Ever dreamt of calling the shots and working on your own terms? Starting a low-cost business gives you the freedom to break free from the 9 to 5 grind without needing a huge pile of cash. With just $5,000, you can kickstart a business that lets you be your own boss and control your financial future.
The best part? Low-cost businesses mean lower financial risk. You’re not sinking your life savings into a risky venture. Plus, the demand for home and property services is always high. People need their driveways fixed, parking lots striped, and potholes repaired. There’s a steady stream of work out there just waiting for someone like you to jump in.
So, if you're ready to roll up your sleeves and take control of your future, a low-cost business in the asphalt industry might just be your ticket to a better life. Let’s jump into four of the best opportunities that won’t break the bank
1. Crack Repair Business
Fixing cracks in asphalt is a straightforward business that you can start with a ton of investment and equipment. It’s a high-demand service because every driveway and parking lot eventually develops cracks that need fixing. Here’s how you can get started in the crack repair business:
Asphalt Kingdom Coach Dom Manzo sealing cracks with the RY10 Pro
Crack Repair Business Potential
Crack repair is all about maintaining the longevity of asphalt surfaces. Driveways and parking lots are big investments, and property owners want to avoid costly replacements, so they turn to crack repair specialists to extend the life of their pavement. This means you’ll always have a steady stream of potential customers.
Crack Repair Startup Costs and Equipment
You don’t need a lot to get going. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Blower: To clear debris from the cracks. Echo Backpack Blower - $709.
- Router: To clean the crack edges. Land Shark Gas Powered Edger - $1,439.
- Crack Cleaner: To remove vegetation, debris, and garbage. Asphalt Cleaner for Cracks - $1,699.
- Melter Applicator: This unit melts the crack filler and applies it, making it ideal for small jobs and easy to use at a walking pace. RY10 Base Crack Fill Machine - $1,269.
So the total cost for these essential startup tools is $5,116. A hundred bucks or so over the $5,000 we talked about, but trust us, that gear will last you a long time, so you’ll definitely get a return on your investment if you run your business right.
Crack Repair Training and Skills
You don’t need a degree to fix cracks, but a little training goes a long way. There are plenty of online courses and tutorials that can teach you the basics. The key is to make sure you’re using high-quality tools and materials (like we’ve linked to) to do a job that leaves customers satisfied and willing to refer you to others.
To get started, check out our Complete Asphalt Crack Repair Kickstart Course.
Crack Repair Profit Potential
Crack repair can be quite lucrative. For example, you can charge between $1 to $3 per linear foot of crack repaired. If you repair 1,000 feet of cracks in a day, you’re looking at earning between $1,000 to $3,000. With a low startup cost and high demand, this business can quickly become profitable.
2. Line Striping Business
Coach Skyler Garman striping a parking lot with the Titan PL3500
Looking to break free from the 9 to 5 and call the shots? Starting a line striping business is a great way to make that happen with even less than $5,000. This job is pretty simple and just involves painting lines and markings on parking lots, roads, and driveways — services that are always in demand. Here’s how you can get started:
Line Striping Business Potential
Line striping is crucial for safety and organization in parking lots and on roads. Businesses and property owners need clear, visible lines to manage traffic and parking efficiently. This means a steady stream of clients.
Line Striping Startup Costs and Equipment
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Line Striping Machine: To apply the paint efficiently. PowrLiner 850 Line Striping Machine - $2,749.
- High-Quality Paint: Designed specifically for pavement to withstand traffic and weather. Estimated cost - $249-$275 per 5-gallon bucket depending on if you use oil-based or water-based paint.
- Measuring Tape and Chalk Line Kit: For snapping straight lines on the pavement. Chalk Line Reel - $39.
- Stencils: For creating shapes like arrows, handicap symbols, and letters. Parking Lot Stencils - approx $500.
The total cost for these essential startup tools is approximately $3,563, leaving plenty of room in your $5,000 budget for additional paint, and other start-up costs. Don’t forget about marketing!
Line Striping Training and Skills
You don’t need a huge amount of training to start a line striping business, but understanding the basics of pavement marking is crucial. There are a heap of online resources and guides that cover everything from equipment usage to striping techniques. Doing quality work will absolutely lead to repeat customers and referrals for that long-term and stable income we all want.
To get started, check out our FREE Line Striping Course.
Line Striping Profit Potential
Despite its simplicity, line striping can be shockingly profitable. You can charge about $13.5 per 18-foot line. For example, in a parking lot with 100 stalls, you can make up to $1,350 – and that doesn’t include curbs, symbols, and other signs yet. With a low startup cost and high demand, this is a great business to jump into without much experience.
3. Sidewalk Grinding Business
Uneven sidewalks are a pain for everyone — they don’t just look bad, they can be dangerous and even lead to legal problems if someone is injured. With a concrete grinder, you can smooth out these ugly bits, making them safe, but also compliant with local regulations. Here’s why this job is worth considering:
Sidewalk Grinding Business Potential
Uneven sidewalks are a common issue that happens everywhere, and they all need fixing. Property owners and cities need safe, level sidewalks to prevent accidents and avoid legal problems. This means a steady stream of work for you. All you need to do is turn up and offer the solution.
Sidewalk Grinding Startup Costs and Equipment
Sidewalk Grinding with the team at Sidewalk Safety, Inc.
You don’t need much to get started. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Sidewalk Grinder: Essential for smoothing surfaces. Estimated cost - $1,000 to $2,500.
- Protective Gear: Safety equipment like gloves, goggles, and ear protection. Estimated cost - $100 to $200.
The total cost for these essential tools is around $1,100 to $2,700, leaving plenty of room in your $5,000 budget. In fact, we recommend you definitely use the rest of your budget for marketing to kick-start your business the right way.
Sidewalk Grinding Training and Skills
While you don’t need formal training, learning how to use the grinder safely and effectively is key. Online tutorials and guides can get you up to speed quickly.
Sidewalk Grinding Profit Potential
You can charge about $10 per linear foot for sidewalk grinding. If you grind 50 feet a day, that’s $2,500 a week straight away, and that’s before you add any other services. With low startup costs and high demand for safe walkways, this is a great little niche business that can expand into a pavement asset management business pretty quickly.
4. Pothole Repair Business
Judd Burdon with the R3 Modular Mini Infrared Asphalt Heater
Potholes are the bane of anyone who owns pavement — it’s a super-common problem that can cause damage to vehicles as well as pose safety hazards. Starting a pothole repair business lets knock on doors to solve this no-brainer issue while earning a steady income. Here’s how you can get started:
Pothole Repair Business Potential
Obviously, potholes are everywhere, from driveways to busy roads — point to some heavy traffic asphalt, and there’ll be a pothole. Property owners and municipalities absolutely need them fixed urgently to avoid accidents and vehicle damage. This means there’s as much work for you as you can handle — all you have to do is go door-knocking or set up some cheap facebook ads.
Pothole Repair Startup Costs and Equipment
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
Essential Tools:
- Infrared Asphalt Heater: You can use this equipment for a more durable repair. The Rynoworx Modular Mini Infrared Asphalt Heaters start at $2,799.
- Infrared Patching Rejuvenator: Used to restore the binders of old asphalt millings, the Asphalt Millings Rejuvenator also improves color for a more aesthetically pleasing finish. - $185.00
- Metal Rake: Used to rake asphalt to the desired spots and the flat side to level the asphalt surface evenly - $159.00
- Asphalt Tamper Tool: Used to flatten dirt, stone, asphalt and more - $149.00
Optional Tools
- Asphalt/Concrete Saw: If you are short on cash, you can just use a hammer and chisel to start with. For better productivity, you can use an Asphalt and Concrete Saw to square and remove damaged pavement before you begin patching potholes. - $2,089.
- Asphalt Compactor: Used to tamp down and level asphalt after pothole repair - $1,649
- Asphalt Hot Box: Keeps your asphalt hot mix all day long for larger repair projects - $5,778
The total cost for these essential tools is 3,122, leaving plenty of room in your $5,000 budget to invest in other parts of the business like marketing.
Pothole Repair Training and Skills
You don’t need a massive amount of training to repair potholes, but understanding the basics of using the equipment and materials is essential. Online resources and guides can help you learn the necessary skills quickly.
For more information, enroll to our FREE Pothole Hunting Webinar to learn more about hunting these opportunities.
Pothole Repair Profit Potential
Pothole repair can be extremely profitable once you get motoring along. Charge $100 per pothole and do 25 repairs in a day to make $2,500 each day. And that’s just with the beginner equipment we talked about earlier. You can quickly scale up with an infrared asphalt heater, and earn up to $20,000 a month. With low startup costs and high demand, this business can quickly become a nice little business that brings in the cash.
Where to Next With Asphalt Kingdom
You've got the list of tools and the lowdown on costs — now it's time to make your move. Starting your own asphalt maintenance business is totally achievable for anyone with the drive to make it happen, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Of course, we understand that starting a business can be intimidating — figuring out where to start, how to market, and how to manage finances. That’s what our turnkey business packages are for. They provide everything you need to hit the ground running, from equipment to marketing materials to ongoing support.
Take control of your financial future and start building your own business today. Visit Asphalt Kingdom's Start Your Business Guide and take the first step towards your new future. What are you waiting for? Your new business is on its way!
Want expert business advice? Check out our Asphalt Coaching
