How to Start a Sandblasting Business

Start a sandblasting business by following these 10 steps:

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

We have put together this simple guide to starting your sandblasting 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 Sandblasting 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 sandblasting business?

Jumping right into large commercial/industrial sandblasting is an expensive proposition. The work requires a facility with tens of thousands of square feet, a crane, forklifts, and not to mention the actual sandblasting equipment. Thankfully, there are much more affordable ways to get started in the industry.

Most sandblasting businesses can be started for between $2,000 and $10,000. The funds go toward:

• A sandblaster rig
• Substrates (the abrasive material used)
• An air compressor
• An abrasive hose
• A reclaiming system (to gather used substrates)
• Safety equipment

Businesses that sandblast small parts might purchase an all-inclusive sandblasting chamber that comes with this equipment installed. Such chambers cost anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. These businesses also must secure a commercial space to operate in.

Businesses that go to customers’ sites usually get the equipment as separate items. They also need a vehicle and trailer for going to sites.

Regardless of the type of sandblasting services provided, business owners need a sandblasting hood, respirator, heavy-duty gloves, hearing protection, and protective clothing.

Business owners who have limited capital should purchase smaller equipment that’s more affordable. Smaller, new equipment that’s reliable is often more affordable in the long run than larger, used equipment that might break down. Because safety is so important, business owners should plan on investing in high-quality safety gear.

What are the ongoing expenses for a sandblasting business?

The ongoing expenses for a sandblasting business are reasonable. Businesses must purchase substrates to use and fuel to run sandblasting equipment. They also must cover the costs associated with having either a physical location or a vehicle.

Who is the target market?

The target market for a sandblasting business is determined by the precise services the business offers. Most businesses target commercial customers, but some also serve individuals (e.g. homeowners, vehicle owners or individuals planning funerals).

How does a sandblasting business make money?

There are many sandblasting services that a business might specialize in. Some types of work that businesses charge for include:

• Large commercial/industrial sandblasting (e.g. metal girders, airplanes, helicopters)
• Smaller commercial/industrial sandblasting (e.g. buildings, cars, motorcycles)
• Sandblasting signs (usually made from wood with a stencil)
• Sandblasting gravestones (sometimes after a blank stone has been installed)

How much can you charge customers?

Aside from large commercial/industrial sandblasters, most business owners charge between $30 and $60 per hour regardless of their specialty. Larger commercial/industrial sandblasters must charge more to cover their higher overhead.

How much profit can a sandblasting business make?

Charging between $30 and $60 per hour, sandblasting businesses can bring in a significant revenue. Working 20 hours a week part-time could produce an revenue of between $600 and $1,200 each week.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Sandblasting is often done to prep a surface for painting or some other coating. Thus, offering painting or other coating services is a natural progression for a growing sandblasting business.

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

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations

Sandblasting business owners may interact with harmful chemicals such as certain abrasive substrates and it is important to reference to OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) rules and general standards for chemicals:

• Standard 1910.1200 states that employees be adequately informed of all potential hazards when working with chemicals
• Standard 1910.132 states that the necessary personal protection equipment be provided to the employee working with chemicals, such as safety glasses, a face mask and suitable gloves

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?

Anyone who enjoys manual labor and appreciates seeing the effect of their hard work may enjoy running a sandblasting business. Sandblasting equipment can be heavy, and the work requires a certain amount of physical strength. There’s the immediate payoff of seeing paint come off whatever object is being sandblasted, though.

This is a business that can be started part-time, and many business owners continue to operate part-time while working another job. It’s easy to schedule sandblasting appointments around other obligations.

What happens during a typical day at a sandblasting business?

A typical sandblasting begins with the business owner looking over the object that’s being sandblasted and confirming with the customer what work is to be done. This may be done at the sandblasting business’ or the customer’s location.

Once everything is confirmed, the business owner will normally:

1. Don their safety gear.
2. Set up the sandblasting equipment.
3. Complete the actual sandblasting.
4. Clean up the substrates that were used.

Throughout the entire process, business owners must be attentive to safety so that no one is injured or inhales the substrates. OHSA has some safety-related guidelines.

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

Business owners must know how to safely and effectively operate sandblasting equipment, which they may learn by taking a course. Most courses take less than a week to complete, and they may be offered by equipment manufacturers or industry experts. Pittsburgh Spray Equipment Co. and The Society for Protective Coatings are two organizations that have classes. Local vocational schools may also offer training.

After being formally trained, many business owners decide to work in the industry for a short time before starting their own operation. Industry experience frequently brings insights that aren’t learned in the classroom.

What is the growth potential for a sandblasting business?

A sandblasting business can remain a part-time operation run by a single business owner, or it can grow to be a large company. For example, Dryden Monument Company is a small gravestone company that also provides sandblasting services. Secondary Services is a larger sandblasting company that has a sizable facility.