If you’ve ever spent more than 30 minutes on the internet, you’ve probably seen those super satisfying videos of people’s gunky driveways and seeing the spotless surface underneath. That’s because pressure washing is one of the biggest businesses right now, and well, it’s also a great time to start the business yourself! If that’s a thought you’ve had, you’re in the right place.
In this article, we’re going to do a complete rundown on everything you need to start your own pressure-washing business! So let’s jump into it!
Before You Do Anything Else, Learn the Ropes
If you want to start a pressure washing business, the first thing you need to do is understand how everything works. What kind of equipment will you need? What are the different types of pressure washing? How do you actually wash something?
These are all important questions that you should have answers to before starting your business. If not, you’re going to have a tough time convincing people that you’re the person they should hire!
The good news is that there are plenty of resources out there to help you get started. There are lots of articles online that talk about how to pressure wash, but an even better idea is to start at the bottom. Join another company as a worker, even if it’s just for a little while. That way, you’ll have the chance to put in the elbow grease without anything monetary on the line.
It’s a great way to learn the ropes and have a good understanding of how pressure washing works, you can move on to the next step
Next, Sort out the Calculations
Once you’re confident that you know everything about pressure washing, it’s time to start thinking about the nitty-gritty details of your future business. The first thing you need to do here is start up by calculating your startup costs.
This includes everything from the cost of renting or buying a pressure washer to things like marketing costs, insurance, and licenses. Once you have a good idea of how much all of this is going to cost, you can start to look for ways to finance the project. This is integral because if you go into it without keeping the finances in mind, you’ll end up running into speed bumps along the way. That’s why it’s important to get all of that out of the way before you get into it, so nothing gets in your path to success later on!
Then, Figure Out the Legalities
The next step is to make sure that everything you’re doing is legal.
This includes applying for any licenses or permits that you need in order to operate in your area as well as getting insurance for your business.
This is important because if something goes wrong, you don’t want to be held liable! If you’re not sure what you need, the best thing to do is reach out to your local Chamber of Commerce or Small Business Association. They’ll be able to give you all the information you need in order to get started on the right foot. You can even reach out to another pressure washing business to ask if there’s anything major you need to get sorted out before you start investing in it. Protect yourself, and set up the legal shield around your business long before you start!
And Then, Get the Equipment
You can’t pressure wash anything without having the right pressure washing equipment. This isn’t just regular hoses and stuff, it’s actual, specific equipment that’s only meant for pressure washing. When most people start off, they try to risk as little money into it as possible until the business starts turning in a profit. This is a bad idea.
That’s because you need to start off with the right equipment to get your business off the ground. Cheaping out on this will only result in lower-quality work, which means you won’t get as many clients.
Instead, invest in the good stuff from the beginning. It’ll pay off in the long run!
This doesn’t mean that you should spend over the amount you can. You can even start super small with one-person equipment, but as long as that equipment is of great quality, it’ll make a world of difference.
Some of the best ways to get power washing equipment on a budget are to look for used equipment or to purchase lower-end models of great brands. You can also try renting the equipment before you buy it, just to make sure that it’s something you’re actually going to use and not just wasting money on!
There are lots of options available in almost every city and many options online, too, so just shop around until you find something that works in your budget and get the job done as well as possible!
Next, Open up a Business Bank Account
This is one of the most important steps in how to start a pressure washing business, but it’s often overlooked.
Your personal finances and your business finances should be completely separate. This means having a different bank account (and possibly even a different credit card) for your business. This will help you keep track of your expenses much more easily and make tax time a breeze.
Not to mention, it just makes things look more professional, which can help you attract more clients. No one wants to hire a business that doesn’t seem like they have their act together, so get a business bank account and show the world that you mean business!
And Now, Set up a Marketing Plan
The next step is to start marketing your business and getting some clients!
There are lots of different ways to do this, but the most important thing is to be creative. Come up with a great marketing campaign that’s going to get people interested in what you’re offering.
Think about what you can do to set yourself apart from the competition and make sure that your target market knows that you exist! This is where a lot of businesses fail, so don’t let it happen to you.
Some great marketing ideas include things like handing out flyers in high-traffic areas, running social media ads, or even just word-of-mouth. Whatever you do, make sure that you’re putting yourself out there as much as possible and getting your name known.
The more people know about your business, the more likely they are to use your services!
Then, Get Insured
This is another one of those steps that are often overlooked but are actually super important.
You need to make sure that your business is insured in case anything goes wrong. This protects you from any legal issues that might come up and ensures that you won’t have to pay for any damages out of your own pocket.
No one likes to think about the worst happening, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. So get insured and rest easy knowing that you’re covered!
There are lots of different insurance options available, so just talk to your agent and figure out what’s going to work best for your business.
Now, Create a Pricing Structure
When you have a new business, it’s hard to set up professional boundaries and systems where you don’t have to worry about the payout at the end of the job. However, this also ends up being a major point of conflict for people. At the start, you’re probably going to want things to go as smoothly as possible, and payment troubles are the last thing you should have to worry about.
But thankfully, there’s a way out of this problem too. You just have to play your cards right and have a strategy.
You need to have a clear and concise pricing structure so that both you and your client know what to expect. This will help avoid any misunderstandings or issues down the road.
Your pricing should be based on things like the size of the job, the time it will take, and the materials involved. You should also decide whether you’re going to charge by the hour or by the job.
There’s no right or wrong answer here, it just depends on what you’re most comfortable with. Once you’ve got your pricing figured out, make sure that you stick to it! Don’t let yourself be bullied into giving discounts or working for less than what you’re worth.
If you do a good job and provide fair pricing, then your clients will be happy and you’ll be able to build a successful business!
Finally, Get Started!
Once you’ve got all of your ducks in a row, it’s time to power wash them!
This is the part where a lot of people freeze up and never actually get their business off the ground. But if you’ve followed all of these steps, then you’re already well on your way to success!
So get out there, and start your own pressure-washing business!