March 17, 2025
How to Start a Field Service Business (Step-by-Step Guide for 1–2 Person Crews)
Thinking about starting your own field service business—just you, maybe with a helper? You’re not alone. Thousands of skilled tradespeople go solo every year, aiming for freedom, higher income, and control over their time.
But here’s the truth: the work isn’t the hard part. The hard part is quoting fast, keeping jobs organized, getting paid on time, following up with customers, and keeping your schedule full—all without burning out.
That’s why we wrote this guide specifically for 1–2 person crews. Whether you're doing junk removal, landscaping, appliance repair, or any service in between, this article walks you through how to start lean, grow smart, and use the right tools to make more money with less stress.
Step 1 – Choose Your Service & Pricing Model
The first decision? What work you’ll focus on.
Start with what you’re good at—or what’s in high demand in your area. Here are a few solid starter niches:
- Lawn care and landscaping
- Junk removal and hauling
- Handyman or home repairs
- HVAC, plumbing, electrical (if licensed)
- Pressure washing or gutter cleaning
Once you know your service, dial in your pricing:
- Charge flat rate vs. hourly?
- Include material markups?
- Consider travel fees?
Bonus Tip: Recurring services (like lawn care or monthly filter changes) are gold. They smooth out cash flow and require less marketing long-term.
Step 2 – Get Licensed, Insured & Ready to Work
This is the admin stuff every business has to tackle upfront:
- Register your business (LLC, sole prop, etc.)
- Get liability insurance
- Secure local licenses or trade certifications
- Set up a basic business bank account
- Buy or lease essential equipment
This part isn’t glamorous, but it lays the foundation. Knock it out early so you can focus on the real work.
Step 3 – Set Up Tools to Get Paid and Stay Organized
As a solo operator, time is your most valuable asset. The fewer tools you juggle, the more money you keep. That’s why it pays (literally) to simplify your admin stack:
- Invoicing Tool: Create and send invoices on the spot, get paid faster, and avoid the "I'll pay you later" headache.
- Quoting Tool: Send professional estimates that convert jobs, whether you’re on-site or on your couch.
- Job Tracking: Keep tabs on what needs to be done, what’s been completed, and what’s falling through the cracks.
With Reputigo, all these tools are in one app—built for 1–2 person crews. No bloated software. Just what you need to run smoother and earn more.
Step 4 – Make It Easy for Customers to Book You
If customers have to call, wait, or chase you down just to book a job—you’re losing revenue. Your booking process should run without you.
- Online Booking System: Let customers choose open slots and book you 24/7
- Reduce back-and-forth texting or missed calls
- Appear more professional, even if it’s just you
With Reputigo, you can even get listed for booking directly through Google. That means people searching "gutter cleaning near me" can book instantly while you’re still finishing the last job.
Step 5 – Automate Your Follow-Ups & Get More Reviews
You don’t need to ask awkwardly or remember to follow up. Just set it and let the system handle it.
- NFC Review Cards: Tap-and-go review cards make it easy for customers to leave 5-star reviews on the spot
- Automated Campaigns: Re-engage old customers and boost repeat work
- Review Management: Track Google, BBB, Facebook reviews in one place
Your best marketing is word of mouth. Reputigo just helps you automate it.
Step 6 – Market Yourself (Without Paying for Ads)
You don’t need to hire a marketing agency or burn money on ads. Just stay top of mind:
- Send branded follow-ups, reminders, and promos to previous customers
- Built-in templates for holidays, service reminders, and review requests
- Door hangers, flyers, or even postcards!
Step 7 – Manage Your Cashflow & Grow
Target Query: "How do I follow up on unpaid invoices automatically?"
It’s hard to grow when you’re still chasing down payments from two months ago.
Reputigo makes it automatic:
- Invoice reminders go out for you
- Late payment nudges (without sounding pushy)
- Know exactly who owes you, how much, and when
Less awkward conversations. More money in your account.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a Big Crew to Build a Big Business
Starting your own service business can be overwhelming. But with the right tools and a focused game plan, you can:
- Run lean and look pro
- Keep your schedule full
- Get paid on time
- Build a strong reputation
Reputigo was built specifically for you—the solo operator or 2-person crew who’s tired of juggling spreadsheets, invoices, and scattered apps.
Want to see how it works? Start your free trial