How to Start a Pressure Washing Business

There is never a bad time to start a pressure washing company. It doesn’t need much training or certification, and the initial outlay for equipment, supplies, and staff isn’t too high. Additionally, the pressure washing business has low operational costs, which increase its scope to generate profits rapidly.

In addition to this, there is consistently a significant demand for pressure washing services. The pressure washing business industry may offer entrepreneurs a reliable stream of revenue if it is managed well. In fact, it is anticipated that the global market for cleaning services will reach $74 billion by end of 2022, giving the pressure washer industry a secure and reliable business opportunity.

In essence, establishing a pressure washing company could be a wise business move. You must ensure that everything is done correctly from the start if you want to own a successful pressure washing business.
Continue reading to discover all you need to know on how to start a pressure washing business.

Why is it a Good Idea to Start a Pressure Washing Business?

A pressure cleaning business expands with time. You might begin with a limited budget and gradually increase it. Here are some of the reasons why it’s worth it to provide pressure washing services:

• No matter where you reside, there is usually an active market for pressure washing businesses. There is a whole lot you can do; you can focus on cleaning driveways, porches, and patios, or you can target business or residential clients. Another choice is to provide window washing and chimney cleaning services.
• The best part is that if you and your clients establish a strong working rapport, they’ll probably call you each time they are in need of a pressure washer. As a result, cultivating consumer loyalty is simple.
• Due to its minimal startup costs and competitive pricing, the pressure washing industry may be quite profitable. When the pressure washing businesses operate during the initial stages, one might expect to make between $40,000 and $50,000 annually, with the propensity to eventually earn a six-figure revenue.
• Furthermore, pressure cleaning does not require substantial training to be qualified for or to obtain a degree. You can work for yourself if you have some fundamental business management abilities and a couple of tools.

How Much Investment is Needed for Starting a Pressure Washing Business?

For starting a pressure washing business, you need to make an investment of around $1,975-$4,900 (USD) or more. The basic investment costs include:

Expect to invest an extra $10,000–$30,000 or more if you need to purchase a truck to carry both you and the equipment to worksites. Include gasoline, registration, and insurance charges for your vehicle as well.

Simple Guide for Establishing a Power Washing Business

1. Gain professional pressure washing skills

Pressure washing is simple, but you still need to exercise caution. Given that the water pressure is sufficient to remove dirt from any surface, your washer’s jets have the potential to break your customer’s car window glass with only one mistimed blast.

• Getting power washers and cleaning a driveway won’t do the trick. You need to hone the required skills, knowledge, and expertise. Learn how to approach those difficult-to-reach spots and how to pressure wash without harming the nearby surroundings.
• For a good start, borrow or rent power washing equipment and try using it on various surfaces. Request permission to practice on the property of a friend or relative when you feel more confident about your skills.
• You can enroll in a local training program for pressure washing or gain some practical hands on experience by working for another power washing business. The other option is to look for internet assistance by watching YouTube videos of experts.
• While you’re in the process of learning, ensure that you learn to use all the necessary pressure washing equipment and work on essential spaces.

2. Develop a strong business plan

You may optimize business potential and remove bottlenecks by creating a solid business plan. The plan must detail the intricacies of your pressure washing operation and identify unknowns.

Additionally, a business strategy makes it simpler to seek financial backing, a loan, or even a partner. Typically, it needs to have the following sections:

• • Executive summary to summarize the entire business plan.

• • Business summary outlining your pressure washing company.
  • A list of your services that includes the pressure washing services you’ll offer to clients.
  • Pricing plan that includes prices for all of your services.
  • Market research revealing the region you’ll service and the consumer demographics.

• Competition research on local pressure cleaning companies.
• Marketing strategy to attract the right clients and land new business.
• Workforce planning, including any necessary positions and a hiring schedule.
• Financial forecasts and a cash flow plan, covering income, business expenses, and salaries, for the first year of operation.

3. Purchase equipment & supplies

For your business to get off the ground, you’ll need the appropriate pressure washing equipment, gear, and other supplies. Renting pressure washing equipment when you initially start out can be a better idea. In the long run, though, you’ll have to buy your own.
You may require the following pressure washing gear:

Pressure washer equipment:

• pressure washer with high power
• Pressure washer pump
• hoses with high and low pressure
• Angled tips
• Nozzles
• Surface sanitizers
• Ladder
• Telescoping wand
• Hose reel
• Water tank
• X-jet
• Drain jetters
• dual lances
• Chemicals and soaps
• Heavy-duty extension cord

A van or vehicle to transport your equipment that has logos on the side with the name of your pressure washing business and contact information to aid in marketing.

Additionally, use the right pressure washing estimating and invoicing software, like InvoiceOwl, to make your business operations easier.

Get More Pressure Washing Jobs By Creating Accurate Estimates

Create professional-looking, customizable estimates using InvoiceOwl that impress your clients and help you land more projects.

Start Your FREE Trial

4. Pick the services you’ll provide

You may provide a variety of services as a pressure washing business. Whether you choose to service residential customers, or commercial & industrial clients will all depend on your decision.
These kinds of cleaning can be included in residential pressure washing services:

• Washing the driveway and sidewalk
• Window washing
• Gutter and roof cleaning
• Patios and decks cleaning
• Cleaning of siding, fences, and concrete
• Garbage containers and furniture washing
• Washing vehicles

Any of the aforementioned might be part of your industrial or commercial pressure washing service, in addition to:

• Cleaning the grease trap
• Heavy equipment cleaning
• Removing graffiti
• Cleaning of commercial vehicles
• Cleaning up after construction
• Cleaning of traffic and street signs

5. Price your pressure washing services

Prior to reaching out to prospective consumers, you must determine prices. Consumers typically pay in the range of $192-$401 for the services of pressure washers. So you should consider whether to pick the high or low end of the price range. Lower rates may make it simpler to attract a large number of customers, but you must decide if it is worthwhile to put in your time and effort.

Consider if you’ll charge by the hour or by the job when setting your pricing. Remember that if you bill by the project, you must be aware of how much time each project will require.

The typical power washing price for a project varies based on the size, area, and location, and is as follows:

• $100 – $300 for a home’s exterior siding
• $100 – $200 for a driveway
• $250 – $500 for patio or deck
• $50 – $200 for vehicle cleaning

Things to consider when pricing jobs for a pressure washing business:

• Research competitors: To find out how much other nearby pressure washers charge for their services, research the competition’s pricing. Find out the rationale behind their pricing.
• Labor cost: Calculate labor expenses by multiplying your hourly rate by the approximate number of hours required to perform the task.
• Monthly overheads: Determine your monthly overhead costs, then multiply the result by the total number of hours you spend working each week to obtain your hourly overhead.
• Material cost: Calculate the cost of the materials you’ll need for the work, such as cleaning agents, gas, or other supplies. For the time and effort you have put into purchasing such items, add a markup.
• Profit margin: Consider your business’s profit margin, which is the revenue left over after all job-related costs. Set your sights on 10–20% of the total project value.
• Taxes: Multiply your subtotal by the percentage to account for taxes, such as income and sales tax.

You can calculate how much to price pressure washing services by adding all the above-discussed figures together. Depending on that, you may either charge clients an hourly rate or adjust that sum to offer set fees or pricing on the basis of square foot.

6. Set up your power washing business correctly

The appropriate business license, business insurance, and permissions are necessary to establish a successful pressure washing business. Your local rules and regulations will determine whether specific permissions are needed. Therefore, be sure to get in touch with your county clerk or local licensing office so they can let you know what the criteria are.

For now, let’s discuss the basic steps that you need to follow for your business establishment:

(A) Decide on a business name

Choose a name for your business and get a matching domain name. Ensure the domain name is pertinent to your business name, as it will serve as your website address.

(B) Choose a business structure

Deciding on a business structure and submitting the necessary papers to offer services lawfully are among the initial steps in launching a business. You can select one of three business structures:

• Sole proprietorship: The most straightforward (and economical) option for beginning a pressure cleaning company is the sole proprietorship.As a single pressure washing business owner, you are personally accountable; therefore, if your business is sued, your personal assets may be at risk.
• LLC: An LLC is generally your best bet if you are working with a business partner. In this structure, the business is established as a separate legal entity.So, if and when a business is liable to pay any damages, a suit against an LLC business is often restricted to recovering damages against the business’s own assets.
• Corporation: The strongest protection against personal assets and liability is provided by a corporation to the business owner. However, forming a corporation is more expensive than creating other types of entities.Corporations are required to pay income tax on their profits, in contrast to sole proprietors and LLCs. The life of a corporation is entirely independent of its stockholders. Additionally, it has a benefit in terms of raising funds because they may do so by issuing shares.

(C) Work out the legal requirements

To avoid legal trouble, you must be aware of what is needed to operate a pressure washer business legally. Obtaining the necessary licenses, permissions, and business insurance is part of this.
Contact the county clerk’s office or your area’s licensing office to get the precise specifications for your region regarding the appropriate business paperwork. The following list of documentation is required to begin a pressure washing business:

• Business License: Obtain a business license by registering your business with the state.
• Bond: In order to obtain a license to run a pressure wash service in your region, you may be required to post a bond.
• Sales tax registration: For the purpose of tax filing, you must register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To apply for your Employer Identification Number (EIN), visit the IRS website.
• Contractor permit: Check with your local licensing authority for information on whether you need a special permit to provide pressure washing service in the region you want to pressure wash.
• Environmental permission: Because you often discharge water into a storm drain, certain states demand that you have an environmental permit.

Insurance

You’ll likely need three different kinds of insurance for your pressure washing business:

• Equipment insurance: Insurance for equipment to insure theft or damage.
• Liability insurance: Liability coverage for potential harm from pressure cleaning.
• Workers’ compensation: To cover accidents you or your employees may have while working.

(D) Open up a new corporate bank account

You may keep your personal assets distinct from the company’s assets by using a corporate bank account.
If you wish to maintain your personal asset protection, this is very crucial. The ease of accounting and tax filing is another benefit of using a separate business bank account.

For the purpose of segregating your personal and business expenses, you can even apply for a business credit card. This will benefit both your company’s credit history along with your relationship with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Separate personal and business accounts also help in keeping track of business cash flow and even makes accounting more efficient.

In order to create a business bank account, keep in mind that you’ll require particular documents and information, such as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), business incorporation documents, and confirmation of your business’s address.

(E) Organize your marketing channels

From Word-of-mouth recommendations to web listings, all fall under the category of marketing. To attract more customers and increase income for your power washing company, come up with efficient marketing ideas.

Build a website

It goes without saying that your pressure washing business needs a website. It’s definitely the best strategy for drawing in new customers. It also provides a mechanism for potential customers to get in touch with you and verify your legitimacy.

Make use of social media

• Make company profiles on popular social media sites to advertise your products to prospective customers.
• Given its huge user base and wide reach, Facebook is perhaps your greatest option to market your pressure cleaning sector. It helps to promote your pressure washing services, as many of its members are either homeowners or commercial property owners or business owners.
• Get featured on websites that list services, such as Yelp and the Google business pages. Some companies have also achieved success by advertising on TikTok or Instagram Reels, where viewers enjoy the satisfying procedure of seeing a dingy façade transform into something exquisite.
• Start promoting your new pressure washing business to everyone. This includes taking part in internet forums where you may advertise your business. To quickly increase sales, consider running some advertising with an initial discount.
• Post before and after images of your services, client endorsements, and deals to increase interaction and draw attention to your business. To spread the word about your business, you may also request that your current clients share your online content or provide reviews.

Outdoor advertising

• The best method to market today is online marketing. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use offline marketing strategies and network with your community to get additional customers.
• Spread the word first to get started. Get business cards printed with the name of your business and contact details on them. These may be used while you knock on doors to introduce yourself and your new pressure washer business.
• Inform everyone who will listen about your pressure washing business, including your friends, family, acquaintances, and coworkers. Request testimonials and recommendations from them.
• Additionally, you have the option of using the time-tested door-to-door advertising strategy, car wraps, or flier distribution. You never know what could succeed and bring in your next customer.

Create Pressure Washing Invoices Without Any Pressure

Create a clean, professional invoice in a few simple steps using InvoiceOwl and get paid faster.

Start Your FREE Trial

Conclusion

That’s all there is to it. Everything you need to know about starting a pressure washing business has been addressed.

Once you start your pressure washing business, increasing revenues should be your first focus. This entails expanding and growing your business.

As you expand, you begin adding additional clients, which will result in more work and less time for paperwork. In such a case, you’ll need cloud-based automated estimating and invoicing software, like InvoiceOwl.

It will automate and streamline the time consuming process of making estimates and invoices and sending them to the client. With just a few clicks, you can create quotes and get them approved by the client. Using the software, you can also track payments and even access auto-generated financial reports.