If this is you, take a second and read on to find out the four things that every rookie needs before starting a pest control business.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Safety gear or personal protective equipment (PPE) is by far, one of the most important purchases that you will make when starting your pest control business. You may be young and healthy, but forgetting your PPE in the pest control industry could end up being quite detrimental to you and your business.
The Government provides several rules and regulations around the chemicals you can use, the way they must be stored and labelled, the records you have to take every time you use them – but there is little to no mention of the PPE you need to keep yourself safe and well. We’d recommend starting with a respiratory mask, a pair of gloves and a couple of long-sleeved shirts and pairs of long pants for wearing on the job.
Invoicing Software
If you’re going to be seeing clients, it’s not just recommended that you get your head around invoicing and record-keeping, it’s essential for tax purposes. You could do it the old-school way with cash and an invoice book but in 2021, customers will expect to be able to pay with their card and receive their invoice electronically. Plus, keeping your records electronically will also save your accountant a lot of time, come End Of Financial Year.
Streamline your client database, payment system and invoicing with either one or multiple business software solutions. There are several popular options here in Australia including Xero and Square.
A Trustworthy Network
The next thing that every young pest control business owner needs is a trustworthy and reliable network of suppliers. It also helps to know the owners of a few businesses that work in similar spaces to your business. For example, if you’re in residential pest control, it might help to know a gardener or a cleaner. That way, you can not only recommend your own services – but you can build rapport with the client by offering solutions to other problems they have around the house.
In terms of suppliers, look for those who have been in the industry for a long time, provide the products you need at reasonable prices, and most importantly, are experts in their specific field.
Austates is a Brisbane leading company for supplying, repairing and maintaining custom pest control rigs. Have a look at our shop or our past work.
The Right Toolbox
A toolbox is a tradie’s staple. It will become your go-to place for all the bits and pieces you take to sites and needs to be a one-stop shop for anything you may need on the job. If you get the toolbox right the first time, you won’t need to fork out your hard-earned profit upgrading it each time you purchase a new gadget.
We’d recommend spending the money upfront to purchase one of Austates’ new vehicle-mounted toolboxes. That way, you can make your purchase knowing that it will be big enough in the long run, and is made with premium quality steel to protect all of your belongings. These types of toolboxes also have locks and additional padlock capabilities to ensure that your tools are safe, both on and off the job.
So, what next? Well, once you’ve got these four things sorted, there is little left to do but start reaching out to potential customers. Obviously, ensure that you’ve also got the right tools to execute the pest control, but Austates have got you covered for that too. To find out which tools are must-buys when starting your pest control business, read our other blog on this topic.
To speak to one of Austates’ Pest Equipment Experts, contact us here or give us a call on (07) 3272 7888.