Mobile blocked drain clearing
Clear blocked sinks, toilets and stormwater drains from a van for homes, landlords and small businesses.
- A$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Out and about
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A van-based service that clears blocked drains using drain machines (electric eels) and, as you grow, a high-pressure water jetter. Jobs are usually same-day call-outs, and you can add small repairs later.
Your first three steps
- Check with your state's plumbing licensing body what licence or qualification you need to clear and repair drains
- Price a van fit-out, a drain machine and a small jetter, and compare local call-out rates
- Register an ABN, get public liability insurance and set up a Google Business listing and a phone-friendly website
Who pays
Homeowners, landlords, property managers, strata managers, cafes and other small businesses.
How it makes money
A call-out fee plus a fixed price or hourly rate per job. Property managers and strata can give repeat work. After-hours call-outs usually earn more.
Skills that help
- Licensed or qualified in plumbing or drainage (or ready to train)
- Practical problem solving
- Comfortable with dirty, physical work
- Clear communication and quoting
Watch out for
- Plumbing and drainage work generally needs a state or territory licence, check what applies to you before taking jobs
- Public liability insurance, and workers compensation once you hire
- Biohazards and confined or wet spaces, plan for safety gear and hygiene
- Call-outs can be unpredictable, so check how on-call hours will fit your life
- Damaging old pipes or tree-root drains can lead to disputes, so photograph and explain before and after
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: mobile blocked drain clearing
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a drain clearing business?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your van, drain machines and whether you add a high-pressure water jetter. Your own costs will vary with the equipment you choose.
How much can a mobile drain clearing business earn?
Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $5,000 to $22,000, depending on call-out numbers, your service area and the equipment you use. Call-outs can be unpredictable, so check how on-call hours will fit your life.
Do I need a licence to clear blocked drains in Australia?
Things to check: plumbing and drainage work generally needs a state or territory licence, so check what applies to you before taking jobs. Also check public liability insurance, workers compensation once you hire, and safety gear for biohazards.
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