How I started my profitable pressure washing business
Hi, i’m Keith. I started a pressure washing business to run alongside my mobile car valeting business. Because I had a mobile valeting van at the time, all I needed was a good high powered pressure washer and a rotary cleaner.
I would fit it my pressure washing jobs in on days I wasn’t doing my mobile valeting. Some days the weather wasn’t great for mobile valeting either so I would rearrange and fit my driveway cleaning jobs in.
The driveway cleaning actually ended up being a lot more profitable and so much easier than mobile valeting so I eventually made this more of a focus.
I’ve outlined everything I know about how to start a pressure washing business below based on my own experience. So I hope you can find something useful.
A pressure washing business can be very profitable and fairly easy to start
If you are thinking of starting a pressure washing business, you might be surprised to know that it is a fairly easy business to start. With relatively low startup costs and no steep learning curve you could be makings £££ daily in no time.
Once you have a van and the equipment you will find the learning curve isn’t very steep at all. The low overheads and potentially very high income make starting a pressure washing business VERY attractive.
The hard part of this business is getting your business out there to get new customers. There are a surprisingly high number of people who require pressure cleaning services, but in my experience not many people are aware of such a service and resort to trying to clean with their £50 jet wash.
I’ll outline everything I know from starting a pressure washing business below, alongside some good ideas to get new customers.
QUICK START EQUIPMENT
If you are in a rush and don’t have time to read through this article, clicking on the image below will take you to amazon so you can check out some equipment to get you started asap.
I really can’t recommend Kiam products enough! I’ve used them in the past and they have never let me down. Below is a link to a complete driveway cleaning package.
Starting a pressure washing business
Most people who want to pressure wash their driveway will probably pull out an old pressure washer they bough from Argos for £50. They will use the flat head nozzle and stripe their entire driveway. If you haven’t seen this before, trust me, it looks an absolute mess.
The striping on a homeowners drive happens when going back and forth with a pressure washer lance at unequal and inconsistent distances. As a professional pressure cleaning business, you won’t be doing this unless you have any hard to reach areas which the rotary head cannot get to – such as corners.
Homeowners who try to clean their driveway this way will find it to be backbreaking, dirty work. Backbreaking because they are usually hunched over for hours walking up and down their drive with a lance. Dirty because they have no guard to shield dirty water splashing back up. This doesn’t happen with a rotary cleaner because the water is contained.
The REAL Challenge: Finding Customers
The real challenge in this business, as with most, lies in acquiring customers. While there is a substantial demand for pressure cleaning services, many potential clients may not be aware of such a service. Your task is to make them aware of your business through effective marketing strategies, as customers are often willing to pay considerable amounts for quality pressure washing services.
It’s important to invest in quality tools for your pressure washing business
If you buy the right equipment you could find that it’s not that hard or dirty. The dirty water spray back is eliminated with the use of a rotary cleaning head which shields splash backs.
Most rotary cleaning heads are on wheels so the distance between the surface and pressure nozzle is equal which eliminates any striping. The rotary head eliminates back pain too because you don’t need to hunch over and swaying from side to side – It’s effortless.
All you need to do is connect your hoses and attachments, start your pressure washer and WALK!! its that simple…
So if just walking for a living and getting paid large amounts of cash sounds like a good business to you then read on.
How much can you earn with a pressure washing business?
Depending on where your business is based in the UK, the prices for this service can vary. The type of work you do can also have effect your rate, for example; the size of the business, the range of services offered, geographic location, competition, and overall market demand. Here are some considerations:
Pricing Structure:
Pressure washing businesses typically charge based on factors such as the size of the area to be cleaned, the complexity of the job, and the level of dirt or grime. Pricing may also vary for residential and commercial clients.
Average Rates:
Average rates for pressure washing services in the UK can range from £1.50 to £3 or more per square meter, depending on the factors mentioned earlier.
Business Expenses:
Consider the operational costs of running the business, including equipment maintenance, fuel, insurance, marketing, and any licensing or certification fees.
Work Volume:
The volume of work you can secure plays a significant role in determining earnings. If you establish a strong client base and are in a high-demand area, you may have more opportunities for consistent work.
Target Market:
Focusing on a specific target market, such as residential properties, commercial buildings, or industrial facilities, can influence your earning potential. Some niches may be more lucrative than others.
Marketing and Branding:
Effective marketing strategies and a strong brand presence can attract more customers, leading to increased business and potential for higher earnings.
Seasonal Variations:
Consider any seasonal variations in demand for pressure washing services. For instance, there might be higher demand in the spring and summer months for residential services.
Repeat Business and Referrals:
Satisfied customers who become repeat clients and refer your services to others can contribute significantly to your business’s success and earnings.
It’s crucial to conduct thorough market research, analyze local competition, and adapt your pricing strategy based on your business’s unique circumstances. Additionally, staying informed about industry trends and continuously refining your marketing efforts can positively impact your earning potential. As conditions may have changed since my last update, I recommend checking the latest market trends and competitor pricing in the pressure washing industry in the UK for the most accurate and current information.
PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS INCOME
Ill just go over private work because the variables with commercial work vary too widely and as a sole trader you are much more likely to be pressure washing driveways regularly anyway.
I’m in the north, the going rate for an average driveway is around £3.00/m2. So for the average semi detached driveway at around 100 metres squared would earn you up to £300. You will also need to re-sand blockpaving which should be factored in to your profits.
This type of driveway could be quite easily completed within roughly 3hrs. That’s £100 per hour! This isn’t an exaggeration, you could easily fit 2 of these in per day.
What type of pressure cleaning services will you offer?
When it comes to starting a pressure cleaning business you would usually decide what market you want to serve, Private/Commercial or combine the two.
Combining the two is always a good idea because you will find commercial work will be the backbone of your business through regular work. Private work will be much more profitable but less frequent.
Private
- DRIVEWAYS
- PATIOS
- GRAFFITI REMOVAL
- WALLS – even FENCES
- FOOTPATHS & WALKWAYS
Commercial
- CARPARKS
- PUBLIC AREAS
- GRAFFITI REMOVAL
- WALLS/FENCES etc
- CHEWING GUM REMOVAL
- WORKSITE CEMENT REMOVAL
What equipment do you need to start a pressure washing business?
Your going to need the right pressure washing van
Deciding on the right type of van you need will depend on what type of work you are planning to do. Commercial work is more likely going to need a very large water tank, a large tank will need a large expensive van/pickup.
Finding the right van is a crucial step in launching a successful pressure washing business. For businesses focusing on residential services, a compact van may suffice, offering maneuverability in urban areas and will be cost-effectivewhen it comes to filling up.
Some commercial ventures may require larger vans equipped with spacious interiors to accommodate substantial water tanks and equipment.
Regardless of size, prioritize durability, as the van will be subjected to the demands of transporting heavy equipment and water tanks. A van with built-in storage compartments can enhance organization and efficiency during jobs.
Additionally, consider the aesthetic appeal of the van, as a well-branded vehicle can serve as a mobile advertisement, attracting potential customers as you navigate through neighborhoods. Ultimately, selecting the right van is an investment in the functionality, professionalism, and visibility of your pressure washing business.
A 1000l water tank once full will weight more than 1 tonne inc tank weight.
Domestic work could be done in a smaller van because most domestic customers are perfectly fine with you connecting to their water supply.
High power petrol/diesel pressure washer
A pressure washing business wouldn’t be much without a high power petrol pressure washer. The reason you need a petrol pressure washer and not an electric one is because you need to be portable. The extra power helps too ;).
But some electric pressure washers can be fantastic for smaller, hard to reach jobs so don’t rule one out. Sometimes setting up your industrial pressure washer could be overkill.
I personally don’t believe you need to go too excessive for the power of your fuel powered pressure washer, but would recommend a bar rating from 225 and a flow rate of 15 Litres per minute. This will be sufficent for your most stubborn of domestic driveways, carparks etc.
If you are seeking to pick up mainly commercial work and don’t expect to be doing any private driveways then anywhere from a 30 litres per minute would be ideal.
Rotary cleaner
A rotary cleaner is designed to do all the hard work for you, this is not an optional extra. If you are thinking of scrimping, you 100% need this tool. It not only allows you to clean upto 10x faster but it will leave the finish EVEN throughout without striping the surface or breaking your back.
These can be expensive but the better they are, the more time they usually save doing the work making you earn your money faster, which you WILL notice at the end of the week from those extra couple of jobs you managed to fit it.
1000L Water tank
Your water tank is going to be used frequently and will need to be atleast 1000L to be able to do portable work. Remember though, 1000l of water weighs 1 tonne so you need to make sure that your van can carry the weight alongside the rest of your equipment.
Smaller water tanks for smaller vans
If the 1000l water tank is far too big for your van I would suggest that you only take on private work and connect to their mains connection. For small jobs you could purchase a smaller tank at around 350l which would fit in most small vans fine and wouldnt be too much weight.
High pressure hose
It would be advised to get atleast 40metres of high pressure hose, most jobs will be large surface work and you will need to reach that full area from a static point such as your van or mains water outlet . If you aren’t likely to be able to connect to mains then make sure you have enough hose.
Accessories
Hard Brush
You will need to brush down driveways, carparks etc before cleaning so dispose of any debris which will just turn to sludge whilst cleaning. Optionally an powerful blower will make your life easier!
Chemical sprayer
You will need to douse your surface with a cleaning agent before your start to pressure clean your surface. This isn’t compulsory for every job because the pressure washer will can most of the time do all the hard work.
Fungicidal wash
This will ensure that your surface is free from algae, weeds for the near future. Check with the chemical brand first for suitability. Make sure its pet friendly, check it wont deteriorate any garden furniture and check how long it lasts because you can re-do it afterwards.
Extra hose attachments
Always keep plenty of extra hose attachments because you will find that some attachments will break or lose their seal which is really not a good position to be in. Cheack the seals on all your attachments regularly.
You will also want to consider domestic kitchen tap attachments for domestic work, this comes in handy for people who dont have an outside tap.
Tape measure
You will need to quote for work, going out to peoples homes or visiting the work will require your measurements to be exact. Work is usually calculated in metres squared.
Extra fuel cans
Your fuel will not last all day, maybe not even the whole job! make sure you take extra cans with you on every single job just in case.
Scaling your jet washing business to earn more money
As your pressure washing business grows, consider expanding your services or hiring additional staff to handle increased demand. Explore new markets and invest in marketing strategies to reach a wider audience. Continuously assess your business plan and adapt to industry trends to stay competitive.
Because a pressure washing business has relatively low startup costs and high income potential it would make sense if you was planning to expand, to purchase another van set up ready to go and hire somebody to help your business grow.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN STARTING YOUR PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS
Top pick for advertising your business
The best way to market this kind of business would be word of mouth – an example of word of mouth in this day and age would be facebook, e.g “tag a friend” is common place. So it’s important at this point to then have a professional facebook page and website where customers can go and check out your services before getting in touch.
Other forms of advertising your jet washing business
Hire door to door canvassers or do it yourself. Post leaflets. Tell everyone what you are doing, its one of those type of businesses which require you to show people that they really do need your services.
Most people can and do go years with a green slippery driveway and never even think that it should be cleaned for safety to like new condition. Its your job to tell them!
It always a good idea to have a website which is marketed for search engines because the number of people who do realise that their driveway is filthy will look online for a solution, make sure they see you first!
Once you have a website you will need to look into search engine optimisation or hire a proffesional marketing service which will help people find your business in google and other search engines.
Conclusion
If you are serious about starting your own driveway cleaning business or commercial cleaning business then get the tools, get a website, Hire an online marketing service and tell EVERYONE what you are doing online and offline.
** update: we now offer websites for small businesses, view more here or contact us.
