Phil Risher explains why gutter cleaning is an ideal entry point for a home-services business: no certifications required, seasonal demand peaks in fall and spring, and you can build a membership model for predictable revenue. Launch a fully operational business within a year.
If I was going to start a home service business in 2026, I would start a gutter cleaning business. The reason is, is because there's no regulation for what is needed. Like, you don't have to have any certain certifications. Anyone can go just clean some gutters. But on top of that, you can create memberships for gutter cleaning. So you should usually get your gutters cleaned at least 2 times a year, and you can sell a membership so that way you clean people's gutters 2 times a year and you get this rotation going on. Also, on top of that, there are specific times every single year where people are reaching out to you because they want gutter cleaning— in the fall and in the spring when leaves fall. So it's a very easy way to create demand for your business and then upsell them into a membership program and literally have a home service business within the next 12 months that's running fully. And you don't need to have certifications or any of this stuff.
