Getting Started In Pressure Washing
This section covers some VERY basic issues
one commonly faces when getting started
with a pressure washing business. What equipment
to buy, how to get customers, what to charge
and more.
What you need the most... Capital. Cash and
/ or credit.
Capital is critical when starting any business,
and pressure washing is no different. While
there are always exceptions to the rule, you
generally will need to invest in your equipment,
chemicals, forming an LLC, insurance, advertising
and more. You can spend anywhere from $2,000
to $50,000 or more setting up your pressure
washing business, so it's important to know
realistically what kind of money you have to
work with.
Your Business Basics - LLC and Insurance
I see far too many service businesses skip
both of these and it simply is not advisable.
Create an LLC for your business. In most
states you can register online and the cost
for setting one up is typically less than
$250. The next step is to get yourself an
insurance liability
policy. Hope that you
never need to use it, but it shows the industry
and your customers that you take your business
seriously. You can carry a $1 million dollar
liability policy for basic pressure washing
work for less than $1200 per year.
More about Insurance for Pressure Washers
>
Equipment - The Pressure Washer
Pressure washers can range from a couple hundred
bucks to $20,000 and more so which do you
choose? There's lots of varying opinions
about this but luckily neither method means
guaranteed success nor failure. You can do
great work with a lower end residential unit
from Home Depot if that's all your budget
permits, just know that it probably won't
last as long and will probably take longer
to complete a job. If your only option is
to go with the most affordable unit you can
find then so be it, otherwise I would advise
that you look into making a reasonable investment
in your unit.
More About Pressure Washers >
Other Equipment You Will Need
In addition to the pressure washer (and many
come with some of these accessories) you
will also need the following things. Some
of these items are more critical than others.
- Truck or Van - Something to carry your
equipment and I don't advise showing up to
a job site in a Civic.
- Water Hoses - Good grade low pressure water
hoses.
- High Pressure Hoses - It's nice to have
at least 50 feet even with a portable unit.
- Tips - 0 Degree, 15 Degree, 25 Degree,
40 Degree and a Chemical Tip.
- Turbo Nozzle - A great concrete cleaning
must-have but keep it away from wood.
- Surface cleaner - Comes in several sizes
and a couple of styles.
- X-Jet - A must have for anyone washing
houses or other buildings.
- Click
here for Pressure Washing Equipment Must
Haves....
Chemicals and Soaps
What you are cleaning determines what chemicals
you should use, but there are many great
things on the market. For standard residential
services three cleaners you should keep handy
are a house wash, gutter cleaner and concrete
cleaner. Jobs like new construction cleanup,
commercial building restoration, graffitti
removal and deck restorations are going to
each require specialized chemicals which
are discussed in great detail.
Practice and Experience
If you have experience in pressure washing
just not owning your own business then this
probably does not apply to you. If you are
new to pressure washing try to clean as many
things around your home or as free services
to gain experience.
Advertising and Marketing
Depending on your area, there should be all
sorts of advertising options for you. The
lowest of all budgets is worth of mouth and
direct sales. If you no money
to advertise then visit some neighbors and
offer your services. Create flyers to pass
around, mail postcards, advertise in home
owners associations newsletters, real estate
publications, yellow pages, etc.
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