Start a Pressure Washing Business

The pressure washing business involves the usage of a high-pressure water spray to get rid of stubborn stains and accrued grime. Such a spray is several times more powerful than an ordinary hose and is powered by special pumps.

Target market

There are several cleaning assignments, both residential and commercial, that are handled by pressure washing business companies. These include removal of mold and accumulated grime from concrete, rid wooden surfaces of their fatigued and graying look and to eliminate crusty, polluted films from aluminum and vinyl. Pressure washing also comes in handy for cleaning and washing pool sides, patios, fences, decks, boats and lawn equipment. Besides this, pressure washing pumps are used to clean drive-ins and parking lots of commercial establishments, gas stations and convenience stores.

Equipment

The main piece of equipment for your pressure washing business is of course a pressure-washer. The type of pressure washer you select depends to a great extent on your budget. There are a wide variety of options to choose from depending on your finances and your need. A low end-pressure washed costs a few hundred dollars only while a high-end state-of-the-art pressure washer may cost as much as $20,000. It would however, be advisable to make a reasonable investment in setting up your unit because a good quality pressure washer will last longer and will take less time to clean.

Besides the pressure washer, your business will need such other equipment as: transportation vehicles (usually a van or truck), water hoses, surface cleaners, a turbo nozzle (especially for concrete, but not to be used for wood) and of course chemicals and soaps.

The cleansing agent required by your pressure washing business depends totally on the type of surface to be cleaned. There are a host of chemical and soap options available in the market. Some must-haves include: a house wash, gutter cleaner and concrete cleaner. In addition, you would require specialized chemicals for specific jobs such as new construction cleanup, commercial building restoration, graffiti removal and deck restorations.

Investment and Income

The pressure washing business, depending on the kind of equipment you deploy, can cost anything from $5,000-$25,000. The main investment, of course is on pressure washer alone. And what can you hope to earn? The earning depends on the kinds of jobs you undertake and the regions in which you operate. There is no fixed price and per hour charges can range from $40 to $100 an hour.

Financing

You certainly need external financing if you want to set up a high-end pressure washing business. You can obtain this either from commercial banks or from the Small Business Administration office. You will be required to have a business plan which should indicate your costs and earnings, and the period over which you expect to break even. The presence of other pressure washing business companies in your area can dampen your pitch. But you will be required to state the kind of competition that you anticipate, and how you intend to deal with it.

Insurance and LLC

The pressure washing business requires the creation of an LLC (for tax benefits) as well as an insurance liability policy. Both of these can be obtained for ordinary sums from easily accessible sources. These business basics go a long way in proving to your clients just how serious you are about your somewhat unusual business.

Publicity

In the pressure washing business, the best means of publicity is by word of mouth. You must also try door-to-door and direct sales as well as distribution of fliers. Advertisements can be placed in homeowners' associations' newsletters, real estate publications and the yellow pages. The amount you spend on advertising will depend to a great extent, on the area you are targeting. Sometimes it would be advisable to spend higher sums to gain awareness and demand for your pressure washing business.

Finally, the quality of services you offer should be top notch. You can gain on experience by practice and by offering free services to family and friends.