Almost all of U.S. households and businesses rely on the services of septic tanks for the removal of sewage and other waste products. It’s not the cleanest of businesses and it’s definitely not the typical response kids give out when asked what they want to do when they grow up. Nevertheless, septic services can be a very profitable career venture for people that have an understanding of this particular business.
For homeowners, it’s typically recommended that you get your septic system inspected annually or every three years, but the average homeowner will wait until the last minute when their home is flooded with sewage to call for help.
Issues like that can bring about all kinds of health risks, so for the greater good of your customers and your business, it’s very important to educate customers on the importance of getting your septic system regularly checked.
What You Need to Get Started
For this particular business, it’s not one that will necessarily require a staff, so it will essentially be just you starting out, so to get your business off the ground, here’s what you will need.
Septic Knowledge
When people come to you for services, they are expecting you to be the expert. If they have any questions, you will need to be knowledgeable about the business and all aspects of septic mechanics.
Septic Pump Truck
Your truck is the most important aspect of your business and without it, you wouldn’t have a business! You’ll need to consider the size tank you will need, your budget, and who you will be advocating your services to. So with those aspects in mind, it’s important to find the right manufacturer for your septic pumping equipment.
An Area to Dispose Septic Waste
So you’ve been working and now have a tank full of waste. Where will you dispose of this waste? Sewage disposal has restrictions and can only be done within approved waste treatment plans as well as companies specializing in sewage treatment. You’ll need to check your area to make sure you find a location to dispose your sewage before getting started.
Create Your Business Plan
As an entrepreneur, you will need to create a business plan. This is the document that will outline your goals and strategies to take your business in the direction you want it to go. It’s really the best thing you can do for your company starting out.
In the planning of your business, you’ll want to put into place a system that will automate reminders to customers letting them know that their septic tanks are due for a maintenance check. That system can be very effective and beneficial to your business’ revenue.
Essentially, you want to have a good and reputable business that not only grows in revenue but also contributes to the growth of your customer base.
Every Business Started Somewhere
Wanting to start your own septic and cleaning services has been a flourishing business for a very long time and for you just starting out, you’re not going to have the answers to everything or know everything you need to know.
For that reason, you need to not only study the business before venturing into it, but you also need to learn from other entrepreneurs in this business.
Learn from Others in the Business
The septic business is a very specific niche. You can’t really ask a person that runs their own online business how to run a septic business. There will be areas where the principles and objectives are the same as far as running your own business, but the actual business operations are very different.
The key here would be to seek advice from people in the business that are not in your area because if you ask advice from someone locally, they’re not going to help you more than likely… you’re their competition! The last thing they want to do is help a direct competitor, but a business in a different area that you’re not directly competing with will likely give you some helpful tips. Speaking of competition…
Check Out Your Competition
Before you thought about getting into the septic cleaning business, there were other companies out there cleaning and pumping septics. The question now is how are you going to get out there and stand out from the rest? Look up your local competition and check out their site. See what kind of services they offer and also read their reviews.
Startup Business or Pursue a Business Acquisition
A lot of entrepreneurs in the septic business approach ownership with a startup as the only way to have your own business, and that’s not the case at all. You can have your septic business by way of a business acquisition too, but people forget that they have that as an option.
Acquiring a septic tank cleaning and pumping business has less of a risk factor because it has known factors involved… you can actually see the numbers and everything is pretty much established already. With a startup, you don’t know how the business will turn out but with diligent work and effort, your startup has the potential to be just as much of a huge success as an acquired business.
