Air Duct Cleaning Service
The EPA says your indoor air is 5x dirtier than outdoors — you get paid to fix that
Bottom line
Accessible entry point; validate local supply before buying.
Air duct cleaning businesses clean the HVAC ductwork in residential homes and commercial buildings using industrial vacuums and brushes. The EPA estimates indoor air can be 2–5x more polluted than outdoor air, and HVAC ducts accumulate years of dust, mold, pet dander, and debris. A single technician with a van and commercial equipment can generate $200K–$500K/year in revenue with margins of 30–40%. Commercial clients — hospitals, schools, property managers — provide repeat annual contracts.
Avg Revenue
$300K
Profit Margin
35%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 3x
Startup Cost
$10K - $35K
How It Works
Technicians use truck-mounted or portable negative-air machines, rotary brushes, and compressed air whips to dislodge and vacuum debris from supply and return ducts. Residential jobs take 3–5 hours and run $300–$800. Commercial jobs (offices, hospitals, schools) run $1,500–$10,000+. Most operators build recurring commercial accounts that pay every 1–3 years per NADCA standards.
Revenue Range
BizBite underwriting snapshot
Watch / verify
Air Duct Cleaning Service has enough high-level data for a first look, but BizBite has not assigned a category-specific operating model yet. Treat the score as preliminary.
Category-level fit before lender-specific diligence.
Weak source data caps the final score.
Why it may work
- +Attractive 35% estimated margin profile
- +SBA dataset shows 67 recent comparable loans
Be careful
- !Source link status has not been verified yet
- !No last-checked date yet
- !No category operating model yet
- !No category model yet
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 561790 · Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | TX | $350K | $412K |
| Mar 2026 | NJ | $1.2M | $1.4M |
| Feb 2026 | LA | $402K | $473K |
| Feb 2026 | FL | $55K | $65K |
| Feb 2026 | FL | $615K | $723K |
| Feb 2026 | FL | $50K | $59K |
| Jan 2026 | TX | $270K | $318K |
| Jan 2026 | KS | $171K | $201K |
| Jan 2026 | FL | $650K | $765K |
| Jan 2026 | KS | $211K | $248K |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Very low startup cost — van + equipment for under $30K
- +Commercial contracts provide predictable recurring revenue
- +EPA indoor air quality awareness is driving demand growth
- +Owner-operator can clear $150K–$200K working solo with one helper
Cons
- -Residential customers only call every 3–5 years, limiting repeat frequency
- -Physically demanding — crawling in attics and tight spaces
- -Industry plagued by scammers, so trust and reviews matter enormously
Best For
Owner-operators who want a low-barrier route business with a growing commercial client base
Operating Costs
Primary costs: van payment/fuel, equipment maintenance, NADCA certification (~$500/year), insurance, and marketing. COGS per job is very low — mostly labor. Margins improve significantly once commercial recurring contracts are established.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Search air duct and HVAC cleaning businesses for sale across the US
National Air Duct Cleaners Association — industry standards, certification, and contractor directory
Find air duct cleaning and specialty cleaning acquisitions
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- route
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $600K–$900K
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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