,000
How to start a garage door repair and installation business in 2026: licensing, startup costs, stocking a van, pricing, and the software to run it.
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