Seasonal home gutter cleaning

Homeowners, especially older people and busy families with mature trees around their house.

Fixed price per house, usually based on size and number of storeys, with add-ons such as downpipe flushing or minor repairs. Many clients rebook every spring and fall.

• Comfortable working at height
• Reliable and tidy
• Basic customer service

• Commercial general liability insurance, check what it covers for work at height
• Ladder falls are a real injury risk, check provincial work-at-height safety guidance and never work alone on steep roofs
• Check if your municipality requires a business licence, even for a side business
• Work stops in freezing weather and snow, so plan for seasonal income

Estimated startup costs are typically around $400 to $1,500, depending on ladders, hand tools, safety gear and insurance. Treat it as a guide and price your own kit list.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on how many homes you clean and your prices. Work is busiest in spring and late fall and stops in freezing weather, so income is seasonal.

Check commercial general liability insurance and what it covers for work at height. Check provincial work-at-height safety guidance, and never work alone on steep roofs. Also check whether your municipality requires a business licence, even for a side business.