Catch Basin Cleaning
Storm drains, vacuum trucks, and compliance-driven sludge removal
Bottom line
Worth studying, but do not buy without strong local proof.
Catch basin cleaning companies vacuum sediment, trash, and oily sludge out of parking-lot drains, municipal storm systems, industrial yards, HOAs, campuses, and retail centers. The surprising angle is that one blocked basin can flood a property, so owners often buy scheduled maintenance before rainy seasons rather than wait for emergencies.
Avg Revenue
$900K
Profit Margin
22%
Acquisition Multiple
2.2x - 5x
Startup Cost
$175K - $900K
How It Works
Crews dispatch a vacuum truck or jet-vac unit, remove grates, vacuum sediment and water, pressure-wash the structure, transport waste to an approved disposal site, and document the service for property managers or municipal compliance files. Revenue comes from recurring basin routes, emergency flood calls, hydro-jetting add-ons, and municipal or commercial maintenance contracts.
Revenue Range
BizBite underwriting snapshot
Pass for now
Catch Basin Cleaning 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
- No strong positives yet. More verified data needed.
Be careful
- !Source link status has not been verified yet
- !No last-checked date yet
- !No SBA category enrichment yet
- !No category operating model yet
- !Low data confidence
Pros
- +Compliance and flood-prevention budgets create repeat demand
- +High minimum job tickets because truck mobilization is expensive
- +Good tuck-in for vacuum truck, septic, sewer, or stormwater contractors
- +Emergency calls can command premium pricing
Cons
- -Vacuum trucks and disposal compliance require real capital
- -Waste handling rules vary by market
- -Weather and municipal bid cycles can make revenue lumpy
Best For
Vacuum truck operators, septic buyers, sewer contractors, and stormwater maintenance companies
Operating Costs
Major costs are vacuum truck payments, fuel, CDL drivers, disposal fees, insurance, jetting equipment, confined-space safety gear, and municipal compliance paperwork. Margin improves with route density and bundled stormwater maintenance contracts.
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
Cites roughly $200-$300 per catch basin in Seattle-style markets
Commercial provider notes a $1,500 minimum covering crew, Jet-Vac mobilization, and disposal allowance
2026 operating-cost model showing heavy payroll, truck, and marketing expense structure
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
- service
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Buy price
- $2.0M–$4.5M
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
Ready to Buy? Start Here →
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
Some links may be affiliate links. We only recommend tools we'd use ourselves.
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