Starting a Solo Pest Control Business: The First 90 Days

Starting a solo pest control business can be overwhelming. This 90-day roadmap breaks down exactly what to focus on each month to launch successfully.

Days 1-30: Legal & Equipment Foundation

Week 1-2: Licensing & Insurance

• Research state licensing requirements
• Complete required training/exams
• Apply for business license
• Get liability and vehicle insurance
• Register business entity (LLC recommended)

Week 3-4: Essential Equipment

Must-Have Equipment:

• Quality sprayer ($200-500)
• Basic chemicals and materials
• Vehicle storage/organization
• Safety equipment (PPE)
• Basic hand tools

Can Wait:

• Specialty equipment
• Vehicle wraps
• Expensive tools

By Day 30:

• Legal to operate
• Basic equipment ready
• Business registered

Days 31-60: First Customers & Systems

Week 5-6: Marketing Launch

Free Marketing:

• Google Business Profile
• Facebook Business Page
• Nextdoor presence
• Local Facebook groups

Low-Cost Marketing:

• Door hangers in target neighborhoods
• Yard signs (with permission)
• Friends/family referrals

Week 7-8: First Customers

Pricing Strategy:

• Price competitively (not lowest)
• Offer first-time discounts
• Focus on maintenance plans

Service Quality:

• Over-deliver on every job
• Ask for reviews immediately
• Request referrals

By Day 60:

• 5-10 customers acquired
• Marketing presence established
• First positive reviews

Days 61-90: Systems & Scaling

Week 9-10: Business Systems

Implement core systems:

• Scheduling: Calendar system
• Invoicing: Digital invoicing
• Customer Records: CRM setup
• Follow-ups: Reminder system

PestPro CRM provides all these systems in one simple tool

Week 11-12: Growth Focus

Optimize What's Working:

• Double down on best marketing channels
• Refine service offerings
• Systematize processes
• Track key metrics (MRR, customer count)

Set Growth Goals:

• 15 customers = break even?
• 30 customers = full-time?
• What's your 6-month target?

By Day 90:

• 10-15 customers
• Working systems in place
• Clear growth path
• Positive cash flow

Common First 90-Day Mistakes

1. Buying Too Much Equipment - Start lean
2. Underpricing - Value your expertise
3. No Systems - Chaos catches up fast
4. Ignoring Marketing - Always be marketing
5. Not Tracking Numbers - You can't improve what you don't measure

Financial Expectations

Startup Costs: $3,000-7,000

• Licensing/insurance: $1,000-2,000
• Equipment: $1,500-3,000
• Marketing: $500-1,000
• Business setup: $500-1,000

Month 1-2 Revenue: $500-2,000
Month 3 Revenue: $2,000-5,000

After 90 Days: What's Next?

If you've followed this plan:

• You're legal and insured
• You have paying customers
• Systems are in place
• You're generating revenue

Next focus:

• Scaling to 30+ customers
• Building recurring revenue
• Hiring considerations
• Advanced marketing

Still in the planning stage? Run the numbers before you commit. Our free Pricing Calculator shows what you could earn based on the services you plan to offer, with industry-average pricing pre-filled. Plan Your Revenue →

Get your business systems set up from day 1 with PestPro CRM