11 Steps to Start a Pressure Washing Business in 2024

Decide on What Areas You Want To Clean 

When running a pressure washing business, you can choose to clean several areas. Whether you want to focus only on cleaning a specific area or multiple areas depends on you. As long as you can consistently provide a high-quality service for your client, it would be okay to provide pressure washing services to various areas. 

Here are a few areas pressure washing business can cater to: 

• Driveways and sidewalks

• Parking lots and garages

• Patios and decks

• Pool decks 

• Roofs

• Gutters

• Trash Bins and Dumpsters

• Patio Furniture

• Heavy Equipment and Vehicles 

Learn How To Use a Pressure Washer Yourself

Initially, you may do the business yourself, so previous experience with the equipment can be significantly beneficial. Although it may seem easy to pressure wash, you need to be good at it, as it may damage the client’s property if you don’t know how to do it properly. 

However, if you don’t have any prior experience using pressure washers, learning how to use them is essential. If you are just starting out, you may start on a one-man team, depending only on yourself to provide pressure washing services. 

You can read and watch various tutorials online to learn the proper usage and safety precautions for using the equipment. For hands-on experience, you may opt to rent pressure washers nearby. Renting one will allow you to have an actual experience using the equipment. Even more, you can practice pressure washing in your own house. 

Get a Business License and Insurance

You should get a business license and insurance to operate your business smoothly and adhere to the law. Securing a license and insurance is not just a formality but a legal obligation. This step is crucial to protecting your business and ensuring you operate within the law. 

Here are some licenses you need when starting a pressure washing business: 

• A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the discharge of pollutants

• A general business license or an occupational business license 

• Specialty contractor license to legally conduct specialized contracting work like pressure washing

For insurance, here are the primary ones you need: 

• General liability insurance protects the business from potential risks, such as 

• Workers' compensation insurance benefits the employer and employee in case of work-related injuries.

• Vehicle insurance to safeguard the vehicles used for business in case of accidents, theft, and other incidents. 

• Equipment insurance covers the tools and equipment you use in your operations.

Choose a Business Structure

Like any other business, you need to select a business structure for your pressure washing business before you register it with the state. Here are some common business structures: 

• Sole Proprietorship: You have full control of your business, and all business obligations are your responsibility under this business structure.  

• Partnership: This is a great option if the pressure washing business will be owned by two or more people. 

• Limited Liability Company (LLC): This business structure offers the benefits of both a corporation and a partnership and protects the business owner from personal liability. It is also an excellent option for medium to higher-risk businesses and those who want to pay lower tax rates. 

Get a Business Checking Account 

Getting your own pressure washing business checking account benefits your financial assets and liabilities. Keeping your personal and business separate allows you to identify transactions within the business easily. 

As your pressure washing business grows and expands, accounting and bookkeeping may also become more complicated. Having a business checking account is an excellent way to simplify it. Additionally, a business checking account is essential for clear documentation to avoid confusion and difficulties during tax preparation and compliance. 

Pro Tip: Open an account with Mercury to manage all your business's spending. You can also integrate QuickBooks and Stripe and give employees permission to access some of the accounts or statements. 

Partner with a Trusted Pressure Washing Equipment Supplier 

You don’t want to start a pressure washing business with low-quality pressure washer equipment that lasts only weeks or months. That’s why purchasing high-quality machines is an investment and cost-effective in the long run. 

Here are some top picks pressure washers from the New York Times you might want to check for your business: 

1. Ryobi RY142500

2. DeWalt DWPW2400 2400 PSI Electric Cold-Water Pressure Washer

3. Sun Joe SPX3000 Electric Pressure Washer

4. Ryobi RY1419MTVNM 1900 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

In addition to pressure washer, you also need the following: 

• Surface cleaners

• High-pressure hoses

• Nozzles

• Ladder

• Extensions

• Scaffolding, if needed for larger projects

• Protective gear such as gloves, waterproof boots, and protective clothing

• Water tanks

• Booster pumps 

• Detergents and chemicals
  

Pro Tip: Initially, you might consider starting with cheaper equipment. However, investing in good-quality equipment from the start can impact the services you offer to your first clients. Therefore, spending more on better-quality machines provides a lasting impression to customers. 

Test Equipment and Machines to Family or Friends’ House

Before doing business with other clients, it can be a great strategy to start first with your family and friends. Testing equipment with their house allows you to determine whether the machines are good to go or still need adjustments. 

In return for being able to try out purchased machines or equipment, you can offer to provide the services for free or give them a discount. After trying the machines, you became more confident and prepared to do the business yourself. 

Get Testimonials from Families and Friends 

After testing out purchased machines and equipment, you can also ask your families and friends to provide testimonials or feedback. This can give you credibility and a great way to get new clients. Once you’ve gathered their testimonials, you can post the feedback on your social media accounts or Google. When other clients see it, they know your business is legitimate and trusted. 

Leverage Traditional Marketing 

After getting a few testimonials from your initial clients, it would be incredibly beneficial to use marketing such as distributing flyers and business cards or introducing your business door-to-door to the neighborhood. 

Business cards and flyers may seem old-fashioned to some, but they are still a great way to advertise your business. You may get a big result for an affordable price, and it can also be a great tool for growing your network. While digital is the new trend in marketing these days, flyers and business cards still work and can be very effective marketing strategies. 

Leverage Digital Marketing 

Promoting a cleaning business like pressure washing is crucial to growing it. And digital marketing is one of the top strategies businesses use to build and expand in the industry. Hence, leveraging digital marketing can boost your pressure washing business.

1. Create a user-friendly website. It should be easy to read, and when visitors check your website, they will immediately know what services you offer. Your website should have photos, like before and after photos of your work. 

   Also, ensure that customers can easily book on your website if they want to try your services. Therefore, your website should be integrated with booking software to streamline the process.

2. Set up a Google My Business page for local customers to quickly find your business. 

3. Leverage Google Ads to win more clients while expanding your online presence. While Google Ads may generally more expensive than social media ads, it is non-intrusive as leads use your keywords to find solutions. 

4. Another great tool is social media ads, particularly on Facebook and Instagram. It is also cost-effective and may give high returns through targeted audiences and a broader audience reach. 

Start Raising Your Prices as You Increase Leads

As you start getting noticed and recognized in the pressure-washing industry, you may also raise your prices to cover the increased costs. As the business grows, your knowledge and expertise are enhanced, which also justifies your price increase. 

Moreover, raising the prices of your pressure washing services can improve profit margins, which can then lead to reinvestment and sustainable growth. You may update existing customers about your price increase through social media or email. 

Include here the reasons for raising your prices and the benefits in return for the price increase. You should inform them beforehand, at least four to six weeks before the effective date of the price increase, so they can also have an adjustment period. 

Wrapping Up 

Starting a pressure washing business in 2024 may be challenging and daunting, but it can also be rewarding. The steps provided above, from choosing areas to clean to advertising and growing the business, offer a robust foundation for starting your own pressure washing business. 

Ultimately, the goal is to succeed in your pressure washing business, and these steps are just one factor that will help you achieve it. Additionally, you need to be willing to put in the effort and dedication to expand and sustain your pressure washing business.

Read more: 28 Best Cleaning Business Niches to Start in 2024