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
Under $2,000 to start. Real startup costs, licensing, what to charge, and finding your first paying clients. Step-by-step for 2026.
How to Start a Pressure Washing Business
Startup cost
$2,000 to $6,000
Equipment and real startup costs, licensing, what to charge per square foot, and finding first customers. Step-by-step for 2026.
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
Licensing and bonding, real startup costs, how to bid and price, and managing subs. A step-by-step guide to starting in 2026.
How to Start a Photography Business
Startup cost
$2,000 to $15,000
Gear and real startup costs, choosing a niche, pricing packages, and booking your first paying clients. Step-by-step for 2026.
How to Start a Handyman Business
Startup cost
$1,000 to $8,000
What you can legally do without a contractor license, real startup costs, what to charge, and first customers. Step-by-step for 2026.
How to Start an Electrical Business
Startup cost
$8,000 to $50,000
The licensing path, real startup costs, what to charge for service calls, and getting first customers. Step-by-step for 2026.
How to Start a Plumbing Business
Startup cost
$8,000 to $50,000
The licensing path, real startup costs, pricing service and emergency calls, and winning first customers. Step-by-step for 2026.
How to Start a Painting Business
Startup cost
$2,000 to $15,000
Real startup costs, licensing and the RRP lead rule, pricing by the project, and landing first clients. Step-by-step for 2026.
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
Pesticide licensing, real startup costs, pricing quarterly plans that renew, and first customers. Step-by-step for 2026.
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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