Pressure Washing

Pressure washing is a lucrative business with high demand for residential and commercial services. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step process to help you establish and grow a successful pressure washing business. Registering, Licensing, and Insurance Equipment Test Your Equipment Marketing Quoting Jobs Growing Customer Base Additional Tips

1. Registering, Licensing and Insurance

Due to the potential liability when dealing with a customer's property, this is a gig that's best run as a proper business with insurance.

• See Overview: Starting a biz for an overview on the first steps.
• Look into licensing requirements--some areas may have one or more of the following requirements:
  • Contractor's License
  • Environmental / Water Discharge Permits
  • Power Washer's of America offers a certification (not required) that can make you stand out among the competition
• Insurance is a must--at least basic liability.
  • See here: Finding Small Business Insurance

2. Equipment

How you choose to operate is up to you. The recommend process is a trailer or truck containing your own water so that you are entirely mobile and not reliant on any other source of water (such as hooking up to a customer's home or business, which may be unavailable and also looks less professional).

1. Purchase Pressure Washer
   • Recommended specifications: 2.5-4 GPM and 2500-4000 PSI
2. For driveway/surface cleaning
   • Wojet 20" or similar
3. Additional Equipment
   • Avoid red zero-degree tips to prevent surface damage
   • 150-200ft garden hose
   • 150-200ft 3/8th inch high pressure hose
   • Hose reels
   • Quick disconnects
   • Gas cans
4. Cleaners
   • Surface cleaners (Simple Green makes both surface and house/siding cleaners but I can't attest to their effectiveness.)
   • Here's an article on handling oil stains

3. Test Your Equipment

Test your equipment and cleaning process on a variety of surfaces so that you understand what works best and what to not do (so you don't damage customer property).

If you have a small, hand-size piece of concrete or other material that has separated from a driveway or sidewalk you can clean half of it and use it as a demo kit to show prospective customers.

4. Marketing

1. Set Up Google My Business
   • Create a profile to appear in local search results and maps.
   • Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.
   • See our page: Google My Business
2. Run Facebook Ads
   • Create targeted ads to reach potential customers in your service area.
   • Use images that really attract attention / impress, such as solid before/after photos
3. Distribute Flyers / Door Knock
   • Use sweat equity to get your business started in the early stages.
   • Target neighborhoods with a high likelihood for customers wanting pressure wash services, such as older homes with mold, stained driveways, etc.
4. Utilize Other Platforms
   • Post ads on Nextdoor, local Facebook groups, etc., to really expand your outreach.

5. Quoting Jobs

1. Use Square-Footage Pricing
   • Measure property to ensure accurate quotes. (You can get a cheap 100-ft measuring tape from your local hardware store.)
   • Refer to other pressure washing companies in your area to ensure your prices are competitive.
2. Use Time-Based Pricing
   • Estimate job duration and multiply by your desired hourly rate.
   • Don't forget to factor in things like job complexity and travel time.

6. Growing Customer Base

1. Offer initial jobs for free or at a discount to gain reviews and before/after pictures for your portfolio.
2. Showcase your work on social media and your website.
   • Really push to get word-of-mouth started within neighborhoods and social media. This will be a huge driver for business.
3. Use a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) to:
   • Track customers and follow-up
   • Automate reminders for recurring services and special offers.
4. Don't forget to ask for reviews and push referrals!
5. Send thank-you notes!

7. Additional Tips

1. Upsell services
   • Do you have the setup to do house washing? Offer both at the same time. Create a flyer that you write-in with your estimate and also provide a "package" discount for performing all services at the same time.
   • Do you offer some other service (pool services, house number painting on the curb, etc.?) Provide that too!

Good luck! Go earn some green!