Air Duct Cleaning Service
The EPA says your indoor air is 5x dirtier than outdoors — you get paid to fix that
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
Difficulty
2/5
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
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.
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
Quick Facts
- Category
- route
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Acquisition Price
- $600K - $900K
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Air Duct Cleaning Service
$300K/yr • 35% margins • 2x–3x multiple
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