How to start a pressure washing business
Season: April to October · Typical startup: $500 to $900
Pressure washing turns a dirty driveway, deck or house side into a dramatic before-and-after in under an hour, and those photos book your next three jobs. Startup is cheap, the work is visual, and one good gas washer plus a surface cleaner does most residential jobs. Here is the gear, pricing, and how to find customers.
$500 to $900To get started
$160Typical deck or patio
April to OctoberSeason
The gear and what it costs
Gas pressure washer, 3000+ PSICleans a driveway in a third of the time of an electric unit.
$400
15" surface cleaner attachmentEven, stripe-free concrete and far faster than a wand.
$90
Hose, tips, and a basic soap tankDifferent tips for concrete, wood and siding; soap for house washes.
$80
What established pros charge
| Driveway, national average · HomeAdvisor | $210 |
| Typical range · HomeAdvisor | $100–$350 |
National figures from published cost guides, checked November 8, 2026. Local prices vary.
Starting rates for a new business
| Driveway | $120 |
| Deck or patio | $160 |
| House wash | $300 |
| Add-on: sealing | $100+ |
Our suggested starting point for a new business. Price per job by size and surface. House washes and sealing are the high-margin upsells. Compare with the pro figures above, and raise your rates once you have reviews and a full week.
How to find your first customers
- Post before-and-after photos of your own or a friend's driveway in local groups. The visual sells itself.
- Offer a neighbor a free driveway in exchange for permission to post photos and knock the rest of the street.
- Target older homes with mildew-streaked siding; a house wash is an easy upsell from a driveway job.
- Leave a flyer with a before-and-after photo, not just text.
Rules to check before you start
- Many cities don't allow soapy wash water to run into storm drains. Use plain water on driveways or block the drain.
- High pressure can etch concrete, strip paint and cut skin. Use the right tip, and never point the wand at a person.
- Some cities and counties require a business license, even for a small service business. Check your city or county website before you take payment.
- Once you make $400 or more in profit in a year, you owe self-employment tax and need to file a return (IRS). Keep every receipt for gas and gear.
- Card payouts need a Stripe account. Stripe requires the account holder to be 18 or older for this kind of account, so a parent or guardian sets it up if you are under 18 (Stripe). Cash works from day one. Venmo, Zelle and Cash App need your own account, and under-18s need a parent to set one up.
Stay busy all year
Add window cleaning and gutter brightening; same ladder, same customers, more per visit.
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Questions
How much do pressure washers charge?
$120 for a driveway, $160 for a deck, and around $300 for a full house wash are typical. A gas washer and surface cleaner pay for themselves in about four jobs.
Do you need a license to pressure wash?
Requirements vary by city and state; many areas let you start a residential side hustle without one, but water-runoff rules can apply to commercial work. Check locally.
Electric or gas pressure washer to start?
A gas washer at 3000+ PSI is worth it if you plan to do driveways and houses. An electric unit is fine for decks and cars but slow on big concrete.
Can a teenager start a pressure washing business?
Yes, starting with driveways and patios at ground level. Keep house washing and anything on a ladder for later, and ask the customer before you use any soap near plants. On Launchpad, 13 to 17 year olds sign up with a parent or guardian's agreement.
Sources
Checked November 8, 2026.
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