When it comes to job security, few industries are more rock-solid than pest management. Between 2015 and 2020 alone, the U.S. pest control industry grew by 4.2%. As long as people have homes and yards and backyard barbecues, pests will rear their ugly heads — and homeowners will want to get rid of them.

As a pest control company like powerpestcontrol, you get to provide that service. It’s part of what I’ve always loved about running my company. We get to help people feel comfortable in their homes again. But before you can do that, you have to build the business.

Today, I’ll discuss some of the top tips I have for running a successful pest control company and what you can do to get yours off the ground. Let’s dive in.

Five Tips To Build A Successful Pest Control Brand

Whether you’re new to the industry or you’re choosing to strike out on your own after working for someone else, these tips can help you build a successful, upwardly mobile company you’re proud of:

1. Invest in training.

Excellent pest control companies rely on a great training program. After all, pest control operations require experience, know-how and the ability to deliver complex solutions safely. With this in mind, train your employees and hold them accountable to that training down the road.

Implement periodic reviews and quizzes of their knowledge and reward them when they perform well. To make sure you stay on the industry’s cutting edge, provide opportunities for your employees to learn new skills and advance their careers.

Consider obtaining an industry certification, like the EcoWise Certification, Green Shield Certification or GreenPro Certification, to offer additional peace of mind to customers.

2. Develop a sustainable pricing model.

Pricing your pest control services can be difficult. To figure out what you need to charge, you’ll have to start by considering your services and the going rate for those services in your area. Take a look at your competitors to find out what they’re offering and charging. That should give you a good starting point.

Ultimately, though, you want to charge a fair price to your customers, which allows you to maintain your target profit margin. This requires you to understand your market and control costs, which I’ll discuss more in the next step.

3. Control costs.

This is a critical part of building a profitable company. To control costs, compare prices among suppliers and join industry organizations to understand how other companies compensate employees and run their businesses. In my area, an organization like the Pest Control Operators of California offers excellent industry resources and information.

Additionally, you’ll want to utilize cost control measures by carefully controlling cost overruns through careful inventory and vehicle expense management.

4. Bring in the right people.

In addition to hiring a skilled, dedicated team, use a human resources consultant and an employment attorney to stay out of trouble with human resources laws. In addition to helping you stay in compliance, this simple move will also streamline any possible employee grievances and allow you to create a better workplace.

5. Keep a cool head.

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s the value of resilience. Remind yourself that not everything is going to go perfectly. When a job goes badly or you encounter difficulties, reframe the way you see these experiences. Instead of allowing them to run you down, choose to see them as opportunities to learn and develop and grow stronger as a company. If you’re well-insured, provide adequate training and follow the HR and state laws, problems you encounter should be survivable.

Making Your Way In The Industry

If you’ve ever dreamed of starting a company, you know that getting started can feel like a massive task — even if you have past industry experience. And it’s true, there are many moving parts associated with running a pest control company, and coordinating them all is key to success. I hope that these five tips help you build a profitable, sustainable and customer-focused company you genuinely love running.