What’s inside
- 01 Formation and compliancePlus USDOT decision guide, hauler licensing and disposal-site checklist.
- 02 Financial workbookVolume-based pricing (fractions of a load) from labor, fuel, truck cost and dump fees; break-even in loads.
- 03 Service menuSingle items, partial and full loads, cleanouts, and items you won't take.
- 04 Estimate and job checklistsVolume estimate, truck pre-trip, load-out order and site cleanup.
- 05 Safety proceduresLifting, two-person items, sharp objects, hazardous materials refusal.
- 06 Disposal proceduresSort for donation, recycling and landfill; appliance refrigerant rule; keep disposal receipts.
- 07 Customer documentsService agreement outline, written estimate, damage and prohibited-items policy, invoice.
- 08 Launch setupGoogle profile, real estate and property-manager inquiry script, follow-ups.
- 09 First hire and crewCrew job description, driver checks, workers' comp.
- 10 90-day trackerJobs, loads, average ticket, dump fees as a share of revenue.
What this business requires
- A USDOT number if you cross state lines with a vehicle over 10,000 lbs; some states require one for in-state hauling too.
- Refrigerators, freezers and AC units: under EPA Section 608, refrigerant must be recovered before final disposal, with a signed statement if someone else recovers it.
- Insurance is the biggest fixed cost: general liability about $138 and commercial auto about $268 a month at the median (Insureon).
Typical insurance
- General liability$138 a month
- Commercial auto$268 a month
- Workers' comp$175 a month
Median premiums for this profession from Insureon customer data. Yours depend on your state, limits and history.
Built for your area
Business license, any city hauler permit, USDOT and state DOT rules, local landfill and transfer-station fees, and workers' comp. Your Groundwork adviser checks these against official sources and sends your State Page the same business day.
The numbers
Startup cost: under $10,000 as an independent with your own truck or trailer (Entrepreneur). Priced by truckload volume, plus disposal-fee pass-through. About 48.9% of new businesses in this sector are still open after five years (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What it doesn’t do
The kit doesn’t judge your specific idea, market or competitors. That is the Groundwork Business Blueprint, and your kit price counts toward a Blueprint ordered within 30 days.
Secure checkout by Stripe. After payment you’ll tell us your city and state, and your Groundwork adviser emails your kit and completed State Page the same business day. General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice; agreements are starting drafts to review with an attorney in your state.
