How to Start a Pressure Washing Business

Starting a pressure washing business is an excellent endeavor whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or new to the game. Pressure washing is the fastest way to clean most surfaces, from concrete parking lots and wooden decks to heavy-duty industrial machinery.

Because of that, pressure washing is in incredibly high demand across several niches. This guide will cover everything you need to know about how to start a pressure washing business.

Our team at RJP Hotsy New Jersey has helped thousands of local businesses. We’ve assisted budding entrepreneurs in learning the industry’s ins and outs and even have our own experiences to share.

So don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions. With our help and knowledge, you’ll be ready for success.

Is Pressure Washing a Good Business to Start?

Pressure washing may not be your first business idea when looking for a niche. Is pressure washing a good business to start?

Looking behind the curtain, you’ll realize that most business models are smoke and mirrors.

The real sign of a profitable and fulfilling business model comes down to 3 factors: high demand (including potential for recurring income), time flexibility (so you aren’t giving yourself another 9 to 5), and profit potential.

Pressure washing businesses give you all 3.

Evaluating Market Demand

At its core, pressure washing is just cleaning. You go to a homeowner, business owner, or local city government, quickly clean their stained surfaces, and then go home.

The supply of stains on the market is neverending.

Rust will accrue on industrial machinery. Parking lots will get littered with oil stains. Restaurant kitchens are a breeding ground for grease. Homeowners will watch their previously spotless exteriors become riddled with mildew and dirt.

Flexible, Fulfilling Work

Ask any entrepreneur about their favorite part of owning their own business, and they’ll likely give you one of 3 answers: money, flexibility, and fulfillment.

Flexibility is one. No more answering to a boss, working on a sick day, or doing unenjoyable client work. Want to never work on Wednesdays? Done. Need to take off a week for your kid’s birthday? Easy.

All the money in the world is worthless if you aren’t spending time with your family and friends. Starting a pressure washing business grants you that freedom.

Learning how to start a pressure washing business also brings you fulfillment.

We aren’t just talking about the satisfying feeling of watching grime disappear from surfaces in the blink of an eye (though, trust us, it is delightful).

Fulfillment comes from knowing you helped your community. The satisfaction of a job well done is something you can build upon each day.

Profitability Potential

Starting a pressure washing business is relatively affordable. You can rent a pressure washer, buy basic supplies like soap and accessories, and transport everything in your vehicle.

Depending on your niche, you can start charging anywhere from $50 to $500 per hour. As you build experience, you can scale to $1000+ per job.

Another upside of learning how to start a pressure washing business is that you can seamlessly transition into upsells.

If you’re already at a homeowner’s property, why not clean their gutters?

The possibilities are endless. And with the right equipment, you won’t be recurring too many costs, meaning every extra dollar can go back into your business.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Pressure Washing Business?

You’re excited about starting a pressure washing business, but a natural question arises. How much does it cost to start a pressure washing business?

The good news is that by learning how to start a pressure washing business properly, you can make smart financial decisions to keep you afloat until the customers start rolling in.

Initial Equipment Costs

Deciding whether buying or renting a pressure washer is a good fit for your blooming business can be tricky without experience.

You’ll need a commercial-grade machine capable of handling regular cleaning. Don’t cheap out, as you’re just asking for expensive repairs and poor-quality work that put you further in the hole.

Buying a pressure washer can cost anywhere from $2,000 to over $10,000.

But how much does it cost to rent a pressure washer? Rental costs range from $100 to $400 per day.

Buying is better in the long run. However, renting can help you raise initial startup capital and gain testimonials.

You can expect to pay around $200 to $1000 for accessories and the best pressure washer chemicals.

Budget more for personal protective equipment, including non-slip boots, to keep yourself safe.

Vehicle and Transportation Costs

If you already have a truck or van, you’re in luck. But if not, you may need to pick up a used one for around $10,000 or monthly payments of $200 to $500.

Gas costs will add another few hundred dollars, depending on the areas you are servicing.

Later in your business’ growth, you may invest in a pressure washer trailer. These bad boys can be attached to your work vehicle, allowing you to tackle jobs with a reliable water source.

If you reach that stage, don’t try to create a DIY pressure washer trailer yourself.

You can talk to our team at RJP Hotsy, even if you aren’t local to New Jersey. We’ve mastered the art of creating industrial pressure washer trailers in NJ, including mounting a pressure washer to a trailer and how to plumb a pressure washer trailer.

Licensing and Insurance Fees

Starting a pressure washing business without a license or insurance is like starting a campfire without water nearby. Sure, it might go okay for a moment, but if something goes wrong, it will go terribly.

License costs will vary on your jurisdiction, but expect numbers as high as $500. You may need additional permits for specific hazardous materials or clients, such as food preparation businesses.

Insurance will generally cost you $1,000 per year for a barebones policy. Double that if you plan to hire employees.

Other Costs

Starting a pressure washing business has its share of hidden costs.

You may need to invest up to $100 or more in essential business tools, like accounting software, customer management programs, and marketing materials.

Setting aside some money for pressure washer repair costs is an excellent long-term idea. If your living situation isn’t suitable, you may need to pay for pressure washer storage.

Tips on Financing Your Start-up Costs

Financing is a great help when learning how to start a pressure washing business.

We recommend researching small business loans at your local banks and credit unions. There are federal programs that may help as well.

Once you’re ready to buy, consider financing your equipment. If you have steady clients, you can reliably pay it back while leaving room for upgrades elsewhere in your business.

How to Start a Pressure Washing Business

Now that you know the costs of starting a pressure washing business, let’s discuss how.

Start With the Logistics

Who, what, and where. They’re your best friends to get you started.

Get all of your paperwork settled, then start brainstorming niches. Who do you want to work for? What problems and stains do they have? Where are they located in your city? This will influence all of your decisions.

For example, you need specific equipment and soaps if you’re trying to pressure wash concrete for local businesses. On the other hand, if you want to work with industrial plants but live on the opposite side of town, you may be overleveraging your transportation costs.

Sourcing the Right Equipment

You can pick out the proper equipment by first identifying your target niche.

Figuring out where to rent a pressure washer in your area. With a friendly local retailer by your side, they can help guide you through the tough questions.

You’ll need to know:

• Sizing: What size pressure washer do I need? The stains you deal with will determine how much pressure washer PSI and GPM on a pressure washer you require.

• Water Temperature: For the hot vs cold water pressure washer debate, the former will be more expensive but also more effective.

• Engine: Engines are simple. Between electric vs gas pressure washers, use electric indoors, where low noise is preferred. Use gas outdoors or when you don’t have access to an outlet.

• Soaps & Accessories: Every surface has specific soaps and accessories; picking these up will make your life much easier.

Setting Up Pricing Models

You have a few options for pricing models depending on your comfort level.

• Hourly: Hourly can be tricky to gauge. Work too fast, and you’re harming your earning potential, but too slow, and customers will feel ripped off.

• Square Foot: Square foot rates are excellent for large-scale jobs. You can charge anywhere from $.10 to $.50 per square foot, ensuring you get fair value.

• Flat Rates: Flat rates are a solid long-term play but can be difficult when first starting. Customers enjoy a single rate for their accounting, but you may underestimate your expenses this way.

Marketing Your Services and Finding Your First Client

Once you have your equipment and pricing down, it’s time to tell people about your offer!

There are 4 pillars of marketing to follow:

• Cold 1-to-1: This is your cold calls, door-to-door marketing, and LinkedIn DMs. It’s effective but can be a slog.

• Warm 1-to-1: This involves contacting your network for anyone needing your services.

• Warm Content: Posting free content on social media is a great way to reach many businesses at once. However, it can take some time to get going.

• Cold Advertising: Think of advertising as knocking on many doors at once. The downside is that it can cost money, but it’s highly efficient if you want clients immediately.

Leveraging Word-of-Mouth and Referrals

After getting your first clients (and doing a great job), you can use those happy customers to get more customers.

Offer referral bonuses, say 10% off services, if a client brings you new business. You can even give 10% off to their friend as well, so everybody wins.

If you can make your clients feel like they’re doing their friends a favor by recommending you, you won’t have to stress much about marketing.

Building Client Relationships for Repeat Business

Churn rate, or the rate at which customers stop using your services, is critical to the success of any business.

Incentivize your clients to stay with you. Deliver extraordinary results, and use surveys and feedback to understand what they enjoy (and don’t) about your services.

Scaling Your Business

Once you have a steady stream of clients, it’s almost time to kick back and relax, right?

Well, it depends.

If you’re doing this as a side hustle, cleaning around 10 properties a month for extra cash, just keep doing what you’re doing and enjoy the money.

If your goal is to scale, you’ll need employees to help with the workload.

You can hire extra technicians, a marketing team, a sales team, and even accountants. We recommend first hiring for tasks you don’t enjoy. If writing ads makes you scream, just hire it out and focus on cleaning.

Take the First Step Towards Starting a Pressure Washing Business at RJP Hotsy!

The best way to ensure your business gets off to a great start is to invest in high-quality equipment.

RJP Hotsy is the #1 home for industrial pressure washers in New Jersey. As the state’s only authorized Hotsy retailer, our inventory features quality machines from the industry leader.

We can help set you up with industrial pressure washer leasing in NJ and industrial pressure washer rental in NJ, with reasonable plans that fit your budget.

As your business grows, we’ll be your strategic partner. You can rely on our wealth of knowledge to guide you.

RJP Hotsy is also the state’s #1 pressure washer repair center. We provide comprehensive industrial pressure washer repair in NJ, including a 24-point inspection process. Rather than trying to figure out how to repair a pressure washer yourself, let our experienced team get your machine back up and running quickly.

We’ll also assist you with pressure washer troubleshooting and maintaining a pressure washer to ensure you can rely on your equipment throughout the lifespan of your business.

Parting Thoughts on How to Start a Pressure Washing Business

Starting a pressure washer business isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. But with the right plan in place, it can be an immensely rewarding experience.

Our team will help you start your entrepreneurial journey. Whether you need to know how to rent a pressure washer, how to use soap dispensers on pressure washers, or what soap to use in a pressure washer, you can rely on our experience.

So, if you want high-quality equipment that wows your first customers, look no further than RJP Hotsy. Check our our inventory of premium industrial cold water pressure washers in New Jersey and industrial hot water pressure washers in New Jersey today!

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