ProfitDrawer's pressure washing business guide gives an example budget of about $1,375 for a part-time start up to $11,600 for a trailer rig. The gas pressure washer is the biggest swing, from $600 to $3,500, followed by a trailer (up to $3,000), a soft wash pump (up to $1,200) and a surface cleaner ($150 to $700). Licenses, insurance and marketing make up the rest. These are example ranges; your costs will differ.
Example budget (your costs will differ):
| Item | Low (part time) | High (trailer rig) |
|---|---|---|
| Gas pressure washer | $600 | $3,500 |
| Surface cleaner | $150 | $700 |
| Hoses, reels, nozzles, wand | $150 | $600 |
| Soft wash pump or downstream injector | $50 | $1,200 |
| Water tank | $0 | $600 |
| Trailer | $0 | $3,000 |
| Chemicals (starting stock) | $100 | $400 |
| Safety gear | $75 | $200 |
| Business license and registration | $50 | $300 |
| Liability insurance (first payment) | $100 | $500 |
| Marketing | $100 | $600 |
| Total | $1,375 | $11,600 |
A short starting menu (driveways, walks and house washing) keeps the equipment list small. Before buying, ask your city or county about wash water rules, since some places limit what can run into storm drains, and plan for drain covers or water recovery on commercial jobs.
To see how fast the gear pays back, the guide prices a 1,080 square foot driveway and walk at $0.20 per square foot: $216, with about $34 in direct costs. Run your own list through the free startup cost calculator.
Source: How to Start a Pressure Washing Business (ProfitDrawer guide) · Updated
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General information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Check the rules for your state and your situation.