About 15 years ago a buddy and I started a painting company. Although I left the partnership eventually to venture into the restaurant business (and a dozen other things since then), I learned some valuable lessons and tips when starting your own business; specifically, starting a pressure washing business. As with starting any business, pressure washing is the same, you have to have a plan and be willing to make some compromises along the way; like putting profits back into the business if you want it to grow. Although I might have done things a little different today, like maybe take advantage of cool resources available (you can even purchase a Pressure Washing Business Plan on eBay) which I wish I would have used back then.
**Update: Check out the bottom of this post for a Power Washing Starter Kit which includes Training DVD.
Starting a pressure washing business can be done affordably. Many entrepreneurs are looking for a business that is low cost and easy to grow. Obtaining local clients and repeat customers is important. Here are some tips on how to start a pressure washing business.
Equipment
Commercial pressure washers can be obtained from businesses that cater to the needs of home improvement. Basic pressure washers for commercial purposes start under five hundred dollars. Larger models offer more variety and better coverage area when performing services for clients. One of the best ways to get starting with your power washing business is to rent your washer from a local rental store. You can rent the washers for months or even a year until you have enough cash flow to purchase your own. More than likely, you’ll want to buy your own as soon as possible because you’ll begin to realize what you like and dislike about the rentals.
A lot of people don’t realize they can start a business with rental equipment. They think they have to come right out of the gate with all the newest and greatest equipment purchased on credit cards or going in debt early. By renting your pressure washing equipment first, you’ll also get a “feel” for the business environment and have a more realistic idea of it’s truly something you want to do. Think about it, if you purchased all your equipment first, then a month later you realized you really didn’t like the pressure washing business after all, you would be stuck with all that equipment!
There are electric pressure washers, gas pressure washers, and tow behind pressure washers. The variety and type of equipment needed to experience the best results can improve as the business profits increase.
Financial
Decide in advance with a written budget how much money there is available to start your business. It is possible to start up with $2,000 to $45,000 or as the budget allows. This is the time to think about how the business will be financed. Many entrepreneurs have a line of credit, savings, or are actively raising cash. Again, think about rental the equipment and working on weekends, saving the money you make from your washing business and putting into a separate account. As that account grows, you can then use it to purchase your own power washing equipment.
Create a business plan that operates within the confines of the budget. If the budget is extremely low or restrictive, consider purchasing or renting equipment and tools that are within the budget.
Legal
Create a legal business structure for the pressure washing business. This could be through forming a Limited Liability Corporation, also known as an LLC. Speak with an accountant or lawyer if help is needed deciding which business structure is best. One great resource on the web is legalzoom.com. You can get an LLC setup there all online for a few hundred bucks!
Insuring the business will help offset any potential accidents that might occur. The cost of liability insurance is a necessary expense to protect assets of the business.
Plan the details of the daily tasks necessary to perform jobs well. These items could be work truck, nozzles, tips, surface cleaners, water hoses, x-jet, and soaps for cleansing.
Education
Invest in educational resources that teach in depth how to power wash properly. There are many short training sessions available, DVD trainings, and even books written on the subject. Do as much training as the budget will allow. The training will help with safety precautions and basic marketing help. This part reminds me of how my buddy and I got started on the remodeling business. Basically we told a company that would hire remodel crews to do insurance claim work that we could do anything. From painting, power washing, drywall, you name it, our response was “sure, we’ve done that before no problem.” Then we would immediately go to the local Home Depot and purchase a VCR tape or book on the subject and teach ourselves. Hey, it worked! We sure learned a lot and I don’t believe we screwed anyone’s property up that bad. Lesson being, as long as you know more than they guy you’re working for about how to do something, you’re find. And make sure you’re insured and at least know how NOT to damage property or hurt someone.
Marketing
Think about how the business will be marketed. Use free and low cost resources to develop an online presence quickly. Purchase a domain name and start a website. The basic website simply needs to list important contact information. Always use a professional email that is based off the domain name.
Start a Face book fan page, create a YouTube video account, and start writing articles for distribution. These articles and videos can be placed on distribution venues like Ezine Articles and Tube Mogul. Talk about the benefits of the local pressure washing service. This will help local customers find the business contact information. Have some money set aside for traditional advertising expenses like print ads, pay per click, direct mail, and local news paper ads.
Starting a pressure washing business can be done effectively on a limited or large budget. Develop a business plan and marketing plan and take action. Use these tips to help start a pressure washing business.
And the biggest tip (no pun intended) of all, don’t be afraid to try! Rarely has anyone ever became hugely successful without a few mistakes here and there; so don’t take yourself so seriously and just do the best you can.
Starting a pressure washing business is like starting any other business, you need to be prepared as much as possible but if you wait until you have everything ready and perfect, you'll never start! Some of the best lessons and things you'll find that add success to your business will come from experience and don't be afraid to make mistakes; that's how we learn.
Complete Power Washing Business Starter Kit
Complete Pressure Washing Kit
Ok, now I totally wish we would have used something like this when we started our business years ago. The fact is, once we started, it's sort of like buying a new house... you really don't know what you need until you start living there; toilet paper, dishes, etc. all the little things you don't think about. These add up and can really nickel and dime you to death. It's like starting a weekend job and having to head back to Home Depot 20 times because you didn't realize all the little things you needed for the job.
These guys have put everything you need in one package to get you started with a pressure washing business with the Complete Power Washing Starter Kit, with training
Here's a list of all the things you get with this kit for under $3,000. Which may seem like a lot but once you add in all the accessories, it's actually a pretty good deal, plus the training DVD.
- 13HP HONDA MOTOR PRESSURE WASHER (Comes with full Honda Warranty)
- 4000 PSI @ 4 Gallons per Min. ( Adjustable PSI for Soft Wash)
- 100' 4000 PSI Goodyear High Pressure Hose
- 110' Commercial Fill Hose
- 12' to 18' Exstension Wand for 2nd story access.
- Gutter Cleaning Bar
- 4800 PSI Rated High Performance Wand
- Four Head Aluminum Water Broom
- 5 Gallon Concentrate Super House Washing Biodegradable Soap ( Will eliminate and kill Moldy Black Vinyl Homes into Clean Beautiful ones.)
- 1 Gallon Simple Awesome Degreaser ( Great for Driveways and Walkways)
- 20" Hammerhead Surface Cleaner Rated at 4800 PSI. Poly Shroud with dual spinner action. Cuts cleaning time by 60%.
- 1 Commercial grade rotating turbo nozzle ( Great for Gum Removal and Oil Spots)
- Full Set of pressure tips
- Full Training Manual on Bidding the Job with DVD's Step by Step Instructions on how to get Jobs and Make from $200 to $800 Per Home. Awesome Repeat Business Program. Make Serious Money working PT or FT. The Pressure Washing industry is exploding in these tough economic times. House Washing can be combined with window washing , gutter cleaning, roof washing, painting, pool deck restoration, deck restoration etc. etc.
So if you're serious about starting your own pressure washing business, check out the Complete Power Washing Starter Kit, with training DVD
Hello, I'm Rob. Thanks for stopping by
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