How to Start a Pressure Washing Business: Your Go-to Guide
If you’re curious about pressure washing and want to start a pressure washing business, then read on.
Pressure washing is a common practice used for cleaning and removing paint from surfaces like concrete, brick, wood, and stucco; pressure washers can also be used to clean boats and RVs. Although pressure washers can be rented from equipment suppliers or utility companies, starting your own pressure washing business allows you to purchase the pressure washer at wholesale prices while making high profits in return.
The market size value for pressure washing in 2020 was $1.95 billion and is projected to increase to $2.3 billion by 2025.
Pressure washing can be an easy start-up business with great potential, but you can’t just buy a pressure washer at your local store and support your family going door to door.
Want to know how to start a pressure washing business? Here are some basic steps!
Practice Makes Professional
Make the effort before you go “all in” to practice pressure washing. Rent a higher power machine and pressure wash everything you can think of at your own home, moving on to volunteering jobs for friends or family so you can practice.
This serves two purposes: 1. it helps you improve your skills and 2. to helps you know if this is something you will enjoy doing full time.
While you learn how to start up a pressure washing business, take the time you need to find out if you will enjoy it enough to invest the time and money.
It’s also a great idea at this stage to do some research and reading to determine if entrepreneurship is right for you.
Buy Your Own Equipment
Buying equipment is an essential consideration when figuring out how to get a pressure washing business started. Professional, high-quality equipment will legitimize your business and make it faster and easier to get the hard jobs done right.
Start small and buy only the pressure washer you need. Try to rent out or negotiate pressure washer usage with neighbors or at least in your area so you can prove your worth and capacity and test the market.
If you rent a pressure washer, take pictures of your finished job for proof that you did it properly before returning it.
If you are considering how to start a mobile pressure washing business, make sure to consider your vehicle needs as well. Purchase a used vehicle that can carry your equipment, is still in good condition, and will help you look professional.
Start Clean and Organized
As pressure washer startup costs add up, you might be tempted to cut corners in the beginning. Don’t do it! Start your pressure washing business with a clean and organized truck and work area and develop strong habits from the get-go.
Being prepared will help get them back later when they need pressure washing for their property or boat/RV again.
The more professional your facilities are, the easier this business will become, so choose equipment that is durable, powerful enough for pressure washer use, and very mobile and efficient.
If pressure washing school is necessary for you, there are pressure washer courses available that can be taken in person or online. Take classes if the pressure washing business will allow it; it will make a huge difference in your success and ability to move forward sooner rather than later.
Since pressure washers use water (and sometimes chemicals) pressure washing businesses require a water permit from the city. Check into what kind of pressure washer business license you need based on your location, and apply for it before pressure washing.
It’s also important to purchase a general liability policy just in case a customer does get hurt while pressure washing, so checks with insurance companies to see if pressure washing falls under pressure washer business insurance.
Many pressure washing businesses end up with pressure washing franchise opportunities because they offer so many benefits to new pressure washers. Check on the companies listed on Franchise Finders, and consider buying a pressure washing franchise for more detailed information on how to get started.
Don’t Let It Strain Your Finances
Making pressure washing a full-time job is often difficult. Consider pressure washing as your side business until you know it will work out, and be prepared to take on pressure washing jobs that pay per hour or require payment in food or other items instead of money.
However, pressure washing is like any other business, and it can be very lucrative for pressure washing entrepreneurs. One pressure washing franchise owner saw a 100 percent return on his investment in just nine months’ time!
Make Sure You Will Make a Profit
As pressure washing is a very useful service, it’s important to determine whether you will be able to turn pressure washing into profitable pressure washing.
If pressure washer school is necessary for you, there are pressure washer courses available that can be taken in person or online. Take classes if the pressure washing business will allow it; it will make a huge difference in pressure washer business success and pressure washing abilities.
Keep pressure washing costs low with hand pressure washers, water from a garden hose, and your own elbow grease for basic pressure washing jobs.
Save money on pressure washer equipment by renting or buying used until you can generate enough pressure washing business revenues to purchase new.
No pressure! Pressure washing depends on word-of-mouth advertising as well as online reviews to get the best results so take the time to choose the best pressure washing equipment and supplies for maximum customer satisfaction.
As you can see, how to start a pressure washing business isn’t as hard as it might appear at first glance — just be prepared for this type of work before starting a pressure washer business.
While you will need a full-fledged business plan if you want to get a loan to start your business, you can start by getting a general idea and crunching numbers.
The basic idea behind checking to see if you will generate profit is comparing your potential money into money out and seeing what’s left. Don’t forget to consider marketing costs in addition to monthly overhead costs such as insurance and gas money.
Doing a quick business plan to help you determine your start-up costs, overhead, and customs fees will help you know how to start a small pressure washing business and still generate a profit.
Cover Your Legal Bases
Check with your city or county clerk’s office to know what licenses, bonds, or insurance you are required to have to operate in our area. Most pressure washing licenses are available online, so you can check pressure washer licensing costs and how to go about pressure washer licensing.
If you want an extra level of protection, pressure washer insurance is also a wise move for pressure washing businesses. Don’t let pressure washing business liability waivers be your only source of pressure washing insurance as they won’t protect you if the company gets sued out from under you.
Be aware that pressure cleaning companies aren’t required to carry workers’ compensation insurance unless the helper is classed as an employee, not merely a worker or helper. No pressure! If pressure washing workers are considered employees rather than contractors, then you will have to purchase this type of coverage to be legal.
You will also need a business name so you can register your business with the IRS for tax purposes.
Find a good business insurance agent to make sure you have liability insurance to cover damages while you work, to cover your equipment if it gets stolen, and possibly workers comp in case of injury.
Now You Know How To Start a Pressure Washing Business
The basics of how to start a pressure washing business are pretty straightforward. Now you need the courage and business savvy to follow through and get it going.
Check out our School for Startups Program and get the support system you need!
