Mause Ramirez, owner of MCS Cleaning Services in San Francisco is known as Señor Ramirez to his customers and community. He’s passionate about cleaning windows, and it shows. 

“What I like most is the transformation of dirty surfaces, like fences or walls,” he enthuses.  “Many times, owners don’t realize that letting dirt accumulate on these surfaces can lead to deterioration, which can be much more costly to repair or replace,” he says. “Seeing the owner’s smile when they see the transformation from dirty to clean is truly rewarding, and I like to see that.”

If you like the idea of starting your own pressure washing business and bringing smiles to your customers’ faces, your timing couldn’t be better. 

Home services businesses are leading new business openings across every state in America according to Yelp data, and pressure washing services offer an ideal entry point with relatively low startup costs and high demand. With the industry projected to hit $3 billion by 2026, there’s plenty of room for new entrepreneurs to build successful businesses.

But let’s be honest – starting any business can feel overwhelming. You probably have questions about startup costs, what equipment you really need, and how to find your first customers. This guide will walk you through getting started, with an emphasis on the financial steps you need to build your business.

Why Start a Pressure Washing Business

For business owners looking to enter the growing home services market, pressure washing stands out as an especially attractive option for new entrepreneurs in 2024. In the U.S., the industry has been growing by an average of 5.7% each year from 2018-2024, according to Housecall Pro. 

And there’s a simple reason why: properties will always need cleaning, and property owners often lack the equipment and expertise to do it themselves.

What makes pressure washing particularly appealing is its accessibility. Unlike many businesses that require extensive training or certifications, you can start with relatively basic equipment and scale up over time. You don’t need a storefront or office space, and you can set flexible hours that work around your current commitments. Many successful owners start by working weekends while keeping their day job, then transition to full-time as their client base grows.

The business model offers remarkable versatility in terms of revenue streams. While residential homeowners might form your initial customer base, you can expand to serve real estate agents who need pre-listing cleanings, property managers requiring regular maintenance, and commercial property owners looking for consistent service. This diversity helps create stability in your income and opens paths for growth.

One of the most compelling aspects of a pressure washing business is its potential for recurring revenue. While one-time jobs provide good income, the real opportunity lies in establishing regular service agreements. Seasonal cleaning contracts, monthly maintenance programs, and annual service agreements can create predictable income streams. Many successful owners find that their initial customers become long-term clients, especially when they deliver consistent, quality service.

From a financial perspective, pressure washing can offer attractive profit margins, typically ranging from 45-65% on most jobs. These margins can increase as you gain efficiency and add specialized services. 

While equipment represents an initial investment, the ongoing operating costs remain relatively low, especially compared to many other service businesses.

“I definitely recommend investing in commercial equipment when starting in this industry; customers deserve professionalism,” says Ramirez. “A good starting point for a quality pressure washing machine is one with at least 3000 PSI. I also suggest getting a minimum of 100 feet of pressure washing hose, along with two 50-foot water hoses. That’s a solid foundation for doing the job right.”

Technology is making the business easier to operate and more profitable than ever before. Modern scheduling software streamlines operations, digital marketing makes finding customers more straightforward, and online reviews help build credibility quickly. Even the equipment itself is becoming more efficient, with new innovations helping operators work faster and deliver better results.

The lifestyle benefits of running a pressure washing business shouldn’t be overlooked. As an owner, you have the freedom to set your own schedule, choose your service area, and control your growth pace. The work keeps you active and outdoors, and you can see the immediate results of your efforts – something many business owners never experience.

While the industry offers low barriers to entry, success comes from delivering consistent quality service and building a strong local reputation. The most successful owners combine good business practices with excellent customer service, creating a sustainable operation that can grow steadily over time.

How To Start a Pressure Washing Business

Before you buy your first pressure washer or pursue your first customer, you need to establish a proper business foundation. You’ll be performing services on other people’s property, which means a legal entity, the proper equipment and insurance are essential. 

Choose your business structure

For many pressure washing businesses, forming an LLC (Limited Liability Company) will make sense. An LLC helps protect your personal assets if something goes wrong on the job, like accidental property damage. It also adds credibility to your business and can offer tax advantages. 

While you can operate as a sole proprietorship, the liability protection an LLC offers is particularly valuable in a service business where you’re working on other people’s property.

The cost of forming an LLC varies by state but typically ranges from $100-500. 

Business phone and email

Establish a professional business presence with:

• A business phone number. Services like GoDaddy Conversations or Google Voice can make it easy to get a business phone number without getting a new phone. 
• Business email address using your domain name. 
• Professional voicemail greeting with business hours and basic information.

Online presence

While word-of-mouth is a great way to find customers, you’ll probably have faster success if you invest the time to build an online presence. 

A service business like pressure washing should definitely establish an online presence. Starting out, a well-optimized Google Business Profile (GBP) and a Yelp Business Profile are essential. 

Many of your new customers will find your pressure washing company through local searches like “pressure washing near me” or “driveway cleaning [city name].” A complete, active GBP and Yelp profile gives you immediate visibility in those types of searches and provides everything local customers need, including contact information and customer reviews. 

In the beginning, these profiles are likely to drive more business leads than a basic website. Focus on getting reviews, posting regular photos of your work, and responding to all customer messages promptly.

You can also consider social media profiles like a Facebook page and/or Instagram account. Pressure washing photos get a surprising amount of engagement! But make sure you have time to devote to social media, otherwise customers may think you’ve gone out of business because you haven’t posted recently.  

When you’re ready for a website, start simple. A one-page site with your services, photos, and contact information will often be enough to start. You can always expand it as your business grows.

Licensing and permits

Contact your state or local business to understand specific requirements for your area. You may need: 

• Business licenses and permits
• Home occupation permit (if operating from home)
• Environmental compliance permits in some jurisdictions

Budget $200-500 for initial licensing, with annual renewal fees typically lower.

Pressure Washing Business Insurance

Insurance isn’t optional in the pressure washing business – it’s essential. Again you or your workers will be on customer property: you need to make sure you’re covered. 

Talk with your insurance professional to find out what you need. Ask about: 

General liability insurance: Protects against property damage and personal injury claims. Look for policies specifically designed for pressure washing businesses that cover both direct damage and accidental overspray.

Commercial auto insurance: Required if you’re using a dedicated business vehicle. If you are using a personal vehicle to drive to jobs, talk to your insurance agent to make sure you get the appropriate coverage. 

Workers’ compensation: Required once you start hiring employees.

Pro Tip: Insurance companies often offer package policies designed specifically for pressure washing businesses. These often provide better coverage at lower rates than piecing together separate policies.

How to Set Up Business Banking

It’s easier than you may think to set up a business checking account, and to get set up to accept payments from customers.

Business bank account 

Open a dedicated business checking account – this is crucial for separating personal and business finances. Find the best business checking accounts here. 

Payment processing

You’ll need to set up a merchant account so customers can pay you. (You can request payments by cash or check, and just use your business checking account, but not all clients will want to use those payment methods.)

Consider these options for accepting payments:

• Square, Shopify, or similar mobile payment processor (easy to set up)
• Traditional bank merchant account (good for higher volume accounts) 
• Venmo, Cash App, or Paypal (easy to get started, higher fees) 
• Checks (mainly for commercial accounts) 

Manage Your Accounting

You’ll need a basic bookkeeping system to keep track of income and expenses, along with an invoicing system. It is also a good idea to use a mileage tracking app to keep track of business miles driven. 

This isn’t just for tax purposes. 

Keeping track of your cash flow can help you understand how your business is doing, and give you insights that can help you adjust your pricing, clients, service area, or other factors. 

Build Business Credit

Your pressure washing business can have its own business credit profile. Establish business credit to help make it easier to get better terms with your suppliers, qualify for certain types of business loans and financing, get lower insurance rates, and even bid more competitively on big jobs. 

Best Ways To Monitor Your Business Credit

With Nav, you can check, manage, and monitor your business credit in one place. Build your business credit and understand the factors that vendors, lenders, and potential partners care about.

Basics Of Loans For Home Service Businesses Like Pressure Washing

Getting the right financing can help you launch or expand your pressure washing business more quickly. Here’s a look at your main options for small business loans and financing:

Business credit cards offer the fastest route to funding and often come with valuable rewards for business spending like fuel and equipment purchases. Most new business owners can qualify based on their personal credit scores, and regular payments can help build your business credit profile. A 0% intro APR business credit card can offer several months interest-free financing.

Vendor payment terms provide a simple way to manage cash flow when purchasing supplies such as detergents and cleaning solutions, or smaller equipment such as hoses or nozzles. 

Many pressure washing suppliers offer net-30 or net-60 terms, meaning you have 30 or 60 days to pay for purchases. This type of credit rarely requires a credit check and can help establish your business credit history.

A business line of credit works like a flexible safety net for your operations. Once you are approved for a specific amount, you can borrow as you need it, and only pay interest on outstanding balances.

Term loans make sense when you need a larger amount for specific purposes, like purchasing a fleet vehicle or investing in high-end equipment. These loans offer structured repayment over several years, typically with fixed monthly payments that make budgeting easier.

For those who might not qualify for traditional financing, microloans can provide smaller amounts of funding, as little as $500 to $50,000. These loans, often offered by nonprofit organizations, frequently come with business coaching and support services that can be valuable when you’re just starting out.

You may want to start with the simplest options first. Many successful pressure washing businesses begin with a combination of business credit cards and vendor terms before moving on to larger financing options as they grow.

Equipment Leasing 

Equipment leasing is another smart entry point into the pressure washing business, especially if you’re working with limited capital. Instead of paying $5,000-$10,000  or more upfront for a complete professional setup, you might be able to pay a few hundred dollars monthly. This can help you manage your cash flow while you’re building your customer base, and many leases include maintenance coverage and equipment upgrades.

However, leasing isn’t always the best choice. While monthly payments are lower, you’ll likely pay more over time than if you purchased equipment outright. Before signing a lease, carefully review the terms, including the length of the commitment, maintenance responsibilities, and end-of-lease options. Some leases offer purchase options at the end of the term, while others require equipment return.

A practical approach is to start with a short-term lease (12-24 months) for your main pressure washer and essential attachments. This gives you time to learn the business, understand which features matter most for your specific needs, and build the revenue stream needed to eventually purchase equipment. As your business generates consistent revenue, you can transition to purchasing equipment outright or refinancing your lease into a purchase agreement.

Pressure Washing Resources

Learning as much as you can about running a successful pressure cleaning business will save you time and money in the long run. 

Ramirez already had a successful cleaning business when he added pressure washing to his services.  

“One of the biggest challenges I faced at the beginning was learning to use the pressure washing machine correctly, applying the right level of power for each surface—whether a fence, deck, or wall. The next major challenge was learning how to mix and use chemicals properly without harming the environment. Once I mastered both the equipment and the chemical handling, each job has been extremely rewarding in terms of customer satisfaction.”

Pressure washing industry forums, trade organizations, and online resources offer invaluable insights for both new and experienced owners. Here are some key resources to help you grow your business.

SBA Resource Partners

Start with your local Small Business Development Center or SCORE chapter, where you can get free mentoring from business advisors. They can help you with your business plan and other skills and tools to grow your business. 

Trade Organizations and Training 

The United Association of Mobile Contract Cleaners (UAMCC) and the Power Washers of North America (PWNA) offer certification programs, industry updates, and networking opportunities. These organizations provide access to training materials, safety guidelines, and business development resources. 

Online Communities and Learning Platforms 

Several active Facebook groups cater specifically to pressure washing business owners, offering peer support and advice. 

YouTube channels like Southeast Softwash Academy and Pressure Wash Helper provide free tutorials on everything from pressure washing equipment selection to advanced cleaning techniques. 

Podcasts like King of Pressure Washing, the Pressure Washing Marketing Podcast, and How to Start a Pressure Washing Business with Aaron Parker offer helpful resources.

And platforms like Pressure Washing Resource Association offer online courses covering business operations, marketing strategies, and technical skills.

How Nav Can Help 

Still excited about starting a power washing business? 

“Go for it!,” encourages Ramirez. “This industry is big enough for everyone to find their place.”

Just approach it responsibly—do your research on pricing, and avoid offering rates that are too low. When prices are too low, it not only affects the quality of your work due to time constraints, but it also lowers the value of services for others in the industry. Aim for a profit margin of 25-30% to ensure you can deliver quality work and maintain sustainability.”

Nav can help you build your business credit and understand the factors that vendors, lenders, and potential partners care about. View your top financial options from 160+ trusted loans and credit cards based on your business data.

Nav Cash Flow Health lets you monitor and analyze your cash flow across all your business accounts. Get started now.