Take it Away: Starting a Hauling Service

Business Overview:

If you’re looking for a great part-time business that takes care of the heavy lifting for other businesses and homeowners, consider starting a hauling service. When an office changes locations or experiences downsizing, many items need to be disposed of like broken furniture, old file cabinets and outdated computers. A professional hauling service can take care of the moving, disposal or recycling of these items so the office manager can focus on his employees. Homeowners renovating their homes often have huge unattractive dumpsters sit in their driveways for weeks. Having an alternative like your business would be much appreciated by not only the homeowners but their neighbors as well. A hauling service is one of those business ideas that can go in many different directions so it’s important to accurately outline your service list before you start your business. You could focus on residential clients or corporate offices. You could specialize in recycling computers and other electronic items. Another option to consider is purchasing a franchise business. Although more costly than starting a business from the ground up, a franchise will come with branding, marketing, a proven system, training and quite possibly vehicles that will get your business going quickly. Once you’re ready to start going after clients, think about forming partnerships with relocation services or office managers in your area. Depending on your target market, these professionals can help direct business your way when their clients need some help with a move. Realtors will also be valuable contacts to have since they will likely need junk removal assistance when readying a home to sell. If they handle foreclosures or abandoned homes, typically there are a lot of useless items that need to be removed. Your trucks will also help get the word out about your new business. It’s a good idea to also have a website that explains exactly what you do and how much your services cost. Once you get your first few clients, your excellent work and customer service will get you plenty of referrals and even repeat business down the road. You may soon need to add to your fleet to handle the hauling demand.

A Day in the Life of a Hauling Service Business Owner:

Your day will begin with a check of any appointments. You and your team will meet your clients on site and haul off the items they don’t have use for. You will then properly dispose of or recycle these items. You will also take calls throughout the day from prospective customers with whom you will discuss your services and set appointments. At the end of the day you will ensure your trucks are clean and ready for work the next day.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be homeowners, apartment managers, office managers or anyone who needs help hauling items away from a location and properly disposing of them.

What You Need to Start:

• Business plan
• Marketing plan
• Financing
• Franchise (optional)
• Staff
• Trucks
• Equipment and supplies (dollies, trash bags, etc.)
• Website (optional)
• License and insurance
• Computer with finance software

The Good:

• People will always need items hauled away and will gladly pay someone else to do it.
• Franchises are available to help you get started.
• You can easily run this business part-time.
• You can hire a staff to do the work for you.
• The right contacts can earn you repeat business.

The Bad:

• The start-up investment is high.
• It can take some time to turn a profit.

Resources:

• National Recycling Coalition
• International Association of Electronics Recyclers
• Wikipedia on Electronic Waste

About The Author

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