Pressure Washing Business Start-up Kit
The pressure washing business is a profitable, but challenging industry. It requires an understanding of the market and how to offer services for that market while also being aware of local regulations. This article will provide you with everything you need to know about how to start a pressure washing company from scratch.
Find a non-competitive industry
Pressure washing services have become very competitive. It’s difficult to start a business in this field without thoroughly researching the market and your competitors. Start by finding a niche that isn’t already crowded with other pressure washers. For example, you might decide to focus on commercial cleaning or outdoor property maintenance instead of completing interior work. This will allow you to hire employees who specialize in specific areas rather than being forced to perform all services yourself.
Decide on a service type
You can choose to offer residential, commercial or both kinds of cleaning services. Many businesses start with one and then transition into the other as their customer base grows. If you set out to compete in two markets at once, you’ll have twice as much work to do but not necessarily twice the revenue. Use the following advice for each area individually:
Look for opportunities in your community
You can find pressure washing jobs in every major metropolitan area, but you’ll have the best luck if you build your clientele near where you live or in a rural area that doesn’t have many businesses in the industry.
Get insured before starting
Before you begin offering any kind of service, make sure that you obtain liability insurance and worker’s compensation along with the licensing required by your state (if any). Although this will increase initially, it protects both you and your customers should something go wrong. You may also want business insurance to protect your home or vehicle while you are driving to jobs, but this depends on the policy that your state requires. Check with the Department of Insurance in your area for more information about these requirements.
Consider hiring help
It’s possible to launch a pressure washing business on your own, but it may be easier to start with at least one other person if not more. This will take some of the burden off of you as you first begin building up your customer base and also allow you to perform more jobs in less time.
Don’t limit yourself geographically
As mentioned earlier, many people start out by offering services close to where they live, whether it’s their home or somewhere else they frequently visit. But don’t feel like you have to follow suit; instead, look for opportunities that are further away than what most companies would consider.
Start small and expand gradually
One benefit of this kind of business is there isn’t much equipment needed to begin. You will need a pressure washer and you’ll want to make sure that it is rated for the PSI necessary for each job, but this can typically start at around $150 or so. If you offer more than one service then you will also need different equipment for those jobs, of course, but unless your company is extremely large don’t go out purchasing the top-of-the-line models right away. Start with something basic and expand as needed or desired later on down the road.
While many businesses fail within their first year, even more struggle to stay afloat beyond five years because they lack flexible options in their business plans. Don’t let this be your fate; instead, look into what other companies are doing so that you have an idea of what might work well in your line of business. If you are offered a commercial contract at the beginning, don’t be afraid to say no! You can always try it out or find another company to partner with so that you can still get the benefits without having to maintain large client rosters.
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