Smoke and soot cleaning specialist

Larger restoration companies, loss adjusters and insurers who hire subcontractors, plus homeowners, landlords and small businesses.

Day rates or fixed prices per job when subcontracting, or quoted prices agreed with an insurer or property owner. Extra income from contents cleaning and odour treatment.

• Thorough, careful cleaning
• Reliable and able to work in distressing situations
• Basic report writing and photos for insurers

• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability once you take on staff
• Possible asbestos in older buildings, check that a survey has been done before disturbing fire-damaged materials
• Insurers and restoration firms often want proof of training, insurance and references before giving work, so check their requirements
• Chemicals and soot dust need proper PPE and COSHH-style risk assessments
• Work can be irregular and depends on referrals, so plan for quiet months

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on your equipment, cleaning products, protective kit and insurance. You start with the cleaning side only, leaving rebuilding work to builders.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on how much work you win. Work can be irregular and depends on referrals, so it is worth planning for quiet months.

Check you have public liability insurance, and employer's liability once you take on staff. Check a survey has been done for possible asbestos in older buildings, what proof of training insurers want, and PPE and COSHH-style risk assessments.