Expert articles, guides, and insights to help you start, grow, and scale your pressure washing business.
Start with a quality pressure washer (3000+ PSI recommended), surface cleaners, extension wands, and chemical applicators. Invest in commercial-grade equipment from day one to avoid costly upgrades later.
Protect your business with proper licensing, insurance, and contracts. Most states require general liability insurance ($1M+ recommended). Create professional service agreements that protect both you and your clients.
Establish your business foundation: choose a business structure (LLC recommended), set up business banking, get an EIN, and create professional branding. A strong foundation makes scaling easier.
Dominate local search results by optimizing your Google Business Profile, collecting reviews, and creating location-specific content. Most customers find pressure washing services through local search.
Visual proof is your strongest marketing tool. Document every job with high-quality before/after photos and videos. Share these on social media, your website, and in marketing materials.
Build a steady stream of leads through multiple channels: door-to-door canvassing, referral programs, partnerships with property managers, and targeted online advertising.
Pricing pressure washing services requires understanding your costs, market rates, and value proposition. Learn how to price residential driveways, commercial buildings, decks, and patios competitively.
Research local competitors to understand market rates. Don't compete on price alone—compete on value, professionalism, and results. Price yourself in the middle-to-upper range to attract quality clients.
Aim for 40-60% profit margins after accounting for labor, equipment, chemicals, and overhead. Track your actual costs per job to ensure you're hitting these targets.
Optimize your schedule by grouping jobs by location, weather conditions, and service type. Plan routes efficiently to minimize travel time and maximize daily revenue.
Reduce travel time and fuel costs by planning efficient routes. Use mapping tools to sequence jobs logically, avoiding backtracking and traffic-heavy areas.
As you grow, hiring becomes essential. Start with part-time help, then move to full-time employees. Clear processes and training ensure consistent quality.
Build maintenance contracts with commercial clients. Monthly or quarterly cleaning contracts provide predictable income and reduce marketing costs.
Add complementary services like gutter cleaning, window washing, or soft washing. These services use similar equipment and can be upsold to existing customers.
Monitor revenue per job, customer acquisition cost, profit margins, and customer lifetime value. Data-driven decisions lead to sustainable growth.
Get instant pricing recommendations for any surface type. Upload photos and let AI analyze condition, size, and complexity to suggest competitive rates.
ServiceWizard handles scheduling, route optimization, job tracking, and team management—all in one place. Spend less time on admin and more time growing your business.