Opening a chimmney sweep in SD (San Diego: insurance, inspectors, taxes)

[SoLastYear]

Hi guys!

I was thinking about moving from Europe to US and open a chimmney sweep LLC. First I was thinking about New York, Chicago and SF bay (since I was there and I know I could do business there) but when I started reading about SD I simply had to see my options about this one, it's like a love at first sight, so if you could tell me would it be a smart idea? Considering a climate I suppose that you guys don't use fireplaces much...

Could you give me an advise on this one?

p.s. sorry for my English, It's not my native language...

[hitman619]

IMO California is the last place to start a business.

[SoLastYear]

Could you please elaborate that?
What would you do if you were me?

[Czechsix]

I'll have to agree with hitman on this. There's a reason businesses are leaving the state in droves.

However, I guess it's all relative. I know that in some countries on the continent, or for that matter the U.K., laws, taxes, insurance, guilds, licenses etc can be a pain in the *ss. California happens to be working on the E.U. model of making a business friendly climate - more taxes, more laws, more bureaucracy to deal with, more inspectors, more reporting etc etc etc. You, being an expat, might be used to this sort of thing and won't mind. Many business people that have been here for decades are disgusted with it and are leaving, or giving up their businesses.

It wasn't that bad just a decade ago...but it's all changed.

Plenty of other states out there that don't have this anti-business environment.

[SoLastYear]

Thank you for your kind and detailed reply!

Yes, I'm used to it so if other people are leaving, that means that there would be less competition for me for example?

And what do you think about opening a chimney sweep company in San Diego? Do you guys use fireplaces often, what is your experience regarding this type of business, if any?

[earlyretirement]

Like any due diligence I'd start by seeing how many chimney sweep companies are already here. Both Yelp and AngiesList list about 18-20 companies in the San Diego area. Personally, I'd think that would be a tough and limited field to get into for San Diego due to the great weather much of the year.

Plus it looks like there are already well established companies already here in the area. I can't see anyone using you vs. established companies unless you are drastically able to undercut them on price. And even then, it takes time and money to build up a business with marketing. And it will take time.

I don't know what kind of margins there are with chimney sweeping. I can't imagine too many people get their chimney's sweeps too often? I'm not sure. I've always had a fireplace but I've never had one swept.

Here we have 3 fireplaces and we do use them in the winter and sometimes we use the outdoor one for ambience at night. We have never had them cleaned. But I'd say San Diego would be a tough city to start a company like that.

[SoLastYear]

Thank you!

Well I was thinking the same thing, maybe it's better to open one in New York, though they have over 100 chimney sweep companies, than in San Diego. But I had to ask because I love this city (SD) from what I've seen and read..

[Czechsix]

Chimney sweeps in San Diego are a very seasonal business...as you might expect, it takes winter before folks start to worry about it. I do know that some sweeps also do grease traps, some hazmat, etc, plus of course the old standby "handyman" work, all to cover the off season.

As with any service - give great customer service, and you'll be ahead of three quarters of your competition, right away.

For myself, I made my own wire brushes, clean out tools, and I do my own renovations, so I've never actually used a pro chimney sweep service.

[SoLastYear]

Thank you Czechsix!

[Think4Yourself]

Originally Posted by hitman619

IMO California is the last place to start a business.

It seems most people disagree with you as California has the highest rate of business start ups both historically and right now so it would seem political biases are not based in reality.