Start a bee removal from buildings business

Homeowners, landlords, housing associations, churches, property managers and pest control firms who prefer to rehome bees rather than destroy them.

A quoted price per job based on access, time and equipment, often with extra for comb removal, cleaning and proofing the entrance. Rehomed colonies add to your own stock.

• Experienced beekeeping, including colony management
• Basic building knowledge and careful DIY
• Safe working at height
• Clear quoting and customer communication

• Public liability insurance that covers working on buildings and at height
• Safe working at height, so check training and equipment requirements, and don't work alone on risky jobs
• Check whether you need landlord, owner or council permission before opening up roofs or walls, especially on listed buildings
• Not every colony can be saved, and you must be clear with customers about what you will and won't do
• Repair work such as sealing gaps may count as building work, so only do what you are competent and insured for
• Seasonal demand and unpredictable call-outs make income uneven
• Check bee health rules in your nation, as moving colonies may need care to avoid spreading disease

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on equipment, insurance and training. Check that your public liability insurance covers working on buildings and at height.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on how many call-outs you take and how complex each job is. Seasonal demand and unpredictable call-outs make income uneven.

Check whether you need landlord, owner or council permission before opening roofs or walls, especially on listed buildings. Also check safe working at height requirements, bee health rules in your nation, and only do repair work you are competent and insured for.