Screen business owners measure windows and doors and provide screens used for a variety of purposes including keeping insects out, reducing solar glare and security. Screens are made from a variety of materials such as copper, fabric mesh, and fiberglass.
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 screen business by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Screen Business
- Form your Screen Business into a Legal Entity
- Register your Screen Business for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Screen Business
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Screen Business
- Get Screen Business Insurance
- Define your Screen Business Brand
- Create your Screen Business Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your screen 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 Screen 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 screen business?
As with all businesses, one of the initial costs is a business license. Becoming bonded and insured is also a requirement in some states. With a small truck or van, it is possible to start a screen repair business for less than $1000. You can purchase a starter kit of materials packaged by a company called Metro Screen Works that includes all the essential items needed. You can also watch their how-to videos on YouTube to learn the basics of screen repair. As your business expands, you can purchase more tools and the materials needs to build custom screens. It’s also possible to work from a home office, where you can also store your supplies.
What are the ongoing expenses for a screen business?
Ongoing expenses for a screen business include:
- Screening materials
- Equipment maintenance
- Vehicle maintenance and fuel for deliveries
- Telephone
- Website maintenance
- Business cards
Who is the target market?
Preferred customers can be anyone with doors and windows, whether individuals or business owners. The best customers are those who oversee the construction and maintenance of a number of buildings, such as real estate developers, school superintendents and various government agencies.
How does a screen business make money?
A screen business makes money by charging for the time, labor and materials required to make and install custom screens. Most also perform needed regular repairs on screens.
How much can you charge customers?
Most screen business owners charge from five to eight times what it costs to produce the screens. The average cost of having a professional re-screen a window at their shop ranges from between $18 to $45. That price increases to between $150 and $200 if the work is performed at the customer’s home. The cost per window is usually reduced when the job entails screens for multiple windows, or the contract is for windows for multiple buildings.
How much profit can a screen business make?
An established mobile screen replacement service can earn sales of more than $100,000 per year. Some have become so successful that they now offer franchise opportunities.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Providing mobile services is one of the best ways to make your business more profitable. Providing solar screens which can absorb up to 70 percent of the sun’s rays and reduce energy costs is another. Decorative security screen doors are also becoming increasingly popular. Since many people enjoy do-it-yourself home improvement projects, you can also become a consultant that specializes in putting together kits for people to complete their own screen construction, installation or repairs themselves.
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 screen 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 screen 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 Screen Repair Business. For more information about local licenses and permits:
- Check with your town, city or county clerk’s office
- Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources.
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
Screen Repair 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 and service level expectations. Here is an example services agreement.
Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your screen business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.
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 Screen Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Screen 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 screen business
Most people need their screens replaced or repaired every few years, so passing out your business cards to friends, neighbors and business associates is a great way to start. Creating a website that includes testimonials from satisfied customers can also help build your business.
How to keep customers coming back
Superior workmanship and excellent customer service are the best ways to retain customers. Since screens deteriorate over time and accidents happen, you are likely to get repeat business. .If your customers are satisfied with the work you’ve completed on one screen, chances are that you’ll be the one they call for all their future needs, as well as referring you to friends. Offering special discounts for first-time customers and for multiple screen replacements is also a good strategy.
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?
This is a great business for someone who enjoys setting their own schedule and a sense of satisfaction at providing a valuable service and completing a job quickly.
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 screen business?
The daily activities of a screen business owner include:
- Scheduling appointments with customers
- Negotiating contracts with vendors
- Pricing goods and services
- Measuring doors and windows
- Purchasing supplies
- Building custom screens
- Pricing goods and services
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful screen business?
Some of the skills required to build a successful screen business include:
- The ability to perform simple mathematical calculations to determine the correct measurements
- Skill in using tools such as a miter saw, rollers, and utility knives.
- Effective communication skills for understanding the needs of customers
- Pricing and contract negotiation skills
- Bookkeeping skills
What is the growth potential for a screen business?
The growth potential for this business is limited only by the time and resources of the owner. Most buildings that aren’t completely climate controlled require screens to keep insects out and increase security.
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 screen business?
There are a number of free software applications that can help reduce your startup costs as well as jumpstart your business. Project management software can help you stay organized. Accounting and invoicing software can reduce your paperwork and the time required to complete these tasks. As your business grows, if you want to hire additional employees, there is also payroll software that can help you make that transition smoothly. Passing out business cards at local community events can provide an opportunity to introduce yourself and inform people about the services you provide. People are more likely to trust someone they’ve met to perform work on their homes than someone from an anonymous website, although that personal touch can result in increased traffic on your website.
How and when to build a team
Although it is possible for one person to successfully operate a screen business, it’s a good idea to build a team from the beginning. Even if you prefer to work alone, your team should include your vendors and other screen business owners that specialize in types of screens that you don’t. Participating in a mutual referral system can increase business for everyone involved and can prevent over-scheduling or having to turn away potential customers.