Starting this kind of business is simple, and here are the steps to follow:
- Look for a supplier or seller of water refilling equipments and ask for the price list of different equipments that you can choose, if possible, ask for the feasibility study too to know how much the cost or total investment needed to put-up this type of business.
- After studying the quotations and the total cost which you think is enough for your budget or capital, then you can start negotiating with the supplier. Ask for discounts and know the after-sales support you can get from them like maintenance and warranty. Don’t go for cheap equipments as this will not be worth in the long run. Always compare and check carefully what you can see on the photos they give against the actual equipment.
- After choosing the right equipment to purchase, look for a good place to put your refilling station. Some local municipals require a minimum of 25 sqm. total area for this type of business, but oftentimes 20 sqm is enough. If you don’t want to rent a place, you can use your own house. Sales will not be a problem even you’re inside a subdivision.
- If you already found the location for you refilling station, you can now contact your preferred equipment supplier for your final negotiations. Ask for a typical layout of a water station from them that you can copy for your own water station. Some suppliers will check and evaluate the place for the best design and layout.
- Oftentimes, the supplier will ask for a down payment before starting to prepare your equipments. The lead time for complete assembly is 2 to 3 weeks. Ask for a receipt or letter when paying for a down payment. After closing the deal with the supplier, you can now start the construction of your water station that will take 3 to 4 weeks to finish. Start also making the deep well if this will be your preferred water source. Let the supplier check your water station during the construction to so that the lay-out will be strictly followed. It is very important that the carpenter follows the lay-out carefully especially on the washing area, pipings and drainage layout. While the construction is on-going, you can apply for a business permit to save time.
- Go to the nearest DTI in your area and bring your residence certificate and barangay clearance. It’s advisable to list 5 to 10 names you choose to name your business to avoid delay when your preferred name was already taken.
- After getting the registered business name from DTI, go to your local municipal office and apply for a Mayor’s business permit. The process takes 2 to 3 weeks depending on the area. Some municipal office will require you to submit water analysis of potability (physical, chemical and bacteriological test) from your raw or source of water. Engineering drawings (building and electrical plan) signed by a sanitary engineer at other common legal requirement when applying for a building permit.
- After getting the business permit and operation permit from municipal office, go to BIR and fill-up form 0506 and pay at the counter. After processing at BIR, you’re now ready to make and print your receipts from the printing press. Some printing press will require you to show the approved form 0506 issued by BIR before printing your receipts.
- It’s now time to buy other supplies you will need like water containers, seals, heat gun, sanitizer soap, etc. You can also start doing your store’s signage and sticker labels for your products.
- Once the construction of your water station is finished and the water source is ready, you can now schedule the installation of the equipments (it’s better to do it at night not too many people are roaming around). Complete installation takes 1 to 2 days only.
- Allow the machine and equipments from 1 to 3 days to dry-run before selling the product, or get a sample for a water analysis. Go to the nearest DOH office and ask the procedures on how to test the water. Tip: it’s better to get a water sample after a month of operation to make sure that the result of water analysis is good.
- Wait for the result of water testing. If it passed, then good luck and welcome to the club! If it failed the test, call immediately the one who installed your equipments and let them check and analyze why.
