In today's video, we are going to talk about how to start a roof cleaning business, why you would want to start a roof cleaning business, what it takes to get started, and most importantly, how much money you can make cleaning roofs. At the end of this video, I'm going to share with you a poll I did on the channel asking my subscribers how much money they made this year washing roofs, and I think the results will shock you.
Roof cleaning is something that can be a standalone service or a great addition to an existing business. Most professional soft washing and pressure washing companies offer this service, but even though that is the case, it is still an untapped niche in most markets. People are just unaware that this is a service that even exists. They think that they have to live with those ugly black streaks or the moss growing up on the roof. And the thing that makes this such a great service, even if people do know that it is a thing, is that they do know that the roof can be cleaned, that it can be restored, and that it can look new again. Unlike a house wash or a driveway cleaning, it is not something that most homeowners are able, willing, or have the inclination to do. And with that being said, that makes it a highly profitable service.
Now, obviously, this video is about how to start a roof cleaning business, and we're going to cover what that entails. If you're serious about getting into the soft washing and pressure washing business, we've built How to Wash for you. Not only are we going to teach you how to wash roofs and every other surface on a residential property, all the chemicals needed, how to mix them, and how to apply them safely, but we're also going to teach you about property protection and safety, equipment breakdowns, walkthroughs, and the best methods to use. But we also just added something entirely new to this training program, and that is how to quote all of these services so you're maximizing profitability at every single job. There is a link in the comment section below for that.
The beautiful thing about a roof cleaning service is that every house has a roof. It doesn't matter if it's a big house or a little house; they have to have a roof, or it's not a house. And because of that, everybody with a house is a potential customer. And it doesn't matter if it's an asphalt shingle roof, a metal roof, cedar shakes, or barrel tile; it's one of the most expensive and expansive surfaces on a property, and it's exposed to every condition possible. And the roofing manufacturers require proper maintenance in order to maintain the warranty. And not only that, some insurance companies are now requiring homeowners to have their roofs properly and professionally maintained with a soft wash process in order to keep their insurance coverage. Essentially, what this means is that the insurance companies see the value in the cleaning because it prolongs the life of the roof, and that's a great selling point.
With all of that being said, it's still very important to do a market analysis and research the other folks in your area that are doing this type of work, identifying both your target audience and your competition, and making sure that there is a demand for it. I've already kind of established that there is, regardless of where you live, but do your due diligence. Have a plan that outlines your goals, your target market, your marketing strategy, and your budget, because you can't do this on a whim. This is a business, and you have to treat it like one.
The next thing we're going to talk about is probably not what you're anticipating because most everybody is absolutely equipment crazy, right? They think that's the most important aspect of a service business. But there are other things that are more important that need to come first, and one of those things is your licensing and your insurance. Roof cleaning requires you, at some times, to be up on the roof; you're going to be on a ladder, and there are specific types of insurance needed for this service. Now, not all insurance companies are going to be able to cover roof cleaning, so you're going to have to do a little research. You're going to have to dig a little bit into it. The other thing that you will want to do is check with your local municipality, local federal agency, and all of them to see what kind of licensing is required to operate legally where you live. Now, if this is a new business, you're also going to want to look into forming an LLC. And this is not only for tax purposes, but it's also kind of like a little insurance policy should anything go wrong because an LLC separates your business from your personal assets, which is important. Another step you can take to make yourself better at what you're going to be doing while also giving you credibility in your market is to have the proper training and certification. Invest in training and certification programs that build trust with potential customers as well as give you the confidence to get out there and do what you need to do properly, efficiently, and, most importantly, profitably. You're going to be dealing with chemicals, and you need to understand how to use them safely so you don't damage yourself or your customers' property because both can happen.
Savvy Cleaner is the ultimate training and certification program for house cleaners and maids.
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Now we're going to talk about the equipment you're going to need in order to get started with a roof cleaning business. And I'm not going to go into full setups. I'm going to talk in generalizations because whether you're starting on a budget build or you're wanting to get into something like we have, which is engineered by Southeast Softwash to be the most badass equipment in the world, the components are pretty much the same. Now, obviously, there's different levels of quality, but the principles are pretty much the same. And yes, in theory, you could use a backpack sprayer or a pump-up sprayer. That is not going to
be efficient. You are not going to make as much money. It is going to take you a lot of time, but it could be done. But let's go through the other things that you're going to need first. And we're going to talk about the different kinds of pumps that you can use in a minute. But first, let's go through one of the most important things, and that is safety. This should be your top priority. You need to invest in the proper gear. These are gloves, goggles, and respirators. You're going to want to look into non-slip footwear. Again, remember, you are dealing with chemicals, not only in liquid form but in vapor form, and this can get you, especially if you're up on a hot roof and you're applying a strong mix. It's hot, the sun's beating down, and those fumes are coming up. It's not fun. So don't cut corners here. Protect yourself and your business.
Savvy Cleaner is the ultimate training and certification program for house cleaners and maids.
https:/savvycleaner.com/join?sca=46
The next thing you'll need are ladders. And depending on the height of the roof you're going to be cleaning, you might need multiple ladders, as well as other safety equipment like harnesses, roof anchors, and all the safety lines that you need in order to secure yourself so you don't die. For the guys that are in areas that have moss buildup on the roofs—not something that we deal with down here—you're going to need roof cleaning brushes. Now, these are soft bristle brushes or brooms that are specifically designed for roof cleaning, and they help to agitate and remove that mossy buildup. And you're also going to want to have tarps. You're going to want to have plastic, and you're going to want to use this to protect the surrounding areas, whether that's plants or furniture. You're also going to want to have a bunch of sprinklers and extra hoses so you can constantly be watering all the stuff around if you're a one-man operation.
But before we get into the pumps, you will be using sodium hypochlorite. Now, this is the most effective way; this is the recommended way to clean, and it is very important that you understand how to properly mix to get the best results. You're also going to want to have a thorough understanding of surfactants and how they work, why they're important, and how they're going to save you money in the long run.
Now we're getting into more of the nuts and bolts of it, and it's the stuff that I know a bunch of guys like, and that is what you're going to be using to put the chemicals on the roof. Now, there are four major components required. The first is that you're going to need a pump, and there are different pumps: you've got electric, you've got gas, you've got air diaphragm, and there are pros and cons to all of them. I have got lots of videos on all of these on the channel, so you can get back in and dig around and check them out. Next, you're going to need a hose that will connect from your pump to your soft wash wand or your gun. Again, lots of different options here. You can go super cheap with a poly-braided hose, or you can get a higher-quality hose specifically designed for chemical applications. And at the end of said hose, you're going to need a wash wand or a gun. Again, this is not a pressure washer. You will need something specifically designed for very strong bleach. You're going to want something with non-metal components. You can do this with PVC ball valves and all kinds of different things. You can buy a gun, but you're definitely going to need something in order to apply. Now, you're also going to need to understand the specs on your pump, which will directly impact the diameter of your hoses. If the diameter is too restrictive, it can have an adverse impact on the pump and its performance. And the last thing that you're going to need is some sort of container to hold your mix, and it's probably going to have to be something relatively large because you're cleaning pretty expansive surfaces.
Those are the major components. Now, there are things that you can add on to make your life a lot easier. In this scenario, we just talked about mixing with one tank, which is for batch mixing. A lot of guys do it, and it's not the most efficient, but it works, and that's why a lot of people have proportioners. And this requires at least two tanks, but ideally three: one for water, one for bleach, and one for surfactants. And this allows you to adjust your mix on the fly. And, of course, there are other things that you want to think about. You're going to need some sort of work vehicle, whether that's a truck and a trailer or a van, a flatbed, or something else, to transport all the equipment to and from different jobs. You're going to want to think about your uniform and your branding. Having a professional appearance helps build trust and reputation in your market. And that is all part of starting a business. And something else that's very important for a business is keeping track of your numbers, your customers, and your data. So having good business software in place that helps with scheduling, invoices, and all kinds of other things is important. And obviously, I recommend looking at QuoteIQ because it's the best, and you can check that out at myquoteiq.com.
And again, there are lots of other little things that you're going to need: basic tools so you can work on your equipment; you're going to want to have a first aid kit should anything happen on-site; safety cone signage because you're going to be spraying strong chemicals; and the last thing that you want is for somebody to walk out, get bleach on their clothes, or, God forbid, in their eyes. So you've got to let them know that you're there working and that there are potential hazards around. And again, it's important to understand that everything that we talked about could vary depending on the scope and scale of your business, whether it's a brand new operation or something you're adding to your existing business. But always put safety first and get the proper training and certifications.
And as promised, I'm going to share with you the poll that I did on my channel yesterday. And we had just under 400 people respond, and as you can see, in the first category, we had between $3,000 and $5,000, and 28% of the people responding said that is where they were at. Between $5,000 and $8,000, 5%. Between $8,000 and $11,000, 6%. And then, between 11K and 20K, we had 10%. 51% of the people stated they made over $20,000 this year cleaning roofs. And what this tells us is that roof cleaning is highly profitable, and if done correctly, if it is set up for efficiency and profitability, it can be a great niche service that you can either add on to your existing business or you can start a business entirely based on roof cleaning.
