Your remodeling business might be a one person show where you personally complete kitchen, bathroom, bedroom remodels or additions to homes and businesses. In another business model, you could serve as a general contractor and hire employees or subcontractors to help complete jobs in a more efficient manner.
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)
Start a remodeling business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Remodeling Business
- Form your Remodeling Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Remodeling Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Remodeling Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Remodeling Business
- Get Remodeling Business Insurance
- Define your Remodeling Business Brand
- Create your Remodeling Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your remodeling business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Remodeling Business Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a remodeling business?
If you are simply offering up your own skills and time as a part-time remodeler, the start-up cost will be around $50,000 to $75,000 as you will need a complete set of tools, a vehicle for transporting tools and supplies, and the proper licensing and insurance in order to operate in your state and locality. If you are looking to enter the business world offering major renovation services, expect to have start-up capital of $250,000 to $500,000 as you’ll need to be able to purchase your first few orders of materials and hire staff before your customer pays you for the completed job.
What are the ongoing expenses for a remodeling business?
You will need to maintain accounts with material suppliers, pay your crews on a regular basis, and maintain vehicles and tools. Fortunately, your office space can be fairly minimal.
Who is the target market?
Home and business owners who are seeking to have their property professionally renovated and are willing to pay a fair price for labor and materials. Large businesses that need renovating may have more space, allowing you to charge more for your work.
How does a remodeling business make money?
Your remodeling business generates income by charging your customers for labor and materials for their renovation. You are responsible for providing your own tools, as part of your trade. However paint, hardware, lumber, flooring, and other supplies are purchased by you at wholesale prices and then you charge your customer for them at a premium price. Your hourly labor costs will be determined by level of expertise, the type of job that is being completed, and local competitive rates.
How much can you charge customers?
Your rates will vary depending on size and complexity of the job. Rates vary from $45/hr to $85/hr and can be lower or higher. You will want to complete an extensive competitive comparison to ensure your client is getting a good value. The average renovation project costs between $3,000 and $15,000.
How much profit can a remodeling business make?
The typical markup on materials is 15%. Income for a one-man company can be around $20,000 a year working part-time while a large contractor with multiple crews can see income in the seven figure range when they complete multiple large jobs over the year.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Ensuring quality work that completely satisfies your customer is the number one means of generating more business, and therefore additional profit. You will need to ensure the quality control and customer service are always of top priority for your successful remodeling business.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your remodeling business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your remodeling business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a remodeling business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Services Contract
Remodeling businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project. This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership. Here is an example of one such services agreement.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Remodeling Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Remodeling Business.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a remodeling business
Direct Mail campaigns can help your name appear in front of local homeowners. Ask to sponsor a do-it-yourself workshop at your local big box store. Make sure to add your company name on the side of all the vehicles that appear at the job site and where you order supplies. Consider joining groups such as the National Association of Home Builders or the National Association of the Remodeling Industry to add their advertising power to your own.
How to keep customers coming back
Potential clients love to see an example of the work they might hire you to complete. Position signs in front of homes that you are working on or have recently completed. Ask satisfied customers if you can add pictures of their new kitchen to your website and social media. Encourage customer feedback, as their word will carry far more weight than a simple advertisement. Be willing to return to the jobsite to complete touch ups for up to a year, as that happy customer is the most likely individual who will hire you again. Always provide professionally prepared contracts and business cards and make sure your phones are answered in a businesslike manner.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
A remodeling business is a great investment for the person who has a passion for home improvement, with extensive knowledge of multiple construction skills and enjoys a background of business and accounting. Dedication to completing work thoroughly with close attention to detail while providing superior customer service is also required.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a remodeling business?
Whether you simply manage the business or are swinging a hammer with the crew, you might be expected to:
- Participate in demolition, installation of flooring, walls, and cabinetry
- Source supplies and materials for the job site
- Maintain open communication channels with the customer, updating them on progress
- Schedule your reliable crews and subcontractors in a time-efficient manner
- Maintain proper licensing to operate in your state
- Train new crew members to maintain your high standards
- Complete punch lists after you finish a job
- Establish relationships with tool and materials vendors/suppliers
- Maintain payroll records/pay your crews on a timely basis
- Collect payment from customers
- Create contracts for customer approval
- Promote your business to generate new jobs for the future
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful remodeling business?
Your remodeling business will find greater success when you have a wide range of skills under your belt as the owner/operator. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Solid understanding and experience in construction techniques with regards to kitchen, bathrooms, siding, windows, additions, and flooring
- Appreciation and knowledge of quality materials and their fair pricing structure
- Good accounting knowledge to maintain accurate records for accounts payable/receivable and payroll requirements
- Excellent time management that lines up additional crews to complete the next phase of construction without waiting
- Good ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with customers by providing clear and honest communication throughout the remodel
- Ability to identify experienced crew members you are hiring as subcontractors or as employees
- Knowledge of safety standards, permits, and licenses required to operate a safe workplace
What is the growth potential for a remodeling business?
Some individuals work on a part-time basis by themselves completing renovations for local homeowners. However, with the right business model in place you can be responsible for finishing interiors of apartment buildings, entire subdivisions, and large commercial spaces. The quality of your work and responsiveness of service will build your reputation, helping to land larger contracts able to expand your small business into a major general contracting business.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a remodeling business?
You will need to network with other contractors and potential customers. Attend the next Home Show and rent a booth as an exhibitor to get your name out and about. Ask to leave your flyer and business contact at local hardware/DIY stores and reach out to local plumbers, electricians, and even general contractors who may need help on their next big job. Word of mouth is often responsible for finding your next customer, so you’ll need to work hard to build a positive reputation.
How and when to build a team
As soon as you cannot keep up with demand, start putting out feelers for qualified carpenters and installers. Do not hesitate to complete background checks and ask for references from verifiable sources.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- Membership in the National Association of the Remodeling Industry
- Remodeling Franchise Opportunity with DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen Remodeling Franchise
Real World Examples
- Wel-Vant construction & Remodeling
- Remodeling Business With Specialty in Remodeling Homes for Seniors and Physically Challenged People
- Luxury Remodels Company