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Back To Black: Understanding Sealcoating Startup Equipment Requirements

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Launching a sealcoating business can be an excellent way to become your own boss with a relatively low initial investment while also allowing you to dip your feet into the world of asphalt paving. Most sealcoating businesses are not expensive to start. As you grow your business, there's plenty of room to expand as you become more comfortable and increase your income.

Still, choosing the right equipment can make those first few jobs much easier. Even better, selecting versatile and reliable equipment can increase your potential client base, allow you to complete jobs more quickly, and help you build a reputation for quality work. These three tips will help you determine your equipment needs and select the right tools for your business.

1. Know Your Intended Client Base

If you have experience in the asphalt industry, you may want to start by pursuing larger commercial clients or by working in upscale residential neighborhoods. On the other hand, starting small may be better for those without prior experience in paving or sealcoating. In these cases, working with smaller residential clients without huge driveways can be a good place to start.

Your intended client base will be one of the most substantial factors determining your initial equipment needs. For small driveways, you probably don't need more than a professional asphalt squeegee and a way to transport your sealcoating. However, the larger your expected client base, the more equipment you'll need. Even small commercial jobs will likely require spraying equipment and line stripers.

2. Know Your Limitations

Sealcoating by hand can be a labor-intensive process. If you've done this job on your driveway in the past using a squeegee and some buckets, you know that the work can be tiring. The larger the job, the more effort you'll need to expend, especially in tough conditions such as extreme summer heat. The physical labor involved can be a real limitation, making even small jobs long and arduous.

Investing in heavy-duty equipment upfront can be a cost-saving measure that reduces your workload and allows you to complete more jobs for more clients. While you don't need to start with a truck or trailer-mounted heavy-duty sprayer, investing in a drum sprayer can be a great way to work faster and reduce effort. These smaller sprays are easy to transport in even small vehicles.

3. Know Your Preparation Requirements

Achieving the finish your clients expect takes a lot of hard work, but preparation is often key to a good final sealcoating result. You'll achieve a better, more durable finish by sealcoating over a clean driveway in relatively good condition. In many cases, doing this prep work by hand can make your jobs take much longer and potentially make it more challenging to remain cost competitive.

Crack-cleaning machines and wheel blowers are the most basic preparation equipment available. These machines help you remove debris and dirt from the driveway, making it easier to add filler where necessary and quickly blow dust and debris away from the existing asphalt. While this equipment will increase your initial capital investment, it will also allow you to save time and make more money.

For more information about sealcoating equipment, contact a local company.


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