How to Start a Pressure Washer Business

If you are a do-it-yourself enthusiast and you like hard work, starting a pressure washer business may be right for you. You'll need to be a self-starter, be able to maneuver up ladders, and have decent organizational skills. Your pressure washer business can be started and operated from within your home, as long as you have enough space to accommodate your equipment.

Things You'll Need

• Liability insurance
• Pressure washer
• Chemicals
• Supplies

Instructions

1. Start with a plan. Detail your anticipated costs, such as advertising, procuring equipment and supplies, training and insurance. Identify your niche. Your pressure washing business may clean decks, grills, cars, houses, farm equipment, outdoor furniture, boats, awnings or driveways, or some combination of those. You may target commercial businesses or residential customers, or a combination of the two.

2. Purchase liability insurance from a provider such as Netquote.com for your pressure washing business. Check with your county or city clerk as to whether you will need to register your business and obtain a license. Particularly if you intend to target commercial businesses, consider forming a legal business entity, such as a limited liability company (LLC) to give your business some legitimacy and to limit your personal liability. If you plan to hire employees, you will need to obtain a federal tax ID (Find a link in the References section.) If you will be sealing a surface, you may need to obtain a Home Improvement License.

3. Consider enrolling in a basic pressure washing course which covers incorporating, selecting your pressure washing equipment, marketing, selecting a specialty, and the general business management practices of pressure washing. The Pressure Washers of North America offers additional courses such as a wood deck restoration and preservation course and a house washing, roof cleaning, low-rise building cleaning course (Find a link in Resources).

4. Purchase your equipment: water hoses, turbo nozzle, steel toed boots, safety glasses, X-jet, gutter cleaners, and cleaning supplies. Purchase pressure washing chemicals appropriate for each particular job. See Resources for a detailed list of the chemicals that should be used for each type of job. When selecting your pressure washer, consider gas versus electric, hot versus cold, and the PSI rating. Your PSI may range from about 1,500 to 4,000. Using too much PSI could damage certain types of wood. Electric washers are quieter and can be used indoors and for small jobs. Gas pressured washers are more versatile. For heavy duty jobs which require stripping, a hot water pressure washer may be best. In addition, you may opt for a trailer mounted or a portable washer, depending on your needs and budget. Purchase a van or truck and trailer. Detail your commercial vehicle with your business information, including the fact that you are licensed.

5. Write up a price list. Contact other businesses in the area to get an idea of what to charge.

6. Purchase a merchant account for your business that provides you with a credit card swipe machine (if you intend to accept credit cards), invoices, receipt paper, and accounting tools.

7. Build your client base. Contact commercial businesses in your area to sell your services. Consider joining the Pressure Washers of North America and your Chamber of Commerce for more visibility. Submit your business to local online directories. Advertise on Craigslist and bulletin boards around town.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to write up an estimate. Consider asking for a deposit. To ensure repeat customers, be sure to make quarterly or annual follow-ups via email.

References

• Pressure Washer Information
• Apply for a Federal Tax ID

Resources

• Right Chemicals for the Job
• Pressure Washing Courses
• Pressure Washing Supplies