One of the Top 15 Service Businesses to Start This Year
Dryer vent cleaning is one of the most overlooked yet essential home maintenance services. With rising awareness around fire safety and appliance efficiency, this business offers steady demand, high margins, and very low startup requirements. It’s a great standalone service or a profitable add-on to air duct cleaning, handyman work, or home maintenance packages.
Ease of Entry
Dryer vent cleaning is one of the easiest service businesses to start. In most states, no specific license or certification is required; a business license and liability insurance are typically sufficient. The work involves removing built-up lint and debris from the exhaust vent of a dryer, typically using specialized brushes and vacuums.
Startup costs typically range from $1,000 to $3,500. Equipment and supplies include:
- A rotary brush and flexible rods
- A powerful vacuum or shop vac
- Drill or driver to spin the brush
- Lint traps, hoses, and vent inspection tools
- A ladder (for multi-story homes or roof vents)
- A vehicle for transport
Some entrepreneurs bundle this service with air duct cleaning and start with shared equipment, while others launch as a standalone dryer vent service with a focus on fast, affordable appointments.
The work is simple but requires care and attention to detail. You’ll often access vents from both inside and outside the home, and may need to move dryers to reach the full length of the vent system.
Profit Potential
Dryer vent cleaning jobs typically range from $80 to $150 each, with upsell opportunities for longer vent runs, rooftop vents, or very clogged systems. Jobs often take under an hour to complete, allowing you to do multiple cleanings per day.
A solo operator who completes four $100 jobs per day could gross $400 daily or $8,000 per month. Because operating costs are so low, net margins of 60 to 80 percent are common. This business model lends itself well to part-time work, weekend side hustles, or fast full-time income with very little overhead.
Ways to increase revenue include:
- Bundling with air duct cleaning or handyman services
- Annual or semi-annual maintenance plans
- Partnering with appliance repair technicians or real estate agents
- Offering multi-unit discounts for landlords or property managers
As the business grows, you can add helpers and expand into air duct cleaning or full-service HVAC maintenance for more advanced jobs.
Market Demand
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 3,000 residential fires occur annually due to dryer vents filled with lint. Cleaning the vent not only improves safety but also increases dryer efficiency and lowers utility bills. As a result, more homeowners are opting to have vents cleaned annually or semi-annually.
Typical customers include:
- Homeowners with families doing frequent laundry
- Seniors or new parents focused on safety
- Landlords and property managers who maintain rental units
- Real estate professionals preparing homes for sale
- HOAs with condo or townhome communities
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends annual dryer vent cleaning as a preventative measure. Awareness of these safety guidelines is increasing the demand for qualified cleaners across the U.S.
Many HVAC companies and chimney sweeps already offer this service, but most markets still have room for solo operators or specialists who can respond quickly and provide fast, affordable service.
Growth Trends
The dryer vent cleaning industry is expected to grow in tandem with general home services and maintenance trends. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing:
- Fire safety and appliance longevity
- Energy efficiency and utility savings
- Preventative home maintenance
- Quick, professional on-site service
- Hassle-free recurring service plans
Increased housing development, the rise of multi-unit rental properties, and the continued use of electric and gas dryers all support long-term growth.
Dryer vent cleaning also pairs naturally with services like:
- Air duct cleaning
- Chimney sweeping
- Appliance installation or repair
- HVAC filter replacement
- Gutter or roof maintenance
This flexibility allows you to keep the business focused and simple or gradually expand into a broader service company with recurring clients and seasonal income spikes. Finding a solid lead generation company will pay for itself quickly, especially if they can follow trends to target the services that are most abundant and least expensive.
Final Thoughts
Dryer vent cleaning is a low-cost, high-value business that addresses a real safety concern for homeowners. With minimal equipment, flexible scheduling, and recurring client potential, it’s one of the most practical service businesses to launch in 2025. Whether you start solo or add it to an existing service lineup, this business offers strong margins and steady growth with minimal risk. Click here for additional information on lead generation for dryer vent cleaning services.