How to Start a Pressure Washing Business: Equipment, Costs, Pricing and Customers
How to start a pressure washing business step by step
In this article
To start a pressure washing business, learn pressure washing and soft washing, register the business, get liability insurance, buy a commercial pressure washer, surface cleaner and soft wash setup, and get your first customers with before-and-after photos, door hangers and Google. You can start for roughly $3,000 to $15,000.
What you need to start
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Gas pressure washer (4+ GPM) | Concrete, driveways, decks |
| Surface cleaner | Fast, even flat-surface cleaning |
| Soft wash system (12V pump) | Houses and roofs without damage |
| Hoses, reels, nozzles, wands | Reach and control |
| Chemicals (sodium hypochlorite, surfactants, degreaser) | Kill algae and mildew, remove stains |
| Truck, trailer or skid setup | Carry it all |
| Water tank (optional) | For sites without water access |
| Safety gear | Goggles, gloves, boots |
Step 1: Learn the trade
Too much pressure damages siding, wood and roofs. Learn when to use high pressure (concrete) vs soft wash (houses, roofs, fences). Practise on your own property and friends' homes first.
Step 2: Register and get insured
- LLC and EIN
- Local business license
- General liability insurance (essential)
- Check local rules on chemical runoff and wastewater
Step 3: Startup costs
| Setup | Rough cost |
|---|---|
| Basic (one machine, surface cleaner, chemicals) | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| Pressure + soft wash skid on trailer | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Full truck-mounted rig with tank | $15,000 – $30,000+ |
Step 4: Set your prices
| Service | Common pricing |
|---|---|
| Driveways and patios | Per square foot |
| House washing | By house size or square footage |
| Roof soft washing | By square footage and pitch |
| Decks and fences | Per square foot or per job |
| Commercial / storefront | Recurring monthly price |
Set a minimum job price so small jobs are worth the drive.
Step 5: Get customers
Detailed ideas: How to get pressure washing customers.
Step 6: Build recurring income
Offer yearly house wash plans, monthly storefront and dumpster pad cleaning, and partner with window cleaners, painters, realtors and property managers.
Is it worth it? Is pressure washing a good business to start?. Similar business: How to start a window cleaning business.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start a pressure washing business?
Learn the trade, register and insure the business, buy equipment and market with before-and-after photos.
How much does it cost to start a pressure washing business?
Roughly $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your equipment.
Do I need a license to pressure wash?
Usually just a general business license, but check local rules on chemicals and wastewater.
What PSI do I need for pressure washing?
Around 3,000–4,000 PSI with 4+ GPM for concrete; houses and roofs need low-pressure soft washing.
Can I start pressure washing part-time?
Yes. Many people start on weekends and go full time as bookings grow.
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Start a conversationWritten by Sachin Rawat
AI & automation engineer · websites, apps and motion design
I build AI agents, automations, websites, apps and motion design for businesses. These guides answer the questions people actually search, written from hands-on experience building them.
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