How to Start a Parking Lot Sweeping Business

Learning how to start a parking lot sweeping business could be your ticket to self employment success!  Parking lots are an important part of the impression a customer gets about a business, so a clean lot is critical.  That’s why even when business is slow, retail locations will almost never cancel their parking lot sweeping service.

You will approach developers, owners, and landlords of commercial properties to gain customers for your parking lot sweeping business. Another opportunity for business is local or state government owned property, such as schools, hospitals, and parking garages.

What You’ll Need to Succeed with a Parking Lot Sweeping Business

Of course the most important thing you’ll need to invest in when you start a parking lot sweeping business is sweeping equipment.  These machines, which often come in the form of vacuum sweepers, are not inexpensive, but if you do your due diligence up front, you can get one that will last a very long time.

When deciding on what to charge for your parking lot sweeping services, you can either base your pricing on lot size, or an hourly rate.  The advantage of charging an hourly rate for parking lot sweeping is that you will be covered for lots that might be the same size but take different amounts of work, due to the amount of trash or obstacles in the lot.  For example, lots that are bordered by bushes and trees are often more difficult to clean because of the leaves and other plant debris they deposit on the parking lot.

As you progress in your parking lot sweeping business, you will get better at estimating the costs of your sweeping services.  In the beginning, be careful, as when you quote a price, your clients will expect you to stick to it.

How to Market a Parking Lot Sweeping Business

Learning how to start a parking lot sweeping business is not difficult, but the real key to success lies within your ability to market it.  You’ll want to start by doing some research to find out who owns the parking lots within several miles of your location.  These will be your target customers, and you can use a number of methods to reach them.

One method that can be effective is direct mail.  Mailing a flyer to the decision maker for a parking lot will let them know you are open for business.  On your flyer, consider offering an introductory rate or some other promotion to pique their interest.  Also stress the service aspect of your business.  Because, when you start a parking lot sweeping business, just like in any other business, it is how you treat your customers that can make or break you!

100 Ways To Make Money

See author's posts