A pressure washing business (or powerwashing business) can be a stand-along business, or be an additional service added to your home improvement company.  There are many opportunities to use a pressure washer including siding, gutters, decks, driveways, patios, vehicles, roofs, machinery, and much more.  Having a successful powerwashing business not only requires knowing how to properly use a pressure washer, but also involves organization, knowledge, patience, perseverance, people-skills, and a number of other important business traits.  Many rookie business owners won’t make it, not because they weren’t highly skilled in their trade, but because they were not skilled in running a business.

3 STEPS TO STARTING A PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS

There are three basic steps to starting a pressure washing company from scratch.  First is the planning stage.  This is important when starting any business.  Second is getting the proper registrations with government institutions.  Lastly, you will need to promote your business in some way to attract customers.

1.  Plan Your Pressure Washing Business

Develop a Business Plan

Before starting your power washing business, you should work up at least a simple business plan.  This plan will include your present and future goals for your pressure washing company, estimated startup costs, and estimated operating costs.  Don’t forget about insurance costs, not only for you, but for any employees you may need to hire.  A business plan is basically an outline of your business that will help organize your goals and priorities and help you make wise decisions.

Planning properly will help you decide if you are going to specialize in the specific niche of power washing, or if you will offer a variety of services such as handyman services, painting, etc.

• Set short and long-term goals – Decide which direction you want your business to go.
• Decide what services you will offer – Start with what you do best.
• Find a niche – What will be your specialty?  What will set you apart from the competition?
• Choose a business name – Put some thought into deciding a name for your pressure washing business.  Pressure Washing Business Name Ideas
• Decide what you will charge for your services
• Financing – You may possibly need to get a business loan to help get your company started.

You can check for website name availability and get a FREE domain with web hosting purchase here.

How To Make Your Own Business Website

Get Organized

As soon as you get started with your pressure washing business, you will need to get organized so you can keep your paperwork, orders, and customer data in order.  You don’t need a full office when starting out.  A small desk dedicated to your company paperwork would be helpful.

A daily planner or smartphone is helpful to schedule estimates, jobs, and other work-related appointments.  A schedule will help you plan your day, week, and month, so you can make best use of your time and your customer’s time.  Make sure you document your communications with your customers.  You don’t want to make the mistake of forgetting an important detail of a customer request.

• Set up an office
• E-mail
• Business phone
• Estimate forms
• Bill Forms

Equipment needed when starting your pressure washing business

Although startup costs for a pressure washing business may not be as much as other home improvement business, starting from scratch could still be expensive.  Starting out, you could possibly get away with a mid-grade pressure washer and some quality hoses.  You could use your customer’s water supply.  Ultimately, you may want to upgrade to a commercial pressure washer, large water tank, and trailer.  You would need a vehicle to haul the trailer, of course.

Keep in mind that you don’t necessarily need all brand-new equipment.  You could save thousands of dollars in startup costs by purchasing a used pressure washer, trailer, water tank, etc.  Another tip is to only buy any additional equipment and gadgets as jobs require them.  This will help keep you from going into debt for tools and equipment you may end up never using.

This should go without saying, but make sure you know how to properly use a pressure washer.  You can easily damage/destroy property otherwise.

2.  Register Your New Pressure Washing Business

Make it legal

You will have to research the local and regional requirements in your area.  This means having necessary insurance, following tax codes, getting proper licenses and permits, etc.  This applies even to a part-time pressure washing business.

Some steps to starting your power washing company legally:

• Select your business structure (sole-proprietor, LLC, Corporation, etc.)
• Register your pressure washing business name
• Register your pressure washing business entity
• Register as a home improvement contractor with your state (US)
• Open a business bank account
• Taxes- either get an accountant, or do research on filing yourself
• Get Liability Insurance
• Worker’s Compensation (if you have employees)
• City Licenses and Permits
• OSHA (depending on how many employees you have)

(Check at the bottom of the article to see how to start a business in your state)

3.  How To Grow Your New Pressure Washing Business

You can’t just start a new business and expect to have a full calendar right away.  You will need to market your business effectively in order to gain new customers.  Success and profit won’t come overnight.

Customers

Beside employees, dealing with customers can cause a great amount of stress.  Learning how to communicate well with customers can help boost sales and increase word-of-mouth leads.

• Estimate your pressure washing work accurately
• Learn how to sell a pressure washing job to a potential customer
• Communicate regularly and clearly with the customer
• Be fair and honest- take responsibility for your mistakes

Marketing

Good marketing can help build your power washing business quickly.  Some low-cost advertising to get started can include a basic 1 or 2 page website, setting up a free business listing for your pressure washing company on Google and other online directories, social media accounts, business cards and a few yard signs.

It would also be helpful to network with other home improvement contractors such as roofers, masons, painters, carpenters, etc.  They can use you when they need pressure washing done, and you can refer customers to them for their services.

Once you start to build a customer base, you will find that word-of-mouth is one of the best forms of advertising.  It is powerful, and free!

You can check for website name availability and get a FREE domain with web hosting purchase here.

How To Make Your Own Business Website

How To Promote Your Business