Updated September 21, 2021
Written by
Benjamin Davis
Contributor
How-to-start.org
Experts interviewed:
Starting a pressure washing business is an excellent way to supplement or replace your income. Operating as a side-hustle, you can easily earn an extra $1-2k per month, and if you're running it full time as your main source of income, you could expect your pressure washing business to smash through the 6-figure-per-year mark quite quickly.
I interviewed three people who have been in the pressure washing business for a long time, and asked them what you should know about how to get started in the business, and how to run and grow your pressure washing business.
First, I wanted to know what background they came from – do people usually work in the industry first, before starting a business? Or is it common to just get started and learn as you go?
So I asked my three founders – how did you get started in the pressure washing business?
did you work with someone doing pressure washing before? or did you just get started on your own?
I wondered if there is a specific set of skills you need to operate in the pressure washing business, or, is it as simple as it sounds?
What training, what skill, and what experience is needed? Could you hire experienced people to help you?
I asked the three successful pressure washing business owners:
can you start a pressure washing business with no experience? can you learn everything as you go?
So my three founders confirmed what I suspected – you can mostly learn everything as you go, without the need to have years and years of industry experience beforehand.
You just need your pressure washing equipment, and then you need to make the phone ring.
I asked my three experts how much money you need to get started in this business, and what you need to buy.
is it an expensive business to start? what equipment do you need as a minimum, to start earning money?
Once you get the equipment you need – the hot-water pressure washer (with a good flow rate!), some water tanks, and a vehicle or trailer, you're all set to start getting some work done.
I asked the three successful pressure washing operators how much you could expect to earn as you get started in this business, and as you get more established.
is it a profitable business to run? can you expect to earn a good income right away?
Pressure washing is a good, profitable business, with not very much overhead expense.
Generally, the experts seem to agree – $1,000 a day is a good number to aim for – depending on how much you want to work, and what you're charging for your services.
But getting clients is half the business.
I asked my three successful pressure washing operators:
what works to get started in the business, before you have lots to spend on marketing?
Customers usually consider at least two or three service providers before they decide which one they'll hire.
I asked my three industry experts – how do customers a pressure washing business?
what do clients really care about? what are they looking for in a pressure washing service provider?
As soon as you get a website online, you're going to start getting marketing calls and emails from people wanting to sell you all sorts of advertising services.
Some are worthwhile, and some are rubbish.
I asked my three successful founders what their experiences were with methods of generating new business. I wanted to know what had worked well for them, and what had been a waste of money.
regular advertising? door hangers? online advertising? what works, and what doesnt?
With a strong demand for pressure washing, in all different parts of the country, getting your web presence alive and getting the initial reviews should be your top focus.
Once you start making some money, you might be tempted to start buying new pieces of equipment, or perhaps services from service providers.
I asked my three founders whether there was
is there something that sounds like a good idea, but is actually a bad purchase?
All three founders in the pressure washing business that I spoke to stressed the importance of learning the skills of good communication and dealing with customers.
Sometimes, though, you should just reject a customer outright. Some customers are impossible to please, and doing business with them is a lose/lose scenario,
I asked my three founders – how can you avoid bad customers?
is there something to look out for? or are all customers pretty good?
Some industries – especially when there's a low barrier to entry – tend to attract more than their fair share of dodgy operators, which can lead to bad experiences for the customer.
I asked my three pressure-washing experts:
are there shady operators doing things the wrong way? or is the industry mostly full of professionals?
In the pressure washing business – the same as most businesses – it's always easier to get more spend from your existing customers than it is to find new customers.
I asked my three experts what other services they can offer, in addition to just pressure washing, to increase revenue?
are there extras and add-ons? what do customers often request?
the three successful founders share their keys to success in this industry, based on their own experiences
The pressure washing business is easy to start, and the equipment can be as cheap or as expensive as you need it to be, and in most places around the country the demand for services is higher than it's ever been.
I have spent over 100 hours learning everything there is to know about the pressure washing business, by talking to industry experts and pressure washing operators. I have compiled it into the worlds most useful guide, How to Start a Pressure Washing Business. You can check it out here.
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