Concrete Washout Service
Construction sites legally can't dump concrete rinse water — you pick it up
Every concrete pour generates 50–300 gallons of washout water — the slurry left in mixer drums and wheelbarrows after a pour. Under Clean Water Act NPDES permits and most state stormwater regulations, this alkaline waste (pH 11–13) cannot be discharged to storm drains, ground, or nearby waterways. Construction sites serving federally funded projects or operating in regulated states must document proper disposal. Concrete washout service operators deliver portable containment systems (bags, bins, or bermed pits) to active job sites and pick up the solidified waste for recycling or permitted disposal. The model is nearly identical to porta-potty rental — a recurring service route with consumable materials and a legally required need.
Avg Revenue
$320K
Profit Margin
42%
Acquisition Multiple
2x - 4x
Startup Cost
$25K - $80K
Difficulty
2/5
How It Works
The operator targets general contractors, concrete subcontractors, and construction site managers. They deliver washout containment units — either portable fabric bags ($15–$40 each, single-use) or reusable bins — at the project kickoff, service them weekly or after major pours, and haul the solidified waste to a permitted recycling or disposal facility. Some operators partner with concrete recyclers who accept washout solids as aggregate fill. Billing is typically per-pickup or per-month per site. Operators build recurring route density by partnering with concrete ready-mix companies who recommend the service to all new pours.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 562998 · All Other Miscellaneous Waste Management Services
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | MN | $312K | $367K | 2 | — |
| Sep 2025 | AZ | $333K | $392K | 4 | — |
| Mar 2025 | FL | $619K | $728K | 6 | — |
| Oct 2024 | WI | $166K | $195K | 1 | — |
| Sep 2024 | IA | $4.5M | $5.3M | 13 | — |
| Jul 2024 | MI | $2.8M | $3.3M | 23 | — |
| May 2024 | CA | $215K | $253K | 3 | — |
| Dec 2023 | WY | $150K | $177K | 3 | — |
| Sep 2023 | CA | $1.8M | $2.1M | 1 | — |
| Sep 2023 | NY | $629K | $740K | 2 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Legally mandated service — construction projects with NPDES permits face fines for improper washout disposal, making this a compliance purchase
- +Identical business model to porta-potty rental: recurring service route, consumable materials, sticky B2B clients
- +General contractors prefer one vendor handling waste compliance to avoid liability — creates relationship stickiness
- +Low startup cost relative to revenue: a used pickup, containment units, and NPDES compliance knowledge is the core asset
Cons
- -Service is tied to active construction cycles — economic slowdowns reduce new project starts and hurt route density
- -Waste disposal requires permitted hauling and access to a concrete recycler or permitted disposal site
- -Highly regional — route density only works in construction-active markets; rural areas won't support a full route
Best For
Operators in high-construction-activity markets who want a compliance-driven route business with low overhead and strong contractor relationships
Operating Costs
At $320K revenue: labor for driver/service crew runs 25–30%, containment unit materials (bags or liner replacement) adds 10–15%, vehicle and disposal fees add 12–15%, and insurance/overhead adds 8%. Net margins of 40–48% are achievable for owner-operators. Multi-truck operations compress to 30–38%.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Search for environmental and construction waste service businesses for sale
EPA stormwater construction permit requirements — the regulatory basis for concrete washout compliance
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- route
- Difficulty
- 2/5
- Buy price
- $640K–$1.3M
Buyer's Toolkit
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