Dryer Vent Cleaning Service
The fire-prevention business nobody thinks about until it's too late
Dryer vent cleaning is a $1.5B industry that most people have never heard of — yet the NFPA reports clogged dryer vents cause 15,000+ house fires per year in the US. A one-person operation can run 6–10 jobs a day at $100–$200 per job using a van, a rotary brush kit, and a pressure blower. Margins are exceptional because there's almost no cost of goods. Franchises like Dryer Vent Squad have validated the model; the real money is in building a recurring customer base (annual cleanings) and layering in multi-unit residential contracts.
Avg Revenue
$180K
Profit Margin
35%
Acquisition Multiple
1.5x - 2.5x
Startup Cost
$5K - $25K
Difficulty
1/5
How It Works
Technicians use rotary brush systems and high-powered blowers to clear lint buildup from residential and commercial dryer ducts. Most jobs take 30–60 minutes and are priced flat ($100–$200 residential, $300+ commercial). Recurring annual maintenance contracts create predictable revenue. Add-on services like vent rerouting or bird guard installation improve ticket size.
Revenue Range
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 | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | IL | $3.0M | $3.5M | 24 | — |
| Nov 2025 | MN | $75K | $88K | 2 | — |
| Nov 2025 | OH | $3.2M | $3.8M | 21 | — |
| Nov 2025 | OH | $125K | $147K | 21 | — |
| Sep 2025 | FL | $285K | $335K | 4 | — |
| Sep 2025 | MA | $250K | $294K | — | — |
| Aug 2025 | TN | $305K | $359K | 2 | — |
| Aug 2025 | OH | $865K | $1.0M | 4 | — |
| Aug 2025 | UT | $350K | $412K | 4 | Painter1 |
| Jul 2025 | WI | $1.3M | $1.5M | 25 | — |
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
- +Near-zero cost of goods — labor and a $5K equipment kit is all it takes
- +Built-in urgency: fire risk creates real demand that doesn't need much selling
- +Recurring model: customers need annual cleanings, creating a loyalty loop
- +Low competition — most markets are fragmented and underserved
- +Multi-unit residential and property management contracts scale fast
Cons
- -Seasonal dips in some markets (though indoor service is year-round)
- -Solo-operator cap: you can only run so many jobs per day without hiring
- -Booking friction — most customers don't know they need it until you educate them
Best For
First-time business buyers or tradespeople looking for a low-barrier entry with quick payback
Operating Costs
Main costs: vehicle, rotary brush equipment ($2K–$5K), brushes/consumables, and marketing (Google LSA works extremely well). Margins land at 35–45% after labor.
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
Broad listing marketplace with residential cleaning and specialty service businesses
Franchise option for dryer vent cleaning with training and territory support
Find specialty cleaning route and service businesses for acquisition
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
- 1/5
- Buy price
- $270K–$450K
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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