Starting a Home-Based Driveway Sealcoating Business

A drive through most neighborhoods will reveal hundreds of asphalt driveways in varying states of repair. Sealcoating is an affordable way to maintain an asphalt driveway, to make the driveway last longer, and to improve the "curb appeal" of the home by making the driveway look clean and new. Some homeowners sealcoat their own driveways to save money. However, many more hire out the work to a sealcoating business.

Large sealcoating businesses frequently use expensive spray equipment to quickly sealcoat driveways. However, it is quite possible to get good results using a brush or squeegee and sealcoat purchased in five-gallon pails. In fact, many people who sealcoat driveways part-time and nearly all homeowners use this low-tech approach to sealcoating.

Getting Started

The option of working with brooms, brushes or squeegees, and purchasing sealcoat in five-gallon buckets, allows this business to be started on a shoestring budget. Spray equipment can always be added later when it can be financially justified. Gas-powered blowers can also speed the preparation work; however, the preparatory cleaning work can be done with brooms if the budget is tight.

A pickup truck or van would definitely be convenient for this business. The larger vehicle would allow for more tools and materials to be carried at once. However, a passenger car could be used while getting the business off the ground although the interior of the car may get dirty.

Marketing

Many property maintenance businesses choose to specialize in either residential or commercial work. This is not a rule though, and some companies work in both residential and commercial markets. However, it does make early marketing easier if you target either residential or commercial accounts.

Marketing to residential accounts may be accomplished by advertising in local newspapers, posting brochures and business cards on community bulletin boards, and through mailings. Direct mailings may be sent to an entire community, a target neighborhood, to properties that look like they could use your services, or to new homeowners.

Marketing to commercial accounts may be accomplished through advertising and direct marketing. Contacting business owners directly to explain your services can pay off with persistence. Direct mailings to targeted businesses can also be effective.

Setting up a business website that is optimized for local search can make it easy for people to find you online. A business website also allows you to present information about your business, your pricing, and photos of driveways you have sealcoated.

Your work vehicle can be turned into a rolling billboard. Vehicle signs or decals advertise wherever you go, and can be particularly good advertising while you are working on a customer's property.

Cautions

Sealcoating can be a dirty business. Getting yourself dirty with sealcoat is one thing; splashing a customer's home, vehicles, or border plants can be bad for business and expensive. Caution is in order whenever working on a customer's property to avoid accidentally damaging anything.

Business insurance is always a good idea. Commercial and governments accounts usually require proof of liability insurance as part of any bid though. Be sure your insurance is in order if you plan to bid on commercial projects.

Business insurance on any motor vehicles that are used for work is also essential. Failure to insure your vehicle for business use may result in a claim being denied because the vehicle was not properly insured. Ask your insurance agent what coverage you will need for your vehicles.

Conclusion

The driveway sealcoating business can mean heavy, dirty work. However, the potential for profit is also there since many people do not want to deal with sealcoating their own driveway. With the potential to sealcoat several driveways in a single day, this business can turn asphalt into gold.

SOURCES

Startup Idea - Driveway Sealing. Entrepreneur. Site accessed on 2 November 2010.

Starrla Cray. Delano man starts seal coating business. Delano Herald-Journal. Site accessed on 2 November 2010.

Kevin Poe. Seal Coating Your Driveway for Dummies. Associated Content. Site accessed on 2 November 2010.