How to Start a Pressure Washing Business
Cleaning driveways, siding, decks, fences, roofs (soft washing) and storefronts with pressure or low-pressure washing and cleaning solutions.
Who it suits
People who like visible before-and-after results, can learn equipment and chemistry, and pay close attention to property and safety.
How people get started
Owners often start with driveways, decks and house washes, then add commercial flatwork or recurring storefront service.
Step-by-step plan
- Decide which surfaces and services you'll offer at first.
- Learn pressure levels and methods for each surface before touching a customer's property.
- Check local business licensing and ask your city or county about wastewater and runoff rules.
- Get liability insurance and ask specifically about property damage coverage.
- Research equipment and cleaning solutions and read every label and safety data sheet.
- Practice on your own property or with permission.
- Price by square footage and job type from your own timed work.
- Photograph every job before and after.
Skills to learn first
Surface types and safe pressure, chemical handling, water runoff, and pricing by square footage and job type.
- Surface types and which method is safe for each
- Soft washing vs. pressure washing
- Chemical safety and plant protection
- Water runoff and drain protection
- Ladder and roof safety
Licensing pointers
Wastewater and runoff rules vary by state and city, so check with your local environmental or stormwater office. Check local business licensing and carry liability insurance.
Stormwater rules are set through EPA's NPDES program and state and local agencies (epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program); check with your local stormwater office before washing near drains. OSHA's Hazard Communication standard covers chemical safety for employers (osha.gov/hazcom).
Rules vary by state, county and city. Confirm with your state board or agency before you start. This isn't legal advice.
Insurance to ask about
- General liability with property damage
- Commercial auto and trailer
- Equipment coverage
- Workers' compensation once you hire
Equipment and tools to research
- Pressure washer suited to your services
- Surface cleaner and nozzles
- Soft-wash setup if you offer it
- Hoses, reels and water supply plan
- Protective gear
Week-by-week getting-started plan
Week 1
- Choose services and learn surfaces
- Research runoff rules
Week 2
- Insurance, registration, equipment research
- Practice jobs
Week 3
- Time jobs and set prices
- Bid template
Week 4
- Neighborhood and storefront outreach
- First jobs with photos
How people find their first customers
- Neighbors who can see your results
- Before-and-after photos on your Google Business Profile
- Storefronts and small businesses
- Seasonal offers to past customers
- Realtors preparing homes for sale
Common beginner mistakes
- Too much pressure on soft surfaces
- Ignoring runoff rules
- Not protecting plants and outlets
- Underpricing setup and travel
- No photos to resolve disputes
Quality red flags
- Etching, striping or damaged siding
- Dead plants after a job
- Water inside windows or outlets
- Customer complaints about runoff
Questions to ask yourself before you commit
- Am I comfortable learning the chemistry?
- Will I work on roofs or ladders, or skip those jobs?
- Who are my commercial targets?
- What's my plan for the slow season?
Questions to ask a licensing board
- Which license or registration do I need for exactly the work I plan to offer?
- What education, hours or exams are required, and in what order?
- What can I legally do while my application is pending?
Questions for an insurer
- Which coverages are required by law for my work in this state, and which are just recommended?
- What isn't covered by the policy you're quoting?
- Do I need different coverage when I hire my first employee or subcontractor?
Questions for a mentor
- What do you wish you'd known in your first year?
- What mistakes cost beginners the most time or customers?
- How did you find your first customers?
My worksheet
Use only your own numbers and research.
- Surfaces I'll clean: ________
- Surfaces I won't: ________
- Local runoff rules I found: ________
- My timed results per job type: ________
- Equipment list: ________
- Overhead per month: ________
- Profit target: ________
- First 10 prospects: ________
My startup checklist
- Structure chosen and business registered (and a DBA if needed)
- EIN from irs.gov/ein
- Business bank account open
- Licenses and permits confirmed for my state and city
- Insurance quotes in writing
- Pricing built from my own numbers
- Estimate and agreement templates ready
- Bookkeeping and tax set-aside set up
Your next step
Back to the free starter guide
General education only. Not legal, tax, financial or licensing advice. Rules vary by state, county and city, so confirm with the official sources named here and a qualified professional. No income, earnings or business results are promised or implied. Published by Ryan Via, doing business as The Collective.