How to Start a Pressure Washing Business

Is Pressure Washing a Good Business to Start?

As you may know, pressure washing is a versatile cleaning service that eliminates otherwise irremovable debris. According to Homes.com, it can be used to remove loose paint, mold, algae, grime, dust, mud, dirt, and more from a variety of surfaces and objects.

It increases home value by removing pollutants that can degrade, discolor, and oxidize over time, thus restoring the home’s curb appeal and saving time and money by preventing future problems.

Because different types of surfaces require different pressure washing techniques, nozzle sizes, and chemicals, homeowners can opt to hire a professional to ensure safety and quality.

There will always be a need for pressure washing due to commercial expansion, increasing construction, and overall consumer demand. In fact, the market for pressure washing is growing. In North America, the market size was 1.95 billion in 2020 and is forecasted to grow to 2.3 billion by 2025.

With relatively low start-up costs and high profit margins, pressure washing businesses have proven to be worthwhile. Sam Lee of CleanFront Exterior Services began his pressure washing business four years ago with no client base as an independent contractor. CleanFront became fast-scaling and exceeded his expectations, and he now runs one of the top exterior maintenance companies in Hawaii.

What Do You Need to Start a Pressure Washing Business?

Similar to most start-up businesses, creating a successful pressure wash business will require more than buying equipment and going to work.

To make starting a pressure wash business simple, we have created a step-by-step guide. Below, learn about the top five things you will need to start a power washing business.

1. A Plan

Before diving into a brand new market, writing a business plan will allow you to create a clear strategy and goals so that you can begin your business with confidence.

The first step is deciding what clients to target: homeowners, commercial establishments, or those looking for specialized services such as window or solar panel cleaning. Take into account the specific needs of the customer base in your area, such as weather, humidity, or urbanization, for example.

You also want to become familiar with the competing businesses in your area. Learn from what has made them successful as well as challenges that you can steer clear of. You can identify potential market gaps to take advantage of and gain a better understanding of customer expectations.

2. A Business License

When it comes to getting a business license, we recommend researching the industry on federal government websites and looking over the licensing and permit pages of your state government website, as requirements vary from state to state.

For example, in California and Florida, companies must obtain a license through the Contractors State License Board. Consider speaking to professional business lawyers to help identify exact licenses and permits that your business may need.

3. Business Insurance

Insurance benefits you in the long run as bumps in the road are inevitable, especially with a pressure washing business. Because of the power of their spray, contact with a pressure washer can cause injury and property damage. Every pressure washing business typically opts for three types of insurance.

Equipment insurance covers any damage to your pressure washer itself or any of your expensive equipment and provides reimbursements if stolen. Liability insurance covers any damage that may be caused when cleaning, and workers’ compensation covers any on-job injuries that may occur to you or your employees.

4. A Pricing Structure

When considering how to price pressure washing jobs, there are a few factors to take into account. According to HomeAdvisor.com, prices will range typically from $0.15 to $0.75 per square foot, and, on average, customers will spend $192 to $400.

It is important to look at the location, competitors, and the individual aspects of the task at hand.

Keala Rodenhurst of Professional Painting and Pressure Washing in Hawaii states that he always recommends an in-person estimate before beginning a project. This way, he can take into account the difficulty and time it will take to complete a project before deciding how to charge for pressure washing.

5. Equipment and Overhead

As far as start-ups go, the pricing of overhead costs for a pressure washing business is relatively low — especially if you are adding it to your existing cleaning company.

The main need that should be budgeted for is equipment. These costs include transportation for your equipment and employees, which is already covered for existing businesses, and equipment necessary for pressure washing: the pressure washer itself, surface cleaner, nozzles, and cleaning chemicals.

6. Customers

Once the foundation is established and your business is ready to go, the next step is to acquire customers.

Those who already have a cleaning business can utilize their current customer base by offering to combine the pressure washing service with their current cleaning service. Another way to further profit off of current customers is to ask for referrals and diligently follow up on them to encourage responses.

For new start-ups with no customer base, your main concern is how to get pressure washing jobs.

Since you have already established your target market, you’ll want to find the best channel to reach them. You can advertise offline by promoting your business in the local newspaper and even strategically placing flyers around your town.

To reach interested customers online, we suggest building a simple, easy-to-navigate website, establishing a social media presence, and utilizing email marketing.

How to Grow a Pressure Washing Business

Growing your business means increasing sales, customers, and overall revenue. It will require time, but the benefits are worth the effort.

Here are some tips for how to grow your pressure washing business:

• Build lasting relationships with your customers
• Participate in networking events
• Take into account any feedback you receive from customers and make improvements
• Build an online presence and engage with customers
• Share photos and videos of your work
• Get reviews from satisfied customers
• Consider seasonal discounts and deals
• Diversify your product offerings and consider specialty services

Top Do’s and Don’ts for Starting a Power Washing Business

Do:

• Your research to get to know the space and create realistic goals
• Invest time into becoming an expert pressure washer by gaining experience
• Learn from other successful businesses in the industry
• Put in the work to acquire and maintain customers

Don’t:

• Try to do everything yourself; utilize your resources and professional advice
• Underestimate the start-up costs and cut corner where it counts (e.g., equipment)
• Skip over any business documents
• Over-project sales, as it may take longer than expected to build sales

Pressure washing doesn’t require extensive training or qualifications. With the right tools and basic management skills made easy by Taskbird, you can easily become your own boss of a profitable business.