How to Start a Graffiti Removal Business

Start a graffiti removal business by following these 10 steps:

1. Plan your Graffiti Removal Business
2. Form your Graffiti Removal Business into a Legal Entity
3. Register your Graffiti Removal Business for Taxes
4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
5. Set up Accounting for your Graffiti Removal Business
6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Graffiti Removal Business
7. Get Graffiti Removal Business Insurance
8. Define your Graffiti Removal Business Brand
9. Create your Graffiti Removal Business Website
10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your graffiti removal 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 Graffiti Removal 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 graffiti removal business?

Arguably, one of the most attractive features of a graffiti removal business is the extremely low cost to get started. You will need a truck large enough to transport your equipment, which should cost no more than $32,000 (although if you already have a suitable vehicle, you can simply us that). You will need a pressure washer, which will be no more than $1000 (and this is for some of the fanciest models—there are washers as low as $100). And you will need to buy paint to help with repainting, which you will likely purchase as you go along (so that you can determine the exact colors you will need to repaint a surface). You may decide to spend a few thousand on traditional advertising, but your business can get a lot of attention via a free or low-cost website and a social media account—these highly-visual mediums can let you showcase the “before and after” photos of your work, which is a great way to advertise.

What are the ongoing expenses for a graffiti removal business?

Along with the relatively low cost to start your business, the low ongoing expenses are very attractive. Month to month, you are basically paying for fuel for your vehicle (and it is appropriate to charge customers for traveling to them, absorbing this cost) and new pain as needed. This means that the vast majority of the money that you take in goes towards your profit margin.

Who is the target market?

The “bread and butter” clients for a graffiti removal business are business owners and school boards. These people represent areas most often afflicted by graffiti. To a lesser extent, private homeowners and city managers will also require your services from time to time.

How does a graffiti removal business make money?

A graffiti removal business makes money by charging clients to remove their unwanted graffiti and, if necessary, to repaint the area. You should decide early on if your business will only charge for services rendered (getting paid one removal at a time) or if you would like to charge a monthly fee to be “on call” for that client or business if they should need you at any time.

How much can you charge customers?

If the client is not paying a monthly fee for your services, then you would typically charge them between one and three dollars per square foot of the area you are expected to clean. You may also consider charging between thirty to seventy dollars to drive out there: this will help pay for fuel and equipment costs. Feel free to negotiate higher prices for more difficult conditions (say, having to remove the graffiti from a tall tower that is difficult to access).

How much profit can a graffiti removal business make?

The exact profit your business can make is determined largely by the area you live in and the regular contracts you get. For instance, government offices like the Ohio DOT spend $17,000 a year removing graffiti, and that is is just for one building. There are countless government buildings, schools, and private businesses affected by graffiti each year, and as indicated above, the vast majority of the money you bring in becomes a pure profit for you. Thus, enough clients and enough hustle can make this a very lucrative job!

How can you make your business more profitable?

Don't be afraid to charge higher fees, especially if there is little competition in your area. Consider giving yourself a built-in gimmick, such as low toxicity paint. You may also consider offering other services, such as spray sealants, which help add value to your services. Above all, never stop showing off your work via social media—your job is rooted in the community, and the more the community can see how you are cleaning things up, the more work you'll have.

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation.

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your graffiti removal business is sued.

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

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!

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.

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.

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 graffiti removal business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

For 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.

Service Agreement

Graffiti removal businesses should consider requiring clients to sign a service 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 service agreement.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your graffiti removal 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.

Is this Business Right For You?

While experience is not a prerequisite, this job is great for someone who has extensive experience painting various surfaces, as repainting is a major part of the removal process. Similarly, experience with a pressure washer can help you be more efficient when you start. Otherwise, the business is ideal for those like to work alone—aside from your brief interactions with clients, much of your actual work day is spent by yourself.

What happens during a typical day at a graffiti removal business?

The day-to-day activities of a graffiti removal expert are actually pretty straightforward. You will take calls from existing clients and make calls to prospective clients. You will then drive a truck or trailer to the afflicted area and use your equipment to remove the graffiti. You may choose to spend downtime working on advertising and client recruitment.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful graffiti removal business?

As mentioned earlier, existing skill with things like painting and pressure-washing can be a big help as you are starting. Additionally, being part of several of your community's networks would be handy: having a good relationship with members of the law enforcement, education, and/or business communities can help you translate your social relationship to a working relationship.

What is the growth potential for a graffiti removal business?

The exact growth potential for this business varies greatly by the area you work in. In more metropolitan areas (such as New York City and even Toronto), such businesses typically do quite well for themselves. As you may imagine, the exact growth of your business is tied with the amount of graffiti that is added each month: more people living in the area means more graffiti, which adds up to more business for you.