How to Start a Pressure Washing Business
Short answer
A pressure washing business starts for $2,000 to $10,000: a gas pressure washer of at least 4 GPM, a surface cleaner, a soft-wash setup for roofs and siding, and insurance. Price by surface and square footage. Before-and-after photos posted in local groups sell this trade better than any ad.
- Typical startup cost
- $2,000 – $10,000
- Typical price
- $100 – $250
- Driveway (average two-car)
Step by step
- 1
Buy for flow, not just pressure
Gallons per minute (GPM) cleans faster than PSI. A 4+ GPM gas unit and a 16–20 inch surface cleaner handle most driveways and patios.
- 2
Add soft washing early
Siding and roofs need low pressure and chemicals, not force. Soft washing opens the highest-value jobs and avoids damage claims.
- 3
Insure before your first house
General liability covers the window you crack or the plant your chemicals burn. Ask about coverage for soft washing specifically.
- 4
Price by surface
Quote driveways, house washes, decks and roofs separately, by square footage. It sounds professional and stops you underquoting big jobs.
- 5
Sell with before-and-afters
Post results with the owner's permission and reply to 'who does pressure washing' posts within minutes, photo attached.
What to charge
Pressure washing is priced by surface and size, often with a minimum charge per visit. Full price list and quoting tips: how much to charge for pressure washing.
Name your business
Pick a name that says the trade and the area, and check the domain and your state's business registry before you print anything. Try the pressure washing business name generator.
How to get your first ten customers
People ask for this trade in local Facebook groups all the time. Across the groups HuddleWatch watched over 90 days we counted 292 requests in 88 groups, about 3.2 a day, peaking on Mondays around 2pm Eastern. Every one of them is someone ready to book, and the first few replies win.
Join the groups where your customers post:
- Neighbourhood and subdivision groups
- HOA and community maintenance groups
- Local home improvement and DIY groups
- Property manager and landlord groups
And watch for phrasing like “who does pressure washing”, “my driveway is filthy”, “need my house siding cleaned”. More in the how to get pressure washing leads guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a pressure washing business?
About $2,000 to $10,000 for a quality pressure washer, surface cleaner, soft-wash pump and insurance.
Is pressure washing profitable?
Yes. Chemical and fuel costs are low, so most of each job is margin once the equipment is paid off.
Do I need a licence for pressure washing?
Usually just a business licence, but some states regulate wastewater runoff. Check local rules before washing near storm drains.
Get told the moment a neighbour asks for a pressure washer
HuddleWatch reads every new post in the local groups you choose and alerts you when someone is looking to hire, so you can be the first reply.
Start free with 3 groups