Door-to-Door valet trash route

Property managers and owners of apartment complexes, who usually add the service as a fee for residents. Some pay directly, some bill it through rent.

A monthly contract per property, usually priced per unit. Several nearby properties on the same evenings make a route that adds up.

• Reliability and sticking to a schedule
• Pitching to property managers
• Route planning
• Basic physical fitness for walking and stairs

• Check whether your city or county requires a business license or any waste hauler registration, especially if you take trash off the property
• General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire help
• Contracts: agree on service days, missed-pickup rules and who handles bulk items and hazardous waste
• Losing one contract can cut income sharply, so aim to build several properties
• Evening and weekend work, plus the physical load of stairs and heavy bags

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your equipment, insurance and how you set up your route. Treat this as an estimate and price your own setup before you commit to a property.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many properties and units you serve and what you agree with managers. The estimate assumes at least about 10 hours a week.

Check whether your city or county requires a business license or waste hauler registration, especially if you take trash off the property. Also check general liability insurance, workers' compensation once you hire help, and contract terms.