Radon Mitigation Service
EPA-mandated, real estate transaction-driven, and almost nobody does it
Bottom line
Accessible entry point; validate local supply before buying.
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the US — a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps into basements and low floors. The EPA requires testing in most real estate transactions, and when levels exceed 4 pCi/L (approximately 1 in 15 homes nationwide), mitigation is mandatory before closing. That creates a guaranteed, recurring demand source tied directly to real estate sales volume. A residential radon mitigation system installation runs $800–$2,500 and takes 4–6 hours. At 3–5 installs per day, a single technician generates $150K–$350K in annual revenue. Startup costs are among the lowest in the trades — under $20K for a fully equipped operation.
Avg Revenue
$280K
Profit Margin
30%
Acquisition Multiple
1.5x - 2.5x
Startup Cost
$15K - $50K
How It Works
The core product is a sub-slab depressurization (SSD) system: a PVC pipe runs from below the concrete slab through the foundation to a fan that vents radon outside. Material cost per install: $150–$400. Labor: 4–6 hours. Price to homeowner: $800–$2,500. That's a 60–70% gross margin per job. Revenue is generated two ways: (1) installation jobs referred by real estate agents, home inspectors, and title companies at transaction close, and (2) testing services ($100–$250 per test) that can be done by any certified technician. The referral network is the moat — once you're embedded with the top 10 real estate agents in a market, a steady flow of mandatory jobs is nearly guaranteed.
Revenue Range
BizBite underwriting snapshot
Watch / verify
Radon Mitigation 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 30% estimated margin profile
- +SBA dataset shows 35 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 562910 · Remediation Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2026 | AZ | $1.8M | $2.1M |
| Mar 2026 | AZ | $150K | $177K |
| Feb 2026 | MD | $2.4M | $2.8M |
| Jan 2026 | VA | $875K | $1.0M |
| Jan 2026 | PA | $1.3M | $1.5M |
| Dec 2025 | NC | $50K | $59K |
| Dec 2025 | NC | $1.0M | $1.2M |
| Dec 2025 | NY | $100K | $118K |
| Dec 2025 | NY | $984K | $1.2M |
| Sep 2025 | IL | $1.2M | $1.4M |
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
- +Mandatory EPA requirement tied to real estate — not discretionary spending
- +Lowest startup cost in the trades — $15K–$50K gets you fully operational
- +High gross margin per job (60–70%)
- +Referral network is sticky once established with real estate agents and inspectors
- +Virtually no national franchise competition in most local markets
Cons
- -Revenue tied to real estate transaction volume — slows in housing downturns
- -State certification required in most states (training is short, typically 1–2 days)
- -Seasonal slowdown in cold climates when real estate activity drops
- -Limited ticket size — average job is $1,500, not $10,000
Best For
Skilled tradespeople looking for a low-capital entry into a mandated services niche; investors with real estate agent relationships in high-radon markets (Midwest, Mid-Atlantic)
Operating Costs
Main costs: materials per job ($150–$400), van/truck, state certification maintenance, and marketing. COGS runs ~35% of revenue including materials and direct labor. After overhead, net margins of 25–35% are achievable at modest scale.
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
Find environmental and remediation businesses for sale
Franchise network for radon mitigation — turnkey dealer programs available
National Radon Proficiency Program — certification directory and industry resource
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
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $420K–$700K
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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