How do you start a pressure washing business in 2027?
Pressure washing is one of the cheapest home services to start and one of the easiest to upsell into recurring work.
Startup costs: $3k-$10k. A hot-water 4 GPM commercial pressure washer ($2.5k-$5k new, less used), surface cleaner attachment ($300-$600), 100-200ft of hose, soft-wash setup with downstream injector ($150-$400), water tank ($300-$700) for properties without spigots, and a trailer or truck bed mount.
Permits/licenses: Business registration plus general liability insurance ($500-$1k/yr). Some cities require wastewater capture/reclaim for commercial work — check stormwater ordinances. No specialty license required in most states.
Customer acquisition: Before/after photos on Google Business Profile and Facebook (highest-converting content in this niche), Google LSA, neighborhood door hangers. House washing leads naturally bundle with concrete, roof soft-wash, and gutter brightening.
Revenue model: Per-job ($200-$600 residential house wash, $0.10-$0.30/sqft concrete). Sell annual maintenance plans for recurring revenue.
Year 1 outlook: Solo operator $35k-$65k realistic. Seasonality bites in cold climates — plan for 7-9 working months.