How to start a gutter cleaning business in South Dakota

A good fit if you're steady on a ladder and like quick jobs

Gutter cleaning is a simple service most homeowners would rather not do themselves: it means ladders, mess and heights. You need little more than good ladders and a few tools, and most homes need it again every spring and fall.

From $1,165 to start

Start lean with the essentials and upgrade as customers come, or set up fully from day one.

Once you're running: about $130 a month, plus about 10% of what you earn. Insurance, phone and scheduling software every month, plus fuel, bags, disposal and card fees on each job.

Work out your own numbers

Move the sliders to match your plans. The chart shows a first year that builds up as word gets around.

12 steps to your first customers

Each step says what it costs and how long it takes. Most owners get through them in a few weeks.

1. 1

   Check the demand near you

   2–3 days Free

   Look at the trees and houses near you: lots of trees and two-story homes mean steady gutter work.

   • Search "gutter cleaning near me"
   • Note 5 competitors and their prices
   • Find leafy neighborhoods
2. 2

   Choose your name

   1 day Free

   Pick a name that says what you do and where. Make sure no one in South Dakota has it.

   • 3–5 name ideas
   • Check no one else uses it
   • Check the domain

   Get name ideas, then check yours with South DakotaFind a name
3. 3

   Form your LLC in South Dakota

   1–2 weeks $150 state fee

   An LLC keeps your personal savings separate from the business. You file Articles of Organization with the South Dakota Secretary of State.

   • Articles of Organization
   • A registered agent
   • An operating agreement

   PressUp can file your LLC with the state for youForm your LLC
4. 4

   Get your EIN

   Same day Free

   The IRS's tax number for your business. You'll need it for a business bank account.

   • Apply online with the IRS
   • Open a business bank account

   Apply for it along with your LLC filingAdd your EIN
5. 5

   Sort out sales tax in South Dakota

   1–3 days Free

   South Dakota's sales tax is 4.2%, and cities and counties add their own. Ask the South Dakota Department of Revenue whether what you sell is taxable.

   • Check if your services are taxable
   • Register for sales tax if needed
   • Set money aside for income tax
6. 6

   Get insured

   1–2 days Quotes are free

   Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on a job. Get quotes from two or three insurers.

   • General liability that covers ladder work
   • Commercial auto, if you use a work vehicle
   • Workers' comp, once you hire
7. 7

   Buy your equipment

   1 week $620–3.1k

   Good ladders come first. Add a gutter vacuum later to clean from the ground and work faster.

   • Fiberglass extension ladder
   • Standoff and safety kit
   • Scoops, buckets and blower
8. 8

   Learn to work safely

   1 week Free

   Practice on your own home. Set ladders on firm, level ground, keep three points of contact and stay away from power lines.

   • Ladder setup and angle
   • Using a standoff
   • When to tie off on a roof
9. 9

   Set your prices

   1 day Free

   Price by the home's size and stories, with a minimum charge and add-ons. See the prices below.

   • One-story and two-story
   • Add-ons: downspouts, roof debris, guards
   • A spring and fall plan
10. 10

    Put your business online

    1 day Included

    Before-and-after photos and clear prices win jobs. Let customers book their spring and fall cleans online.

    • Website with your prices
    • Online booking
    • Google Business Profile

    Describe your business and PressUp builds your websiteBuild your website
11. 11

    Get your first 10 customers

    1–4 weeks Up to $180

    Door hangers on leafy streets work well, especially just before fall.

    • Door hangers near each job
    • Neighborhood groups
    • Ask every customer for a review

    Ask your customers for reviews by email with PressUpSee how
12. 12

    Keep track as you grow

    Ongoing Included

    Every customer needs you again next season. Keep a list and remind them before spring and fall.

    • Customer list
    • Invoices
    • Seasonal reminders

    Keep your customers and invoices in one place with PressUpSee how

What South Dakota asks for

Registering, taxes, and what this business needs. Check the details with each authority: rules change.

What to buy first

Buy the "must haves" to start. Add the rest when customers pay for them.

3 packages that sell

Simple choices make it easy to say yes. Most customers pick the middle one.

How to get your first customers

You don't need an ad budget. These work for new owners almost everywhere.

A month from now, you could be open

Common questions