Schewanick Computer Services

The biggest complaint I get when talking to people about starting a business is the cost. But frankly, the cost of starting a business (to include the materials needed to get your first customers) can easily be under $100.00. With that in mind, let's take a look at some you can start this weekend.

1. Major Home Appliance Tune Up - My stepbrother ran this type of business in California for 12 years. I thought it was a great idea I started it myself and make a little under $40 an hour doing it. Here's what's involved: Clean the refrigerator coils, drain the sediment from the water heater, change the battery in the smoke detector, and change the forced air system filter. Add dryer motor/hose/vent cleaning for and additional cost. Tools you'll need include a coil brush, a 2-foot piece of garden hose with the end that goes to the spigot still attached, a 1-liter Pepsi or Coke plastic bottle, some rags, 9-volt batteries, and filters for the forced air system. Advertise in your local Senior Center Newsletter and you're on your way. Average time for each appointment is about 1 hour.

2. Internet Online Business Directory - Yes, you can actually make money on the Internet by setting up a directory of legitimate home business opportunities. Register a domain name with godaddy.com (about $9) get a year of hosting and use the website builder that comes with the hosting and your on your way. If you don't want to go thought the hassle of setting all of this up yourself, you can go to the example site below and find "Plug In Profit" under the "Featured Listings" and you can be set up in less than 24 hours. There are people that make $300,000 or $400,000 a year (and even more) from these types of sites. Here's a good example of a directory site - www.MakingMoneyWithTheInternet.com. Everything on this site is verified and legitimate work at home opportunities. Do a little research and get one set up! These types of sites are easy to start and have a huge demand for the information.

3. Express Detailing Business - This is my main business and it's very profitable. You'll need a bucket, some rags, bug remover, tar remover, a vacuum and window cleaner. Now, I operate a full service auto detailing business but you can offer what I call an "Express Detail". Charge $29.00 for smaller cars or $39-49 for larger cars and SUVs. Add an additional $15 or so if they want to have the vehicle waxed. Just give it a basic wash and vacuum and clean the windows inside and out. Average about $29-40 an hour.

4. Pressure Cleaning Mobile Homes - You wouldn't think it but there is good money in this business. I did one of these just yesterday. It took me 4 hours and I charged $225.00 to wash it and apply a spray was on. That comes out to a little over $57 an hour. Now, you don't need to run out and buy a pressure washer right away. You can get one from the local rental shop and you'll still come out way ahead. But you will need about 50 feet of hose and about 50 feet of extension cord. Beware of doing the roof. In fact I don't even do them myself because of the potential damage that you can do given how some of these homes are built. You can get a pretty good Karcher pressure washer for about $139.00 at Costco when you go to buy one. Average $40-50 an hour.

5. House Cleaning - I run into senior citizens all the time asking for referrals for sometime type of job to do around their house. The most popular request is if I know anyone that does housecleaning. If you adopt the attitude of "if you can see, then you will clean it" then you will have more business than you can handle. You see, many of the people are looking for a new house cleaner for 2 reasons. Number one. The person they had didn't do a good job. Number 2. The person they had doing it raised their prices too much. You will have this second problem after word gets around and you can pick and choose what clients you want. Average $15-25 an hour. Tip: Low-ball the competition on price and you'll have an immediate customer base. I read about one woman that did this and had her 1st customer in less than a half hour!

The last thing you need to do is print up some flyers and distribute them or have some kids deliver them. I know there are people say these don't work - whatever. This is exactly what I did when I started the Home Appliance Tune Up Business. Now word of mouth is starting to take over on that and I may have to hire someone soon!

Best of luck!!

Gary Rambo

About the author:

Gary Rambo owns and operates 2 home service businesses. In addition, he also publishes a Small Business newsletter and does occassional consulting work for those wanting to start a business from home.