Rainwater cistern supply and installation

Rural homeowners, small farms, ranches, nurseries, landscapers and property owners in areas with water restrictions or costly water.

Margin on tanks and components plus installation labor, quoted as a fixed price per project. Ongoing income comes from maintenance visits, filter changes and system upgrades.

• Plumbing and pump basics
• Site assessment and quoting
• Operating or arranging equipment for tank placement
• Customer service and sales

• Contractor or plumbing licensing varies widely by state and county, so check with your state licensing board
• Building or plumbing permits may be needed for cisterns, especially buried tanks or any connection to household plumbing
• Rainwater collection rules and any limits on indoor or drinking use differ by state, so check before promising uses
• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire
• Heavy tanks and excavation carry safety and property damage risks, plus a truck or trailer is usually needed

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on the tools, truck or trailer, equipment and stock you need. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes for your own setup before you commit.

Check contractor or plumbing licensing with your state licensing board, since it varies widely. Also check building or plumbing permits, especially for buried tanks or household plumbing connections, and state rules on rainwater use. Consider liability insurance and workers' compensation once you hire.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the number and size of installations, your pricing and your local market. These are estimates, not guarantees, and results will vary.