10 Steps to Success: Launching Your Property Preservation Business

Have you ever dreamed of starting your own property preservation business but don't know where to begin? Look no further. This comprehensive 10-step checklist will guide you through the process of opening your own property preservation business and help you achieve your goal of becoming a successful entrepreneur in this booming industry.

The property preservation industry has seen sustained growth in recent years. In fact, according to a report by Grand View Research, the global property preservation market size was valued at USD 4.86 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2021 to 2028.

This growth can be attributed to various factors, including a growing number of foreclosures, increasing demand for property restoration services, and rising awareness of the importance of property preservation to ensure asset value.

If you are considering opening your own property preservation business, now is undoubtedly the right time. But it's not as easy as taking a leap of faith and hoping for the best; it requires careful planning and execution.

Read on, and we'll dive into a 10-step checklist to help you launch your own property preservation business the right way.

• Step 1: Establish Goals and Objectives

To begin with, you must set clear goals and objectives for your business. Having defined goals gives you direction and helps you stay focused. Ask yourself what you want to achieve in the short-term and long-term, both financially and personally. Your vision must be clear and concise, with specific targets you want to reach.

You'll want to make a list of the key goals you want to achieve in the first few years of operations, such as customer satisfaction rates, staffing goals, revenue projections, and location-specific targets if you plan to expand your business.

Ensure your goals are SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, so you can evaluate your progress over time and make modifications as needed.

• Step 2: Craft a Business Plan

A business plan outlines your business's specific goals and objectives, the strategies you'll use to achieve them, and your overall plan to run a successful business. Your plan should include details about your business's structure, service offerings, target markets, pricing strategies, marketing plan, and financial projections. Writing a business plan can be time-consuming, but it's essential to the success of your business.

Some key components to be incorporated in your business plan include:

• Executive Summary
• Business Description
• Market Analysis
• Organization and Management
• Service or Product Line
• Marketing and Sales Plan
• Financial Projections

The business plan will be helpful whether you’re seeking outside investment or not. It will allow you to prepare for potential issues and provide you the clarity and confidence you need to forge forward with the project.

• Step 3: Prepare Financial Model

After you have outlined your business plan, now is the time to prepare a financial model. Your financial model will include your startup costs and financial projections for the upcoming years. It will help you determine how much funding you'll need to get started and what your break-even point will be.

When creating your financial model, consider the following costs:

• Labor costs for employees
• Rent for office space
• Furniture and equipment
• Marketing and advertising expenses
• Insurance premiums
• Legal and accounting fees
• Utility costs
• Office supplies and other costs

Once you have prepared your financial model, you will have a clear understanding of the funding required. It will also ensure you have enough structure in place to sustain the lean months or a lack of initial profit.

• Step 4: Determine Funding Sources

When you have a business plan and financial model in place, the next step is to identify funding sources for your property preservation business. You can fund your business through personal savings, loans from friends and family, bank loans, and crowdfunding campaigns.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) also offers lending programs designed to support small business ventures. Review the options available and ensure that you have a full financial picture and plan in place before seeking funding. Invest extra time and efforts to determine funding sources as they are often critical to the success or failure of a new business.

You'll also need to consider whether you want to raise additional funding through equity or debt, depending on your long-term goals.

• Step 5: Identify Key Personnel

Building and maintaining the right team is crucial in setting up and

1. Establish Goals & Objectives

The first step in starting a property preservation business is to establish clear goals and objectives for your business. This will help you define your business's purpose, direction, and focus. Here are some key areas to consider when establishing your goals and objectives:

• Market: Identify your target market and understand their needs and preferences.
• Services: Determine what services you will offer and at what price.
• Revenue: Set revenue targets for your business.
• Growth: Decide if you want to expand your business later on and how you plan to achieve that growth.

Once you have established your goals and objectives, you can use them to guide your business decisions and measure your success.

Remember that your goals and objectives should be realistic and attainable. Setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and a sense of failure, which can discourage you from continuing your business.

2. Craft A Business Plan

The second step towards opening a successful property preservation business is to craft a business plan. A well-written business plan will act as a roadmap to guide your business towards success. Here’s how you can craft a solid business plan:

• Executive Summary: This section should describe your business in a nutshell, including its goals, products/services, target market and financial projections.
• Market Analysis: In this section, describe your target market, competitors, market trends, and opportunities for growth.
• Services and Products: Describe the services and products that your business offers, including their features, benefits, pricing and how they compare to those provided by your competitors.
• Marketing and Sales: In this section, outline your marketing and sales strategies, including your target audience, promotional tactics, advertising budgets, and sales forecasts.
• Operations: Describe how your business will operate on a day-to-day basis, including its organizational structure, staffing, and processes.
• Financial Projections: This section should include projections for revenue, expenses, profits, and cash flow over the next three to five years.

Once you have crafted a solid business plan, you will be better equipped to obtain financing, attract investors, and manage your business operations effectively. Use your business plan as a guide to keep your business focused on achieving its goals over the long term.

3. Prepare Financial Model

One of the core aspects of starting a business is preparing the financial model. This involves creating a plan that outlines the revenue and expenses your property preservation business will incur. The financial model forms the backbone of your business as it helps you understand how much money you will need to get your business running and how much you can expect to earn.

Here are the essential steps to take when preparing your financial model:

• Estimate Your Start-up Costs: Identify the specific costs you will incur when launching your business. This includes registration fees, insurance, office space, equipment, and marketing expenses. Be sure to have a good understanding of the exact amount of capital you'll need to acquire and make a detailed plan.
• Forecast Your Revenue: This involves estimating the amount of income you will generate from your services. It's important to consider your target market, competition and a realistic pricing plan in order for your business to grow.
• Calculate Your Expenses: Determine the costs you will incur in running your company, including salaries, utilities, supplies, and transportation. Be sure to have a clear understanding of every expense and make sure to factor in any planned investments.
• Analyze the Cash Flow: Create a cash flow statement to help you understand when your income and expenses occur over a period. This will help identify periods of positive and negative cash flow, enabling you to make better financial decisions.

With these essential steps, you can create a financial model for your property preservation business. By doing so, it can enable you to make more-informed decisions about the financial viability of your new venture.

4. Determine Funding Sources

1. Personal savings: If you have personal savings, it can be one of the best funding sources for your property preservation business. You can use your own money to start your business without relying on any third-party sources.

2. Bank loans: Consider getting a business loan from a bank. However, keep in mind that securing a loan from a bank can be challenging, so you need to have a solid business plan and good credit history.

3. Investors: If you want to share the ownership of your business, you can look for investors who are willing to invest in your property preservation business. Look for investors who have experience in the real estate industry, and who can provide you with guidance to grow your business.

• Pro Tip: Before approaching any investor for funding, make sure you have a clear idea of how you are going to use the money, how you are going to return the investment, and what percentage of ownership you are willing to offer.

4. Crowdfunding: Consider using crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo to raise money for your property preservation business. Crowdfunding can be one of the easiest ways to get funding without having to share ownership of your business.

5. Grants: Federal, state, and local government grants are available for small businesses. Look for grants that are specific to your industry, and make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria before applying for a grant.

• Pro Tip: Applying for a grant can be time-consuming, so make sure you have a clear idea of what is required before you start the application process.

5. Identify Key Personnel

Identifying key personnel is crucial in starting your property preservation business. These individuals will help you run the day-to-day operations and achieve your goals. Here are some of the key personnel you should consider having:

• General Manager: responsible for overseeing operations, managing finances, and working with clients.
• Field Supervisor: responsible for managing the work in the field, ensuring work quality, and managing field staff.
• Office Manager: responsible for managing administrative duties such as paperwork, invoicing, and scheduling.
• Field Staff: responsible for performing the physical work such as lawn care, janitorial services, and handyman work.
• Marketing Manager: responsible for promoting the business, finding new clients, and managing social media accounts.

It’s crucial that you build a strong team of key personnel to ensure the success of your business. In doing so, you’ll be able to grow your brand, provide quality work, and establish a stellar reputation in the industry.

6. Research & Obtain Necessary Permits & Licenses

Before launching your property preservation business, it is important to ensure that you have obtained all the necessary permits and licenses required by law. This step is essential as failure to comply with the regulations can result in legal consequences and heavy fines.

To start, research the state and local laws governing property preservation businesses in your area. You may also need to check if there are any specific licenses, certifications or registrations needed for this type of business. This information can be obtained from government websites, industry associations, and legal counsel.

Tip: Write down a list of all permits and licenses that are necessary for your business and the deadlines for obtaining them. You can also hire a professional consultant, attorney, or accountant to help you with this process and avoid any costly mistakes.

Once you have identified the permits and licenses that are needed, begin the application process as soon as possible. This usually involves completing an application, paying a fee, and providing supporting documents such as insurance, tax identification, and business name registration.

Some common permits and licenses required for starting a property preservation business include contractor’s license, business license, liability insurance, and zoning permits. Each permit and license may have a different processing time, cost, and renewal requirements, so make sure to read the terms and conditions carefully.

It is crucial to keep all your permits and licenses in good standing and up-to-date to avoid any disruptions to your business. You may need to renew or update your permits and licenses periodically and comply with any inspections or audits conducted by regulatory authorities.

Finally, ensure that your business complies with all applicable laws and regulations related to labor, employment, safety, and environmental issues. Non-compliance with these laws can result in severe penalties, lawsuits, and damage to your reputation and customers.

By diligently researching and obtaining the necessary permits and licenses, you can start your property preservation business on the right foot and operate with confidence and peace of mind.

7. Create Business Structure

Creating a proper business structure is crucial when starting a property preservation business. It will determine the way your business will operate and how it will be taxed. Here are the key steps:

• Decide on a Business Entity: There are different types of business entities, including sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC and corporation. Choose the one that suits your business needs best.
• Register Your Business: Register your business with the state where you plan to operate. You will need to file paperwork and pay fees.
• Obtain Business Licenses and Permits: Check with your local and state government to see what licenses and permits are needed to operate a property preservation business. This may include a contractor's license or a business license.
• Set Up a Business Bank Account: Keep your personal and business finances separate by opening a business bank account. This will help you stay organized with your finances and make it easier come tax time.
• Get Business Insurance: Insurance is essential in the property preservation business to protect your company and your employees in case of accidents or damages.
• Establish a Tax ID Number: A tax ID number, also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is used to identify your business for tax purposes. It is required if you have employees or are set up as an LLC or corporation.
• Hire Employees or Contractors: Determine whether you will hire employees or independent contractors to perform the work. Make sure you follow all legal requirements for hiring and paying them.

By following these steps, you can create a solid business structure for your property preservation business. This will help you stay organized and protect your company in the long run.

8. Develop Strategy & Budgets

Developing a sound strategy and budget is crucial to starting and running a successful property preservation business. Here are some important chapters to consider:

1. Define Your Business Model

Before you can develop a strategy and budget, you need to define your business model. Will you be offering comprehensive property preservation services or focusing on a specific area such as lawn care or cleaning? Will you be working directly with clients or contracting with larger companies?

2. Conduct Market Research

Research the demand for property preservation services in your area and who your competition is. Understanding the market will help you define your target audience and determine the pricing structure for your services.

3. Set Goals and Objectives

Set specific and measurable goals for your business and how you will achieve them. Develop objectives to keep your business on track and work towards realistic milestones.

4. Create a Marketing Plan

Develop a comprehensive marketing plan that outlines how you will promote your business. This may include a website, social media presence, print advertisements, or networking with industry professionals.

5. Establish Your Brand

Set yourself apart from the competition by establishing a brand that resonates with your target audience. This includes creating a unique logo, color scheme, and messaging that aligns with your values and services.

6. Develop a Financial Plan

Develop a financial plan that details your expected revenue and expenses. This should include the cost of equipment, supplies, labor, and marketing expenses. Monitor your finances regularly to ensure you are meeting your goals.

7. Determine Your Pricing Structure

Determine a pricing structure that aligns with your financial plan and the competition. Be sure to factor in the cost of supplies, labor, and overhead expenses.

8. Develop a Management Plan

Develop a management plan that outlines how you will manage your operations, including hiring and overseeing employees or subcontractors. This may include developing a schedule, tracking expenses, and establishing workflows.

9. Set Up Your Business Infrastructure

Establish a business infrastructure that supports your operations, including setting up a bank account, registering with your state, and obtaining the necessary permits and licenses.

10. Monitor and Evaluate Your Business

Monitor your business regularly and evaluate it based on your goals and objectives. Determine what is working and what isn't, and make adjustments to your strategy and budget as necessary.

9. Setup Accounting System

It is essential to have a streamlined and well-organized accounting system in place when starting a property preservation business. Keeping accurate records of income and expenses will help you make informed business decisions and ensure compliance with tax laws.

• Select an accounting software: Choose an accounting software that suits your business needs. There are several options available in the market, including QuickBooks, Xero, and FreshBooks. Consider features like invoicing, expense tracking, and tax reporting before making a choice.
• Create a chart of accounts: A chart of accounts is a list of all the accounts used in your accounting system to categorize income and expenses. Set up your chart of accounts keeping in mind the specific needs of your business, for example, overhead expenses, maintenance and repair expenses, etc.
• Set up a bookkeeping system: Establish a bookkeeping system that outlines how you will record income and expenses in your accounting software. This should include deciding on a bookkeeping method (cash or accrual), setting up a billing schedule, and creating a system for expense tracking and receipts.
• Hire a professional: Consider hiring a professional accountant to help with the initial setup and ongoing management of your accounting system. An experienced accountant can provide valuable insights into tax planning, financial reporting, and budgeting.

By setting up a robust accounting system, you can stay on top of your business finances and make informed business decisions. Take the time to set up your accounting system correctly, and you will reap the benefits in the long run.

10. Monitor Progress & Adjust

As a business owner, it's important to monitor your progress regularly to ensure that you are on track to meet your goals. Monitoring your progress allows you to identify what's working well and what needs improvement, so you can make the necessary adjustments to your strategy.

• Identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) - Establish KPIs for your property preservation business to track your progress towards your goals. Examples of KPIs include revenue, customer satisfaction, employee turnover, etc.
• Track KPIs Regularly - Track your KPIs regularly to gain insights into what's working well and what needs improvement. Consider using tools like Excel spreadsheets or project management software to help you track your progress.
• Analyze Data & Take Action - Analyze the data you collect and use it to improve your business processes. Take action based on your findings, such as adjusting your marketing strategy or improving your customer service.

By monitoring your progress regularly, you'll be able to spot trends and patterns that can help you improve your business. Adjust your strategy as needed, and remember to celebrate your successes along the way!

Starting a property preservation business may seem daunting, but with the right planning, execution, and determination, you can become a successful entrepreneur in this growing industry. The 10-step checklist we've provided is a useful tool to help you navigate through the process of launching your business.

Remember that setting clear goals, crafting a comprehensive business plan, and establishing a financial model are critical steps in building a solid foundation for your business. Identifying funding sources and assembling a strong team are also important factors in your success.

Keep in mind that starting a business is never easy, and you will face challenges along the way. However, with perseverance and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances, you can overcome these difficulties and achieve your vision.

Now is an excellent time to embark on your entrepreneurial journey in the property preservation industry. According to Grand View Research, the global property preservation market size was valued at USD 4.86 billion in 2020 and is expected to continue growing at a CAGR of 5.7% through 2028.

So, are you ready to take the leap and launch your own property preservation business? We hope our 10-step checklist will help you achieve your business goals and set you on the path to success.