removal company business plan

Junk Removal Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Junk Removal Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Junk Removal business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Junk Removal businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Junk Removal business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Taking Out the Trash is a startup junk removal business located in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is founded by Jake Ambrose and Jerry DuPaine. Jake was formerly the operations manager of a junk removal service for ten years in Buford, Georgia, where he trained staff and ran the company operations for junk removal throughout the region.

Jerry was formerly the owner of a storage pod business for fifteen years and has an extensive background in the transport, hauling and storage businesses, including junk removal.

Jake and Jerry plan on providing junk removal services for the city of Atlanta and the surrounding region using a proprietary digital platform and customer-connected app system to provide service to any potential customer within one hour of the request. This “on-time, every time” experience will ensure customers can make a call for junk removal when they need it, rather than waiting for hours or even days to secure the services of a junk removal company.

Product Offering

The following are the services that Taking Out the Trash will provide:

• On-demand junk removal services (one-hour response time)
• Weekly or monthly junk removal service
• Commercial business junk removal
• Foreclosure/abandoned home junk removal
• Hazardous materials and liquid removal with advance preparation

Customer Focus

Taking Out the Trash will target all current and new property owners in Atlanta, Georgia and the surrounding region. Taking Out the Trash will also target businesses while closing, commercial properties, banks and foreclosure companies.

Management Team

Taking Out the Trash will be owned and operated by Jake Ambrose and Jerry DuPaine. Jake Ambrose was formerly the operations manager of a junk removal service for ten years in Buford, Georgia, where he trained staff and ran the company operations for junk removal throughout the region. Because of his extensive contacts within the junk removal industry, Jake has already secured the contracts for service with several commercial companies.

Jerry was formerly the owner of a storage pod business for fifteen years and has a thorough background in the transport, hauling and storage businesses, including junk removal. He has led twenty employees, truck drivers and staff members through industry evolutions and maintained a long-term growth strategy that garnered a generous return when Jerry sold the company two years ago.

Success Factors

Taking Out the Trash will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified team at Taking Out the Trash
• Comprehensive menu of services, including junk removal for individuals and companies
• Patented digital platform and app that customers can utilize for 1-hour pickup orders
• Unique process for trash and junk hauling
• City contract with the Atlanta Landfill & Environment Improvement Agency
• Taking Out the Trash offers the best pricing in Atlanta. Their pricing structure is the most cost effective and their services are the most efficient in the entire region when compared to the competition.

Financial Highlights

Taking Out the Trash is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch the trash removal company. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and marketing costs. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office space build-out: $20,000
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph outlines the financial projections for Taking Out the Trash.

Company Overview

Who is “taking out the trash”.

Taking Out the Trash is a newly established full-service junk removal business in Atlanta, Georgia. Taking Out the Trash will be the most reliable, cost-effective, and efficient choice for residential and commercial businesses in Atlanta and the surrounding communities. Taking Out the Trash will provide a comprehensive menu of hauling and junk removal services for any customer to utilize. Their full-service approach includes a proprietary digital platform and customer app to enable one-hour scheduling for junk removal.

  Taking Out the Trash will be able to serve a wide variety of customers with trash and junk removal services. The team of professionals are highly qualified and experienced in hauling and transport of oversized items, as well as hauling hazardous liquids and other items not typically allowed by haulers. Taking Out the Trash removes all headaches and issues of the junk removal process and ensures all issues are taken care of expeditiously while delivering the best customer service.

Taking Out the Trash History

Since incorporation, Taking Out the Trash has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered Taking Out the Trash, LLC to transact business in the state of Georgia.
• Has a contract in place at one of the office buildings where the company will open an office of 10,000 square feet.
• Reached out to numerous contacts, including property owners, businesses, banks, foreclosure companies, landscaping companies and other junk or trash businesses that need transport and disposal.
• Began recruiting a staff of office personnel and drivers to work at Taking Out the Trash.

Taking Out the Trash Services

The following will be the services Taking Out the Trash will provide:

Industry Analysis

The junk removal industry is expected to grow over the next five years to over $18 billion. As the population of Atlanta and the surrounding communities continue to grow, the growth of the junk removal will track with it. New home starts in outlying areas will require hauling of tree limbs, brush, and vine undergrowth in currently unpopulated areas. Industry growth will also be driven by the increasing number of consumers who will want to renovate or redesign their own properties, landscapes, and interior designs. Costs will likely be reduced as economic factors become more positive, reducing the pricing of fuel.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

Taking Out the Trash will target those individuals and companies needing trash or junk removal services in Atlanta, Georgia and the surrounding regions. They will target companies in foreclosure or going out of business. They will target corporations or businesses that are moving and desire to rid themselves of old furnishings.

Customer Segmentation

Taking Out the Trash will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Individuals purchasing junk removal services
• Commercial enterprises purchasing junk removal services
• Individuals or companies requiring hazardous waste removal
• App-connected customers or clients who need one-hour service
• Foreclosure companies performing a residential or business cleanout
• Banks or other financial institutions holding deeds or mortgages

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Taking Out the Trash will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Atlanta Combined Services (ACS)

ACS is the largest garbage service company in the Atlanta region, with over 5 million customers on weekly pickup routes. A fleet of service vehicles provide trash and garbage pickup, maintain contracts, secure payments and ensure continued service for the city’s residents. This is a direct competitor to Taking Out the Trash, as services can be obtained from ACS for junk removal with a scheduled two-week waiting period.

The company was started in 1954 as a private partnership and went public in 1987. Since that time, it has continued to grow from 271 employees to 689 employees and 44 executive staff members occupying an eight-story corporate building on the outskirts of Atlanta. While ACS provides service in most of the same categories as Taking Out the Trash, hazardous liquids are not accepted by ACS for removal.

Edgy’s Trash Haulers

With a television jingle, titled “We’re Gettin Edgy!” Edgy’s Trash Haulers has become a household name in Atlanta, Georgia. Started by Edward and Tina Combes in 1997, Edgy’s Trash Haulers is a direct competitor to Taking Out the Trash. The company provides trash and junk hauling for the Atlanta region, including the city proper, and has 15 trash and junk trucks that travel extensively throughout the city and regional areas, picking up removal items. The company is now run by the two sons of the Combes, Tim and Tracker Combes. They have instituted a six-day work week for their employees, albeit the hours each day are shortened to 6 hours maximum. This schedule spreads services evenly throughout the day, while providing weekend hauling services to compete with their direct competitors.

Edgy’s Trash Haulers hires formerly incarcerated personnel to drive the trucks and, as drivers continue with on-time service records, they can apply for and receive management positions as they work their way through the corporate structure of the company. This policy has resulted in an increasing number of applicants for open jobs at Edgy’s Trash Haulers.

Buford Hauling

Based in Buford, Georgia, this junk removal company has a limited scope of business potential; however, the residents and businesses within their established boundaries are loyal customers, returning again and again for junk or trash removal services. Buford Hauling is a direct competitor within a limited capacity, as the company does not haul hazardous liquids and has a small service area geographically. Buford Hauling is a family business, owned by George and Georgina Crawford, who started the company in 1944. In the post-war era, several buildings had to be torn down or renovated; the hauling business was booming at that time. Over the years, the scope of business has kept the company from the long-term growth strategy desired and it has been rumored during this past year that the sale of the company may be near.

Competitive Advantage

Taking Out the Trash will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified teams for junk removal

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

Taking Out the Trash will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Highly-qualified team of skilled employees who are able to provide reliable, secure junk and trash removal.
• Proprietary digital platform and customer app that offers pickup within a one-hour window of contact.
• Provision for hauling of hazardous materials and liquids, with the proviso that proper preparation has taken place prior to hauling.
• Unbeatable pricing to its customers, with special discounts for returning customers.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for Taking Out the Trash is as follows:

Word of Mouth/Referrals

The Taking Out the Trash owners have built up an extensive list of contacts over the years by providing exceptional service to their customers. Jake Ambrose, a co-owner, was formerly the operations manager of a junk removal service. He has secured contracts with several commercial companies for Taking Out the Trash. Jerry DuPaine, a co-owner, has been an owner of a storage pod business for fifteen years and has a list of customers that is equally long, each of whom is ready to contract with the new business.

Professional Associations and Networking

Jake and Jerry belong to many of the same organizations, including National Hauling & Removal Association. They also belong to the community service groups that include potential clients for the new business. As such, Jake and Jerry will begin networking and offering services to everyone connected in some fashion to the junk removal business.

Print Advertising

Print advertising in area periodicals and newspaper inserts is vital to secure new customers. Special pricing will be announced before the launch of the startup and will continue for three months. Advertising will include direct mail to Atlanta businesses, foreclosure companies, and other related corporate clients.

Website/SEO Marketing

Taking Out the Trash will fully utilize their corporate website to arrange appointments, secure schedules, and offer reservation service for junk removal. A customer app is offered to bring one-hour service to customer residences or corporate establishments that will be unique to the southern part of the U.S. The website will be well organized, informative, and list all theservices that Taking Out the Trash is able to provide. The website will also list their contact information and list their available services. Taking Out the Trash will embrace SEO marketing tactics so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “junk removal company” or “waste removal near me,” Taking Out the Trash will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of Taking Out the Trash will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive excellent value when purchasing their services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for Taking Out the Trash. Operation Functions:

• Jake Ambrose will be the Co-owner and President of the company. He will oversee all staff and manage client relations.
• Jerry DuPaine will be the Co-owner and Vice President of the company. He will oversee all operations, including trucking services and drivers.
• Janie Patton will be the Administrative Manager who will manage the office administration, client files, and accounts payable.
• Tommy Hardine will be the Vehicle Maintenance Manager who will be responsible for all safety and servicing of vehicles.

Milestones:

Taking Out the Trash will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 5/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease office space
• 5/15/202X – Finalize personnel employment contracts for Taking Out the Trash
• 6/1/202X – Finalize contracts for new corporate clients of Taking Out the Trash
• 6/15/202X – Final beta testing of digital platform and customer app
• 6/22/202X – Begin moving into Taking Out the Trash office
• 7/1/202X – Taking Out the Trash opens for business

Taking Out the Trash will be owned and operated by Jake Ambrose and Jerry DuPaine. Jerry recruited Janie Patton to manage the administration of the office and personnel. He also recruited Tommy Hardine to be the Vehicle Maintenance Manager for the vehicles.

Jake Ambrose was formerly the operations manager of a junk removal service for ten years. He trained staff and ran the company operations for junk removal throughout the region. Jerry was formerly the owner of a storage pod business for fifteen years and has a thorough background in the transport, hauling and storage business, including junk removal.

Janie Patton was the office manager at Jerry’s former company. She will be the Administrative Manager who will oversee the office administration, client files, and accounts payable.

Also recruited by Jerry, Tommy Hardine was formerly the manager of truck repair in a regional prison, who then became a service manager in Jerry’s former business. Tommy will be the Vehicle Maintenance Manager who will be responsible for all safety and servicing of vehicles.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for Taking Out the Trash are the hauling and junk removal fees they will charge to the individual and corporate clients for their services.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff Taking Out the Trash. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, office supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Taking Out the Trash is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its junk removal business. The funding will be dedicated towards securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and association memberships. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of Junk Removal Customers Per Month: 386
• Average Fees per Month: $79,900
• Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement.

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Junk Removal Business Plan FAQs

What is a junk removal business plan.

A junk removal business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your junk removal business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

What are the Main Types of Junk Removal Businesses? 

There are a number of different kinds of junk removal businesses , some examples include: Municipal waste, Professional junk removal, Recycling plants, and Donation center.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Junk Removal Business Plan?

Junk Removal businesses are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Junk Removal Business?

Starting a junk removal business can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Junk Removal Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed junk removal business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast.

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your junk removal business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your junk removal business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Junk Removal Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your junk removal business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your junk removal business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Junk Removal Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your junk removal business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your junk removal business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising.

Learn more about how to start a successful junk removal business:

• How to Start a Junk Removal Business

How to Start a Junk Removal Business in 11 Steps

Do you like physical work and driving around? Maybe starting a junk removal business is right for you.

Kyle Landwehr started Slam Dunkin Junk and The Junk Academy three years ago. Now he’s making $200K to $300K every month to haul away junk—and teach people how to start a junk removal business of their own.

What is a junk removal business?

Step 1. learn about the junk removal industry, step 2. create a junk removal business plan, step 3. build a junk removal brand, step 4. register your junk removal business, step 5. get a junk removal business license, step 6. get a business bank account and insurance, step 7. create a junk removal price sheet, step 8. get junk removal equipment, step 9. market your junk removal business, step 10. remove junk from home or business, step 11. expand your junk removal company, junk removal business faq, go start your own junk removal business.

A junk removal business focuses on removing unwanted furniture, appliances, and other items from residences and businesses. It also includes garbage collection, and you may hear it referred to as the waste removal industry.

It’s physical work, and it’s possible to injure yourself. Kyle shared:

I was making $30K to $40K monthly when I broke my ankle stepping off the truck. Breaking my foot is what caused me to start hiring employees and [scale] my business to what it is now.

He also explained that his injury got him into real estate. Listen to the interview below to find out how:

How to start a junk removal business

• Learn about the junk removal industry.
• Create a junk removal business plan.
• Build a junk removal brand.
• Register your junk removal business.
• Get a junk removal business license.
• Get a business bank account and insurance.
• Create a junk removal price sheet.
• Get junk removal equipment.
• Market your junk removal business.
• Remove junk.
• Expand your junk removal company.

You should understand the junk removal industry before you enter it. Some of the important questions you should ask before you start a junk removal company include:

• How much does it cost to start a junk removal business ?

How much do junk removal companies make?

Is the junk removal business profitable, how much does it cost to start a junk removal business.

The amount of money you need to start a junk removal business will depend on the business’s location (due to cost of living) and the materials you already own.

The items you’ll need to start a junk removal business include:

• A truck: $1,000 to $90,000 • Limited liability company (LLC): Under $1,000 • Business license: Under $1,000 • Business insurance: $1,000 to $10,000 • Dolly: $200 • Trash bags: $25 • Reciprocating saw: $300 • Safety equipment: $100 • Website: $1,200 per year

That means you can start a junk removal business for as little as $4,325 or as much as $102,325. Kyle told us:

If you have a truck, expect to spend around $6,000 starting your business. If you want to know how to start a junk removal business with no money, promote it on Facebook groups during the week and rent a U-Haul on the weekend. That will cost you $40 per day, plus $1.30 per mile.

According to IBISWorld , there are 8,607 companies in the junk removal industry. They make a combined $73.7B, or $8.6M each. Kyle told us he makes $200K to $300K a month as a junk removal company owner.

Yes. The gross profit margin is 32.74%, while the junk removal profit margins come out to 7.29% after after taxes, bonuses, and all other costs. This is based on data from 62 publicly held companies.

Kyle told us:

The gross profit margin the first year was around 50% margin, [the] following year 30% to 35% margin, and the third year I hired an operations manager, which took the margin down to 20%, but now I don’t have to be involved in the business.

How much is a junk removal owner’s salary?

The salary for working as an operations manager is around $75,000 annually for waste removal companies. This is nearly $18,000 less than other operations managers. When you run an S-Corp , you will need to use that as your wages and any profit you can pay as dividends.

For your company to be a profitable business, make sure to write a business plan.

You’ll want to include:

• Your mission and vision
• Ways you’ll make money
• Your target market
• How you will market the business

Check out our interview with Mike Andes to learn how to write a business plan. You can refer to our business plan writing guide as well.

My smartest business move was building my plan.

A distinctive and memorable brand for your service-based business sets you apart from competitors and establishes a reputation for your enterprise. Your brand relies on two main elements: your business name and logo.

First, select a junk removal business name that draws in customers and conveys a strong message about your services. Make sure it’s not already taken in your service area and online.

Next, craft a logo for your junk removal service. You have the option to hire a designer for assistance, or you can create one yourself using an online logo creator such as Canva .

You’ll want to register your business with your state. Kyle and most other business owners recommend structuring your business as an LLC, but there are plenty of other structures. Learn more about the business registration requirements and process in our business registration guide .

The cost of registering on the Secretary of State website varies from state to state. To give you an idea of the cost, Kyle said he paid $300 for his LLC in St. Louis.

You’ll also need an Employer Identification Number from the IRS .

A junk removal business may need local or county licenses. Check with your local government’s business office to see what is required in your state.

What license do I need to start a junk removal business ?

You may need special licenses and permits for waste removal if you collect hazardous waste or do construction tasks like demolition (which Kyle offers in addition to junk removal services). He also told us:

You could also offer dumpsters for people [which requires licenses].

Your local business office will be able to help you establish what business licenses you need.

A junk removal business needs a small business bank account before it offers junk removal services. The business bank account should have low fees and high interest rates on savings accounts. Keeping your finances separate will be helpful when tax season arrives.

You’ll also need junk removal business insurance. A junk removal company will need commercial auto insurance and general liability insurance at a minimum, but you might want more extensive business insurance, like a business owner’s policy (BOP). Learn more in our business insurance guide .

A BOP covers general liability, property damage, and unexpected shutdowns, plus has riders for other policies. We suggest contacting Simply Business to get quotes from multiple insurance companies.

For added financial management, consider enlisting the services of a bookkeeper or accountant. They can oversee business income and expenditures, handle bills and payroll, generate and dispatch invoices, and maintain the financial health of your business.

Getting paid for removing junk is nice, but junk removal business owners need to make a profit. That means you need to cover your labor, materials, and overhead costs. To achieve this, it’s essential to develop a pricing strategy for your waste removal business:

• Decide how to charge customers: You might want to have standardized prices for time, weight, and volume (like by the cubic foot). Creating all three will help you establish which way makes the most sense for each job.
• Research competition pricing: You don’t want your services to be overpriced or underpriced because both scenarios will hurt your earning potential
• Include overhead: Add all the expenses that are not directly applied to a job, then divide them by the number of billable hours (160 per person, per month). Add this rate to every hour of labor.
• Additional time and materials: You’ll need to cover time driving, disposal fees, taxes, and your profit margin. In general, junk removal services should assume each job will be at least two hours between driving, pickup, and disposal.

Once you’ve established your junk removal business pricing, you’ll want to create a junk removal price sheet .

Junk removal businesses need a variety of tools, equipment, and software to run successfully.

We’ve got you covered! Get all the supplies you need as a junk removal business owner from the UpFlip Junk Removal Store , or check out the list of tools you need for junk removal jobs below.

What do I need to start a junk removal business?

Junk removal businesses need the following:

• Pickup truck or box truck: You’ll need a vehicle to transport junk. This will be the largest of the business expenses, but Kyle says when you’re first getting started you can just rent a U-Haul.
• 3-in-1 Dolly: A successful junk removal business will need a dolly that converts to a cart. Kyle told us they have a 1,000-pound capacity dolly.
• Safety equipment: Depending on what you do in your junk removal business, you’ll need work gloves, work boots, safety goggles, and hard hats.
• Trash bags and bins: Load small things into these to simplify the process once you get to the dump or recycling yard.
• Reciprocating saw: Being able to saw items into smaller pieces comes in handy if you are recycling air conditioners because wires, copper, steel, compressors, and motors all have different values. Don’t forget blades and extension cords.

Author’s Note: Hauling away a ton (2,000 pounds) of air conditioners can make you around $2,000, based on my time working in HVAC.

You might want other tools including:

• 16-ounce claw hammer
• Construction broom
• Forearm forklift
• Large trash bins
• Laundry cart
• Long cut snips
• Moving blankets
• Orange vehicle flag
• Packing tape
• Screwdriver set
• Sledgehammer
• Utility cart

Next, find out how to market your junk disposal company.

When you start a junk removal business, you’ll need to build a name for yourself. To market yourself, you should:

• Post on social media.
• Find junk removal leads.
• Use junk removal software.
• Quote prices.

Post on social media

Social media is a powerhouse for all forms of service businesses. Kyle told us:

I went all in on social media, specifically Facebook. You used to have to go to businesses to network, but I can get way more leads from social.

Junk removal businesses should:

• Set up a Facebook business profile.
• Get their friends and family to like the Facebook page and share it.
• Post pictures of work they do from each junk removal job.
• Join local Facebook groups and network with potential customers.
• Create automated FAQs on Facebook Messenger.
• Keep posting regularly.

Kyle also explained that Instagram is better for marketing his junk removal coaching business.

Find junk removal leads

You’ll need to find customers who need junk disposal services. There are a lot of ways to help people find you when they need help. Kyle discussed where you can find potential customers:

Social media, Google (both search and local ads), flyers, door knocking, and Yelp are all good places to find leads.

Use junk removal business software

Business software is necessary to help potential customers find your business and manage all the jobs.

The main requirements you are looking for in software include a website, email and text automation, quotes, invoicing, and a customer relationship management system.

Many junk removal businesses use either Jobber or Housecall Pro , which offer all of the services above. Based on testing both for blogs, I like Housecall Pro’s functionality better.

Quote prices

Once you have gotten leads, Kyle said that you’ll want to go to the person’s residence or business location so you can see the extent of the junk haul-off. There, you’ll examine what you need to remove and provide an estimate. If you’re in the junk removal truck, you might even be able to haul the junk immediately.

You should also provide a business card so they can contact you if they don’t want the junk removed immediately.

In addition to offering home and office junk removal, Kyle suggested the following services:

You can also offer house flipping, dumpster rentals, and demolition.

When it’s time to collect the junk, you’ll go to the customer’s location and put it in the truck or scrap trailer. Removal time will depend on the number of items, ease of getting to them, and other tasks you need to do.

When you are done, you’ll want to get paid for junk removal. You might also want to provide junk removal business cards because the waste removal industry doesn’t get much repeat business, but business cards could help you get referrals.

Finally, you’ll take the junk to the dump, a recycling yard, or somewhere that you can repair it. When there are things you can recycle or repair, you can commonly make some extra money when you have slow periods.

When you start a junk removal company, you’ll want to find ways to expand it. Kyle told us:

Focus on perfecting one thing, but be open to expanding to other services. In my case, it led to house flipping and coaching.

You could recycle or repair appliances to make extra money, too. As your business grows, you could also franchise your business to help other people get started quicker.

Find employees

Kyle explained:

Lots of people thought I was all talk, but once I started a lot of my friends wanted to become junk removers.

If you don’t want to work with friends, learn about hiring employees from a recruiter.

Systemize everything

Establishing and documenting systems and policies for your business can make it run smoother, even in your absence.

How much is junk removal for customers?

Junk removal pros normally charge a minimum pickup fee of $50 to $150, and larger jobs may cost a minimum of $100 to $450. If customers rent dumpsters, those may cost $30 to $285 per day.

Can I buy a junk removal franchise?

Yes, you can buy a junk removal franchise. Some of the common junk removal franchises are:

• 1-800-Got-Junk?: The most famous commercial junk removal company hauls away all kinds of junk.
• College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving: Starting a junk removal business with College HUNKS means you’ll provide moving and junk removal services.
• Bin There Dump That: This hauling junk business brings dumpsters to people’s homes, then hauls it afterward. Learn more .
• Junk Removal Authority (JRA): The JRA offers the equivalent of franchise support without royalty fees.
• JDog Junk Removal & Hauling: JDog focuses on helping veterans start waste removal companies. They also donate or recycle over 60% of junk.
• The Junkluggers: Junkluggers franchises offer same-day and next-day junk and trash removal.

Learn about other junk collector franchises .

Whether you want to start a junk removal side hustle, buy a franchise, or start your own business, we’ve covered every aspect of entering the junk removal business as an entrepreneur.

It’s up to you to get started. What kind of junk removal will you do?

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[su_note note_color="#dbeafc"] We’ll share insights, strategies, and tips. Click on one of the links below to learn more about starting a tow truck business, or just continue reading.

Tow Truck Business Case Study: ASAP Towing

Learn about the towing industry, step #1. identify your target market, step #2. research local regulations, step #3. create a tow truck business plan, step #4. consider a startup loan, step #5. register your business, step #6. open a business bank account, step #7. get tow truck business insurance, step #8. get the required licenses and permits, step #9. buy equipment and tools, step #10. develop and implement a marketing strategy, step #11. provide great customer service, frequently asked questions, hiring tips, top towing influencers.

• Conclusion [/su_note]

Vincent grew up working in auto repair shops owned by his dad, but he wanted to have a business to call his own. They already owned a tow truck and had land, so they decided to start a new tow truck company.

The business venture was mostly Vanice and one employee during its first year. About 18 months in, Vincent had to quit his day job and work at ASAP full time because it was making $250K per year.

The local tow truck company offers towing services for breakdowns, lockouts, accidents, impounds, and more. Check out our interview with Vincent and Vanice below.

Before we discuss how to start a towing company, it’s important to learn all about towing and how the industry operates. We’ll discuss:

• The cost to start a tow truck business
• The amount towing vehicles makes
• Industry profit margins
• Major players
• Industry outlook
• Legal requirements
• How to get a tow truck driver license

How much does it cost to start a tow truck business?

Vincent told us starting your own towing company requires around $10,000 to get a truck, licenses, and towing equipment. We’ll discuss individual costs more in other sections.

How much do tow truck drivers make?

As of January 26, 2024, the average salary for a U.S.-based tow truck driver is $44,198, with a range of $38,820–$50,211, and an average hourly rate of $18.54.

You’ll normally want to pay yourself this salary in addition to some profits from the business when you are an owner-operator.

Your location, experience, employer, skills, and education may impact the pay for tow truck driver jobs. Some drivers will also get bonuses and tips.

According to Indeed , the tow truck driver salary is highest in the following cities:

• Milwaukee, WI
• Sacramento, CA
• Los Angeles, CA
• Las Vegas, NV

How much profit can a towing business make?

Transportation businesses normally make 30.59% gross margins and 5.91% net margins. Some people who own towing companies make up to 33.65% profit, which means that the Serranos are likely bringing in somewhere between $700K and $4 million in profits.

Who are the major players in the towing business?

Because many tow truck businesses are privately held companies, it is difficult to find accurate revenue numbers for the largest towing businesses. Along with ASAP Towing, some other large tow truck businesses include:

• United Road Towing : Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) estimates United Road Towing’s annual revenue to be $99M .
• Jamie Davis Towing : ZoomInfo estimates annual revenue is under $5M for this towing company.
• Certified Towing: Revenue is estimated at $1M , according to D&B .

What is the towing industry’s outlook?

IBIS World values the U.S. towing industry at $12.5B and expects it to grow around 2.9% in 2024. They expect it to continue growing at a faster rate after inflation settles down.

Any industry that exceeds the GDP growth in the U.S. is a great one to enter as a business owner.

What are the requirements for a tow company?

Before starting a tow truck company, you will need various tools, permits, and licenses. Consult your local small business office, the DMV, or a lawyer who specializes in tow truck businesses.

A tow trucking company will normally need:

• Drivers with class B driver’s licenses
• Business structure as a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation
• Comprehensive auto insurance with uninsured motorist insurance and higher limits than the state minimum (no less than $250K, but $1M is better)
• Business insurance
• High physical damage insurance
• An oversized vehicle permit (depending on what you will be towing)
• Indictment management permit (if towing without consent)

How to Get a Tow Truck License

To drive a truck with below a 26,000-pound towing capacity, you only need a regular driver’s license. You’ll need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for anything bigger.

That means you’ll need to take a CDL course, which takes about a month. Then you’ll need to pass the DMV test.

Next, we’ll look at how to start a tow truck business.

How to Start a Tow Truck Business

Starting a tow truck business requires special considerations because of the nature of dealing with vehicular accidents and repossessions. You’ll want to follow the process below to start a successful towing business:

1. Identify your target market. 2. Research local regulations. 3. Create a business plan. 4. Consider a startup loan. 5. Register your business. 6. Get the required licenses and permits.

7. Buy equipment and tools. 8. Develop a marketing strategy. 9. Get liability insurance. 10. Open a business bank account. 11. Provide excellent customer service.

Keep reading to learn how to start a towing business.

Tow truck companies use multiple business strategies to bring in revenue. An indispensable strategy is identifying your target market. Potential customers include:

• Insurance companies: Companies like AAA and Roadside America need towing and roadside assistance for their customers.
• Government agencies: These entities impound cars and need someone to tow them. Not that there may be minimum truck requirements.
• Banks and lenders: Repossession services work with banks and lenders. Learn more about repo laws on the American Recovery Agency website .
• Motorists: Towing businesses can also work with civilians to tow vehicles when they break down or are otherwise immovable.
• Subcontracting: Many businesses outsource their towing needs.
• Automotive companies: A towing business might also work with car dealerships and auto auctions to deliver cars to dealerships or customers.

Every towing business needs to understand the local, state, and federal laws that the automobile towing industry operates under. Make sure to check the regulations for all levels of government based on the towing services you provide.

A tow truck operator will normally be governed by federal law in two scenarios:

• Maximum towing capacity for different types of trucks
• Interstate commerce laws, which come into play when commercial vehicles cross state lines

States and local governments will often have laws and regulations that govern the tow truck industry, including minimum tow truck insurance and CDL requirements.

You don’t have to write a towing business plan, but it won’t hurt. It will help you keep track of how your towing company is progressing toward its goals. Tow truck business plans should follow a process similar to this:

• Find customers.
• Get your permits and licenses to drive a tow truck.
• Start your company.
• Buy a tow truck.
• Start towing vehicles.
• Follow a marketing plan to take on more work.
• Buy more trucks.

Download our business plan template, then check out our interview with Mike Andes on how to write a business plan below:

Starting a towing business isn’t cheap. With the cost of a flatbed truck, tow truck insurance, commercial auto insurance, and small business insurance, you can expect to spend $10K to start a towing company. Other sites estimate the tow truck business startup cost can range from $62 to $2M .

• Personal funds or assets
• A loan from family or friends
• Funds from a business partner
• Government programs
• Crowdfunding
• Credit cards
• Home equity loans
• Business loans ( Check out our partners .)
• Rollover for business startups (ROBS)

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers free courses on financing options and funding programs . For info on using personal funds to start a business, check out this article from The Hartford .

Registering a tow truck business will require you to:

• Choose a business name: You’ll want a tow truck business name that is available as a website domain name, social media handle, and registered business name with your secretary of state and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Check domain availability on GoDaddy .
• Create a business structure: You’ll want to get either an LLC or a corporation when starting a tow company. You do not want to get a sole proprietorship because it will expose your personal assets to a lawsuit if you get in a wreck with the tow truck.
• Apply for an EIN: An employer identification number (EIN) is required to file taxes for business entities on the IRS website. It is also used to associate employee payroll taxes with the correct company.
• Acquire a sales tax permit: Most states have a sales tax, and you need to adhere to their requirements. This blog isn’t the place to discuss the permits for all 50 states, but Avalara has a guide on sales tax permits . Check it out.
• Labor law posters: All employers must display workplace posters that signal they’re following labor laws. You can download them from the Department of Justice website . You must also follow all hiring laws.
• Unemployment Insurance (UI): You’ll have to pay about $420 per employee on a federal level plus any state UI. Check the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for more information.

Having an open bank account for your business is crucial to keeping your personal finances and tow truck business finances separate. If you have a limited liability company or a corporation, you’ll also need it to get business loans and personal liability protection.

If you have a business bank account, you can also get a business credit card and potentially commercial truck financing.

You’ll want a variety of insurance policies when you own tow trucks. You’ll want:

• Auto liability insurance: covers the vehicle owner if one of their tow truck drivers gets in a wreck
• Uninsured motorist insurance: covers your flatbed truck and your employee if an uninsured driver hits the vehicle
• Workers compensation insurance: covers the medical fees and lost work if employees get hurt or killed on the job

When you own tow truck company assets, you’ll also want various types of business insurance, like general liability, a business owner's policy, and commercial property insurance. Try Simply Business to get quotes from many of the best business insurance companies.

As stated, tow trucks may require you to apply for additional permits and licenses. We suggest anyone who wants to tow vehicles reach out to a local business law attorney to verify that they have complied with all laws and regulations.

One of the major business expenses for a successful towing company is the cost of flatbed trucks for hauling wrecked vehicles. Some of the places you can find the different types of tow trucks include:

• A bank repoed tow truck sale
• Auto auctions
• Failing tow truck businesses
• Commercial Truck Trader

You’ll want to focus on marketing when starting a tow truck business. Vincent suggests using the following marketing for tow trucks:

Instagram and Facebook

• Videos platforms

Launch a Website

Creating a website helps people get the information they need about the services you offer, how much they cost, and where your business is located.

Some services you might list on your website include:

• Roadside assistance
• Repossession services
• Impounding and storage
• Vehicle auctions
• Heavy-duty towing services

Tow places should optimize their website for search engines for search engines. For example, adding a Google Map location to their website’s footer can help it show up higher on Google.

Vincent told us he has one company that does his videos, another that does search engine optimization, and a third that does social media. You can find all-encompassing services, as well.

Your business budget should include some expenses for advertising on Google. Vincent told us:

[su_quote] We’re spending a little over $1,000 per month on Google right now. [/su_quote]

Vincent told us that he is fairly new to Instagram, but it is starting to provide some returns. He said he has found success on Facebook.

Like many business owners, Vincent is starting to get into video marketing.

When you start a tow truck business, you can create videos about the common types of calls a tow operator gets. You can also explain how to do things like change a battery, replace a tire, and what to do in an accident—but make sure not to give any legal advice.

How much should a towing business spend on marketing?

Established tow truck companies should spend between 2% and 10% of desired revenue on marketing, depending on whether they are marketing their towing business to businesses or consumers. Business-to-consumer companies normally spend more on marketing.

According to entrepreneur Thomas Minieri , new companies should spend up to 20% of their target revenue on marketing to help them grow faster. You will normally want to spend between 15% and 20% of your budget on advertising costs.

Despite the suggestions, many small business owners spend much less on marketing. For instance, both Kenneth and Vanice spend less than 1% of their revenue on marketing.

Tow companies need to provide great customer service. Whether you’re towing for law enforcement, a business, or people in need of repairs, you should try to be compassionate.

Towing companies often provide emergency roadside assistance, but some partner with other businesses to transport vehicles that are (often unintentionally) parked illegally. When someone gets their car towed, remember they may not have known that their car was parked improperly.

Now that you know how to start a tow truck business, let’s look at some frequently asked questions about the industry.

We’ll start with the question on everyone’s mind:

How much do tow trucks cost?

There are a few different types of trucks:

• Flatbed tow truck for sale
• Ramp trucks for sale
• Wrecker truck for sale
• Integrated tow truck for sale

In most cases, expect to spend $25K or more.

How can I start a successful tow truck business with no money?

You have to start somewhere. Kenneth suggested the following solutions:

• Can you finance?
• Can you get a lease on a truck?
• Can you ask friends and family?

He also told us:

[su_quote] I went looking for a loan so I could buy a tow truck and found out that you can’t get a loan to start a business unless you’ve been in business for two years.

I wound up going into it on a lease, rent to own. The truck sold for $50,000. By the time I’m done paying for the truck, it’ll be $106,000. [/su_quote]

He went on to say:

[su_quote] The benefit of leasing is you can get into a vehicle with a limited amount of money. The downfall of it is, if you don’t find the right leasing company, you’re gonna be paying them to double whatever the original amount was. So do a little diligence and find out. If they say there’s no puny penalty for prepayment, make sure that the amount is going to be adjusted. [/su_quote]

There are more ways to fund a towing company.

Common funding paths include:

• Personal funds or personal assets

The SBA offers free courses on financing options and funding programs . For info on using personal funds to start a business, check out this article from The Hartford .

Running the tow truck company is what you will spend most of your time doing. This includes aspects like hiring employees, helping customers, keeping inventory in stock, accounting, and payroll.

Kenneth had a lot to say about hiring drivers. He said the most important aspects of drivers are:

• Do they have the required licensing?
• Do they stay in communication with the owner?
• Do they have mechanical experience, or are they willing to learn?

Without the required licensing, they won’t be able to earn money. But the other aspects are more important to focus on for the bigger picture. Here’s what he had to say about communication:

[su_quote] [An employee is valuable] when they stay in contact with you and they keep you aware of what’s going on with your vehicle. If they’re having any problems, just tell me what your problem is. And I will give you the answer, ’cause my job is to help you. [/su_quote]

He also emphasized the importance of being mechanically inclined:

[su_quote] I’ve hired three people in the last month. I had to fire one quick because I explained to ’em, you know, the truck needs maintenance. I can’t be driving 16 hours a day and work on my truck, your truck, and everybody else’s truck.

It’s just not gonna happen. You have to take care of the truck. So, if you don’t know how to be a car mechanic, that probably is a tough spot to begin with.

I’m even willing to teach you what you need to know. I don’t have a problem with that because we succeed together as a team or we fail as a team. [/su_quote]

Find out what other people in the industry are doing:

• Jamie Davis Towing: Check out his YouTube Channel
• Get Hooked: A towing industry Podcast

We’ve covered how to start a tow truck company; now it’s your turn to get the licenses and permits, find some customers, get a truck, and start towing.

If you’ve already started one, what has been the most challenging part of starting an independent towing service?

How to Open a Convenience Store (in Just 10 Steps)

The Pros and Cons of Owning a Convenience Store

• Freedom to be your own boss - Join the ranks of 32 million small business owners .
• Steady customers – Generally, convenience store customers are based on a neighborhood or location and become regular visitors. This reduces the need to constantly acquire new customers and provides consistent business and market data.
• Financial stability – Although they sometimes have low margins, convenience stores typically don’t generally experience financial highs and lows associated with economic booms and busts.
• Relative ease to startup – Compared to many businesses such as restaurants, convenience stores are fairly straightforward to set up once you’ve identified what you need.
• High staff turnover – Staff issues can eat into profit margin in the form of training time and costs, mistakes, inventory theft, and illegal actions such as not carding for alcohol/tobacco sales, etc.
• Security and safety issues – Historically convenience stores have been targets for theft and crime.
• Inventory losses – Convenience stores are particularly prone to inventory losses both through theft and product spoilage. These challenges require constant management and result in lower margins.
• Long hours – If you are an independent owner you may find yourself having to work long hours to keep margins intact, especially during your first 2-3 years in business.  Many customers expect to be able to go into a store late at night or early in the morning 7 days a week.
• Startup costs – It can cost typically between $50,000 and $100,000 to startup a convenience store. But this number can go as low as $10,000 (unlikely) and up to $ 1 million (if you have deep pockets). Much of this startup expense is invested in initial inventory, rent and deposits, and equipment.

Is Owning a Convenience Store Profitable?

Options for Opening a Convenience Store

• Buy an existing store
• Open a franchise
• Start a convenience store

Option #1: Buy a convenience store

• An existing customer base
• Historical financial and other key information (i.e. foot traffic, rent history, product data)
• Ability to learn from the existing owner how to run the business
• Potential to purchase the business at a discount (i.e. if the owner wants to retire) and/or improve margins with better management
• No need to negotiate a new lease, supplier contracts, and other contracts
• Licenses and permits are in place
• Existing employees who know what to do
• Has all equipment been inspected recently and maintained? How old is it?
• Is the point of sales (POS) system modern? Does it track inventory and produce a balance sheet? Is it secure?
• What is the customer demographic? Do they have disposable income?
• How many vendors are there to manage and what are the contract terms?
• Is the store profitable and how can you be sure? Are the financials audited? Can you live off of these financials?
• If there are gasoline pumps on the property have they passed inspection recently?
• What are the best-selling products? If they are cigarettes and alcohol are you comfortable with those kinds of products being the bulk of your sales?

Option #2: Buy a franchise

• Generally lower startup costs
• Faster time to profitability (generally)
• Guidance and support from the franchisor for both startup and ongoing operations
• National marketing and increased visibility
• Tradeoffs to consider with a franchise model are:
• Ongoing fees that must be paid to the franchisor out of profits
• Lack of total control over business policies and decisions
• Lack of control over brand
• Reliance on the financial strength of the parent company

Option #3: Start a convenience store

• Vendor and product selection
• Choice of location
• Lease negotiation
• Store layout and equipment
• Profit margins

Convenience Store Startup Costs

• Square footage
• Foot and car traffic
• Initial product mix and inventory level
• Equipment such as point of sale systems, refrigeration, and shelving
• Licenses and permits
• Remodeling and repairs
• Security systems

Licenses You Need to Open a Convenience Store

• Sales tax permit
• Employer identification number (EIN)
• City or county business license
• Occupancy permit
• Alcohol and tobacco license
• Health and safety permits
• Lottery license
• Gas permits (i.e. EPA inspection)

How to Successfully Open and Run a Convenience Store

Step 1: create a store business plan, step 2: select a good location.

• Sit outside and count customers for several hours (or pay someone to do this)
• Get this information from the existing store owner
• Ask the landlord (although you will probably want to verify numbers)
• Ask other businesses adjacent/nearby
• Use a service like locationgenius that tracks foot traffic via mobile phone data

Step #3: Focus on financial management

Step #4: reward your customers.

Step #5: Maintain a clean store

Step #6:  monitor your competition, step #7: invest in good technology and systems, step #8: understand your customers.

• Are the customers regulars who rely on the store for everyday goods? An example would be a businessperson stopping in for a coffee and donut every day.
• Do the customers come in for the community?  If so, you want your interior to be inviting and perhaps offer a standup eat-in counter and train employees to be extra friendly.
• Are customers in a rush to get in and out? If so, you want the most popular last-minute products like milk and bread to be easily visible and accessible. You’ll want to staff up appropriately and have a quick payment system.

Step #9: Understand product and consumer trends

• National Association of Convenience Stores
• American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association
• State Associations for Convenience Stores
• National Association of Truck Stop Operators

Step #10: Manage purchases well

Financing a Convenience Store

Conventional loans

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• Find your best loan offer from competing lenders*
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Asset-backed loans

Seller carry financing.

Merchant Cash Advance

The bottom line.

S-Corp vs LLC: Which is Right for My Business?

What is a Limited Liability Company?

• Separation of business and personal assets
• Ease of forming an LLC 
• Separation of personal and business liabilities
• Ability to choose your tax structure
• Pay self-employment tax

What is an S-Corp?

• Have less than 100 stockholders
• Run an LLC or C-Corp
• Be a U.S. resident
• Maintain one class of stock
• Pay the business owner a reasonable salary
• Pay half of the 15.3% payroll taxes
• Sub S-Corporation
• Small business corporation

Difference between LLC and S-Corp

• An LLC is a business entity. At the same time, an S-Corp is a tax filing status.
• An S-Corp treats business income differently than a default single-member LLC.
• An LLC provides more tax options than an S-Corp.
• LLCs have fewer compliance requirements.
• LLC owners pay self-employment taxes, but S-Corps use payroll taxes.

LLC vs S-Corp: Entity Status

Llc and s-corp: business formation, forming an llc.

• Pay the filing cost
• Pay ongoing fees
• Write an operating agreement
• Submit the articles of organization

Filing Cost and Ongoing Fees

Operating agreement.

• Personal liability protection
• Making verbal agreements legally enforceable
• Setting rules that are different than your state's default rules for LLCs
• The creation date
• Owners and percentages
• Management and voting interests
• Investment in business
• How profits, losses, and assets, are distributed
• A succession plan
• A dissolution plan
• And anything else required by your state.

Articles of Organization

• Company name
• Description of the company
• Mailing address
• Name and address of the registered (or statutory) agent
• Information about company owners, managers, and officers

Forming an S-Corporation

LLC or S-Corp: Treatment of business income 

• Owner employee classification
• Profit treatment
• Treatment of Fica
• Tax code(s) used

Is the owner of an LLC required to pay self-employment tax?

• Claims the profit or losses as personal income, which is called pass-through income.
• Pays the full 15.3% Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes.
• Follows the same tax code as a sole proprietor or partnership.
• May choose to file taxes as an S-Corp or C-Corp and file based on their tax codes.

How is an S-Corp owner’s income treated when they run the business?

• A reasonable salary : Must pay comparable to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Median Income or higher for your role. Find the appropriate wage .
• Losses : Treated as pass-through income, reducing your net income.
• Profits : Profits are treated as dividend income and have three tax brackets: 0%, 15%, and 20%. You don’t pay FICA on dividends.

S-Corp Owner as a Stockholder Only

• Profits : Profits are treated as dividend income and have three tax brackets: 0%, 15%, and 20%. 

S-Corp vs LLC: What Are the Tax Benefits?

What are the tax considerations of an LLC?

• 15.3% self-employment tax is broken into 12.4% for social security and 2.9% for Medicare.
• Pay personal income tax rates of up to 37%.
• Benefits like Health care are tax-deductible in pass-through taxation.
• Pass-through LLCs can deduct 20% of net income before being taxed.

What are some tax considerations when electing S-Corp status?

• 1120S : Documents income, gains, losses, deductions, and credits.
• 1120W : Estimated tax form that is required if a corporation elected S-Corp status.
• Employment taxes : The company will collect and pay payroll taxes, which are the same rate as self-employment taxes, but the company and employee split the cost. They are also responsible for federal unemployment tax.
• Excise taxes : Charged on industries like energy, gambling, and tanning booths.
• 1040 : This form is to claim income and losses from S-Corps, estates, trusts, etc. 
• 1040SR : Alternative form 1040 for those over 65 filing their personal tax returns.
• 1040ES : Quarterly estimates for business owners' personal tax returns.

LLC vs S-Corporation: Operations

• An S-Corp has to manage payroll taxes.
• An S-Corp has more legal requirements, which take time.
• An LLC taxed for self-employment tax is done on a personal income tax form unless the LLC has other employees. 

LLCs and S-Corporations: Compliance

Frequently Asked Questions about LLCs and S-Corps

Is an llc a corporation.

• LLC as S-Corp: Form 2553
• LLC as C-Corp: Form 8832

Can an LLC be an S-Corp?

What is an s-corporation.

• Have less than 100 stockholders.
• Be a C-Corporation or LLC.
• Be wholly owned by U.S residents.
• Have one class of stock.

Can an S-Corp own an LLC?

S-corp vs llc for real estate, how does an llc become an s-corp, how to revoke an s-corporation election.

S-Corporation vs LLC: So Which Should You Choose?

• 11 Types of Business Structures: Which One’s The Best Fit?
• Sole Proprietorship vs LLC – Which Should You Choose?
• S-Corp vs C-Corp

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Junk Removal Business

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Junk Removal Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on December 21, 2021 Updated on June 5, 2024

Investment range

$7,550 - $16,100

Revenue potential

$215,000 - $700,000 p.a.

Time to build

1 – 3 Months

Profit potential

$170,000 - $280,000 p.a.

Industry trend

We all accumulate junk we really don’t need, which is why US waste removal is worth nearly $60 billion and growing. By starting your own junk removal business, you can haul away a chunk of that market and make a healthy profit.

Of course, starting a business requires hard work and determination. You should start by educating yourself on the ins and outs of the industry, and this step-by-step guide is full of information and insights to get you started on your entrepreneurial journey.

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

A junk removal business has pros and cons that you should consider before deciding if the business is right for you.

• Good Money – Profit margins for junk removal are strong
• Constant Demand – People always have junk to be hauled away
• Be Green – Ensure recyclables end up in the right place
• Hard Labor – You’ll literally be doing the heavy lifting
• High Startup Costs – A truck to haul junk doesn’t come cheap

Junk Removal Industry trends

Eco-friendly junk removal has been in greater demand of late, as people want their junk recycled or donated rather than in a landfill. The EPA reports that in 2018 over $145 million tons of solid waste went to landfills.(( https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials#Landfilling )) About 80% of that waste could have been recycled. The amount of solid waste that went to landfills no doubt increased in 2020 during the pandemic as most people stayed at home.

Industry size and growth 

• Industry size and past growth – The US waste collection industry is valued at nearly $60 billion. It has been growing steadily at almost one percent per year since 2017, according to market analyst IBISWorld.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/market-size/waste-collection-services-united-states/ ))
• Growth forecast – The market is expected to grow 3% in 2022.
• Number of businesses – There are roughly 8,000 waste collection services businesses in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/number-of-businesses/waste-collection-services-united-states/ ))
• Number of people employed – More than 230,000 people are employed in this industry.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/industry-statistics/employment/waste-collection-services-united-states/ ))

Trends and challenges

Demand for junk removal services is rising due to these trends:

• Remote/work from home arrangements
• More home remodeling projects
• Steady growth in construction industry

The industry also faces challenges:

• Landfills in the US are nearing full capacity
• Risk of back strains, cuts, and abrasions

Consumer spending

• Average consumer spend – The average person in the US spends $230 per truck load for junk removal, according to moving expert move.org.(( https://www.move.org/average-junk-removal-cost/ ))
• Potential customer base – The average American produces five pounds of solid waste per day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Only a third is recycled or composted.(( https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/national-overview-facts-and-figures-materials ))
• Average prices – Professional junk removal services cost $100 to $800 per truck load in 2019. The rates have probably increased.

How much does it cost to start a junk removal business?

Startup costs for a junk removal business range from $7,500 to $16,000 or more. The largest expense is the down payment on a vehicle, so your costs will depend on how large and how new a vehicle you want to start with. You can always get a larger truck later, once your business is up and running.

For more details on acquiring a truck in order to start a business, you could check out Step By Step’s articles on starting a dump truck business and on starting a box truck business .

How much can you earn from a junk removal business?

Totals vary by load size, but the average price of a junk removal job is $230. If you start out as a solopreneur, working out of your home, your profit margin should be about 80%.

In your first year or two, you could do three jobs a day six days a week and bring in $215,000 in annual revenue. This would mean about $170,000 in profit, assuming that 80% margin. As your brand gains recognition, you could rent an office and hire staff, reducing your margin to 40%. But if you and your crew can do 10 hauls a day, you’d see annual revenue of more than $700,000, and a tidy profit of $280,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a junk removal business. Your biggest challenges are:

• Expense of getting a large vehicle or truck and dollies
• Competition from junk removers in your area

Related Business Ideas

How to Start a Recycling Business

How to Start a Waste Management Business

How to Start a Dumpster Rental Business

Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a junk removal business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market.

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an opportunity

Research junk removal businesses in your area to examine their services, price points, and customer reviews. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a green junk removal service, or one that operates 24/7 and offers emergency pick-up.

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry such as hazardous waste removal.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away.

What? Determine your services and offerings

You need to create a list of your offerings. You could offer:

• Garage and basement cleanouts
• Tree removal and yard clean-ups
• Hazardous waste removal
• Recycling and donation of removed items

How much should you charge for junk removal?

Junk removal jobs run from $100 to $800 per truck load, with a national average of $230. Your prices should be based on the size of the load and the time required. Your costs will be hired labor, overhead, and fuel. When you’re on your own you should aim for a profit margin of about 80%, but once you rent out a space and hire staff, you can expect a margin of 40%.

Once you know your costs, use the Step By Step profit margin calculator to determine your price points.

Who? Identify your target market

Your target market will probably be homeowners, but you could also do commercial junk removal. You can probably find both of those groups on Facebook or LinkedIn.

Where? Choose your business premises

In the early stages, you may want to run your business from home to keep costs low. But as your business grows, you’ll likely need to hire workers for various roles and may need to rent out a sorting facility. Find commercial space to rent in your area on Loopnet , Craigslist , Crexi , and Commercial Cafe .

When choosing a commercial space, you may want to follow these rules of thumb:

• Central location accessible via public transport
• Ventilated and spacious, with good natural light
• Flexible lease that can be extended as your business grows
• Ready-to-use space with no major renovations or repairs needed

Step 3: Brainstorm a Junk Removal Business Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better
• The name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “junk removal” or “hauling”, boosts SEO
• Choose a name that allows for expansion: “JunkAway Solutions” over “Furniture Removal Experts”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick your company name, and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Junk Removal Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive Summary : A concise summary of the junk removal business plan, highlighting its key points and objectives.
• Business Overview : An introduction to the junk removal business, describing its mission, vision, and legal structure.
• Product and Services : Details about the junk removal services offered, such as residential or commercial cleanouts, recycling, and disposal options.
• Market Analysis : An examination of the junk removal market, including target demographics, trends, and potential growth.
• Competitive Analysis : Evaluation of key competitors in the junk removal industry, their strengths, weaknesses, and market positioning.
• Sales and Marketing : Strategies for attracting and retaining customers, including pricing, promotion, and advertising plans.
• Management Team : Information about the individuals responsible for running the business, their qualifications, and roles.
• Operations Plan : A description of day-to-day business operations, including logistics, equipment, and workforce management.
• Financial Plan : Financial projections, including revenue forecasts, expenses, and funding requirements.
• Appendix : Supplementary materials, such as resumes, legal documents, and additional data supporting the business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business!

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to junk removal businesses.

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state.

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your junk removal business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely.

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN.

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans : This is the most common method, but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans : The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants : A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal : Self-fund your business via your savings, the sale of property or other assets, and support from family and friends.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than personal, for funding a junk removal business.

Step 8: Apply for Licenses/Permits

Starting a junk removal business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as, health license and permit from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits.

If you have a box truck for hauling, you’ll need to obtain a commercial driver’s license from your state DMV. You’ll also need a Department of Transportation number and a Motor Carrier Authority number, both of which you can get by registering with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) . Finally, you’ll need to complete a unified carrier’s registration .

You may also need state-level licenses and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your junk removal business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account.

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability : The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property : Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance : Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation : Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property : Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto : Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability : Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP) : This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of any of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business.

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.

You can use industry-specific software, such as Soft-Pak , Trash Flow , or Jobber , to manage your scheduling, quoting, and invoicing.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero .
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Develop your website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

They are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Professional Branding — Establish trust and professionalism through a memorable logo, branded vehicles, uniforms, and business cards.
• Website & SEO — Develop a detailed website showcasing your junk removal services, service areas, and pricing, optimized to rank well for local searches related to waste management.
• Direct Outreach — Build referral partnerships with local real estate agents, property managers, and construction companies to increase service visibility.
• Social Media Engagement — Use Facebook and Instagram to display before-and-after project photos, customer testimonials, and promote your environmentally friendly practices.
• Content Marketing — Run a blog offering decluttering tips, waste disposal advice, and the benefits of hiring professional junk removers, establishing your authority in the industry.
• Email Newsletters — Keep customers informed with regular updates on new services, special offers, and timely seasonal clean-up tips.
• Experiential Marketing — Engage in community clean-up events or sponsor local activities to enhance your brand visibility and commitment to community welfare.
• Eco-Friendly Collaborations — Partner with recycling centers and charities for sustainable disposal and item donations, highlighting these eco-friendly practices in your marketing.
• Community Partnerships — Establish relationships with local businesses for mutual referral programs, complementing your junk removal services.
• Customer Loyalty Programs — Implement loyalty discounts and responsive customer service to retain customers and encourage referrals.
• Targeted Local Advertising — Utilize local media and direct mail campaigns to reach potential customers in areas undergoing renovations or property sales.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your junk removal business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire.

Signature USPs for your junk removal business could be:

• Eco-friendly junk removal to stop landfilling
• Need junk hauled fast? Same-day service guaranteed
• We haul it all, just give us a call!

It’s also a good idea to optimize calls to action. Experiment with text, color, size, and position of calls to action such as “Schedule Now”. This can sharply increase purchases.

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a junk removal business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working as a junk removal operator for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in junk removal. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business.

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a junk removal business would include:

• Laborers – assist with junk removal and disposal
• Dispatcher – to take customer calls and dispatch drivers
• Sorters – to sort items for recycling or donation
• Marketing Lead – SEO strategies, social media, other marketing

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need.

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent.

Step 13: Run a Junk Removal Business – Start Making Money!

Junk removal is a big industry with big opportunities! And at $230 a load you can bring in healthy revenue. Junk removal is a service that almost everyone needs at some point, so there’s no shortage of potential customers. You could eventually have a fleet of trucks and a large crew and make a very comfortable living as the master of junk!

You now have the knowledge you need, and should be ready to start hauling your way to entrepreneurial success.

• Junk Removal Business FAQs

Yes! A junk removal business can be very profitable. Prices for junk removal range from $150 to $350 per load, so even if you do just 3 loads a day at an average of $250 per load, you’ll be in the money!

Junk removal laborers generally make $13 – $14 per hour. You should check other junk removal businesses in your area to see what they pay to ensure your wage is competitive.

You can generate more leads by building local partnerships, targeted advertising, utilizing lead generation websites, and offering customer incentives to attract new customers.

Ensure safety by providing comprehensive employee training, appropriate safety equipment, conducting risk assessments, and obtaining sufficient insurance coverage to protect your employees and customers.

Differentiate your junk removal business by focusing on green initiatives, promoting responsible disposal and recycling, offering specialized services, and providing exceptional customer service to stand out from competitors in the market.

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Junk Removal Business Name
• Create a Junk Removal Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Licenses/Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Junk Removal Business - Start Making Money!

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• Sample Business Plans

Junk Removal Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

Congratulations on stepping into the exciting world of Junk Removal with a knack for decluttering!

High demand, low startup costs, the flexibility of doing business, and a recurring business model make junk removal a profitable business opportunity for new entrepreneurs.

It not only clears out clutter but also contributes to cleaner spaces and eco-friendly practices. If you’re wondering how to kickstart this thrilling junk removal journey, you’re in the right place.

However, starting your own junk removal business requires a well-drawn roadmap, and in the business world, that roadmap is your professional business plan.

So, we have prepared an essential guide for you to start writing a top-notch junk removal business plan that sets the stage for your money-making venture.

Don’t roll your eyes just yet; our sample junk removal business plan is your secret weapon to declutter the path to your business dreams. So, let’s get started!

Key Takeaways

• Use innovative and user-friendly tools to simplify the business planning process to start your junk removal business.
• Craft an impactful executive summary that outlines your goals, services offered, and team expertise to draw potential investors.
• Conduct a SWOT analysis to determine where your business stands against other junk removal companies.
• Keep a realistic and strategic financial plan to assess junk removal startup costs and secure funding resources.
• Develop a comprehensive sales and marketing plan to effectively promote your brand and attract new clients.
• Research and analyze your junk removal industry to highlight market trends, target audience needs, and customer preferences.
• Outline your operations plan and provide details about staffing needs, logistics process, and quality service resources.

Why is a junk removal business plan necessary?

It is said that entrepreneurs who dive into business directly without crafting a business plan are probably delaying their success.

So, if you’re going to start your own junk removal company or want to grow an existing one, writing a junk removal business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business.

It is not just a document; it’s a strategic tool that offers a roadmap for navigating the challenges and capitalizing on the opportunities that lie ahead in the waste management landscape.

An actionable plan provides a comprehensive view of your business goals, offered services, and operational aspects. Also, it helps you understand the target market and competitors.

Whether you’re seeking funding, a detailed business plan is your go-to guide that helps you map out your marketing strategies or estimate your financial statements.

So, having a professional business plan is a roadmap to success and empowers you to make informed business decisions. Without further ado, let’s move to a guide for an effective business plan.

How to Write a Junk Removal Business Plan: A Complete Guide

1. get a business plan template.

Before you start writing a business plan for your junk removal company, it is recommended to get a business plan template first.

It’s like having a guide that makes your business planning process more simpler and easier. It offers a structured framework to communicate your business idea.

Not only that, a well-crafted business plan template helps you describe all the essential sections in detail with utmost care. And it will save you valuable time and effort.

If you are new to business planning or looking for a polished template, get our free business plan template now. It guides you to present your business plan cohesively and professionally.

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
• Financial Tables

2. Write an executive summary

An executive summary is the first section of the business plan intended to provide a brief overview of the entire business plan.

It should be clear, concise, and engaging, as it will make your first impression and attract investors or readers to delve further into your plan. Generally, it is written after the whole junk removal business plan is ready.

Start your summary by introducing your idea behind starting a junk removal business, explaining what it does and how it will be different. Take reference from the below example written using Upmetrics AI assistant .

Clearly state your business goals, offered services, unique selling points, and financial projections that will be explored in greater detail within the plan. Don’t forget to outline market opportunities and marketing strategies.

After briefly explaining your business plan, end your summary with a call to action, inviting potential investors or readers to the next meeting if they are interested in your business.

3. Conduct a competitive and market analysis

Market research and competitor analysis section is a very crucial part of the junk removal business plan.

Take some time to go further and conduct thorough market research, as it unveils necessary information about the market size and growth potential of the junk removal industry in which you are operating.

Now, recognize your target market and define your ideal customer. Know more about your target customers and describe who you target, residential property owners, small or medium-scale businesses, or large industrial corporations.

Identify and scrutinize all other junk removal businesses in the local market and understand your competitors better,  including direct and indirect competitors.

Most likely, the other junk removal businesses in your area will be direct competitors, and indirect competitors can be thrift stores or landfills.

Evaluate their strengths & weaknesses, and explain how you can offer qualitative services to set a unique position in the local market. Also, define your hauling business’s competitive advantage.

Not just that, you can analyze emerging market trends in your industry and explain how your business will cope with all the trends.

Specify any regulations or licensing requirements that impact your business, such as safety regulations, occupational licenses, business permits, etc.

Some extra tips for writing the market & competitive analysis section of your business plan:

• Use various sources to gather data, including industry reports, market research studies, and surveys.
• Be specific and provide detailed information wherever possible.
• Include charts and graphs to help illustrate your key points.
• Keep your target audience in mind while writing the business plan.

4. Prepare a company overview

Now, it’s time to provide some foundational details like business type, legal structure, location, history, and mission statement that every business overview should include.

The company overview section should provide an in-depth understanding of your business. And it should be precise and engaging. For your junk removal business, mention all the basic information about your business like:

• The name and type of your junk removal business (commercial or residential junk removal service provider)
• Company legal structure, whether a sole proprietorship, partnership firm or something else
• Location of your company and why you selected that place
• Ownership structure including % shares in the corporation
• Mission statement emphasizing core principles
• Achievements or recognitions for your incredible services (if any)
• Future goals to convey your aspirations and vision

In addition to that, discuss a little bit more about your business history, including when you started your business and how it came to be in its current position.

Refer to the below-written example describing the junk removal business history:

Established in [Year, e.g., “2018”], GreenClean Junk Removal was birthed from a vision to fill the gap in [city/region]’s waste management sector.

The journey from its humble beginnings to its present-day stature is a testament to relentless dedication and innovation.

Along the way, GreenClean Junk Removal has been honored with [specific recognitions, e.g., “the Eco-friendly Business Award in 2020”], cementing its reputation as an industry frontrunner.

5. Describe junk removal service offerings

Next, specify the scope of your junk removal service offerings. Provide details about the specific junk removal services offered to customers.

Create a list of junk removal services, it can be any of the following:

• Residential junk removal
• Commercial junk removal
• Construction site cleanup
• Dumpster rental service
• Garbage removal service
• Donation center services

Effectively communicate your services to the customers by sharing a detailed description of what it entails, the time required, precise pricing plans, and the qualifications of the professionals who will provide service.

Apart from that, list the junk removal equipment and tools required for seamless business operations, such as trucks, trailers, hand trucks, ramps, shovels, etc.

Here is an example of defining equipment and tools for junk removal services with the help of Upmetrics:

By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

This section should be detailed, informative, and customer-focused. Keep language simple and make it crystal clear what your junk removal business is all about.

6. Prepare a marketing plan

In the competitive landscape of the junk removal industry, being noticed is very important. And so, you need a tangible marketing strategy to attract and retain your clients.

Here are some of the sales and marketing strategies for junk removal companies:

Unique selling proposition (USP)

Clearly define your junk removal business’s unique selling propositions; which can be your specialty junk removal services, expertise in the market, 24X7 availability, eco-friendly practices, etc.

Also, specify what sets your business apart from the competition and what benefits your target market. Take reference from the below example written using our AI assistant:

Pricing strategy

Develop a pricing strategy that is competitive and affordable yet profitable. Consider offering promotions, discounts, or packages for your junk removal services to attract new customers.

Online & offline advertising strategy

Create a marketing strategy that includes a mix of online and offline marketing tactics. Consider using social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, brochures, and print marketing.

Having a professional website and a memorable logo can establish a strong brand and reach a wider audience. You can showcase all your services and build trust among potential customers.

Customer retention approach

Mention how your business will retain a loyal customer base and build trust among them. So, you can include loyalty programs, special events, or personalized services in your plan.

Sales strategies

Consider implementing a robust sales strategy such as offering competitive pricing, promoting 24/7 services, focusing on environmentally friendly practices, etc.

Feedback mechanism

Get insights from clients and establish a feedback mechanism. It will enhance your service offerings and highlight your belief in customer satisfaction. Be ready to adjust your strategies based on feedback and results.

7. Outline your organizational structure

Shed light on your organization structure as it provides an overview of the individuals responsible for running the junk removal business.

This section should provide a detailed description of the experience and qualifications of each manager, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Start this section by describing your management team’s key members (owners, senior management, marketing managers, workers, and other people involved).

Don’t forget to present their roles, and responsibilities, including their education, professional background, and any relevant experience in the industry.

You can also create an organizational chart with reporting lines and how decisions will be made. Here is an illustration of an organization structure using Upmetrics:

Doing so is very important to prevent any misunderstandings once the business is up and running.

Next, describe the compensation plan for the management team and staff, including salaries, bonuses, and other benefits. This can help key stakeholders to ascertain how much percentage is allocated to salaries.

If you have a board of advisors for your junk removal business, then mention them along with their roles and experience.

8. Create a logistics and operational plan

So, it’s time to delve into the intricacies of your business operations. A detailed logistics and operational plan ensures that your junk removal business runs efficiently, fulfilling client needs while adhering to safety measures.

Provide a quick overview of how you’ll efficiently collect, transport, and dispose of junk. The more streamlined your junk removal operations, the more satisfied your clients will be.

While writing this section, it’s important to consider the different aspects of your business operations. Here are the components to include in an operations plan:

Hiring plan

Explain the staffing requirements of your junk removal business, including the number of employees needed, their qualifications, and the duties they will perform. Also, specify the employee perks you will provide.

Operational process

Outline the processes and procedures you will use to run your junk hauling business. It encloses scheduling appointments, site visits, recycling and disposal facilities, operations and logistics, etc.

Take reference from the below example written using Upmetrics’ sample junk removal business plan:

Our streamlined processes are central to our efficient functioning:

Scheduling Appointments: Using [a dedicated software or platform], customers can conveniently book, reschedule, or cancel appointments.

Site Visits: Upon confirmation, our team conducts a preliminary site visit (if required) to assess the volume and nature of junk.

Recycling and Disposal: Adhering to our green ethos, we segregate junk for recycling. Items that can’t be recycled are responsibly disposed of in compliance with environmental standards.

Operations and Logistics: Efficient route planning ensures timely pickups and minimal fuel consumption. Our collaborations with recycling centers are periodically reviewed to ensure maximum recyclable waste processing.

Tools and Resources

Represent the tools and resources required to provide junk removal services(trucks, cleaning, and safety equipment). Also, mention the condition and quality of the equipment or any maintenance required.

9. Prepare financial projections

For a successful junk removal business, you will need a well-structured and in-depth financial plan with a realistic financial projection.

It is the most important section for investors as it offers a clear picture of your business’s projected profitability, fiscal growth, and cash generation capacity.

In this section, you can highlight the income statement, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break-even analysis, and funding needs for 3-5 years.

When creating the above financial statements, be sure to incorporate below key costs required in starting or growing a junk hauling business:

• Junk removal equipment and dumpster truck costs
• Overhead costs or staff salaries
• Business Insurance
• Other junk removal business startup costs (if you’re a new business) like legal expenses, permits, computer software, and equipment

Income statement

An income statement is generally known as a profit and loss statement, or P&L, indicating your revenue and then subtracting your operating costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

So, create a projected profit & loss statement that describes the expected revenue, cost of product/services sold, and operational costs. Your business’s anticipated net profit or loss should be computed and included.

Here is an example of a projected unit sold v/s revenue generated for a junk removal business using Upmetrics:

Cash flow statement

A proper cash flow statement helps you notice how much money you need to start a junk removal business or grow an existing one and ensure that you never run out of money.

Don’t forget to estimate your cash inflows and outflows for the first few years of operation. It should include client cash receipts, vendor payments, loan payments, and other cash inflows and outflows.

Balance sheet

The balance sheet shows the financial future of your business. It classifies all your financial data into three parts: assets, liabilities, and equity.

Typically, a balance sheet is prepared once a year. Create a prospective balance sheet at the end of your first year using your profit and loss spreadsheet and cash flow statement.

All the above financial factors can help you determine the break-even point and funding needs. Evaluate the funding resources, including bank loans, SBA-guaranteed loans, angel investors, and personal savings.

However, calculating all the financial statements from scratch can be challenging, but it’s easier than ever with Upmetrics’ robust financial forecasting tool .

All you need to do is provide the information you have, and let the tool evaluate financial projections, and create visual reports for you. No manual data entry, recalling Excel formulas, or preparing graphs—nothing.

Download a sample junk removal business plan

Are you ready to start writing a junk removal business plan? And want to get help with your business plan? Well, here you go. Download our sample junk removal business plan now.

This expertly crafted template is designed with junk removal businesses in mind. With a step-by-step guide and example, it assists you in simplifying your planning process and directs you with each crucial step.

Import data into your editor and start writing your own business plan!

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

Start preparing your business plan with Upmetrics

Finally, you know how to write a business plan for your junk removal company with the help of our free sample business plan. Now, you are a step closer to launching your business confidently.

Whether you are an experienced entrepreneur or a novice to the business world, writing a business plan with accurate financial forecasts is daunting. But it is a lot smoother with the #1 business planning app .

Don’t wait; seize the opportunity to kickstart a thriving endeavor!

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Frequently asked questions, what key elements should i include when creating a junk removal business plan.

Creating a professional junk removal business plan involves the following key components:

• Executive summary
• Market research and competitive analysis
• Company overview
• Junk removal services
• Marketing plan
• Organizational structure
• Logistics and operational plan
• Financial projections

Should I Include a Marketing Plan in the Template?

Definitely! Including a marketing plan in your business template is very important. It drafts how you’ll attract and retain customers, build brand awareness, and set your business apart in the competitive waste management industry.

Where can I find a junk removal business plan template?

There are various online platforms where you can find a junk removal business plan template. Consider reputed sources like Upmetrics, which offers a library of 400+ sample business plans for your specific needs.

What Licenses and Permits are Required to Start a Junk Removal Business?

Generally, you may require a business license, general liability insurance, a vehicle permit, or possibly an environmental permit. Contact your local authorities and environmental agencies to ensure legal compliance.

What Financial Information Should I Include in the Template?

Create precise financial projections that include startup costs, operating expenses, revenue forecasts, and profit margins. These details help potential investors comprehend the financial health and sustainability of your business.

What are some common pitfalls to avoid in a Junk Removal Business Plan?

Avoid the below common pitfalls in a junk removal business plan:

• Underestimating startup costs
• Overlooking financial projections
• Lack of thorough competitor analysis
• Neglecting marketing strategies

About the Author

Vinay Kevadiya

Vinay Kevadiya is the founder and CEO of Upmetrics, the #1 business planning software. His ultimate goal with Upmetrics is to revolutionize how entrepreneurs create, manage, and execute their business plans. He enjoys sharing his insights on business planning and other relevant topics through his articles and blog posts. Read more

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• How to Start a Junk Removal Business

Whenever unwanted belongings cannot be thrown out in the normal trash, a junk removal service can help. People and businesses need help hauling away broken furniture, clearing out an attic full of trash, or even emptying an estate or foreclosure. The junk removal industry is competitive but growing, and you can start from scratch or buy into a franchise. If you’re up for the challenge, owning a junk removal business can be a profitable and rewarding adventure that involves not only hauling heavy garbage but also scouting local donation and recycling solutions.

Learn how to start your own Junk Removal Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a junk removal business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Junk Removal Business
• Form your Junk Removal Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Junk Removal Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Junk Removal Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Junk Removal Business
• Get Junk Removal Business Insurance
• Define your Junk Removal Business Brand
• Create your Junk Removal Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your junk removal business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Junk Removal Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your junk removal business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a junk removal business.

At a minimum, you can start up a junk removal business with these resources:

• A truck or large van
• Basic tools and cleaning supplies
• Location for sorting

The first vehicle represents the biggest hurdle. You can use your own truck, a new or used vehicle, or a full commercial tractor-trailer. Other options include vehicle decals and logowear to brand your business and project professionalism to customers.

What are the ongoing expenses for a junk removal business?

Who is the target market.

Individuals and businesses are both frequent junk removal customers. Real estate and storage facilities are two industries with a particular need. Residential customers often include empty nesters and retirees looking to declutter.

How does a junk removal business make money?

Pricing typically centers around the volume of garbage removed, measured in cubic feet inside the truck. Other fees might apply to especially heavy items, certain dangerous materials, cleanup, and rush appointments.

For a single junk removal visit, homeowners most often spend between $139 to $373, according to HomeAdvisor. This often covers a load of junk consisting of a few pieces of furniture or appliances, or a small room full of garbage. With pricing based on junk volume, it can be more or less depending on the customer’s needs.

Junk removal business owners need accurate knowledge and data of all overhead, including:

• Employee wages
• Insurance (injury, liability, business auto, and more)
• Landfill fees and other disposal costs
• Fuel costs and auto payments
• Office, marketing, and other expenses

In some cases, the junk removal business can benefit financially during the disposal process, such as by selling scrap metal or receiving tax deductions for donations.

The largest national franchisors offer “no hidden fees” pricing. The crew gives an estimate upon arriving at the site, and the customer decides whether to proceed.

More information about pricing models for junk removal businesses:

• HomeAdvisor.com - How Much Does Junk & Trash Removal Service Cost?
• JunkTrashRemoval.com - Junk Removal Pricing & Cost | How Much to Charge?

How much profit can a junk removal business make?

Each vehicle can average about one typical residential job per hour. Some jobs will take a long time, but those jobs will also bring in more revenue. Many junk removal businesses have a minimum charge of around $125 to make sure that expenses are covered for one hour of work. The size and density of your service area greatly affect driving time, which in turn affects your efficiency.

With enough demand and fast workers, a junk truck can bring in $500 to $1,500 per day, or about $500 for each truckload of junk. Many businesses start with one truck. Investing in a larger fleet greatly affects profitability.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Junk removal businesses can scale easily thanks to branding and fleet size increases. Add trucks with the company logo and employees to drive them, and the owner can scale as much as the market demands.

Completing more jobs in less time is the best and simplest way to maximize profits for your junk removal business. Strategizing your drivers’ routes, training employees to work quickly, and growing the fleet all help with booking more customers each day.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your junk removal business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a junk removal business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Service Agreement

Junk removal businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a service agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example service agreement.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your junk removal business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Junk Removal Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Junk Removal Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a junk removal business

Customers need to know your name and trust you; therfore, quality branding and referrals are both key to marketing a junk removal business. Funny names and bright colors are popular and effective for direct advertising campaigns. A strong online presence also helps capture more local customers.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Problem solvers, people persons, and those who like working with their hands can succeed and find joy in running a junk removal business. Running the show involves managing plenty of people and resources while sticking to a tight schedule.

Junk removal businesses operate by appointment, so taking days off can be up to the owner. Night and weekend appointments are not necessary but are often in demand and profitable.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a junk removal business?

Scheduling pickups and finding the right drop-off points are the two major challenges for a junk removal business owner. Customers don’t want to be kept waiting for appointments, so punctuality is crucial. People also expect you to dispose of everything in relatively eco-friendly ways. The actual junk removal simply requires appropriate strength and a fleet of trucks.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful junk removal business?

Successful junk removal business owners typically exemplify these traits:

• Knowledge of business planning and management, including the ability to assess overhead costs and weigh liability issues while determining a realistic pricing model that can compete in the local market.
• The communication skills to work with a team of junk haulers who will be doing the bulk of the labor, which is sometimes extremely strenuous; the owner-manager needs to train and motivate these employees to provide excellent service and always be reliable.
• Customer service skills are always necessary, as a junk removal business needs to build a strong reputation in the community, earn positive online reviews, and stand out from the crowd.

What is the growth potential for a junk removal business?

Junk removal businesses can easily scale up with more trucks and employees. Franchise owners are generally limited to service areas, so you may need to purchase additional areas. On that note, you could potentially franchise your own junk removal startup in the long run.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• Junk-King.com - Top Franchise Oppportunity
• JunkLuggersFranchise.com - An Eco-Friendly Franchise Opportunity
• 1800gotjunk.com - Industry Opportunity
• JDogFranchises.com - Industry Trends and Market Conditions
• National Waste & Recycling Association

Real World Examples

• Junk-King.com
• 1800GotJunk.com
• CollegeHunksHaulingJunk.com
• JunkLuggers.com
• JDogJunkRemoval.com

Further Reading

• The Franchise Business of Junk
• How Much Does Junk & Trash Removal Cost?
• Junk Removal Pricing & Cost | How Much to Charge?

Entrepreneur Interviews

Read Interview

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

Starting a successful junk removal business: a step-by-step guide

Bryan Simmons Content Writer

Dec 27, 2023

If you want to start a successful junk removal business , you’ve come to the right place to get guidance and advice. Starting any service-based business can be challenging, but with some hard work and the right tools, you’ll be enjoying a stable income from your own junk removal business in no time. 

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get your business up and running, from deciding on a business structure to setting up your business to marketing your new company. vcita’s all-in-one business management software adds the ongoing assistance you’ll need to build your junk removal empire. 

Select your business structure: sole proprietorship vs. single member LLC

When starting a service business , you have two main options for your business structure: either a sole proprietorship , or a single member limited liability company, or LLC. Setting up as a sole proprietorship is simple, but it means that your personal assets are at risk if your business is sued. 

Registering as a single member LLC protects you by separating your business and personal assets. To start an LLC, you’ll need to file articles of organization with your state, which typically costs $50-$500. This establishes your LLC.

Develop a business plan for your junk removal startup

A solid business plan is essential to starting a junk removal company that succeeds and thrives, or in fact any service business. It’s vital if you plan to request a business loan, and key to convincing anyone that you’re serious about your new business. Writing a business plan doesn’t need to be stressful though, and it can be fairly short. Here’s the information you need to include.

Your business model

Will you focus on disposing of residential junk, commercial items, or both? Define your unique selling proposition which sets your business apart from the competition, whether it’s your eco-friendly practices or 24-hour emergency service, and outline your operational processes, from estimating jobs to disposing of the junk you picked up.

Financial projections

Estimate startup costs for things like trucks, tools, and marketing. Forecast your likely revenue and expenses over the next few years and check that you can operate profitably as a small service business. If not, revise your model.

Marketing strategy

Include your plans for promoting your new business, attracting customers, and growing consistently. Consider methods like:

• Building a professional website to establish your brand. 
• Running ads on social media and search engines to increase visibility.
• Offering promotions and discounts to get new clients in the door.
• Networking with realtors, contractors and property managers who can refer jobs.
• Gaining reviews and word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied customers.

With a well-crafted business plan in place, you’ll soon have a successful small services company helping your community and the environment.

Obtain licenses, permits, and insurance for a junk removal business

You’ll need to obtain the proper licenses, permits, and insurance. Here are the vital prerequisites to get your junk removal business off the ground.

Business registration and licensing

You’ll need a business license or permit to operate in cities and counties you serve, so register your business with your state, typically through the Secretary of State’s office. Requirements vary in each location, so check with your local municipality .

Liability insurance

For a small service business like junk removal, general liability insurance is essential to protect you if a customer is injured or their property is damaged due to your work. Other types of insurance you might need include umbrella insurance, which provides extra coverage beyond your policy limits, and workers’ compensation that covers employees in case of work-related injuries. As your business grows, you may need auto and property insurance to cover your business vehicle and premises.

You’ll need permits to collect and transport waste, and sometimes for dumping certain materials like tires, appliances, and electronics. Check with your local waste management department about requirements for hauling junk and debris, and bear in mind that each municipality or county might require a different permit. Some permits may come with a fee.

Professional certification

You don’t have to get industry certifications to start a junk removal business, but they can help you to build credibility and trust with customers. The National Association of Property Managers (NARPM) offers a Certified Professional Property Manager ( CPPM ) certification, and the Institute of Real Estate Management ( IREM ) also provides certification for residential and commercial property managers.

Purchase equipment and vehicles for your junk removal Company

To get your junk removal business up and running, you’ll need to invest in essential equipment, but you’ll also want to keep costs low when first starting your business. Here are the basics you need to get your junk removal business up and running, and then you can add more equipment and tools as needed as you grow.

Truck and trailer

The largest expense will be a truck and trailer to haul away junk and debris. You can find older second-hand models from as little as $5,000, but the price will depend on the size and age of the model. Start with a basic pickup truck and small trailer, and remember to get a hitch, straps, and other equipment to properly secure loads for transport.

Essential tools include a dolly or hand truck, shovels, rakes, heavy work gloves, tarps, bungee cords, straps ,and tie-downs. You may want a small generator, shop vacuum, and basic cleaning supplies as well, depending on the services you’ll be offering. $500 is the average cost for a starter set of tools and equipment.

Business management software

Don’t forget tools to manage the admin side of your business, like scheduling jobs, creating estimates, sending invoices and receipts, and creating email marketing newsletters. An all-in-one junk removal management solution like vcita streamlines and automates essential business tasks. The online booking tool lets customers schedule pickups 24/7; automated invoices , payment processing, and accounting features reduce time on paperwork; and a custom website and business profiles establish your online presence.

Optional Add-Ons

As your business grows, you may want to add more trucks, a larger trailer, a warehouse, forklift, and additional staff. You can also expand into related areas like demolition, cleaning, or hauling construction debris. 

Market your new junk removal business and get customers

Once you have the legal and operational aspects of your junk removal business set up, it’s time to start finding customers. Marketing your new company will be key to building a successful business. Here are the best ways to start attracting new customers and ensuring that everyone knows about your junk removal business.

Promote your business online

Set up a professional website that includes full details about all the services you offer, your pricing, and the area you cover, and invite customers to book appointments and pay online. Pay-per-click ads and search engine optimization help drive traffic to your site, like a Google Ads campaign targeting terms like “junk removal” and “hauling services” in your area.

Reach out locally

Don’t underestimate the power of old-school marketing tactics. Send promotional postcards or mailers to homeowners in your target neighborhoods, and ask real estate agents to recommend you to their clients. You can also buy targeted mailing lists to reach people who recently moved or just purchased a home, and offer them a special discount to incentivize them to use your service.

Build Referrals

Once you start completing jobs, ask happy customers if they would be willing to provide a review or refer your business to others. Word-of-mouth referrals are very influential, and reviews on Google , Yelp, and other digital forums can reach many people in a short space of time. You can also offer existing customers a small discount for any referrals that turn into new jobs.

Create social buzz

Promote your junk removal business on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Post photos of your truck, team, and before/after photos of jobs you complete, and engage with followers by posting tips on decluttering and organizing. You can also sponsor social media ads that target people in your local area, to raise brand awareness .

Join the community

Get involved in your local community by sponsoring charity events, sports teams, or school fundraisers. This is a great way to raise visibility, build goodwill, and network. You may even get additional business or referrals from the organizations and people you support. Offering discounts or donating services to non-profits in your area can be part of your social responsibility plan.

Your successful junk removal business is on its way

You now have the basics to get your own junk removal business up and running. It will take a lot of work, but if you build a solid plan, invest in the right tools and team, and provide great customer service, you can build a successful company helping homeowners and businesses with this necessary service.

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Copyright 2024 vcita Inc. All rights reserved.

How to Start a Junk Removal Business? [9 Simple Steps to Follow]

• Last Updated: June 29, 2022

Looking at the current market trends, you know that starting your own business is not easy, and it requires a lot of hard work and dedication to see the business through to its full potential.

However, starting a junk removal business may be one of the important decisions toward attaining financial independence. All you need is time, some resources, and a good idea.

Starting your own junk removal business can be very profitable if you do it right. According to a survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics , the junk removal business has a market value of over $1 trillion worldwide.

This article will give you tips and advice on how to start a successful junk removal business.

Table of Content

Business Overview and Industry Trends

• Market research (potential and cost estimation)
• Plan and write a business plan
• Register your business for taxes
• Open a business bank account and get credit card
• Get required licenses, permits, and insurance
• Get business tools and equipments
• Decide your pricings for junk removal services
• Market your junk removal business
• Use software to manage the jobs

A junk removal business is one such business that provides services to clean or remove junk from the customer’s home or offices . It is a boon for homeowners, renters, and construction workers.

The services for junk hauling business are provided on the site. Such cleaning jobs are huge and physically challenging ones that cannot be handled by a property owner alone.

Junk removal businesses are becoming more popular every day. People are starting to realize that they need to hire a professional junk removal company if they want all their garbage removed from their property. Also, due to the high workload and hectic schedules, people do not prefer to do it by themselves, and so they choose junk removal businesses to do the job.

However, many junk removal businesses have a team of junk haulers, or junk removers, who can drive a pickup truck or dump truck.

How to Start a Junk Removal Business in 9 Easy Steps?

Let us now take a tour to understand the step-by-step guide on starting your own junk removal business from scratch

Step 1: Market research (potential and cost estimation)

Before entering the junk removal industry, it is essential for you to research about the market and junk removal business requirements.

Gather relevant and primary information such as demand of the business, number of potential customers, and setting up. As a junk removal business owner, you should have answers while doing your market research and getting insights.

• What is going on in the target market?
• How many competitors or junk removal players are there in your area?
• The latest trends of the business stand.
• What is your budget and cost estimation?
• How many employees do you want to hire, or do you want to operate as a sole proprietorship?

You can gather all information with the help of Google or talk to people in the existing industry.

Step 2: Plan and write a business plan

Having a business plan for your junk removal business will help you to get on the right track. You have to make a list of plans like your goals, objective, vision, and purpose of your junk removal business.

A junk removal plan should cover:

Initial investments

You’ll need to think about what your initial investment will be in order to start up your own junk removal business. The startup cost can vary depending on the type of equipment you choose, the location of your service, and more.

If you’re looking to start up a junk removal business that is going to be located in one of the larger cities, such as New York City or Chicago, then many costs come along with setting up a business there.

Buy or lease a property:

This is a significant necessity you should count for any new business because a property is required to accommodate all your workers, manage all the junk, park garbage vehicles and manage all the administrative work.

It would help if you also considered the property’s rent or purchasing cost while calculating your business estimate.

Need of equipments:

There will be a high demand for different equipment to start a junk removal business. Make a list of processes involved in the junk removal process and all the types of equipment used in it.

This includes everything from large dumpsters to smaller bins designed for storing recyclables, household items, or any other junk.

Getting an estimate of all the machines and tools won’t be enough. To operate and regulate them, you will need manpower. Workers will carry out operations like picking up the junk, dumping it into the trucks, emptying the trucks, doing administrative work, driving trucks, and much more.

Basically, you will need a fleet of efficient workers who can carry out all the business operations.

Step 3: Register your business for taxes

While setting up a new business, you will need to complete a lot of paperwork. This includes getting your business registered. You must get a state tax ID number and apply for EIN. Also, you will require zonal approvals to operate in a particular area.

You will be liable to pay various state and federal taxes. Registering your business and paying taxes will help you get a clean image in the government’s eyes so that you won’t face any legal trouble from their side. 

Also, you will need to select a business entity for your business. Just like every other business, there are 4 business entities.

You can form a business entity by yourself or hire an agent to handle all your business legal entity. You can find out about your registration of a business entity and your city’s legal formality through the official website of the IRS .

Step 4: Open a business bank account and get credit card

Most business owners make mistakes by managing their company’s finances from their personal bank accounts. This practice can risk your personal assets like properties and money if the company faces any financial issues.

So, it’s better to open one business bank account to carry out all the transactions and keep your books clear. Also, it helps you get business loans for various development purposes of your junk removal business.

Also, getting a credit card in your business’s name can be beneficial in many ways. You will get more credit, a better interest rate, offers, and many enterprise benefits.

Step 5: Get required licenses, permits, and insurance

You need to contact the local commerce or SBA branch to get complete details about various business requirements.

Also, you need to take special permits or business license specifically for transporting scrap materials from one location to another. If you have employees in your organization, taking an employer identification number (EIN) from the IRS site is mandatory.

Moreover, you need to get business insurance along with business permits and licenses.

Why business insurance?

While starting a waste removal business, you should be prepared to face any consequences. For example, on the way to the job, a car accident occurs during work, and you face a heavy money loss and manpower loss.

Well, to cover such costs, you will require business insurance. For junk removal business, there are three types of junk removal business insurance.

Step 6: Get business tools and equipments

Once you are done with planning, and all legal formalities, as a junk removal business owner, you will require the foremost important thing for the junk removal business, and that is tools and types of equipment. Without tools and equipment, you cannot function one task and assign employees for junk removal jobs.

For junk removal industry service, you need equipment like garbage bins, shovels, garbage bags, rakes, trucks, and tarps. You will need a vehicle like a pickup truck to collect and transport garbage from the job site to the dump area. The workers will gather all the garbage in the trucks and drive it from one place to another.

The hazardous material is unsafe,; therefore, you will need to use the right equipment to keep your workers safe from mishaps. The truck size and number of workers carrying junk disposal will depend on your junk removal business size.

Step 7: Decide your pricings for junk removal services

Deciding prices is crucial as customers always research and compare prices of different businesses and then allot the job to any one junk removal company. So, make sure your prices are profitable to you but also affordable to your customers.

Your service price should include all the costs in completing a job. So make sure you add all the costs before adding profit margin or markup costs. While deciding the pricing model, you should also study the prices of your competitors to stay competitive in the business.

Various costs you should consider before making up your pricing model include:

• Equipment costs
• Property rent/price
• Employee wages
• Vehicle wear and tear
• Other maintenance costs

Step 8: Market your junk removal business

After successfully establishing a junk removal business, there comes a time to attract customers to your business. Marketing a business is not an easy task as you have to develop trust among the general public and convert them to try your services and become a part of your potential customer base.

There are a few ideas to market your business:

Define your Brand

As we mentioned, it is a competitive industry with plenty of other competitors offering junk removal services. To make the audience or customers understand why your company is different, and how you are different from other junk removal business owners, you need to gain their trust.

Create a website, post on social media like Facebook pages and introduce them to your quality features, your exceptional services. Define your brand like what you do, what you offer, and why you are different from others. A powerful online presence will help you to draw more customers.

Work For Repeat Business

You need to work hard to make a robust reputation among individuals and businesses that can benefit you as a repeat business.

Local government bodies, property managers, construction companies, or other local businesses are the best examples that you can try for repeat business.

Follow-up Strategies

To get the customers at an initial stage, you must follow up on your marketing strategies, and having a strategy is also part of your business plan. You should keep data ready of your existing and new customers, follow up with them regularly, and update them with offers and updates on your business.

This strategy will help your customers stay in touch with you, and they can contact you in case of junk removal requirements. Thus, it will help you earn a yearly recurring junk removal business salary.

Step 9: Use software to manage the jobs

In order to convert your newly set up business into a successful business, you should opt for a smarter way of managing your business operations.

The junk removal business needs job scheduling. As the number of jobs and workers increases, planning and scheduling jobs manually takes time. So, to eradicate such problems and save time, you should adopt various smart ways like field service management software.

Field service management software like FieldCamp fulfills all your managerial requirements. All you need to do is import an excel sheet of all the jobs and the available workers. FieldCamp will automatically schedule jobs and helps you save up to 95% of time spent in job planning and scheduling.  

With FieldCamp, along with job scheduling, you can dispatch workers, get their progress reports, track their location, generate customizable invoices, and accept payments. In a nutshell, it digitizes 90% of your work operations.

A Junk Removal Business Software That Helps You

No credit card details required

To plan your junk removal business, you should consider all the steps involved in the process. A junk removal business plan should include important factors like branding, documentation, equipment list, employee recruitment process, training, costing, banking, and financial planning.

Your junk removal pricing structure should include all the costs involved in the junk removal process like employees’ wages, vehicle wear and tear, gas charges, and all other maintenance costs. Then, a profit or markup amount should be added, keeping all the costs and competitors’ prices in mind.

• Junk Removal Authority
• Dog Junk Removal & Hauling
• The Junkluggers
• College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving
• Bin There Dump

You should decide your charges by considering all the operational costs of your business and then adding your proportion of profit into it.

Depending on the services you provide at that initial stage and the quality and quantity of equipment you prefer, you can set up your junk removal business for around $90k to $150k or more.

The junk removal business is not a technical job, so you need minimal technical skills. But, you will need more managerial and customer service skills to run your business smoothly.

We hope you are now ready to start your own junk removal company.

A junk removal business helps you to get significant income if it’s under the correct management. The exciting thing to note is that junk removal requires less time and money than other service businesses.

Follow every step mentioned in the article to take your junk removal business to an another level. You need to keep in mind the essential things and tips that are mandatory for your business enhancement to a great extent. 

The good part is that you can easily automate your business operations like creating schedules, tracking cleaners, generating reports, and other tasks easily using FieldCamp, which is a top field service scheduling software .

Gaurang Bhatt

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Schedule and Dispatch Jobs with FieldCamp

Automate Your Field Service Business Operations with Easy-to-Use Field Service Management Software.

Automate 90% of Daily Operations

Save up to 95% of Time on Scheduling and Reports

Track Technicians and Crews

https://www.fieldcamp.com/how-to-start-a-junk-removal-business/

Junk Removal Business Plan [Sample Template]

By: Author Tony Martins Ajaero

Home » Business ideas » Green & Eco-friendly » Waste Management » Junk Removal

Are you about starting a junk removal company ? If YES, here is a detailed sample junk removal business plan template & FREE feasibility report.

Junk removal business is one of the business opportunities available in the Waste Management sector that an entrepreneur can start in the United States of America. The truth is that if you settle for this business, you are sure of making huge returns from your investment.

This is so because junks which can be classified as domestic waste, are generated on a daily basis and of course reliable statistics shows that the waste collection industry in the united states of America rakes in about billion dollars annually.

If you are sure that this type of business is what you want to do after you must have conducted your market research and feasibility studies, then the next step to follow is to write a good business plan; a detailed blue print of how you intend raising your seed capital, setting up the business, managing the flow of the business, sorting out tax and marketing your services.

Below is a sample junk removal company business plan template that will help you successfully write yours without much stress.

A Sample Junk Removal Business Plan Template

1. industry overview.

Junk removal is a business that assists with the decluttering process. It is different from regular garbage collection. Junk Removal business is grouped under the waste collection services industry and companies that operate in the industry collect hazardous and nonhazardous waste and recyclable materials.

Nonhazardous waste includes municipal solid waste (household waste or junks) and industrial and commercial waste. Transfer stations where waste is transferred from local vehicles to long-distance automobiles for transport to disposal facilities are also included in the waste management industry. It is important to state that this industry does not account for government-provided services of a similar nature.

A close study of the Waste Collection industry shows that it has benefited from the recovery of the industrial, construction and commercial business sectors. As these sectors expand, it is natural for them to produce more waste. So also, steady demand from the residential market has helped stabilize the overall revenue generated by the waste collection services industry.

Going forward, the demand for waste collection services will continue to be driven by population growth, privatization and business creation. Additionally, the industry will benefit from the public’s growing interest in the recycling industry.

The companies holding the largest market share in Waste Collection in the US include Waste Management Inc., Republic Services Inc. and Waste Connections Inc. Statistics has it that in the United States of America alone, there are about 11,824 licensed and registered waste collection companies responsible for employing about 217,713 employees.

The industry rakes in $45 billion annually (benched mark in 2018) with an annual growth rate projected at 1.7 percent within 2013 and 2018.

A recent report published by IBISWORLD shows that the distribution of establishments in the industry across the United States largely reflects the size and distribution of the US population and economic activity. Densely populated areas that are particularly economically active tend to generate large quantities of waste, necessitating the presence of greater numbers of industry establishments.

Other factors that contribute to the relative concentration of industry establishments in a geographic location include the structure of the local economy and the commitment to and level of recycling. Some industries, particularly in the service sector, generate relatively little waste.

One good thing about the industry is that it is open for both big time investors who have the capacity to start the business with fleet of junk collection trucks and aspiring entrepreneurs who may want to start with just one truck.

2. Executive Summary

Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. is a registered and licensed junk removal company that will be based in Delaware City – Delaware. We have been able to secure all the relevant licenses and permits to operate as a standard junk removal company in the United States.

We will ensure that we abide by the rules and regulations guiding the industry and we will only hire experienced and qualified drivers with valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) to handle our junk collection trucks. Our services will include general junk collection and hauling, recyclable junk collection and hauling, junk transfer station operation, etc. We will provide daily services all around Delaware City – Delaware and neighboring cities.

Our customers can be rest assured that they will get quality services at competitive rates. At Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. our goal is to provide excellent service to our customers and we pride ourselves on the integrity and competence of our company and employees.

Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. will ensure that all our junk pick-ups are on time and we supersede the expectation of our customers. We will only put trucks that are in top shape on the road, and all our cleaners and drivers will be trained to be extra careful, pay attention to details, be courteous, friendly and to abide by the rules and regulations of the industry.

We will take proper care of our cleaners and drivers as well as our trucks and equipment. We are quite optimistic that our values and quality of service offering will help us drive our junk removal business to enviable heights and also help us attract the number clients that will make the business highly profitable.

Our client’s best interest will always come first, and everything we do will be guided by our values and professional ethics. We will ensure that we hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards by meeting our client’s needs precisely and completely.

Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. is owned by Tim Smith and his immediate family members. Tim Smith, a native of Delaware City is a graduate of Business Administration from the University of Delaware and he has an MBA in Finance from the University of Tulsa. He has over 22 years’ experience in the waste management industry.

3. Our Products and Services

Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. is established with the aim of maximizing profits in the waste collection industry. We want to compete favorably with leading junk removal companies in the United States which is why we have put in place a competent quality assurance team that will ensure that every service carried out meets and even surpasses our customers’ expectations.

Our service offerings are listed below;

• Reusable junk removal (items that can be sold by consignment and thrift stores)
• Recyclable junk material collection and hauling
• Removal and hauling of rubble, construction and demolition debris
• Waste transfer station operation

4. Our Mission and Vision Statement

• Our Vision is to build a business that will take care of junk removal for major residential estates and other businesses in the whole of Delaware City – Delaware and neighboring cities.
• Our mission is to deploy professional and environmentally friendly ways of junk removal in inner cities; we want to become a standard of how junk removal companies should operate in the United States of America.

Our Business Structure

We intend starting the business with a handful of full – time employees (waste truck drivers, professional junk removers and back office staff) and some of the available driving roles will be handled by qualified contract drivers. Adequate provision and competitive packages have been prepared for all our employees.

At Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. we will ensure that we hire people that are qualified, hardworking, creative, customer centric and are ready to work to help us build a prosperous business that will benefit all the stake holders. As a matter of fact, profit-sharing arrangement will be made available to all our senior management staff and it will be based on their performance for a period of five years or more as agreed by the board of trustees of the company.

For now, we will contract the maintenance of our trucks to service providers, we don’t intend to maintain a very large overhead from the onset. But as soon as the business grows and stabilizes, we will assemble our own in-house maintenance team. Below is the business structure and the roles that will be available at Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc.;

• Chief Operating Officer (Owner)

Admin and HR Manager

Transport and Logistics Manager

• Marketing and Sales Executive (Business Developer)
• Junk Collectors

Waste Truck Drivers

• Customer Services Executive / Front Desk Officer

5. Job Roles and Responsibilities

Chief Operating Officer (Owner):

• Increases management’s effectiveness by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining managers; communicating values, strategies, and objectives; assigning accountabilities; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results
• Responsible for fixing prices and signing business deals
• Responsible for providing direction for the business
• Creates, communicates, and implements the organization’s vision, mission, and overall direction – i.e. leading the development and implementation of the overall organization’s strategy.
• Responsible for signing checks and documents on behalf of the company
• Evaluates the success of the organization
• Accountable for coordinating drivers, vehicles, loads and journeys
• Responsible for operating IT systems
• Responsible for negotiating and agreeing contracts
• Responsible for preparing paperwork for regulatory bodies
• In charge for implementing health and safety standards
• In charge of planning routes and load scheduling for multi-drop deliveries.
• Communicates effectively with clients and responding to their requirements.
• Responsible for monitoring transport costs.
• Confronts climate change issues by implementing transport strategies and monitoring an organization’s carbon footprint.
• Responsible for overseeing the smooth running of HR and administrative tasks for the organization
• Maintains office supplies by checking stocks; placing and expediting orders; evaluating new products.
• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements; calling for repairs.
• Defines job positions for recruitment and managing interviewing process
• Carrie out induction for new team members
• Responsible for training, evaluation and assessment of employees
• Responsible for arranging travel, meetings and appointments
• Oversees the smooth running of the daily office activities.

Marketing and Sales Executives (Business Developers)

• Identifies, prioritizes, and reaches out to new clients, and business opportunities et al
• Identifies development opportunities; follows up on development leads and contacts
• Writes winning proposal documents, negotiate fees and rates in line with organizations’ policy
• Responsible for handling business research, market surveys and feasibility studies
• Responsible for supervising implementation, advocate for the customer’s needs, and communicate with clients
• Documents all customer contact and information
• Helps to increase sales and growth for Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc.
• Responsible for preparing financial reports, budgets, and financial statements for the organization
• Provides managers with financial analyses, development budgets, and accounting reports
• Responsible for financial forecasting and risks analysis.
• Performs cash management, general ledger accounting, and financial reporting for one or more properties.
• Accountable for developing and managing financial systems and policies
• Responsible for administering payrolls
• Ensures compliance with taxation legislation
• Handles all financial transactions for the company
• Serves as internal auditor for the company
• Assists in loading and unloading junks
• Maintains a logbook of their driving activities to ensure compliance with federal regulations governing the rest and work periods for operators.
• Keeps a record of vehicle inspections and make sure the truck is equipped with safety equipment, such as hazardous material placards.
• Assists the transport and logistics manager in planning their route according to a pick – up and delivery schedule.
• Inspects vehicles for mechanical items and safety issues and perform preventative maintenance
• Reports defects, accidents or violations

Junk Collectors and Cleaners

• Responsible for handling core services such as, reusable junk collection and hauling, recyclable junk material collection and hauling, removal and hauling of rubble, construction and demolition debris , junk transfer station operation, and hauling amongst other related services
• Handles any other duty as assigned by the transport and logistics manager

Customer Service Officer

• Welcome clients and visitors by greeting them in person or on the telephone; answering or directing inquiries.
• Ensures that all contacts with clients (e-mail, walk-In center, SMS or phone) provides the client with a personalized customer service experience of the highest level
• Through interaction with clients on the phone, uses every opportunity to build client’s interest in the company’s products and services
• Manages administrative duties assigned by the HR manager in an effective and timely manner
• Consistently stays abreast of any new information on the organizations’ products, promotional campaigns etc. to ensure accurate and helpful information is supplied to potential clients when they make enquiries
• Receives parcels/documents for the company
• Distributes mails in the organization
• Handles any other duties as assigned by the human resources and admin manager.

6. SWOT Analysis

As a result of our vision, our mission and the kind of business we want to set up, we don’t have any other option than to follow due process. Following due process involves hiring a business consultant to help us conduct SWOT analysis for our business.

Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. hired the services of a seasoned business consultant with bias in startups in the U.S. to help us conduct a thorough SWOT analysis and to guide us in formulating other business strategies that will help us grow our business.

Here is a summary from the result of the SWOT analysis that was conducted on behalf of Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc.

Our junk collection network serves some of the largest population centers in Delaware City – Delaware. Size advantages, cost advantages, customer loyalty and strong reputation amongst domestic and industry players are what we can boast of.

Our business is centrally located in a densely populated residential estate in Delaware City – Delaware; our location is in fact one of our major strength. We are also not neglecting the power of our team; our workforce and management.

Looking through our Business model, one of the weaknesses that may pose a challenge to us is insufficient flow of finance to handle key issues such as purchase of brand – new waste collection trucks and promotion of the business.

• Opportunities:

Come to think of it, there is no household, construction sites, business complex or shopping malls that does not generate waste from time to time which means that a junk removal company will always be in business as long as people live in the location that they operate in.

Some of the threats that we are likely going to face are mature markets, stiff competition, volatile costs, and rising fuel prices. Other threats that are likely going to confront Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. are unfavorable government policies , seasonal fluctuations, downturn in the economy which is likely going to affect consumer spending and of course emergence of new competitors within the same location where ours is located.

7. MARKET ANALYSIS

• Market Trends

One interesting part of this industry is that recycling is becoming much more common. Though the concept of recycling dates back centuries, it wasn’t prevalent until recently. In 1960, the United States recycled 5.6 tons of waste—6.4 percent of the country’s total litter. By 2013, the number was up to 87.2 tons, or 34.3 percent of the whole.

Latest trends show that the Waste Collection industry has benefited from the recovery of the industrial, construction and commercial business sectors. As these sectors expand, it is natural for them to produce more waste. So also, steady demand from the residential market has helped stabilize the overall revenue generated by the waste collection industry.

Going forward, the demand for junk removal services will continue to be driven by population growth, privatization and business creation. Additionally, the industry will benefit from the public’s growing interest in the recycling industry.

Fuel is one of the primary input costs for this industry, as it is used to power the trucks. Therefore, higher fuel prices increase industry costs. The price of diesel and other fossil fuels used to power waste collection vehicles is expected to increase going forward, which presents a potential threat for the industry.

8. Our Target Market

Prior to launching our junk removal company, we are certain that there is a wide range of households and businesses who cannot successfully dispose their junks without hiring the services of a junk removal company. We will ensure that we develop strategic pacts with corporate organizations, and estate managers et al. This will give us several options to generate revenue for our company.

In view of that, we have created strategies that will enable us reach out to various construction companies, business complexes, shopping malls and households who we know can’t afford to do without our services. We have conducted our market research and survey and we will ensure that all our services are accepted in the market place. Below is a list of the people and organizations that we will market our services to;

• Residential buildings
• Business complexes
• Shopping malls
• Restaurants
• Public facilities
• Construction sites
• Printing Companies

Our Competitive Advantage

Our major competitive advantage is the vast industry experience and solid reputation of our owner, Tim Smith and our management team. Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. no doubt is a new junk removal company, which is why we took our time to do a thorough homework before launching the business.

We were able to highlight some factors that will give us competitive advantage in the marketplace; some of the factors are trust, honesty, good junk removal network, excellent relationship management, strong management, strong fleet operation, our junk collection and transportation network, our size advantages, cost advantages, customer loyalty and strong reputation amongst domestic industry players.

To sum up, all our employees will be well taken care of, and their welfare package will be among the best within our category. It will enable them to be more than willing to build the business with us and help deliver our set goals and achieve all our business aims and objectives.

9. SALES AND MARKETING STRATEGY

Sources of Income

Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. will make sure that we leverage on our strength and the opportunities available to us in the U.S. market to generate enough income that will help us drive the business to stability. Below are the sources we intend exploring to generate income for Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc.;

• Removal and hauling of construction and demolition debris

10. Sales Forecast

We are well positioned to take on the available market in Delaware City – Delaware and we are quite optimistic that we will meet our set target of generating enough income/profits from the first month or operation and grow the business and clientele beyond Delaware City.

We have been able to examine the waste collection services industry, we have analyzed our chances in the industry and we have been able to come up with the following sales forecast. Below are the sales projection for Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc., it is based on the location of our business and our competitive advantage;

• First Fiscal Year (FY1):  $230,000
• Second Fiscal Year (FY2):  $470,000
• Third Fiscal Year (FY3):  $725,000
• Marketing Strategy and Sales Strategy

The marketing strategy adopted by Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. is going to be driven by professionalism, excellent customer service, honesty and quality service delivery. We will ensure that we build a loyal customer base. We want to drive sales via the output of our jobs and via referral from our satisfied customers.

Our sales and marketing team will be recruited based on their vast experience in the industry and they will be trained on a regular basis so as to be equipped to meet their targets and the overall goal of Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc.

Our goal is to grow Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. to become the leading junk removal company in Delaware City – Delaware which is why we have mapped out strategies that will help us take advantage of the available market and grow to become a major force to reckon with in the waste collection services industry. Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. is set to make use of the following marketing and sales strategies to attract clients;

• Introduce our junk removal and management business by sending introductory letters alongside our brochure to construction companies, shopping malls, hotels, residential estates and other key stake holders in Delaware City – Delaware
• Print out fliers and business cards and strategically drop them in offices, libraries, public facilities and train stations et al.
• Use friends and family to spread word about our business
• Post information about our company and the services we offer on bulletin boards in places like schools, libraries, and local coffee shops et al
• Place a small or classified advertisement in the newspaper, or local publication about our company and the services we offer
• Leverage on referral networks such as agencies that will attract clients who would need our customized services
• Advertise our junk removal and management company in relevant magazines, newspapers, TV and radio stations
• Attend relevant expos, seminars, and business fairs et al to market our services
• Engage in direct marketing approach
• Join local chambers of commerce and industry to market our services.

N.B : This projection was done based on what is obtainable in the industry and with the assumption that there won’t be any major economic meltdown and there won’t be any major competitor offering same services as we do within same location. Please note that the above projection might be lower and at the same time it might be higher.

11. Publicity and Advertising Strategy

We have plans to grow our business beyond Delaware City – Delaware which is why we have perfected plans to build our brand via every available means. We have been able to work with our brand and publicity consultants to help us map out publicity and advertising strategies that will help us walk our way into the heart of our target market.

Below are the platforms Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. intended leveraging on to promote and advertise the business;

• Place adverts on both print (newspapers and magazines) and electronic media platforms
• Sponsor relevant community – based events / programs
• Leverage on the internet and social media platforms like; Instagram, Facebook, twitter, YouTube, Google + et al to promote our services
• Install our Billboards in strategic locations all around Delaware City – Delaware
• Distribute our fliers and handbills in target areas
• List our company in local directories / yellow pages
• Advertise our company in our official website and employ strategies that will help us pull traffic to the site.
• Ensure that all our staff members wear our branded shirts and all our waste collection trucks are well branded with our company logo et al.

12. Our Pricing Strategy

There are two fees that most junk removal services charge. The first one is either for the type or the size of the junk. The other is for the number of truckloads or for the time it takes to haul the junk. In addition to this, you can expect there to be some additional charges. For example, fees for delivering waste to its proper space. The reason for this is that some items need to be delivered in a special way and cannot be left in landfills.

On average, when removing junk from a single – family home, the cost is likely to be about $200. When it comes to junk removal from an apartment, the cost is around $250. The professional companies can also offer junk removal rates for a business, which are about $400.

This service usually costs from $10 to $40 a month or $140 to $250 on an annual basis. Bear in mind that these are only average prices Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. has a lease arrangement with various companies and the company’s pricing is based on miles per thousands of tons of junks collected and transported.

We have perfected our plans to charge competitive rates since we have minimal overhead compared to our competition in the industry. We will ensure that we leverage on price to win over customers; our prices will be affordable and negotiable.

The fact that our business door is open to both households and businesses means that we will have different price range for different category of clients. As the business grows, we will continue to review our pricing system to accommodate a wide range of clientele.

• Payment Options

The payment policy adopted by Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. LLC is all inclusive because we are quite aware that different customers prefer different payment options as it suits them but at the same time, we will ensure that we abide by the financial rules and regulation of the United States of America.

Here are the payment options that Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. will make available to her clients;

• Payment via bank transfer
• Payment with cash
• Payment via online bank transfer
• Payment via mobile money
• Payment via Point of Sales Machines (POS Machines)
• Payment via check

In view of the above, we have chosen banking platforms that will enable our client make payment for junk removal and management services without any stress on their part. Our bank account numbers will be made available on our website and promotional materials.

13. Startup Expenditure (Budget)

When it comes to starting a standard junk removal business, one is expected to spend the bulk of the startup capital on the purchase of waste collection trucks. Aside from that, you are expected to pay the required fee in dump sites, pay your employees and utility bills.

However, this is what it would cost us to start Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. in the United of America;

• The total fee for incorporating the business in the United States of America – $750.
• The budget for liability insurance, permits and license – $15,500
• The amount needed to acquire a suitable office facility with enough parking space for our waste collection trucks in Delaware City for 6 months (Re – Construction of the facility inclusive) – $150,000.
• The amount required to finance the purchase of the first set of waste collection trucks – $150,000
• The cost for equipping the office (computers, printers, fax machines, furniture, telephones, filing cabins, safety gadgets and electronics et al): $5,000
• The cost for accounting software, CRM software and Payroll Software – $3,000
• Other start-up expenses including stationery – $1000
• Phone and Utilities (gas, sewer, water and electric) deposits – ($3,500).
• Operational cost for the first 3 months (salaries of employees, payments of bills et al) – $120,000
• The cost for launching our official website – $600
• Additional Expenditure (Business cards, Signage, Adverts and Promotions et al) – $2,500

Going by the report from the market research and feasibility studies conducted, we will need about four hundred and fifty thousand (450,000) U.S. dollars to successfully set up a medium scale but standard junk removal company in the United States of America.

Generating Funds/Startup Capital for Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc.

Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. is set to start as a private business that will be solely owned by Mr. Tim Smith and his immediate family members. He will be the sole financier of the company but may likely welcome other business partners when need for expansion arises.

These are the areas we intend generating our startup capital for our business;

• Generate part of the startup capital from personal savings
• Source for soft loans from family members and friends
• Apply for loan from the bank

N.B: We have been able to generate about $100,000 (Personal savings – $80,000 and soft loan from family members – $80,000) and we are at the final stages of obtaining a loan facility of $350,000 from our bank. All the papers and documents have been duly signed and submitted, the loan has been approved and any moment from now our account will be credited.

14. Sustainability and Expansion Strategy

The future of a business lies in the number of loyal customers that they have, the capacity and competence of their employees, their investment strategy and the business structure. If all of these factors are missing from a business, then it won’t be too long before the business close shop.

One of our major goals of starting Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. is to build a business that will survive off its cash flow without injecting finance from external sources once the business is officially running. We know that one of the ways of gaining approval and winning customers over is to offer our junk removal and management services a little bit cheaper than what is obtainable in the market and we are prepared to survive on lower profit margin for a while.

Tim Smith® Junk Removal, Inc. will make sure that the right foundation, structures and processes are put in place to ensure that our staff welfare are well taken of. Our company’s corporate culture is designed to drive our business to greater heights and training and retraining of our workforce is at the top burner of our business strategy.

We know that if that is put in place, we will be able to successfully hire and retain the best hands we can get in the industry; they will be more committed to help us build the business of our dreams.

Check List/Milestone

• Business Name Availability Check:>Completed
• Business Incorporation: Completed
• Opening of Corporate Bank Accounts: Completed
• Opening Online Payment Platforms: Completed
• Application and Obtaining Tax Payer’s ID: In Progress
• Application for business license and permit: Completed
• Purchase of Insurance for the Business: Completed
• Acquiring of trucks and relevant junk disposal equipment: In progress
• Renting of Office Facility (Parking Yard for our junk collection trucks) in Delaware City: Completed
• Conducting Feasibility Studies: Completed
• Startup Capital Generation: Completed
• Writing of Business Plan: Completed
• Drafting of Employee’s Handbook: Completed
• Drafting of Contract Documents: In Progress
• Design of The Company’s Logo: Completed
• Printing of Promotional Materials: Completed
• Recruitment of employees and drivers: In Progress
• Purchase of the needed office furniture, office equipment, electronic appliances and facility facelift: In progress
• Creating Official Website for the Company: In Progress
• Creating Awareness for the business (Business PR): In Progress
• Health and Safety and Fire Safety Arrangement: In Progress
• Establishing business relationship with construction companies and other key players in the industry: Completed

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How to Start a Junk Removal Business

Starting a junk removal business can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success. Below you will learn the keys to launching a successful junk removal business.

Importantly, a critical step in starting a junk removal business is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here .

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

14 Steps To Start a Junk Removal Business :

• Choose the Name for Your Junk Removal Business
• Develop Your Junk Removal Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Junk Removal Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Junk Removal Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Junk Removal Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Junk Removal Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Junk Removal Business Equipment
• Develop Your Junk Removal Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Junk Removal Business
• Open for Business

1. Choose the Name for Your Junk Removal Business

The first step to starting a junk removal business is to choose your business’ name.  

This is a very important choice since your company name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your business. Ideally you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your own junk removal business:

• Make sure the name is available . Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
• Keep it simple . The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
• Think about marketing . Come up with a name that reflects the desired brand and/or focus of your junk removal business.

2. Develop Your Junk Removal Business Plan

One of the most important steps in starting a junk removal business is to develop your junk removal business plan . The process of creating your plan ensures that you fully understand your market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to funding sources to raise capital for your business.

Your business plan should include the following sections:

• Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your junk removal business.
• Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your junk removal business and what type of junk removal business you operate. For example, are you a trash hauler, junk removal service, dumpster rental service, landfill operator, garbage removal company, or a bulk waste hauler?
• Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the junk removal industry. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
• Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target market are and their demographics. For example, how old are they? Where do they live? What do they find important when purchasing services like the ones you will offer?
• Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
• Marketing Plan – your marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
• Product : Determine and document what products/services you will offer 
• Prices : Document the prices of your products/services
• Place : Where will your business be located and how will that location help you increase sales?
• Promotions : What promotional methods will you use to attract customers to your junk removal business? For example, you might decide to use pay-per-click advertising, public relations, search engine optimization and/or social media marketing.
• Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
• Management Team – this section details the background of your company’s management team.
• Financial Plan – finally, the financial plan answers questions including the following:
• What startup costs will you incur?
• How will your junk removal business make money?
• What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
• Do you need to raise funding to launch your business?

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3. choose the legal structure for your junk removal business.

Next you need to choose a legal structure for your own business and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.

Below are the five most common legal structures:

1) Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the junk removal business owner and the business are the same legal person. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.

2) Partnerships

A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small businesses. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to start a junk removal business together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business. 

The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for a junk removal business include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.

4) C Corporation

A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for a junk removal business is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the junk removal business owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.

5) S Corporation

An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.

Once you register your junk removal business, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.

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4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Junk Removal Business (If Needed)

In developing your junk removal business plan , you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business. 

If so, the main sources of funding for a junk removal business to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in a junk removal business that they believe has high potential for growth.

5. Secure a Location for Your Business

When starting a junk removal business, you’ll need to find a good location for it. Here are a few tips on how to find the right spot:

• Research your local area to see if there is a need for your services.
• Look for areas that are densely populated.
• Try to find a location that is easily accessible by car and public transportation.
• Make sure the area is safe and has plenty of parking available.

6. Register Your Junk Removal Business with the IRS

Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.

Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

It is important to establish a bank account in your junk removal business’ name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:

• Identify and contact the bank you want to use
• Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
• Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
• Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them

8. Get a Business Credit Card

You should get a business credit card for your junk removal business to help you separate personal and business expenses.

You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.

When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your business. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.

9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits

The licenses and permits you will need to start a junk removal business depend on your location. You will most likely need a business license, a waste management license, hazardous waste handling license, and a dumpster license. Check the regulations in your city and county for more information.

10. Get Business Insurance for Your Junk Removal Business

As a business owner, there are different types of insurance you’ll need to operate your junk removal business.

Some business insurance policies you should consider for your junk removal business include:

• General liability insurance : This covers accidents and injuries that occur on your property. It also covers damages caused by your employees or products.
• Auto insurance : This type of insurance will cover if a vehicle used for your business is damaged or stolen.
• Workers’ compensation insurance : If you have employees, this type of policy works with your general liability policy to protect against workplace injuries and accidents. It also covers medical expenses and lost wages.
• Commercial property insurance : This covers damage to your property caused by fire, theft, or vandalism.
• Business interruption insurance : This covers lost income and expenses if your business is forced to close due to a covered event.
• Professional liability insurance : This protects your business against claims of professional negligence.

Find an insurance agent, tell them about your business and its needs, and they will recommend policies that fit those needs.

11. Buy or Lease the Right Junk Removal Business Equipment

In order to start a junk removal business, you will need the following equipment: 

• A dump truck or van 
• Bins or dumpsters 
• Heavy lifting equipment
• Protective gear
• Garbage bags

12. Develop Your Junk Removal Business Marketing Materials

Marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your junk removal business.

The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:

• Logo : Spend some time developing a good logo for your junk removal business. Your logo will be printed on company stationery, business cards, marketing materials and so forth. The right logo can increase customer trust and awareness of your brand.
• Website : Likewise, a professional junk removal business website provides potential customers with information about the services you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your website will affect how customers perceive you.
• Social Media Accounts : establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media networks will help customers and others find and interact with your junk removal business.

13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Junk Removal Business

To start your junk removal business you will need to invest in some software. Specifically, you will need a customer relationship management (CRM) system to help manage your customers and bookings, as well as a truck routing system to help plan your routes.

14. Open for Business

You are now ready to open your junk removal business. If you followed the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful business. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you.

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With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

How to Start a Junk Removal Business FAQs

Is it hard to start a junk removal business.

No, it can be easy to start a junk removal business. It is important to do your research first and be willing to work hard. You'll also need to decide what kind of junk removal business you want to start and create a business plan to use as your roadmap.

How can I start a junk removal business with no experience?

The best way to start a junk removal business with no experience is to do your research. Learn about the industry, what services are offered, what kind of customer base you could attract, and what kind of marketing strategies would work best for your business. You can also attend industry events and meetups to get more insight into the industry and learn from experienced professionals. Networking with other entrepreneurs can also give you helpful tips and advice on how to start and run your business.

What type of junk removal business is most profitable?

There are many types of junk removal businesses, but the most profitable type is the full-service junk removal business. These businesses offer a comprehensive service that includes removal, cleaning, and junk disposal. They typically charge a flat fee for their services, which allows them to make a healthy profit.

How much does it cost to start a junk removal business?

There are a lot of costs that go into starting a junk removal business. You'll need to buy your own truck and hire employees. You'll also need to pay for advertising, marketing, and insurance costs . You can expect to pay around $1,000 for a small business and up to $10,000 for a larger operation.

What are the ongoing expenses for a junk removal business?

The ongoing expenses for a junk removal business are as follows: 

• Rental (or purchase) of trucks and equipment 
• Employee salaries 
• Gas and vehicle maintenance 
• Debt payments 
• Other miscellaneous expenses

How does a junk removal business make money?

There are a few ways that a junk removal business can make money. One way is by charging a fee for each item that they remove. They may also charge a fee for each mile they travel to remove the item. Another way they can make more money is by selling the items they remove to recycling companies or other businesses.

Is owning a junk removal business profitable?

Yes, a junk removal business is profitable because demand for this type of service is consistent. Many people have too much stuff and want to get rid of the junk they have, but do not have the time or motivation to do it themselves. Also, owning a junk removal business can generate a healthy profit if you are able to price your services appropriately and market them effectively.

Why do junk removal businesses fail?

Many junk removal businesses fail because of poor management such as ineffective planning, execution, and decision-making. The business can also fail if the company is not providing a service that consumers want or need. As a result, they may struggle to attract prospective customers and generate revenue.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

How to Start a Profitable Junk Removal Business [11 Steps]

Business steps:, 1. perform market analysis., are junk removal businesses profitable, 2. draft a junk removal business plan., how does a junk removal business make money, 3. develop a junk removal brand., how to come up with a name for your junk removal business, 4. formalize your business registration., resources to help get you started:, 5. acquire necessary licenses and permits for junk removal., what licenses and permits are needed to run a junk removal business, 6. open a business bank account and secure funding as needed., 7. set pricing for junk removal services., what does it cost to start a junk removal business, 8. acquire junk removal equipment and supplies., list of software, tools and supplies needed to start a junk removal business:, 9. obtain business insurance for junk removal, if required., 10. begin marketing your junk removal services., 11. expand your junk removal business..

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Junk Removal Business Plan Sample

Published Jan.23, 2019

Updated Apr.23, 2024

By: Cynthia Turner

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Table of Content

Do you want to start junk removal business plan?

Do you want to start a junk removal business? Junk removal is a service in which you are required to haul the unwanted items as required by your customers never to be seen again.

If you are thinking about how to start a junk removal business, you need not worry, as this business does not require a very large investment for a business plan or the setting of an office.. You can start the service by yourself or by renting a few vehicles and hiring a few persons.

In either case, you have to document the operational and financial objectives of your business and how they are to be realized in the form of a junk removal business plan . If you are wondering how to write one, we are here to help you by providing this sample business plan for a junk removal startup named, ‘Orlando Junk Removal’.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

Orlando Junk Removal will be a bonded, insured and licensed junk removal business for both residential and commercial junk removal, with its office located in Bryn Mawr Street, Orlando, USA. Business will be owned by Bradley Hanks who has been driving trucks for two years in Orlando. To yield profit in the field he is in, he has decided to start his own business with trucks.

2.2 Management

If you are starting a junk removal business , your success will be dependent upon your management, and how quickly do you respond to a request of junk removal. Thus, before starting a hauling business , Hanks has decided to train his staff for fast and efficient service.

He has hired a general manager to help him preparing for the startup and to ensure that the junk is transported properly to recycling or disposal facilities.

2.3 Customers

Our target customers will include people living in residential communities, commercial buildings and real estate agents. They will require our services for removal of junk from their home, offices, companies and construction sites.

2.4 Business Target

We aim to become the best junk removal business in Orlando within next five years of our startup. Our financial target to be achieved in one year is to balance the initial cost of the startup with earned profits by the end of the first year.

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Orlando Junk Removal will be owned by Bradley Hanks, who has been driving trucks for two years. Hanks has earned a great fame and trust during his service due to his honesty and responsibility.

3.2 Why the Business is being started

After receiving the shares from his legacy, Hanks wanted to invest in a business to yield much more than he got. As he is experienced with trucks and had relations with several truck drivers during his job, so he decided to opt for the junk removal business.

He won’t face any difficulty as he knows all about  how to start a garbage collection business , where to dispose the junk and what are the methods to dispose various types of junk.

3.3 How the Business will be started

Although Hanks had a profound knowledge about starting junk removal business, yet he decided to work sysytematically to be organized and managed. The first step he took was to make a junk removal business plan  with the help of financial experts and marketing analysts.

Hanks has decided to start the business by procuring an office on rent in Bryn Mawr St., Orlando. He will rent 5 trucks initially with the services of 8 truck drivers. Truck drivers will be given a two week training to remove and transport the junk efficiently and to fix any technical problem regarding trucks. A general manager will help in organizing the deals timely, an IT expert will be hired to manage the company’s official and social sites.

The start-up requirements are as follows:

Services for customers

Hanks has decided the services he will provide to his customers before framing junk hauling business plan . If you are looking for how to start a junk removal company  and which services to provide initially, you can take help from here.

• Residential Junk Removal: We’ll take away all the unwanted objects from your house such as old electronic devices, used rugs, mattresses, construction waste, furniture and other appliances etc. We’ll also sweep the area where we worked before leaving.
• Commercial Junk Removal: If local trash carriers have refused to haul your excess trash or garbage, we will be there to help you in removing your office furniture, cabinets, cubicles, construction waste and much more.
• Donating your unwanted items: We’ll take your unwanted items to donation and charities if you want us to do so.
• Transporting Construction Material: We will offer discounts to contractors to contact us for transporting and hauling the required construction equipment and material for their work.

Our services can either be acquired by visiting our office or by our official website. Customers can also pay us via PayPal or online bank transfer.

Marketing Analysis of Junk Removal Business

If you are starting a junk hauling business , the most important part of your business will be the accurate market analysis. You will have to face much more difficulties after starting a trash removal business , if you fail to adequately market your services. So, if you are taking a junk removal business start up , focus on to make a complete and effective marketing plan.

An effective marketing plan includes thorough analysis of the market in which you are going to serve, understanding of the demands of your customers, planning to take a lead upon your competitors and finally methods to advertise your services.

Hanks acquired the services of an expert marketing analyst to do an accurate analysis of market in which Hanks was starting a junk removal business i.e. Orlando. You can also take help from here if you are looking for junk removal business tips .

5.1 Market Trends

The junk removal business has its scope round the year especially in the active seasons of spring and summer. According to a report by IBISWorld, there are more than 11 thousand junk removal business start-ups currently running in the United States. Moreover, this business has generated a revenue of $49 billion in 2018. According to IBISWorld, the waste removal businesses have employed more than 217,000 people in the US. This business is one of the few businesses which have seen a constant increase in revenue along with the increase in business locations with time.

Junk removal services are required by every business and every commercial or residential estate. After identifying these market trends, it is clearly evident that the junk removal business start up is always blooming and can be immensely profitable provided that you plan your business successfully.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

If you are able to identify that who will be your customers before planning about how to start junk removal business , you will be at great ease. After identifying your target customers, you will be able to understand their demands and deciding the services you should provide them.

Our target market will comprise of the residents of Orlando, commercial estate owners or managers of other companies. We have divided our customers in three groups to focus on the requirements of each group separately.

The detailed marketing segmentation of our target audience is as follows:

5.2.1 Commercial Organizations: The biggest consumer of our services comprises of the companies and commercial estate owners. The companies can contact us for doing any heavy lifting, and taking their electronic waste, furniture or paper waste for recycling or proper disposal.

Our trucks will also pick up your construction waste such as bricks, concrete, damaged wood etc. if you are a construction company.

We’ll offer various discounts to this group of our customers to build long term relations with them for repeated offerings of junk removal.

5.2.2 Residents: Our second target group will be the people living in Orlando. They will require our services whenever they want to remove junk from their house in bulky amount or whenever they want to donate their appliances and used things to a charity.

The things they want us to remove can be yard waste removal, mattress disposal, garbage removal, refrigerator removal, electronic appliances such as television disposal etc. We ensure this group that our workers won’t leave junk or any mess on the place, we will also sweep the area so as to make it again ready for the customer’s use.

5.2.3 Food Organizations: Our third target group consists of the large hotels and food manufacturing organizations which will require proper disposal of their garbage almost every day. We’ll also offer various discounts to this group, as to get repeated orders from them.

The detailed market analysis of our potential customers is given in the following table:

5.3 Business Target

You must set the short and long term targets you want to achieve before planning about how to start a trash removal business , this pre planning will help you to work tirelessly for your aim. We i.e. Orlando Junk Removal aim to become the best junk removal business start up in Orlando within next five years of our startup. Our financial target to be achieved in one year is to balance the initial cost of the startup with earned profits by the end of the first year.

Our targets to be achieved later include achieving the net profit margin of $10k per month by the end of the first year, $15k per month by the end of the second year, and $25k per month by the end of the third year.

5.4 Product Pricing

Before you think about how to start a junk hauling business , you must decide whether you will compromise the quality of your service or your earning. It will be better to save some resources for the early few months of the launch, as you will probably need to keep prices low in the initial stages.

After considering the demands and quality of his service, Hanks has decided to price all his services in the similar ranges as of his competitors. The price, however, is not fixed, it is dependent upon the type and amount of junk you want to haul.

After knowing how to start a trash hauling business , identifying market demands and trends, the next step is to formulate a strategy to introduce and sell your services. After exploring on how to start a hauling company , you must explore what is missing in your current competitors, and then develop a business strategy to do better than them in the market.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

We are starting our Orlando Junk Removal service from scratch, yet we are confident that we’ll take a lead upon all our competitors in a very short period of time. All our workers are well trained to do high-quality work and unlimited revisions until the client is fully satisfied. Our workers will value your property and will maintain a professional appearance while interacting with you.

Although all our workers are highly trained, yet we haven’t left even a single deficit in our strategy, our company is general liability insured and property insured, and all our employees are insured each having their employee identification number. So, while taking services from our company, you will be totally stress-free and will not be liable to pay for any damages.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• We will advertise our business in relevant business magazines, newspapers and social media
• We will introduce our services to various companies by sending introductory letters and brochures
• We will offer a 25% discount on our services for the first three months of our launch and 20% discount on receiving order from the same client

6.3 Sales Forecast

6.4 Sales Monthly

6.5 Sales Yearly

Personnel plan

The success and failure of a startup is greatly dependent upon its workers. Keeping in view the services you will provide, you must make a personnel plan, earlier than the launch of the business.

7.1 Company Staff

If you need help regarding how to start a trash out business or are facing trouble in determining the staff you will need, you can take help from this sample personnel plan of Orlando Junk Removal Company.

• 1 General Manager to manage the business operations
• 1 Accountant to maintain financial records
• 2 Sales Executives responsible for marketing and discovering new ventures
• 8 Truck Drivers trained for hauling junk
• 1 Technician to handle serious technical issues of trucks and to teach the drivers about resolving small technical issues
• 1 Web Developer/IT Expert to manage company’s websites and online payments
• 1 Customer Representative to interact with customers and record their orders

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial Plan

Before thinking about how to start a waste management company , you have to decide several things including the amount you can spend on your startup. If you are going to start junk hauling business on a large scale, you will, of course, need a large amount to invest on buying trucks and required equipment and hiring many people. However, if you want to start on a smaller scale, it will be both easier and better. By smaller scale it means to just work by yourself or by taking a few trucks on rent and hiring a few people.

In each case, you have to map in the form of a financial plan all the details about the startup costs and strategy of your company to recover the startup costs by the earned profits and to yield more and more profit. Hanks sought the services of an expert financial adviser to make an efficient and detailed financial plan for his business. If you are new to writing a business or financial plan by yourself or if you are still looking for how to start a garbage business , you can take help from this sample junk removal business plan free of cost.

8.1 Important Assumptions

 8.2 Brake-even Analysis

 8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 Profit Monthly

8.3.2 Profit Yearly

8.3.3 Gross Margin Monthly

8.3.4 Gross Margin Yearly

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

8.5 Projected Balance Sheet

 8.6 Business Ratios

Download junk removal business plan sample in pdf

OGS capital writers specialize in business plan themes such as carpet cleaning business plan , business plans for cleaning , business plan for laundromat , pressure washing business plan , business plan for a roofing , business plan for PC fix , etc.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

2 thoughts on “ Junk Removal Business Plan Sample ”

I started junk removal first then I just picked up 10-yard dumpsters on wheels

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Junk Trash Removal®

24 Hour Junk Removal

How To Start A Junk Removal Business: The Ultimate Guide

May 1, 2019 by damien Leave a Comment

So you’ve decided you wanted to start a junk removal business – Now, where do you begin? There are many questions that junk haulers have when starting their businesses. Luckily, we’re here to help.

Table of Contents

Writing a business plan for your junk removal business, determining the legal structure of your junk hauling business, naming your junk removing business, establishing prices for your junk hauling business, acquiring necessary equipment for junk hauling, learning about proper junk disposal in your area, managing junk haulers and multiple trucks, online tools that make it easier to manage your customers.

• Creating a Marketing Plan

Setting Up a Junk Removal Website That Converts Visitors Into Customers

Marketing tools for your junk removal business, measuring your marketing tactics, start your junk removal business in 5 days with our new course.

Build your new junk hauling business in just 5 days. Our comprehensive course will teach you what the pros know! Sign up to learn more.

Starting Your Junk Removal Business

Writing a business plan can help you get your junk removal business started on the right track. A business plan forces you to hone in on your goals and objectives for your business. A junk removal business plan should include:

• An overview of your company (e.g., What does your business do? Who is running the day-to-day operations? What is unique about your business?)
• Your business offerings (e.g., Do you provide junk removal services for residential, commercial, or both? How much will you charge? Will you offer curbside rates?)
• A marketing plan (e.g., Who is your target market? What are the demographics of a junk removal customer?) - We’ll discuss this more a bit later in the post.
• Marketing tactics (e.g., How and where will you advertise your junk removal business? How will you measure your results?)
• Management & sales team (e.g., Who is responsible for hauling, marketing, PR, sales, and financials? Do you have junk removal contracts in place?)
• Financial projections (e.g., What are your goals for the first year of business? Do you plan on expanding your business in the future?)

A business plan can be a pretty hefty document, but having one is essential for starting your junk removal business on the right foot. It helps you know where you stand as a business and provides a written outline you can look back on for reference.

To turn your junk hauling company into a legal business, you’ll need to choose a legal structure . This will help you understand what your company will look like in terms of capitalization, control, taxation, liability, and other important factors.

The five legal structures to consider are:

• Sole Proprietorship : Your junk removal business is owned and run entirely by you.
• Partnership: Two or more people are running your junk removal business.
• Corporation: Your junk removal business is recognized as a legal entity and is separate from you, the owner.
• Limited Partnership: Your junk removal business has at least one partner who is liable (general partner) for the company and one who is not (limited partner).
• Limited Liability Company (LLC): Your junk removal business is recognized as a legal entity and offers advantages of a partnership and a corporation.

All of these options have their pros and cons, but there may be one that best suits the needs for your junk removal company. You’ll want to consider who will own and run the business, who will be liable for the company, and whether you’ll have any partners. After you decide which legal structure works best for your junk removal business, you’ll need to file the necessary paperwork with your residing state, and then you’ll be on your way to getting your business finalized.

The name of your junk hauling business is most likely the first impression someone will have of your business, so you want to make sure that it’s memorable and relevant to your company. There are many options to choose from, but here are five of the most common types of business names:

• Descriptive: This describes what your business does (e.g., Junk Trash Removal) .
• Founder Name: Use your name for a personal touch (e.g., John’s Junk Removal) .
• Invented word: Don’t feel like any words out there fit your business? Make up a new word (e.g., Junkzilla) .
• Amalgam: Combine two words to make a new word.
• Word Association: Use a word that you want your business to be associated with.

A good starting point is to come up with a list of words that are relevant to your business and go from there. It’s essential to choose a name that is meaningful and consistent with your identity.

One of the most asked questions we’ve seen from junk haulers is, “ How much do I charge for junk removal services? ” While prices will vary from business to business, there are some similarities when it comes to pricing a junk removal job. Most companies will charge by the truckload, whether it’s a fourth, half, or a full load, with a minimum price for jobs smaller than a 1⁄4 load.

Taking a look to see what other junk haulers are charging in your area can give you a reference point for prices and can also help you position yourself in the market. Here are junk removal prices from some of the most popular companies based on information posted on their websites:

Junk Removal Pricing Comparison

Operating Your Junk Removal Business

• The first piece of equipment that you’ll need as a junk remover is a truck. Whether it’s a dump truck or a truck with a trailer attached, you want to make sure you have a large enough bed size to fit all of the junk you’ll be hauling away. If you don’t have one already, TrashTrucksOnline sells trucks that you can use for your junk removal business.
• Depending on the state you live in, you might need a license, permit, and/or insurance to get your business started. Check out your state’s requirements to ensure you have the proper documentation for running your junk removal business.
• Plan on having employees? You’ll need to order an Employer Identification Number (EIN)  from the IRS. Having all of the proper documentation is extremely important to running a business, so be sure to have all of this in place.
• Other supplies include a shovel to help with hauling, an industrial broom, and dustpan to clean up after your job, and trash buckets and garbage bags to collect smaller junk items. Having the proper supplies to both do the job and clean up afterward shows that you are professional and considerate of your clients.

As a junk remover, you might be wondering “ where do I dispose of the junk that I collect? ” The easy option is to take it all to the dump, but if you want to dispose of it responsibly, here are a few alternative eco-friendly options for you:

• Resell valuable items. Sometimes clients will get rid of junk that can be valuable. Listing these items on Craigslist or eBay is a great way to make some extra cash while on the job.  
• Donate new and gently used items. Places like Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, and the Salvation Army will accept new and gently used items for donation. Donating portions of your haul can help your local community and also cut down on disposal fees, so it’s a win-win. Before dropping off the items, check with your local donation center to see what items they’ll accept.
• Recycle it. Many items that are dumped into landfills can be recycled. This includes many household appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, and microwaves, as well as some construction materials like concrete, plastic, and lumber.

If you find that the junk you have picked up doesn’t fulfill the requirements for these options, then you can take the load to the dump knowing that you did all you could to give these items new life.  

At some point in your junk hauling career, you might choose to expand your business by hiring more haulers or investing in new trucks. This can increase your profits but also requires more responsibility and leadership on your part. As a business owner, it’s crucial to know how to manage your team of haulers effectively. Some managerial best practices include:

• Setting clear goals and targets. Everyone on your team should be aware of what the company’s goals are. If your junk hauling business is known for providing excellent customer service, let your haulers know about proper etiquette for interacting with clients.
• Maintaining effective and open communication. Apps like Trello , Asana , and Slack  can give you the ability to create group chats between haulers, assign specific tasks to them, and give them an overview of the projects and goals at hand. Fostering open communication allows all of your haulers to be on the same page and work more efficiently.
• Providing constructive feedback. Help your team grow by providing them with weekly, monthly, and quarterly feedback. Let them know if they communicated well with the customer or if they didn’t clean up after the job based on your company’s standards. Giving them these constructive comments can help them become better employees and also build a consistent, positive reputation for your company.
• Leading by example. Your employees will be watching you and how you handle situations. Make sure that you follow the same rules you expect them to follow.

Becoming a good manager takes time and experience, but if you put these few practices into place, it can help you run a business that you can be proud of and that employees are proud to work at.   

As a service-based business, managing your customers should be of high priority. Implementing Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software can help you store, organize, and interact with your customers all in one place. Here are a couple of CRM tools that can help your junk removal business:

• Less Annoying CRM is made with small businesses in mind. CRMs tend to be robust software with many features that make it challenging to navigate. This CRM focuses on the features that are important to small businesses, such as a place to store your contacts’ information, a calendar for all your events and tasks that can sync with Google Calendar, and a lead report that shows you the status and information of each of them.  
• Workiz offers features to help manage your junk removal business and reach your goals. Their CRM provides easy scheduling for junk removal jobs, a job management tool where you can view jobs by status and keep track of payments, voice and call tracking to screen and record what customers are saying, and invoicing to collect payments and complete transactions.

We at Junk Trash Removal realize the importance of a CRM and the benefits it can provide junk haulers. That’s why we’re working on creating our own customer management platform, which includes some of the most important features you need as a junk hauler, such as phone tracking, scheduling, invoicing, and an easy-to-read reporting dashboard so you can continue growing your business. So keep an eye out!

Marketing Your Junk Removal Business

Creating a marketing plan for your junk removal business.

While a business plan offers insight into your business as a whole, your marketing plan will provide more depth into the strategies you will use to grow your business. A marketing plan is essential for your junk hauling business to reach customers in your area in the most efficient way.  Your marketing plan should include:

• Your company’s mission and goals (e.g., help people take their space back)
• A description of your target market (e.g., gender, age, income, geography)
• An analysis of your competitors (e.g., strengths and weaknesses)
• A strategy to fuel your marketing efforts (e.g., services offered, prices, service areas)
• Which marketing channels you plan to use for your junk hauling business (e.g., website, Google My Business, social media)
• The budget for your marketing efforts (e.g., website fees, paid ads, marketing services)

Creating a marketing plan is an important aspect you don’t want to skip over. This is what drives your efforts to reach out to new customers and grow your business.

If you’re wondering if you need to set up a website for your junk hauling business , the answer is yes. A simple Google search for “junk removal near me” will show you the abundance of websites that junk haulers have in your area. A study by eMarketer  found that 87% of internet users ran an online search query within the past month to find a local product or service. If you don’t have a website that shows up on the results page, then you don’t get the potential business from that search. You’ve heard that “you don’t get what you don’t ask for.” In this case, you don’t get the business you don’t show up for, so make it happen.

Don’t know how to code? No problem! There are many resources out there that can help you build a website without needing to know a single line of code. Sites like Weebly and Wix are drop-and-drag website builders that make it easy to build a website for your junk removal business.

Your website can be your 24/7 sales representative, answering questions customers may have and giving them information on everything they need to know. Some details you can include on your website are:

• List of products/services (e.g., items you haul, prices)
• Photos (e.g., before-and-after photos, items you’ve removed)
• Company information (e.g., contact info, service areas, about the company)
• Contact form/emai l (e.g., price quote, online scheduling)
• Testimonials

Having a website for your junk removal business increases your credibility and shows professionalism to your visitors. As a small business owner, it’s an investment that can pay dividends.

There are many marketing tools out there to help you reach more customers in your area. You can go with the classic flyers around your neighborhood, letting people know about your junk removal services with your phone number, but this may only reach a few people. You can expand your business and customer base by taking your junk removal company online.

Here are a couple of tools that can benefit you:

• Google My Business listings are based on locality and provide users with your contact information, hours of operation, reviews, and ratings. This free service can help your junk hauling business land on the front page of Google, so it’s worth investing in and maintaining.
• Junk Trash Removal Marketing specializes in marketing for junk removal companies. We provide you with city listings on our website, phone call tracking, Google Ads campaigns, and end-of-the-month reports to let you know precisely how many leads you received from our services.

Being online is essential for growing your business, and there are many resources out there to help you.

Marketing efforts are useless if you don’t go back and analyze what’s working and what’s not. Taking the time to measure actions on your website allows you to move forward and grow your junk removal business. By understanding the methods by which you received more phone calls and got more customers, you can focus on these areas to apply more marketing resources and keep increasing your numbers. Some important metrics to look at include:

• Search terms used to find your business (e.g., junk removal in Miami)
• Where your customers are (e.g., Miami, FL)
• Who your customers are (e.g., men, ages 25-40)
• Phone tracking (e.g., when your customers are calling, why they’re calling)

Information like this can let you know whom you should direct your ad towards, when you should run your ads, and where you should advertise. If you have a website, you can use Google Analytics to find out this information about your website visitors.  

Are there any topics that we didn’t cover here that you would like us to talk about? Have anything else you’d like to add from your experience running a junk removal business? Let us know in the comments below!

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Small Business UK

Advice and Ideas for UK Small Businesses and SMEs

How to start a removals business from scratch

There are a variety of different types of removals businesses to opt for

Here, we look at the key factors to consider when setting up and growing your own small removals business in 2017.

Starting a removals business is one of those instances where you will have a hard time working on your own. You would need at least one more person to help you out, which is especially the case if you’re starting from scratch.

1. Determine what services you want to offer

First, you need to decide what services you can start out with.

Man and Van. This service is perfect for just one person. If you do not have a partner yet, then this option is the best place for you to start. The man and van service also enjoys the highest customer demand as it’s usually booked by low-budget households. Basically, all you need to do here is drive the van and help your clients with loading and unloading.

Self-load. This service is also one that targets low-income clients. Here, you can minimise the costs even further as you don’t even need to help with loading – you simply drive the van, while your clients handle the rest.

Home removals. This is where the more expensive services come into place and also where your search for a reliable business partner begins. The home removals service is suited for upper-middle class households that usually contain three and more rooms.

Commercial removals. Commercial properties also need help with moving. There are lots of offices, shops, and workplaces that frequently request help with moving fragile equipment. Another thing worth mentioning is that this is one of those services where you need at least one more person to help you out. Especially if you have to move computer servers around (which tend to weigh a lot).

Packing. Professional packing of belongings is every client’s preferred service. Why? Because no one wants to waste their time packing, of course! To provide this service, you need to have good knowledge on how to pack different items and how to efficiently work with packing materials. But the good news is that all of this can be learned in a day. Keep in mind, though,, that you will also need to invest in quite a bit of packing materials.

Storage. Very often, people tend to need a storeroom where they can place a piece of furniture, a box of trinkets, or some other item until the can figure out what to do with it. That’s why the storage service is a very practical one. Also, if people don’t come to take their stuff back within 6 months, then by law you get to keep those to yourself.

2. Select your range of work

Determine how far you can go. You can help people move within city limits which, if we’re talking about a city the size of London, means that you’ll still have plenty of work on your hands. You can also try to cover the whole country or even go international.

Of course, the larger distances you will need to cover, the more your prices will go up… but so will your expenses.

3. Get certified

No matter what business you’re running, you will need to obtain a certificate that shows you are allowed to run said business. You will need to certify your vehicle as well.

If you’re doing national moves only, this would be enough to start working right away.

However, if you go international you might also look at gaining a Registered International Mover certification, or an OMNI (Overseas Movers Network International) certification, in case you’re planning on doing transoceanic removals.

Another good certificate to have is FIDI , which tells all your customers and future contractors that you are a proud member of the global alliance of professional international moving and relocation companies.

4. Get insured

Insurance is the next most important step on your agenda. After all, no one will want to hire you if lack any sort of insurance.

5. Set up a budget

Your budget needs to be calculated based on all your future expenses. The main money leechers here are:

Your van. You will need at least one lorry in order to be able to take big scale bookings. Not only that, but its long term maintenance will come out of your salary as well. And don’t forget about the gas.

Tools. The lorry needs to be equipped with a ramp for easier loading and straps in order to keep the luggage in place. It’s also not a bad idea to invest in a dolly for when you need to move particularly heavy items.

Packing materials. If you decided to provide a packing service (and why wouldn’t you), you need to always be supplied with the right packing materials, such as tape, packing paper, stretch wrap, and brand new cardboard boxes of all sizes.

Organisation fees. If you manage to get into organisations, you would have to pay their periodic fees.

Promotion. Since we live in the 21st century, you need to make yourself noticed in the realm of the internet. There are many marketing freelancers out there that can help you create a website and promote you on social media, and some of them offer their services at very affordable rates.

And, of course, to be able to work in the removals business at all, you will need to be in top physical condition so you can carry all the heavy furniture and boxes. If you’re starting your company with a whole moving team,you’ll need to manage their salaries as well.

6. Research your competition and set up prices

Your competition is your main tool of orientation. You have to constantly compare yourself and your business with theirs and research their working methods by checking everything that’s been written about them by their customers.Which is where the land of the Internet is at its strongest.

You can also check your competitors’ prices and decide on the ones that work best for you, so you would be able to cover all your expenses and compete at the same time.

7. Join organisations

Becoming a member of various organisations in the desired niche can be considered the cherry on top of the removals cake. Because there’s no question that organisations can make your name well known. They will vouch for your quality of work and will include you in an alliance full of professionals who operate in the same field as you do.

A very good example of such beneficial organisation (and one that you should try to join) is BAR – the British Association of Removals.

Lisbeth Larose is a professional writer for JoinFantastic.

Further reading on logistics

• Logistics strategies for SMEs

Ben Lobel was the editor of SmallBusiness.co.uk from 2010 to 2018. He specialises in writing for start-up and scale-up companies in the areas of finance, marketing and HR. More by Ben Lobel

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Start your free trial with Shopify today—then use these resources to guide you through every step of the process.

Free Business Plan Template for Small Businesses (2024)

Use this free business plan template to write your business plan quickly and efficiently.

A good business plan is essential to successfully starting your business —  and the easiest way to simplify the work of writing a business plan is to start with a business plan template.

You’re already investing time and energy in refining your business model and planning your launch—there’s no need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to writing a business plan. Instead, to help build a complete and effective plan, lean on time-tested structures created by other  entrepreneurs and startups. 

Ahead, learn what it takes to create a solid business plan and download Shopify's free business plan template to get started on your dream today. 

What this free business plan template includes

• Executive summary
• Company overview
• Products or services offered
• Market analysis
• Marketing plan
• Logistics and operations plan
• Financial plan

This business plan outline is designed to ensure you’re thinking through all of the important facets of starting a new business. It’s intended to help new business owners and entrepreneurs consider the full scope of running a business and identify functional areas they may not have considered or where they may need to level up their skills as they grow.

That said, it may not include the specific details or structure preferred by a potential investor or lender. If your goal with a business plan is to secure funding , check with your target organizations—typically banks or investors—to see if they have business plan templates you can follow to maximize your chances of success.

Our free business plan template includes seven key elements typically found in the traditional business plan format:

1. Executive summary

This is a one-page summary of your whole plan, typically written after the rest of the plan is completed. The description section of your executive summary will also cover your management team, business objectives and strategy, and other background information about the brand. 

2. Company overview

This section of your business plan will answer two fundamental questions: “Who are you?” and “What do you plan to do?” Answering these questions clarifies why your company exists, what sets it apart from others, and why it’s a good investment opportunity. This section will detail the reasons for your business’s existence, its goals, and its guiding principles.

3. Products or services offered

What you sell and the most important features of your products or services. It also includes any plans for intellectual property, like patent filings or copyright. If you do market research for new product lines, it will show up in this section of your business plan.

4. Market analysis

This section includes everything from estimated market size to your target markets and competitive advantage. It’ll include a competitive analysis of your industry to address competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. Market research is an important part of ensuring you have a viable idea.

5. Marketing plan

How you intend to get the word out about your business, and what strategic decisions you’ve made about things like your pricing strategy. It also covers potential customers’ demographics, your sales plan, and your metrics and milestones for success.

6. Logistics and operations plan

Everything that needs to happen to turn your raw materials into products and get them into the hands of your customers.

7. Financial plan

It’s important to include a look at your financial projections, including both revenue and expense projections. This section includes templates for three key financial statements: an income statement, a balance sheet, and a cash-flow statement . You can also include whether or not you need a business loan and how much you’ll need.

Business plan examples

What do financial projections look like on paper? How do you write an executive summary? What should your company description include?  Business plan examples  can help answer some of these questions and transform your business idea into an actionable plan.

Professional business plan example

Inside our template, we’ve filled out a sample business plan featuring a fictional ecommerce business . 

The sample is set up to help you get a sense of each section and understand how they apply to the planning and evaluation stages of a business plan. If you’re looking for funding, this example won’t be a complete or formal look at business plans, but it will give you a great place to start and notes about where to expand.

Lean business plan example

A lean business plan format is a shortened version of your more detailed business plan. It’s helpful when modifying your plan for a specific audience, like investors or new hires. 

Also known as a one-page business plan, it includes only the most important, need-to-know information, such as:

• Company description
• Key members of your team
• Customer segments

💡 Tip: For a step-by-step guide to creating a lean business plan (including a sample business plan), read our guide on how to create a lean business plan .

Benefits of writing a solid business plan

It’s tempting to dive right into execution when you’re excited about a new business or side project, but taking the time to write a thorough business plan and get your thoughts on paper allows you to do a number of beneficial things:

• Test the viability of your business idea. Whether you’ve got one business idea or many, business plans can make an idea more tangible, helping you see if it’s truly viable and ensure you’ve found a target market. 
• Plan for your next phase. Whether your goal is to start a new business or scale an existing business to the next level, a business plan can help you understand what needs to happen and identify gaps to address.
• Clarify marketing strategy, goals, and tactics. Writing a business plan can show you the actionable next steps to take on a big, abstract idea. It can also help you narrow your strategy and identify clear-cut tactics that will support it.
• Scope the necessary work. Without a concrete plan, cost overruns and delays are all but certain. A business plan can help you see the full scope of work to be done and adjust your investment of time and money accordingly.
• Hire and build partnerships. When you need buy-in from potential employees and business partners, especially in the early stages of your business, a clearly written business plan is one of the best tools at your disposal. A business plan provides a refined look at your goals for the business, letting partners judge for themselves whether or not they agree with your vision.
• Secure funds. Seeking financing for your business—whether from venture capital, financial institutions, or Shopify Capital —is one of the most common reasons to create a business plan.

Why you should you use a template for a business plan

A business plan can be as informal or formal as your situation calls for, but even if you’re a fan of the back-of-the-napkin approach to planning, there are some key benefits to starting your plan from an existing outline or simple business plan template.

No blank-page paralysis

A blank page can be intimidating to even the most seasoned writers. Using an established business planning process and template can help you get past the inertia of starting your business plan, and it allows you to skip the work of building an outline from scratch. You can always adjust a template to suit your needs.

Guidance on what to include in each section

If you’ve never sat through a business class, you might never have created a SWOT analysis or financial projections. Templates that offer guidance—in plain language—about how to fill in each section can help you navigate sometimes-daunting business jargon and create a complete and effective plan.

Knowing you’ve considered every section

In some cases, you may not need to complete every section of a startup business plan template, but its initial structure shows you you’re choosing to omit a section as opposed to forgetting to include it in the first place.

Tips for creating a successful business plan

There are some high-level strategic guidelines beyond the advice included in this free business plan template that can help you write an effective, complete plan while minimizing busywork.

Understand the audience for your plan

If you’re writing a business plan for yourself in order to get clarity on your ideas and your industry as a whole, you may not need to include the same level of detail or polish you would with a business plan you want to send to potential investors. Knowing who will read your plan will help you decide how much time to spend on it.

Know your goals

Understanding the goals of your plan can help you set the right scope. If your goal is to use the plan as a roadmap for growth, you may invest more time in it than if your goal is to understand the competitive landscape of a new industry.

Take it step by step

Writing a 10- to 15-page document can feel daunting, so try to tackle one section at a time. Select a couple of sections you feel most confident writing and start there—you can start on the next few sections once those are complete. Jot down bullet-point notes in each section before you start writing to organize your thoughts and streamline the writing process.

Maximize your business planning efforts

Planning is key to the financial success of any type of business , whether you’re a startup, non-profit, or corporation.

To make sure your efforts are focused on the highest-value parts of your own business planning, like clarifying your goals, setting a strategy, and understanding the target market and competitive landscape, lean on a business plan outline to handle the structure and format for you. Even if you eventually omit sections, you’ll save yourself time and energy by starting with a framework already in place.

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Business plan template FAQ

What is the purpose of a business plan.

The purpose of your business plan is to describe a new business opportunity or an existing one. It clarifies the business strategy, marketing plan, financial forecasts, potential providers, and more information about the company.

How do I write a simple business plan?

• Choose a business plan format, such as a traditional or a one-page business plan. 
• Find a business plan template.
• Read through a business plan sample.
• Fill in the sections of your business plan.

What is the best business plan template?

If you need help writing a business plan, Shopify’s template is one of the most beginner-friendly options you’ll find. It’s comprehensive, well-written, and helps you fill out every section.

What are the 5 essential parts of a business plan?

The five essential parts of a traditional business plan include:

• Executive summary: This is a brief overview of the business plan, summarizing the key points and highlighting the main points of the plan.
• Business description: This section outlines the business concept and how it will be executed.
• Market analysis: This section provides an in-depth look at the target market and how the business will compete in the marketplace.
• Financial plan: This section details the financial projections for the business, including sales forecasts, capital requirements, and a break-even analysis.
• Management and organization: This section describes the management team and the organizational structure of the business.

Are there any free business plan templates?

There are several free templates for business plans for small business owners available online, including Shopify’s own version. Download a copy for your business.

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Bringing the full power of Copilot to more people and businesses

Jan 15, 2024 | Yusuf Mehdi - Executive Vice President, Consumer Chief Marketing Officer

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As we kick off a new year, we’re thrilled to see people increasingly using and loving Microsoft Copilot for work and life. Our goal is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more by bringing Copilot, the everyday AI companion, to millions of people around the world. We have reached another milestone in this mission with more than 5 billion chats and more than 5 billion images to date. As Copilot continues to earn preference and usage, we’re receiving valuable feedback on how to improve. Two examples: First, there are a set of Copilot power users like creators, researchers, programmers and others who want more rapid access to the very latest we have to offer. And second, our Microsoft 365 customers want access to Copilot in the Microsoft 365 apps for personal use.

To help address those needs, today we’re delighted to announce more options for power users, creators and anyone looking to take their Copilot experience to the next level. This begins with the introduction of Copilot Pro, a new premium subscription for individuals that provides a higher tier of service for AI capabilities, brings Copilot AI capabilities to Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers, and new capabilities, such as the ability to create Copilot GPTs. We are also announcing the general availability of our Copilot app for iOS and Android phones. Finally, we’re excited to bring Copilot for Microsoft 365 to more commercial customers by expanding the availability to businesses of all sizes, including small- and medium-sized businesses, starting today.

Introducing Copilot Pro: Supercharge your creativity and productivity

Today we’re announcing the availability of Copilot Pro, a new subscription that delivers the most advanced features and capabilities of Microsoft Copilot to individuals looking to supercharge their Copilot experience. Whether you need advanced help with writing, coding, designing, researching or learning, Copilot Pro brings greater performance, productivity and creativity.

Copilot Pro provides:

• A single AI experience that runs across your devices, understanding your context on the web, on your PC, across your apps and soon on your phone to bring the right skills to you when you need them.
• Access to Copilot in Word, Excel [i] , PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote on PC, Mac and iPad for Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscribers.
• Priority access to the very latest models – starting today with OpenAI’s GPT-4 Turbo. With Copilot Pro you’ll have access to GPT-4 Turbo during peak times for faster performance and, coming soon, the ability to toggle between models to optimize your experience how you choose.
• Enhanced AI image creation with Image Creator from Designer (formerly Bing Image Creator) – ensuring it’s faster with 100 boosts per day while bringing you more detailed image quality as well as landscape image format.
• The ability to build your own Copilot GPT – a customized Copilot tailored for a specific topic – in our new Copilot GPT Builder (coming soon) with just a simple set of prompts.

You can subscribe to Copilot Pro today for $20 per month/per user.

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Expanding Copilot for Microsoft 365 to businesses of all sizes

While Copilot Pro is our best experience for individuals, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is our best experience for organizations. Copilot for Microsoft 365 became generally available for enterprises in November. As we said earlier this year, 40% of the Fortune 100 participated in our Early Access Program, and since GA for enterprise, customers like Visa, BP, Honda, Pfizer, and partners like Accenture, KPMG and PwC are already using Copilot — which means thousands of people across industries and sectors have started working in new ways, with an AI-powered copilot at their side. Today we are excited to announce that Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now available for organizations of all sizes — with no seat minimum. We are also enabling our partners to help every business become AI-powered.

Today’s updates include:

• Copilot for Microsoft 365 is now generally available for small businesses with Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Business Standard Customers can purchase between one and 300 seats for $30 per person per month.
• We’re removing the 300-seat purchase minimum for commercial plans and making Copilot available for Office 365 E3 and E5 customers (A Microsoft 365 license was previously required).
• Commercial customers can now purchase Copilot for Microsoft 365 through our amazing network of Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider partners .
• Last month, we also announced eligibility of Copilot for Microsoft 365 for education faculty and staff.

Copilot for Microsoft 365 is even more powerful for organizations because it works across your entire universe of data at work — including emails, meetings, chats, documents and more, plus the web. With natural language prompts like “Tell my team how we updated the product strategy,” Copilot can generate a status update based on the morning’s meetings, emails and chat threads. Copilot is also integrated into the apps millions of people use every day, including Microsoft Teams (which is not available with Copilot Pro). Copilot jump-starts your creativity in Word, analyzes data in Excel, designs presentations in PowerPoint, triages your Outlook inbox, summarizes meetings in Teams – whether you attended or not – and so much more. Backed by enterprise-grade security, privacy, and compliance, and Microsoft’s Customer Copyright Commitment , we can’t wait to see how businesses of all sizes achieve more using AI. Learn more on the Microsoft 365 blog .

As we expand the availability of Copilot to even more people, we continue to offer a great free experience for anyone interested in exploring how Copilot can transform productivity and creativity using AI. Today we’re excited to share additional updates to Copilot. You can get started by visiting copilot.microsoft.com.

• Copilot GPTs – Today we’re announcing Copilot GPTs. Copilot GPTs let you customize the behavior of Microsoft Copilot on a topic that is of particular interest to you.  A handful of Copilot GPTs will start to roll out beginning today with specific purposes such as fitness, travel, cooking and more. Soon, Copilot Pro users will also be able to create their own Copilot GPTs using Copilot GPT Builder. Stay tuned for more on this experience as we get closer to availability.
• Copilot mobile app – The Copilot mobile app is now available for Android and iOS. The Copilot app gives you the power of Copilot on the go as your Copilot queries and chats will roam across your phone and PC. The Copilot mobile app includes the same capabilities of Copilot on your PC including access to GPT-4, Dall-E 3 for image creation, and the ability to use images from your phone when chatting with Copilot. Download the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store .
• Copilot in the Microsoft 365 mobile app – We’re also adding Copilot to the Microsoft 365 mobile app for Android and iOS for individuals with a Microsoft account. This new feature is rolling out over the next month. Access Copilot right inside the app and easily export the content you create to a Word or PDF document. Download the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store .

With today’s announcements, we continue to bring Copilot to more customers with more options that work for them. Whether you’re looking to get started with Copilot for free, want to supercharge your Copilot experience with Copilot Pro or are an SMB or Enterprise customer looking to increase your productivity in new ways with Copilot for Microsoft 365, there’s a Copilot experience for everyone.

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Ukraine war latest: Putin arrives in North Korea; Russian forces 'move closer to key supply route'

Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea for a two-day visit - his first in more than two decades. Elsewhere, the UK's Ministry of Defence says Russian forces are moving closer to a key Ukrainian supply route in the eastern Donetsk region.

Tuesday 18 June 2024 22:31, UK

• Putin arrives in North Korea - his first visit in 24 years
• Russian region hit in wave of attacks
• Ukrainian village 'falls under Russian control as Moscow's forces move closer to key supply route'
• Countries remove names from Ukraine peace summit documents
• NATO chief's nuclear comments prompt Kremlin response
• Your questions answered: Are there any signs of an underground resistance in Russia?
• Analysis: Putin's visit to North Korea is a diplomatic two-fingers to West
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More details about Vladimir Putin's arrival in North Korea have started coming through...

The Russian president arrived in the country for the first time in 24 years earlier this evening, and was greeted by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. 

The two men had a brief conversation and then left Pyongyang Airport in the same car. 

Now, Korean Central News Agency has reported that the pair shared their "pent up inmost thoughts" with each other and "opened their minds". 

The North Korean state news organisation said the conversation was "friendly" and came as their relationship "entered a course of new comprehensive development". 

It added that Putin's visit was important in "powerfully propelling the cause of building a powerful country". 

Of course, the Korean Central News Agency's original reporting is in Korean, so there may be some discrepancies in the translation. 

The destruction of Russian targets in border regions "really matters", Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said as he praised world leaders for their determination to protect Ukraine, 

Delivering his nightly address, the Ukrainian president said: "The destruction of Russian terrorists' positions and launchers by our forces, our warriors, near the border really matters. 

"We witness the world's determination opening new prospects for restoring our security. Among other things, this includes the security of Kharkiv." 

His comments come after Ukraine claimed responsibility for an overnight drone attack on a Russian oil facility. 

The strike caused a massive blaze in Russia's Rostov region and marked the latest long-range attack by Kyiv's forces on a border region.

Ukraine has in recent months stepped up aerial assaults on Russian soil, targeting refineries and oil terminals, in an effort to slow down the Kremlin's war effort. 

At the same time, Moscow's army has been pressing hard along the front line in eastern Ukraine, where a shortage of troops and ammunition has made defenders vulnerable.

As we have been reporting this evening, Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea for the first time in 24 years to begin a two-day visit. 

The Russian president was greeted by North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, with the men seen laughing and hugging as they had a conversation near Putin's plane.

A red carpet was rolled out for his arrival as well. 

The US has said it is concerned about the "deepening" cooperation between Russia and the North Korea.

The Pentagon voiced concern about the growing ties between Moscow and Pyongyang as Vladimir Putin arrived in North Korea for his first visit in 24 years. 

"The deepening cooperation between Russia and the DPRK is something that should be of concern, especially to anyone that's interested in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," Major General Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, told reporters.

DPRK is an abbreviation for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 

We have just received the first photos of Vladimir Putin arriving in North Korea. 

The Russian president was greeted by the country's leader Kim Jong Un as he left his plane. 

The pair hugged and had a brief conversation before leaving in the same car. 

We are starting to get more details about Vladimir Putin's arrival in North Korea. 

As the Russian president touched down, he was greeted by the country's leader Kim Jong Un. 

The two men had a brief conversation next to Putin's motorcade, before leaving Pyongyang Airport in the same car.

As we told you in our last post, Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea for his first visit in 24 years. 

The Russian president's plane touched down in Pyongyang around 2.45am local time (6.45pm UK time) after a stopover in Russia's far east. 

He was reportedly greeted by North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. 

Here's a quick look at what is expected to take place during his two-day visit...

One of the first events to take place will be one-on-one discussions between the two leaders. 

There will also be a gala concert, state reception, honour guards, document signings, and a statement to the media, Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Mr Putin's aide as saying.

A number of Russian officials have travelled to Pyongyang as well as part of Mr Putin's delegation, including defence minister Andrei Belousov, foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and deputy prime minister Alexander Novak. 

Ahead of the visit, North Korea appeared to make preparations for a possible military parade in downtown Pyongyang. 

Vladimir Putin has arrived in North Korea, the Kremlin has confirmed. 

The Russian president touched down in the country's capital, Pyongyang, where he will begin his two-day visit.

He was greeted at the airport by North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un, according to RIA Novosti. 

A formal meeting between the two leaders is expected to take place tomorrow. 

In a presidential order issued yesterday, Putin said Moscow was looking to sign a "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" with North Korea. 

The international community has raised alarm bells regarding his trip, with NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg saying the military alliance was concerned about the support Russia could provide for North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes. 

Three Russian government aircraft have landed in Pyongyang in North Korea, according to flight tracking data. 

It is unclear if Vladimir Putin is on board any of the planes, but their arrival comes as the Russian president is expected to visit the country.

Flight Radar 24 shows the planes travelled from Yakutsk in east Siberia, where Putin travelled to earlier today. 

Vladimir Putin's visit to North Korea is an "opportunity for Russia to make mischief", an expert tells Sky News. 

The Russian president is due to arrive in the country this evening for a two-day visit. 

During his trip, he is expected to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to discuss an arms arrangement between Pyongyang and Moscow. 

The deal could see North Korea provide Russia with badly needed munitions in exchange for economic assistance and technology transfers. 

Dr John Nilsson-Wright from the Centre for Geopolitics says the trip is a "very clear attempt" by Mr Putin to emphasise that Russia is not isolated. 

"This is an opportunity for Russia to make mischief internationally by undermining the international sanctions' regime," he adds. 

On security, though, he warns that Russia will have to be "cautious".  

"There is a danger that they could provoke a reaction from South Korea, and Russia and South Korea do have their own economic relationship," he says. 

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Relocation Companies in Russia

This guide was written prior to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and is therefore not reflective of the current situation. Travel to Russia is currently not advisable due to the area's volatile political situation.

In relocating to Russia, expats may face several challenges. The legalities and practical issues of moving to Russia are further complicated by language differences, and organising the move as an individual, though possible, can be stressful. To smooth the transition, expats are advised to seek the help of a relocation company.

Relocation companies can ease the moving process for both individuals and businesses. Whilst removal companies focus on transporting goods, relocation companies offer a full suite of services. These include pre-departure orientation, neighbourhood orientation, home-finding services, lease negotiation and utility hook-ups. They can also assist with visa applications and searching for schools .

Below is a list of several relocation companies that could help expats move to Russia.

Relocation companies in Russia

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Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Russia. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.

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