Pressure Washing

What it typically pays

Public sources report $100 to $475 per job for pressure washing. Driveway flat rate $100-$200 or $0.25-$0.55/sq ft; house wash $170-$360 (Angi average ~$311); hourly labor $60-$125. Typical reported prices, not earnings. Prices vary by city and by how the work is packaged. The launch checklist includes a pricing step so you set yours on purpose, not by guessing.

What it costs to start

Expect about $600 to $4,900 before the first job. Basic gas washer + surface cleaner $600-$800 (HomeGuide); Jobber's bootstrap estimate $1,975-$4,900 incl. insurance and marketing; assumes you already have a vehicle. The basics:

Cost source: getjobber.com, 2026 guide, accessed 2026-09-10.

• Gas pressure washer (3,000+ PSI, 2.5+ GPM)
• Surface cleaner attachment
• 100-ft hose and nozzle set
• House-wash mix (sodium hypochlorite + surfactant)
• Safety glasses, boots, gloves
• Vehicle to haul it

How fast the first dollar comes

People commonly report a first paid job within 3 to 21 days of starting, when they follow the checklist below in order. The fastest route is almost always someone you already know.

Where the first customers are

• Door hangers on the 20 dirtiest driveways in one neighborhood, then post the before/after in that neighborhood's Facebook group
• Nextdoor 'Recommendations' post with a before/after photo and a spring special
• Google Business Profile with 5+ before/after photos; ask every customer for a review the same day

Rules, permits and risks

• Chemical runoff is regulated in many cities (stormwater rules): use biodegradable soap, block storm drains, know local rules
• Ladder and roof work is the injury risk; start with driveways, patios, and ground-level siding
• General liability insurance before working on other people's property; a 2026 junk-removal guide cites about $93/month average for solo operators, and monthly plans exist. A wrong nozzle strips paint, etches concrete, or breaks windows.
• Some cities and HOAs require a business license or contractor registration for exterior cleaning; check the city website
• Income is taxable whether or not you receive a 1099; set aside roughly 25-30% (federal income tax plus 15.3% self-employment tax) and pay quarterly estimates if you expect to owe $1,000+ (IRS Self-Employed Tax Center).

Launch checklist

1. Watch 3 hours of surface-cleaner and house-wash technique videos; practice on your own driveway and a friend's
2. Buy or rent: 3,000+ PSI washer, surface cleaner, 100-ft hose, nozzle set, safety gear
3. Get a general liability quote (Next, Thimble, Hiscox) and bind it month-to-month
4. Check your city's business license and stormwater rules (10 minutes on the city site)
5. Pick 3 flat-rate services (driveway, patio/deck, house wash) priced from local Angi/HomeGuide ranges
6. Wash 2 driveways free or at cost for photos and reviews
7. Create a Google Business Profile with before/after photos and your service area
8. Print 100 door hangers; hit one neighborhood with visibly dirty driveways
9. Post before/after in 3 local Facebook groups and Nextdoor with a seasonal offer
10. Set up booking (Google Form or free Jobber/Square link) and card payments (Square/Venmo)
11. Do your first 5 paid jobs; text a review link within 2 hours of finishing
12. Add upsells (gutter brightening, fences, sidewalks) and a neighbor discount to cluster jobs on one street

Open as a checklist you can tick off

Templates

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Honest caveats

• Seasonal in cold climates (roughly March to November)
• Physically demanding: wet, loud, hot
• Crowded in warm metros; win on photos, speed to quote, and reviews rather than price
• Rental washers eat the margin on your first jobs; fine for testing, not for scale