Startup & Launch Checklist For New Floor and Surface Care Companies

Startup & Launch Checklist For New Floor and Surface Care Companies

Startup & Launch Checklist For New Floor and Surface Care Companies

Starting a new business is exciting—and sometimes overwhelming. This checklist is designed to help you build a strong foundation for success. Some items may already be completed, while others may become important as your business grows.
As a PRO Partner, you are not alone. Surface Care PROS is here to support you with branding, marketing, education, systems, and ongoing guidance designed specifically for floor and surface care companies.

Contact Info

PRO Partner Website: Backstage.surfacecarepros.com

Startup 

  1. Create business entity — Register your business with your state and determine the best structure for your company (LLC, Corporation, etc.).    
  2. Obtain EIN (Employer Identification Number) — Required for banking, payroll, taxes, and many merchant account setups.
  3. Verify state, county, and local licensing requirements — Check for any required business licenses, county tax receipts, or local permits that may apply to your services and location.
  4. If you will have employees — Review payroll requirements, tax withholding, labor regulations, and insurance requirements

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Insurance — Liability — Protect your business and your customers with General Liability Insurance. Liability insurance is required for vetting by Surface Care PROS.

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Workers’ Compensation Insurance — Required in most states if you have employees. Also required for vetting by Surface Care PROS.

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Set up a business bank account — Keep business and personal finances separate from the beginning.

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Set up merchant account — Many great and easy-to-use options are available for accepting credit cards and digital payments.

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Create your accounting software — Set up systems such as QuickBooks or Zoho Books to manage invoices, expenses, and reporting.

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Set up payroll services — Consider using a payroll provider to simplify payroll processing and tax reporting.

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Set up business phone number — Consider systems like Grasshopper, Zoom Phone, or other business phone solutions.

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SAFE & Compliant™ Program — As a PRO Partner, you receive access to SAFE & Compliant™ membership to help support workplace safety, SDS/HazCom documentation, and professionalism.

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Create safety and chemical documentation — Maintain SDS sheets, safety procedures, and workplace documentation for employees and customers.

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Establish company standards — Define expectations for communication, appearance, punctuality, professionalism, and customer service.

Branding & Professional Image    

Work closely with Surface Care PROS — We encourage you to work closely with us on all branding, marketing, and communication efforts.

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Create logo — Your PRO Partner package includes professional logo design support.

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Create tagline — A strong tagline can reinforce your company’s positioning and professionalism.

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Create a domain name — Secure a domain name that closely matches your business name whenever possible. Your Partner Manager can help with this.

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Develop website — We will develop your website as part of your PRO Partner program. Your website will be designed to support SEO, AI discovery, customer trust, and long-term growth.

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Create a professional email address — Use an email address connected to your domain instead of a free Gmail or Yahoo account. Ask your Partner Manager for help if needed.

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Define your services — Clearly identify the services you want to promote.

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Identify your ideal customers — Initially, your focus may include both residential and commercial clients.

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Create your brand message — Develop a simple explanation of what makes your company different. Are you looking to target upscale, affluent customers or the general public? Consider your target market when defining your brand.

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Gather testimonials and reviews — Start collecting customer feedback and reviews as early as possible. Surface Care PROS provides support for requesting reviews. Start earning that review from the time you answer your first phone call!

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Business cards — We will design professional business cards that support your branding and marketing efforts.

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Brochures and leave-behind materials — We can design brochures and educational leave-behind materials. We have many templates that make the cost much lower, and our printing prices for Partners is tough to match.

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Vehicle graphics — Your vehicle can become one of your strongest local marketing tools.

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Uniforms and branded apparel — Professional appearance builds trust and reinforces your brand.

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Create email signatures — Professional email signatures reinforce your branding and make communication easier. Your Surface Care PROS team can help with this.

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Certified Surface Care PRO Partner Recognition and Vetting — Your training, professionalism, participation in SAFE & Compliant™, proof of insurance and required licenses qualify your company for recognition as a Certified Surface Care PRO Partner, including a profile listing and leads generated on surfacecarepros.com and a badge on your site.

Marketing & Customer Communication

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Google Business Profile (GBP) — We will help establish and optimize your Google Business Profile.

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Facebook Business Page — We will help create and optimize your Facebook Business Page.

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Review your iContact account — Your PRO Partner package includes access to iContact for email marketing.

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Review your vCita account — vCita can help with scheduling, lead management, communication, and online forms.

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Caring For It™ (CFI) Monthly Articles — Your website will include ongoing Caring For It™ educational articles designed to support SEO and AI discovery.

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Customer Care Guides — We will place personalized Surface Care Guides according to the services you provide on your website. READ them! Use them to support and grow your business.

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Start collecting before-during-and-after photos — Photos are one of the most powerful marketing tools in the surface care industry. Your photos will be used in your case studies, social media posts, and in print materials.

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Copy your photo and video library to your ShareFile — Capture quality images and videos of your work for marketing and case studies. Your Partner Manager will provide the link and instructions.

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Case Studies — Document projects with photos, customer challenges, solutions provided, and final results. Each case study should be in its own folder on ShareFile.

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Consider Google Ads — Google Ads can help generate leads while your long-term SEO grows.

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Consider joining local Facebook groups — Community groups can help increase local visibility and referrals.

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Begin building referral relationships — Connect with Realtors, builders, designers, property managers, janitorial companies, and related professionals. Schedule time to take the Growing and Cultivating Your Referral Network workshop. It’s worth its weight in gold!

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Create vendor and supplier relationships — Strong supplier relationships can improve service, product availability, and pricing.

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Establish your service area — Define the cities and communities you want to target.

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Announce your launch — Let your network know your business is officially open.

Understanding Ongoing Marketing & Support

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Your PRO Partner Membership — Your monthly PRO Partner membership provides ongoing support, visibility, marketing resources, education, and business growth tools. Understand these benefits and take advantage of them.

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Partner Levels — Partner levels include Standard, Premium, Premium Plus, and Market Dominance. Understand what is included in each one.

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Your Monthly Investment Covers More Than Hosting — Your monthly fee may include hosting, support, SEO, educational content, visibility tools, and ongoing growth support.

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Your Website Is Built for Long-Term Growth — Your website is designed to support SEO performance, AI discovery, customer trust, lead generation, and long-term online growth.

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Ongoing SEO Matters — Search visibility is not a one-time project. Work closely with your team to make sure you are in the best fit level to maximize your success.

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Educational Content Helps Build Trust — The Caring For It™ system helps position your company as the expert. But it is also created to serve multiple purposes, including keeping your name in front of your customer base.

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Work Closely With Us — The most successful Partners typically stay actively engaged with us.

As You Grow…

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Consider a field service management subscription — Platforms like Housecall Pro, Jobber, or ServiceTitan can help manage scheduling and customer communication.

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Continue building your online presence — Consistency with reviews, educational content, email marketing, SEO, case studies, and social media creates long-term growth.

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Continue technical and business training — Ongoing education helps you stay competitive.

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Build recurring maintenance programs — Maintenance services can provide stable, repeat revenue.

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Prepare for larger commercial opportunities — Commercial work may require additional insurance certificates and procedures.

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Develop a growth plan — Set goals for staffing, equipment, revenue, marketing, and expansion.

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Build a network of advisors — Surround yourself with professionals who can help guide your business. As a PRO Partner, you have the support of our Technical Directors. Also, find a CPA

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Protect your reputation — Communicate clearly, respond professionally, and consistently deliver quality work. Your reviews are a powerful way to establish trust and set yourself apart.

Final Thoughts

Strong businesses are built over time through professionalism, consistency, customer service, education, communication, and ongoing marketing.

Marketing is not a one-time event. The companies that continue growing are typically the ones that consistently stay visible, educate customers, gather reviews, document projects through case studies, and continue improving.

Take photos. Gather reviews. Build relationships. Stay engaged.

Most importantly, don’t try to build everything alone. Leverage the systems, tools, support, and guidance available to you through your PRO Partner relationship with Surface Care PROS.

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