Step 1. Get started: Establish your business structure
The first step in starting a business is choosing a business structure and filing the appropriate documentation to legally offer services in your area. You can choose from her three business structures: sole proprietorship, LLC, and corporation. Self-employed individuals use their own Social Security number with a “doing business as” (DBA) name. This structure can create personal liability for your business, and legal experts do not recommend it.
Most people choose an LLC or corporation as their business entity to limit their personal liability. First, search the Secretary of State's office for the name and make sure there are no business names that conflict with the name you want to use. Next, file the appropriate documentation with the state that includes the entity's owner, company name, and relevant contact information. Depending on the state you live in, you can expect to pay between $200 and $700 to form a business entity.
Step 2. Purchase equipment and supplies
To start your business, you need to obtain the proper equipment and supplies. First, choose between a gas or electric pressure washer. Please note that if you choose an electric pressure washer, the customer will need to supply the energy to run it. Also, select the type of pressure washer you want (light duty, medium duty, or heavy duty).
A large pressure washer costs $400, while a lightweight washing machine costs less than $200. Rather than buying all your washing machines from the beginning, consider renting the equipment in the beginning to save money and ensure you get what you need when you need it.
Recommended equipment and consumables other than the high pressure washer are as follows.
- pumps
- nozzle
- chemicals
- surface cleaner
Don't forget about transportation. You may need to take your gear back to work every day. Consider leasing a work van or truck to load everything into. Having your company name and phone number on your truck can be good advertising so people can call you if they see you moving around your neighborhood. You can expect to pay at least $350 per month to lease a truck.
Step 3. Set your rates
Before you start marketing to potential customers, you need to set your rates. Most jobs cost consumers between $192 and $401, so you should consider whether to choose the high end or the low end of the range. It may be easy to get more customers with lower prices, but you need to decide if it's worth the time and effort. To be more competitive, we recommend doing some secret shopping to see how much other pressure washers cost in your area.
When determining your pricing, consider whether you want to charge by the hour or by project. Keep in mind that if you charge per project, you need to know how much time a particular project will take. Practice how long it takes to pressure wash.
- driveway
- average sized home windows
- fence and wall
- sidewalk
When setting your price, consider the gas required to run the pressure washer and the number of consumables required for the job. Make sure you are charging enough to cover everything and still make a profit.
Step 4. Set up banking
You are in this to make a profit, and that means you can get paid to deposit funds into your bank account. Contact the IRS with your LLC or corporation details and complete Form W-7 to obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). This is similar to a social security number, but for business purposes. You will then be able to go to the bank with your company documents and obtain a bank account.
Bank accounts allow you to deposit cash and checks, but you need a payment gateway to accept credit card payments. There are many payment gateway options available. You can expect to pay up to 3% of your fee for gateway usage, so be sure to factor that into your pricing. Once you connect your payment gateway to your bank, you will be able to perform all your income and expense transactions from your business bank account.
Step 5. Establish marketing channels
Marketing includes everything from word of mouth to online listings. Create a business card with your business name and contact information. These can be used when going door to door to introduce yourself or new business. He can also set up a website where he showcases some of his work, along with “before and after” photos.
Even if you don't have a website, you'll be listed on listing pages on online services like Google Business Pages, Yelp, and Facebook. Some businesses have found success by posting on Instagram Reels and TikTok. Users enjoy the satisfying process of seeing their dirty facades become beautiful again.
Start telling everyone about your new business. This includes joining online community groups where you can promote your pressure washing business. Consider running ads with introductory features to get your business off the ground quickly. Facebook has made it easy to target homeowners on a tight budget. Start advertising with a budget of $10 per day and test different ads to see which ones work best. As you grow, you can expand your budget and target more people.
