How To Start A Pressure Washing Business & What Income To Expect

Starting a pressure washing business might be a rewarding gig. Professional pressure washers usually charge a predetermined fee for the task, based on how much time it would take. Most of the time, charging hourly can be much more profitable than having fixed charges for a task.

A pressure washing business may be an excellent idea for many entrepreneurs due to its inexpensive start-up costs and strong profit margins. Nonetheless, just like any other business, there is a lot to think about: investments, insurance, plans, and so on.

We have extensively researched and compiled this guide to answer all your questions. Hopefully, it will help you decide if you want to start a pressure washing business; if so, we will teach you how to get started on the right foot and how to create a steady cash flow.

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Step-by-Step Guide on How to How to Start a Pressure Washing Business

Starting any business is not an easy task. It requires a lot of planning, investment, and skill. If you are thinking of starting a pressure washer company, then you're in the right place.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to start a pressure washing business:

Step 1: Source the Equipment

The first and most important part of starting a power washer business is getting the right equipment. To start this business, you will need high-quality power washers, water hoses, different angled water tips and chemical tips, cleaning chemicals, and power generators.

This is the basic equipment that you need, but you can upgrade and enhance your tools as you go. You might also need to get a truck or van to carry your tools to the location.

You can contact your local equipment dealers to get the highest quality equipment for your business. The better your equipment is, the easier and more efficient your job. However, if you prefer getting your deals done online, then look for online equipment suppliers for your business.

The number of machines you need depends on the scale at which you are launching your business. If you want to start small, three to four power washing machines can be enough.

However, if you want to launch a business on a larger scale, you can make the initial investment of 10 to 15 machines and all their accessories.

A commercial power washing machine can cost up to $2500 with basic nozzles and attachments. If you don't want to invest in a machine initially, then you can also rent it on an hourly basis to get the job done.

Apart from that, a truck subscription can cost around $450 per month. Make sure to keep the maintenance and gas money separately, as this is not counted in the truck subscription cost.

Step 2: Learn the Skill

Once you have all the right equipment, it is time to learn the skill of power washing. However, before we get to the more technical aspect of how to start a pressure washing business, it is important that you know how to use the tools.

Even if you plan to hire workers to get the job done, it is necessary to learn the basics of your own business. It will help you understand different business requirements that you will only be able to understand when you know how the machines physically perform.

You can watch detailed YouTube tutorials or sign up for a local power washing training program. Since this is a growing business, many programs are available that teach this useful skill.

The money you spend in learning this skill will also be counted as an investment, as you can cash it in later. Especially if you are starting a small business and plan on personally providing the service to people in the initial months, it is really important to know how to operate these machines safely.

Step 3: Create a Fool-Proof Business Plan

Now comes this tricky part of starting your business. To make sure business can thrive, you need to be fully prepared before launching it. With a solid business plan, you will be ready to tackle all the obstacles that might come your way.

A basic business plan includes a summary of your business, market research, investment plans, service description, branding, and marketing strategies. Having a fool-proof business plan can help you get a loan from banks or get a business partner on board.

It shows that you have a clear vision of what you are doing, and you can be trusted with the money. While creating a business plan, you will also need to set market-competitive prices for your products. You can decide the prices on a "per square foot" or hourly basis.

You also need to thoroughly describe your service, so it is clear for your team, investors, and partners. It can also include how you plan to upgrade your services right after the initial launch to make your services stand out from your competitors.

Step 4: Set Up Your Business

Once you are done with the main business profile, investments, budgeting, and service description, you can move on to the next step. This step includes bringing your business into action.

The first step to setting up your business includes branding. Visuals and aesthetics play a major role in business, no matter what your niche is. Start by selecting an attractive name for your business and get it trademarked.

Branding also includes choosing a color palette and font that will be used for your business promotion. This plays a major role when it comes to marketing and promoting your brand.

Other than that, if you want to run your business through an office, then find a place to set up as your business hub. You can rent a place on a monthly basis in the initial stage and upgrade it as you go.

Most people these days opt for an online business module. If you want to run an online business, then invest in a well-functioning website. Your online presence should be able to showcase your work portfolio, work ethic, and services in detail.

Most clients search for local power washing companies online, so having a good command of SEO is also important. Your name should pop up on the first page of Google when searching for power washers in your area.

Whether you make a free website or hire a professional web designer, it should efficiently represent you and your business.

Step 5: Register Your Company

Next, you need to register your pressure washing business. Registering your business gives you many legal perks like tax benefits and personal liability protection.

You also need to sort out legal formalities like having a tax ID number, license to start a pressure washer business in your area, equipment insurance, liability insurance, staff insurance, and any specific permits regarding your business.

Most small businesses need special permits from both the federal and state government in order to operate in the area. If your business is legally compliant, it will have more chances to thrive. You will need to do your own research to know what licenses and permits your business requires.

There are many legal and business advisors that you can consult to know about every legal aspect of your business. Having a legally registered company will increase your business protection in the future.

In addition, opening a business bank account that is registered with the name of your business is also important. It helps you differentiate between your personal and business assets. If you have done the rest of the paperwork properly, it is fairly easy to open a business bank account.

Having a separate account will also make taxes a lot easier. Business bank accounts also have a greater credit card limit which allows you to make big purchases for your business.

Step 6: Find Trained Staff

Once everything is set in place, you need to start hiring. The most common way to find employees is by giving an ad in the newspaper. However, this practice is rather outdated now, and most people will be looking for jobs on the internet.

You can add job ads on social media, Linkedin, and other recruiting websites. Look around your social circle to see if anyone is looking for a similar job. Keep your eyes wide open as an employer.

Review resumes on a daily basis and conduct interviews of all the shortlisted candidates. You will need a trained body of staff who know how to work with commercial power washing machines.

From starting a power washer and using different chemicals, to changing nozzles and operating the machines, your staff need to know it all. You can also train your staff personally if you have developed specific techniques for your company.

Make sure all your staff is on the same page as you in terms of operating the devices and cleaning surfaces. It can majorly affect the reputation of your company.

You can also help your employees become brand ambassadors with added monetary benefits aside from their salaries. It will provide enough promotion and awareness regarding your brand to source new clients.

Step 7: Strategize Marketing

Lastly, you need to market your business efficiently. The way you market your brand can make or break your business. Brainstorm different ideas with your business partners and come up with innovative ways to bring your business forward.

Come up with an interesting tagline, exciting deals, and membership programs to attract more customers. As mentioned above, your employees can be your brand ambassador to provide you with the marketing you need.

In addition, social media is the best place to promote your brand. While offline promotion is necessary, you can't deny the importance of online promotion. Use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media platforms to promote your services.

You can also talk about your newly launched business in your social circle. Invite friends and family members to come to check out your business and try your services at a discounted price.

You can also hold lucky draws and competitions for your customers so they can win a free power washing service from your company. It will attract more people to your business, resulting in a larger customer base.

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Finding Clients as A Pressure Washing Company

The number of clients you score depends on how well you can market your brand. You can spread information about your company from word of mouth, or cold pitch to different organizations to become their official cleaning partners.

When you run an ad for your business, make sure to add your contact details so your customers can get in touch with you. You need a persuasive call to action section in your promotions. Whether it is through an article, social media post, a video, or a television commercial, invite the customers to give your service a go in the end.

You can also offer discounts to people in your residential area to encourage them to try out your pressure washing services. You never know who can turn into your long-term partner. Moreover, you can also contact local schools, churches, museums, and superstores and offer them your services.

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Average Pressure Washing Business Income

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Many factors influence the cost of your services. However, the average pressure washing business income can be somewhere between $50 to $100 per hour. You can also increase it to $90 to $200 per hour if your equipment is more advanced and environment-friendly.

On a per-area, power washing can cost $0.10 to $1 per square foot for commercial buildings and $0.50 per square foot for residential buildings. Buildings with hard-to-reach areas might also get you twice the average amount to most labor required.

According to that, the average yearly income that you can earn from a small to medium power washing business can be around $30,000 to $60,000. These numbers can quickly turn into a 6-figure per year income over time due to favorable earning opportunities in this niche.

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The Pressure Washing Business Industry

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Now that you know how to start a pressure washing business along with the average income you can expect, it's time to learn statistics.

Recent research was published in Pressure Washer Market with COVID-19 Impact, by Type (Portable, Non-portable), Application (Commercial, Residential/DIY, Industrial), Power Source, Water Operation, PSI Pressure, Distribution Channel, and Region - Global Forecast to 2026.

According to this research, the global pressure washing market will increase from 2.5 billion in 2021 to USD 3.0 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 4.2%.

The portable pressure washers will become most popular because of their easy-to-use design and portable body. Businesses prefer machinery that they can easily travel with. The conventional pressure washing equipment can be quite bulky, which makes the portable power washers the new stars in the market.

However, 2020 also showed a major increase in DIY pressure washing using at-home pressure cleaners. This shift was noticed due to the global pandemic, as everyone wanted to practice social distancing. Despite this shift, the global pressure washing industry is only going higher.

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FAQs

How much does it cost to start a power washing business?

Starting a power washing company can cause anywhere between $15,000 to $20,000. Even though this is not a small amount, it is still not as high as most businesses that require commercial machinery.

How much should I charge for pressure washing?

According to Home Advisor, an average pressure washing service for a house can cost anywhere from $192 to $400. You can also set the prices according to what your competitors are offering.

Do pressure washing businesses make money?

Since this business requires less investment cost and has favorable pricing options, the pressure washing business income can quickly reach six figures per year.

Is a pressure washing business a good business to start?

Yes, a pressure washing business is one of the fastest-growing businesses in the market. This is especially a good business to start if you don't have a lot of money to invest but still want to earn a favorable income.

What is the best pressure washer for a pressure washing business?

The best equipment for a power washing business comes with a strong engine that can produce 4000 to 5000 PSI per minute. The stronger the engine is, the better the cleaning will be.

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Conclusion

Starting your own power washing company may be a very satisfying yet experimental way to get started to successful entrepreneurship.

Taking the time to plan out all your ideas is a great approach to ensure that you can maintain them in the long run. Always consider how your company will change in six months, a year, and two years to achieve your goals. However, that's all there is in terms of planning.

Now, it's time to get down to business. Keep all these useful tips in mind and begin the hustle!

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