How to Run a Pressure Washing Business

A pressure washing business requires tools, capital for equipment and some training to use the pressure washers. This business can be lucrative enough to make your initial investment worthwhile. A fully equipped pressure washing business can offer services to both residential and commercial customers. With preparation and planning, even your local, state or the federal government might become your best customer.

Things You'll Need

• Pressure washing equipment
• Water hoses
• Vehicle
• Insurance
• Cleaning supplies
• Safety equipment

Instructions

Market Entry

1. Choose commercial or residential target markets for your pressure washing business services. Although the residential market is larger, there is more competition for smaller jobs and from do-it-yourself homeowners. Commercial markets may require more initial investments, but contracts will be larger.

2. Research the existing competition in your area. Some pressure washing businesses are franchised while others are started from scratch. Consider taking the Small Business Association's (SBA) online market research course to learn how to find out what your competition does that you may be able to do better. You will also need to know how to set competitive rates for your market niche.

3. Choose the services that you want to offer. Your equipment and labor needs will be directly related to the services that you are providing. Establish your rates by calculating your cost of providing the service in your area.

4. Estimate your monthly cash flow based on equipment maintenance, transportation and fuel, payroll, workman's compensation and other insurance, supplies, licenses and permits, taxes, marketing costs, including a website, office setup and staffing, phones and your desired profit margin.

5. Inquire about joint ventures and sub-contracts. Commercial painting companies often outsource their site preparation work, like pressure washing surfaces.

6. Register to bid on local, state and federal contracts with the appropriate agencies. Make sure that you also register to receive notification of these opportunities, too.

Operations

1. Purchase the pressure washing equipment and vehicles that your need. Review the requirements by visiting the Pressure Net website.

2. Setup your accounting system. Find samples that you can use to track your accounts payable (bills), your accounts receivables (invoices) and your cash on hand on the All Business website.

3. Create a marketing calendar. Use the sample pressure washing business plan on the Delco Cleaning website to help flesh out the details of seasonal surges and slumps in this business.

4. Recruit employees if needed or outsource this function. Set salaries and decide which benefits your company will offer. The SBA website has useful information on wage laws, occupational safety and required insurance.

5. Get supplier contracts or lines of credit so that you have ready access to the inventory needed to operate. Develop an inventory monitoring plan. Weather contingency plans and temporary staffing plans may also be required to meet seasonal demands.

6. Join associations and the local chamber of commerce to stay abreast of industry development, sub-contract and bid opportunities and word of mouth referrals.

7. Review your goals and strategies frequently. Revise your business plan and marketing plan as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Check environmental protection laws that affect your business. Some communities also have noise laws that may restrict your service hours.

• Your water supply may be restricted by temporary drought regulations at times. Have a backup plan.

Resources

• Get more information about business equipment and operations at pressurenet.net
• Review a Pressure Washing Business Plan at dcs1.com
• Take free market research courses at sba.gov