💰 Make Money
Start a Pressure Washing Business: Complete Guide
Walter Hennery·July 28, 2026·8 min read
Pressure washing is a high-demand, low-barrier business. Homeowners pay $200-$500 to clean their driveways, decks, and siding. With startup costs under $2,000, you can be earning money within a week.
What Can You Pressure Wash?
- Driveways and sidewalks: $100-$250 per job
- House siding: $200-$400 per house
- Decks and patios: $150-$350 per deck
- Roofs: $300-$600 (requires soft washing)
- Fences: $150-$300 per fence
- Commercial buildings: $500-$2,000 per job
Pressure Washing Service Pricing
| Service | Average Price | Time | Difficulty |
|---|
| Driveway (500 sq ft) | $100-$150 | 1 hour | Easy |
| Walkway | $75-$125 | 30 min | Easy |
| House siding (2,000 sq ft) | $200-$350 | 2-3 hours | Medium |
| Deck (300 sq ft) | $150-$250 | 1.5 hours | Medium |
| Fence (150 linear ft) | $150-$300 | 2 hours | Medium |
| Roof soft wash | $300-$600 | 3-4 hours | Hard |
Startup Equipment
| Item | Beginner | Professional |
|---|
| Pressure washer (PSI rating) | $300-$600 (2,000 PSI) | $1,000-$3,000 (4,000+ PSI) |
| Hoses and fittings | $50-$100 | $100-$200 |
| Nozzles and tips | $20-$50 | $50-$100 |
| Surface cleaner attachment | $50-$100 | $200-$400 |
| Detergent and chemicals | $30-$50 | $50-$100 |
| Safety gear | $30-$50 | $50-$100 |
| Total | $480-$950 | $1,400-$3,900 |
How to Get Customers
- Door hangers: Hit 100 houses per day in target neighborhoods
- Nextdoor app: Post before/after photos, get neighbor referrals
- Facebook Marketplace: List your services for free
- Google Business Profile: Get found in local search results
- Yard signs: Place at every job site with permission
- Partner with realtors: They need properties cleaned before listing
The neighbor effect: When you finish a driveway, ask the neighbor if they want theirs done too. This converts at 30-50% because they just saw the results. One job can easily become two or three.
Revenue Projections
| Jobs per Week | Avg Price | Weekly Income | Monthly Income |
|---|
| 5 | $150 | $750 | $3,000 |
| 8 | $200 | $1,600 | $6,400 |
| 10 | $250 | $2,500 | $10,000 |
| 15 | $250 | $3,750 | $15,000 |
How to Scale Your Business
- Add soft washing: Offer roof and siding cleaning at premium prices
- Fleet contracts: Bid on commercial properties (apartments, restaurants)
- Hire employees: Train 1-2 people and take on more jobs
- Increase prices: Raise rates by $25-$50 every 6 months
- Package deals: Bundle driveway + deck + fence at a discount
⚠️ Warning:
- Check local regulations " — some states require contractors licenses for pressure washing
- Protect nearby plants " — pressure washing chemicals can kill landscaping
- Get liability insurance " — $500-$1,000/year protects against damage claims
- Don't start with the cheapest equipment " — cheap machines break down fast
- Collect payment before leaving " — most residential jobs are cash or Venmo
The bottom line: Pressure washing is a goldmine side hustle. Spend $500-$1,000 on equipment, knock on doors in nice neighborhoods, and charge $150-$250 per job. Most people can earn $3,000-$6,000 per month working 20-25 hours per week. Add soft washing and commercial contracts to scale beyond $10,000/month.