While everyone hopes a good rain might wash away outdoor grime and cleanse surfaces, there’s only so much Mother Nature can do. For especially stubborn dirt, it’s time to bring in the big guns (a.k.a. pressure washers).
If you’re looking to start your own pressure washing business, there are a few things you’ll need to get started. Read on to learn more about the growing pressure washing industry, including the tools you’ll need, startup costs, and the types of services you can provide.
What is pressure washing?
Pressure washing involves using a high-power pressurized water stream to clean hard surfaces like sidewalks, driveways, and patios. The intensity of the water makes it particularly effective at eliminating difficult-to-remove dirt, grime, mildew, mold, and other debris. Pressure washing is often used for both commercial and residential needs.
Pressure washing is different from other types of water-based washing, including soft washing and power washing. Soft washing involves using a lighter, lower-pressure stream as well as a cleaning solution to remove dirt. Power washing services use the same high-pressure stream as pressure washing, but add heat for extra assistance in removing particularly challenging messes like garage grease or sticky materials like chewing gum.
As a pressure washing company owner, you can select your primary services and then include add-ons to bolster your earnings. For example, if you decide to specialize in residential pressure washing, your main offering might be the house itself, but you can also include features like window and fence washing for an additional fee. Adding specialties like indoor offerings can be particularly helpful when seasonal constraints make it difficult to pressure wash outdoors.
Why should you start a pressure washing business?
Cleaning services like pressure washing will always be in demand, and the industry is only continuing to grow. The global pressure washing market was valued at $3.28 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach $3.42 billion in 2025 and $4.73 billion by 2033.
Starting a successful pressure washing business can be a lucrative opportunity as both residential and commercial consumers continue to seek out more efficient ways to clean surfaces at scale. The pressure washer business also has relatively low startup costs compared to other entrepreneurial pursuits, allows for flexible and convenient scheduling, and is fairly easy to learn quickly with just a few resources. Plus, cleaning services will always be in demand, leaving countless opportunities to pick up work pressure washing buildings, surfaces, and more in your community.
How much does it cost to start a pressure washing business?
The cost of starting a pressure washing business varies depending on the types of services you’re providing, but typically costs between $2,000 and $5,000, according to Jobber, a provider of home and commercial services software. This includes the cost of the power washer and equipment, certifications and licensing, transportation, and marketing. These costs will increase if you need to purchase a truck to transport the equipment and travel between jobs.
Tools needed to start a pressure washing business
Getting your successful pressure washing company off the ground will involve a few key pieces of pressure washing equipment, including:
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Pressure washing machine. The device typically includes a pump, motor, hose, and spray wand that allows you to operate the machine and navigate surfaces. Portable commercial pressure washers retail between $760 and $2,000 or more.
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Nozzles, hoses, and adapters. Having a variety of nozzles, hoses, and adapters will help ensure you have the right tools for different applications and use cases. Different sizes and types of these components can help you navigate various types of terrain and ensure the right water consistency based on the type of surface. Hoses range from tens to hundreds of dollars, depending on the length and whether it’s built for hot power washing or cold pressure washing.
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Cleaning solutions. While some jobs may simply require water, others may need specific cleaning solutions, detergents, or chemicals to ensure stubborn grime is fully cleaned and removed from surfaces. You can buy cleaning solutions and degreasers in bulk from companies like Uline.
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Protective clothing and eyewear. Given the intensity of the water pressure, it’s important to make sure you have the right safety gear, including proper safety glasses and a full-coverage uniform.
How to start a pressure washing business
- Determine your services
- Earn certification (optional)
- Write a business plan
- Register your business
- Secure your funding
- Create a website
- Open a business bank account
- Get insured
- Set your prices
- Market your business and find clients
Once you have your tool kit ready to go, it’s time to get to work on starting the business. The process is similar to starting any successful business, with a few specialized additions. Here’s how to get going:
1. Determine your services
Start by conducting market research, including a competitor analysis, to learn about existing pressure washing services in your area. You can use this to identify any particular gaps in the market that you can capitalize on to carve a competitive niche.
For example, if you’re particularly skilled at cleaning patios but notice that none of the other cleaning services in your community promote this, this might be a strong capability to advertise.
2. Earn certification (optional)
Legally, you don’t need to be certified to start a power washing business. However, it doesn’t hurt to get additional accreditation to establish trust with clients and set your business apart from competitors. Consider signing up for training from an organization like Power Washers of North America, which offers certifications in skills like house and roof washing, flatwork cleaning, and fleet washing. Power Wash Academy also offers an array of online courses and certification options.
3. Write a business plan
Once you have your services and certifications set, you’ll want to put together your business plan. This strategic document will help you set goals for your business, as well as lay out the market analysis, financial projections, and organizational structure of the company. A formal business plan will also come in handy if you decide to apply for a small business loan or other financing option.
4. Register your business
Most cleaning services will require registration and a business license to operate, though specific policies vary by state. The process typically involves choosing your business structure—in this case, likely either a sole proprietorship or limited liability company (LLC)—and then submitting the appropriate paperwork. Note that sole proprietorships are simple to set up if you’re running your business by yourself, but are unincorporated entities, meaning that there’s no legal distinction between the owner(s) and the business. Without this distinction, owner(s) are personally responsible for the business’s losses, debts, and liabilities. LLCs are incorporated businesses and protect owners from personal liability for any debts and damages accrued by the business.
As part of business registration, you’ll officially select a name. Also, consider its availability as a website domain. Registering your business may also involve permitting based on environmental regulations involving the management of hazardous materials and the disposal of wastewater. Check with your regional municipality or jurisdiction and the US Small Business Administration for specific requirements.
5. Secure your funding
Once you’re registered, you’ll need funding to get your business off the ground. Start by mapping out your projected revenue and expenses to help determine the amount of money you need to get started. You can either self-fund your business; consider financial options such as seeking investors, taking out a business loan, or starting a line of credit; or consider more creative funding solutions, such as crowdfunding.
6. Create a website
Put together a professional website to get the word out about your business and book clients. Shopify can help you do this easily without any tech or coding knowledge. Your website should include important information about your company, including the types of services you offer, how the process works, contact information, and a way to schedule appointments.
7. Open a business bank account
A business bank account separates your company finances from your personal finances and helps you stay organized. When setting up your business account, compare options for services, fees, and accessibility to choose the right bank account.
8. Get insured
Signing up for business insurance helps cover any liabilities, ensuring you’re protected in case an accident arises. While not required, insurance will protect against issues like personal injuries or property damage, and can be customized based on your possible risks.
9. Set your prices
The prices you charge for your services will vary depending on complexity and size, but HomeAdvisor provides estimates of $100 to $500 for deck, fence, window, and driveway washing; and Angi provides estimates of $150 to $1,250 for house washing, depending on the size of the home and level of grime.
Your market research should inform your pricing strategy—see how competitors are billing their services and adjust your pricing accordingly.
10. Market your business and find clients
To get the word out, market your business by putting up flyers in your community, partnering with local businesses, or taking out an ad in the paper. Get the word out and optimize SEO by creating profiles on platforms like TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, and Google Business, where customers are actively looking for specific services. You can also use these services to solicit feedback from customers and collect reviews and testimonials, which you can then use to help promote your business.
Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok also serve as important ways to reach new demographics and create a strong online presence, through sharing posts about your business or sharing general cleaning tips.
How to start a pressure washing business FAQ
How profitable is a pressure washing business?
A pressure washing business can be quite lucrative if you structure it well and develop a steady client list. According to a survey by the insurance company Thimble, the average pressure washing business owner brings in $50,000 in annual gross revenue, with some reporting upward of $200,000.
What equipment do I need to start a pressure washing business?
To start a pressure washing business, you need a pressure washing machine, nozzles, hoses, adapters, cleaning solution, and protective equipment. You may also need a truck to transport these tools between jobs.
What are the cons of starting a pressure washing business?
There may be ebbs and flows in any pressure washing business, depending on the time of year and your geographic region. For example, in locales with multiple seasons, you might find business to be especially booming in the spring and summer months as more people are outside enjoying patios and decks, but jobs may start to dry up in the winter.
