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Essential Gear for Pressure Washers
- Caddy Organizer - Carry supplies efficiently
- Microfiber Cloths (50 pack) - Professional cleaning results
- Extendable Duster - Reach high areas safely
- Spray Bottles (6 pack) - Custom cleaning solutions
Why Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing is one of the most accessible and profitable side hustles you can start. Every home and business needs exterior cleaning, but most people don't own the equipment or want to do the work themselves. That's where you come in.
Why Pressure Washing is Perfect for Side Hustlers
Unlike many businesses, pressure washing delivers immediate, visible results. Customers see the transformation happen before their eyes, leading to high satisfaction, great reviews, and referrals. The work is physical but straightforward, and you can learn the basics in a single weekend.
Key benefits of pressure washing as a side hustle:
- High Hourly Rates: $50-$200/hour is achievable even for beginners
- Low Barrier to Entry: Start with $1,500-$3,000 in equipment
- Weekend-Friendly: Most residential work happens on weekends
- Scalable: Grow from solo weekender to full crew
- Repeat Customers: Driveways and houses need cleaning annually
- Quick Jobs: Most residential jobs take 1-3 hours
- Cash Flow: Get paid same day or within days
Pressure Washing Market
$2.3B
US Market Size
5.2%
Annual Growth
85%
Homeowner Need
Services You Can Offer
Start with one or two services and expand as you gain experience:
Driveway & Concrete Cleaning
The most common service. Remove oil stains, mold, mildew, and years of grime from driveways, patios, and sidewalks.
$100-$300 per driveway
Easiest to learn, highest volume
House Washing (Soft Wash)
Clean vinyl, stucco, brick, and other siding. Uses lower pressure with cleaning solutions. Removes algae, mildew, and dirt.
$250-$600 per house
Higher ticket, requires technique
Deck & Fence Cleaning
Restore wood and composite decks, fences, and pergolas. Often leads to staining/sealing upsells.
$150-$400 per deck
Seasonal spring demand
Roof Cleaning (Soft Wash)
Remove black streaks (algae) from asphalt shingles. Must use soft wash technique to avoid damage.
$300-$700 per roof
Premium pricing, specialized
Commercial Properties
Storefronts, parking lots, dumpster pads, fleet vehicles. Often recurring contracts.
$200-$2,000+ per job
Weekday work, recurring revenue
Gutter Cleaning
Clean exterior gutter faces and offer interior gutter cleaning. Natural add-on to house washing.
$100-$250 per house
Easy upsell opportunity
Equipment and Startup Costs
Starter Setup ($1,500-$3,000)
| Item | Specs | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure Washer | 3,000-4,000 PSI, 4 GPM gas | $800-$1,500 |
| Surface Cleaner | 18-20" for driveways | $150-$300 |
| Hoses & Fittings | 100ft pressure hose, garden hose | $150-$250 |
| Wand & Tips | Various nozzle tips, extension wand | $50-$100 |
| Chemicals | Sodium hypochlorite, surfactant | $50-$100 |
| Safety Gear | Goggles, boots, gloves | $50-$100 |
Professional Setup ($5,000-$15,000)
- Commercial Pressure Washer: Belt-drive, 4,000+ PSI, 4+ GPM ($2,500-$5,000)
- Water Tank & Trailer: 100-275 gallon tank, utility trailer ($1,500-$4,000)
- Soft Wash System: 12V pump, tank, and hose for house washing ($500-$1,500)
- Professional Surface Cleaner: 24"+ whisper wash ($400-$800)
- Hot Water Upgrade: For grease and commercial work ($3,000-$8,000)
Equipment Strategy
Start with a quality 3,000-4,000 PSI gas pressure washer and surface cleaner. Your first 3-5 jobs will pay for the equipment. As revenue grows, upgrade to commercial equipment. Don't buy the cheapest—reliability matters when you have customers waiting.
Getting Started
Step 1: Legal Setup
- Business License: Required in most areas ($50-$200)
- Liability Insurance: Essential protection ($500-$1,500/year)
- Check Local Regulations: Some areas restrict wastewater runoff
- LLC or Sole Proprietor: LLC recommended for protection
Step 2: Get Your Equipment
- Purchase a quality gas pressure washer (3,000+ PSI, 3+ GPM minimum)
- Get a surface cleaner for flat surfaces (game changer for driveways)
- Buy 100ft of pressure hose for reach
- Stock up on safety gear and basic chemicals
Step 3: Practice Your Skills
- Clean your own property first to learn
- Offer free or discounted jobs to friends/family
- Watch YouTube tutorials on technique
- Learn proper chemical application (downstream injection)
- Take before/after photos of everything
Step 4: Set Up Your Business
- Create a simple website or Google Business Profile
- Set up a dedicated business phone number
- Create a pricing sheet for services
- Design simple business cards
- Set up payment processing (Square, Stripe)
Step 5: Get Your First Customers
- Post on local Facebook groups and Nextdoor
- Put out yard signs after completing jobs
- Door knock in neighborhoods with dirty driveways
- Ask for reviews after every job
Pricing Strategy
Price by the job, not by the hour. Customers care about the result, not how long it takes you.
Residential Pricing Guide
| Service | Low Price | Average | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driveway (2-car) | $100 | $150 | $200+ |
| Driveway (3-car) | $150 | $225 | $300+ |
| House Wash (1,500 sq ft) | $200 | $300 | $450+ |
| House Wash (2,500 sq ft) | $300 | $450 | $600+ |
| Deck (300 sq ft) | $150 | $225 | $350+ |
| Fence (100 linear ft) | $150 | $200 | $300+ |
| Roof (Soft Wash) | $300 | $450 | $700+ |
Pricing Methods
Per Square Foot
- Concrete: $0.10-$0.25/sq ft
- House Siding: $0.15-$0.30/sq ft
- Decks: $0.30-$0.75/sq ft
- Roofs: $0.20-$0.45/sq ft
Bundle Pricing
- Driveway + Sidewalk: $175-$250
- House + Driveway: $400-$650
- Full Property Package: $600-$1,000+
- Seasonal Discount: 10-15% off
Pricing Tips
- Always quote in person or via photos—never over the phone sight unseen
- Factor in drive time, setup, and cleanup (adds 30-60 min per job)
- Charge more for heavily stained or neglected surfaces
- Premium neighborhoods can pay 20-40% higher rates
- Offer package discounts to increase average ticket
Finding Customers
Free Marketing
- Google Business Profile: Essential for local SEO
- Facebook Marketplace: Post your services
- Nextdoor: High-intent local customers
- Yard Signs: Place after every job
- Door Hangers: Target dirty driveways
- Word of Mouth: Ask for referrals
Paid Marketing
- Facebook Ads: Target homeowners by zip code
- Google Ads: "Pressure washing near me"
- Thumbtack/Angi: Lead generation sites
- Vehicle Wrap: Driving billboard
- Direct Mail: Postcards to neighborhoods
Before/After Photos Are Everything
Take photos of every job—they're your best marketing tool. Post to social media, add to your website, and show prospects during estimates.
Door Knocking Script
"Hi, I'm [Name] and I just finished cleaning your neighbor's driveway at [address]. I noticed yours could use some attention too.
I'm offering 15% off for neighbors this week. A driveway like yours would run about $[price]—takes about an hour and you'll see a huge difference.
Would you be interested in getting a quick quote?"
Techniques and Pro Tips
Driveway Cleaning Technique
- Pre-treat with sodium hypochlorite solution (1-3%)
- Let dwell for 5-10 minutes
- Use surface cleaner in overlapping passes
- Work from top to bottom (if sloped)
- Edge with wand for tight spots
- Post-treat stubborn stains if needed
- Rinse thoroughly to prevent chemical damage to plants
House Washing (Soft Wash)
- Pre-wet plants and cover delicate landscaping
- Apply soft wash solution (1-3% SH + surfactant)
- Work from bottom to top when applying
- Let dwell for 5-15 minutes
- Rinse from top to bottom with low pressure
- Never use high pressure on siding—it causes damage
- Rinse plants before and after
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't use high pressure on wood: It damages the fibers
- Don't pressure wash painted surfaces directly: Strips paint
- Don't spray windows up close: Can break seals
- Don't neglect plants: Chemicals kill landscaping
- Don't leave "tiger stripes": Overlap your passes
- Don't work on hot surfaces: Chemicals dry too fast
Growing Your Business
Add Services
- Deck staining and sealing (doubles revenue per deck job)
- Gutter cleaning (easy add-on to house washes)
- Window cleaning (pairs well with house washing)
- Christmas light installation (off-season revenue)
- Fleet washing (recurring commercial work)
Commercial Contracts
Commercial work provides steady, recurring income:
- Restaurant grease traps and dumpster pads (monthly)
- Gas station forecourts (weekly/monthly)
- Shopping center sidewalks (quarterly)
- Fleet vehicle washing (weekly)
- Property management companies (ongoing)
Hire Help
Once you're consistently booked, hire a helper ($15-$20/hr). You can do 2-3x more jobs per day and focus on sales while they do the work. Eventually build a team and transition to management.
Income Calculator
Estimate Your Pressure Washing Income
Estimated Monthly Profit
$3,000
Gross: $3,200 | Hours: ~32 hrs
Frequently Asked Questions
You can start a basic pressure washing business for $1,500-$3,000 including a quality pressure washer, surface cleaner, hoses, and cleaning solutions. A professional setup with a commercial-grade machine, trailer, and full equipment runs $5,000-$15,000. Many operators start small with a good residential machine and reinvest profits into better equipment.
Pricing varies by service: driveways $100-$300, house washing $250-$600, deck cleaning $150-$400, and commercial work $200-$1,000+. Most operators effectively earn $50-$150 per hour once efficient. Price by the job, not by the hour—customers care about results, not time. Use square footage pricing for consistent quotes.
Requirements vary by location. Most areas require a general business license ($50-$200). Some states require contractor licensing for certain services. Environmental regulations may restrict where wastewater can flow. Check with your city/county for specific requirements. Liability insurance ($500-$1,500/year) is essential and often required by customers.
Pressure washing is an excellent side hustle with high hourly rates ($50-$200/hr effective), low competition barriers, and work that fits perfectly on weekends. The seasonal nature actually works well for part-timers. One weekend of work can earn $500-$2,000. Skills are learned quickly, and equipment typically pays for itself within the first few jobs.
For professional results, you need 3,000-4,000 PSI with at least 3-4 GPM (gallons per minute). GPM matters as much as PSI—it's the water volume that does the cleaning. Electric machines (typically 1,500-2,000 PSI) are fine for light home use but struggle with commercial work. Gas-powered machines are essential for professional work.
Start Your Pressure Washing Business Today
With just a few thousand dollars in equipment, you can build a profitable weekend business. Every dirty driveway in your neighborhood is a potential customer waiting to be impressed.
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