If you’re thinking of starting a pressure washer business, it’s important to know the costs associated with this type of company. Not only will there be upfront costs, but there will also be ongoing expenses to think about.

Of course, successful pressure washer companies will get enough business to easily pay for these costs and turn a profit. But having an estimate of what you’ll likely spend along the way is a good idea before you start your business.

Equipment

The most important business expense to think about is your pressure washing equipment. If you’re trying to keep costs low, you can start with just one pressure washer that has the power you need for the cleaning jobs you plan to do. In most cases, basic commercial pressure washers start around £750 (about $1,030 USD), while high-end equipment can cost about £4,500 (about $6,200 USD) or more.

Note that you will also need to buy accessories for your pressure washer, such as water hoses, nozzles, chemicals, water tanks, and more. You should budget about £150 to £1,000 (around $200 to $1,375 USD) for these accessories.

You’ll also need a way to transport your equipment from your office to each worksite. This typically means you’ll have to buy a truck or van, which can cost upwards of £11,000 (about $15,000 USD) upfront or a few hundred pounds per month if you make payments.

Either way, together, the pressure washer equipment and the vehicle to transport it add up to the main expenses you’ll need to plan for when you open a business in this industry. Consider whether you’ll need a business loan to pay for these costs or if you can pay out of pocket—keeping in mind that you can always start small and scale up with more equipment as you start making money from your company!

Marketing

Another big expense to budget for is advertising. After all, you need everyone to know your business exists if you want customers, and it usually costs money to put out ads. Making a website is a good start. A basic site for a small business usually costs at least £100 ($138 USD) per year to build and maintain, though more complex or unique websites cost much more.

You should also start social media pages for your business. These are free as long as you come up with the content yourself, but you’ll have to pay if you want expert content or paid ads. Other types of paid advertising include business cards, flyers, and radio ads. If you plan to advertise in any of these ways, budget at least £200 ($275 USD) per month for this expense.

If you don’t want to spend that much when you’re just getting started, you can always provide your services for free or cheap to a few customers at first in exchange for some word-of-mouth advertising and testimonials to put on your website. And of course, encourage your friends and family to share your website link and social media posts to get your business name out there.

General Business Fees

Once you have your equipment and a marketing budget, you’re almost ready to start a pressure washer business. But first, check with your local government to find out if you’re required to pay any fees for starting a business in your area. For example, some areas require you to get a business licence or permit before you can open a small business.

You’ll also need to get general liability insurance for your pressure washer business. Not only is this typically required, but it’s also recommended since insurance protects your company, your customers, and any employees you hire in case the worst should occur. In fact, general liability is usually the most basic insurance coverage you need, but it won’t cover all incidents that could put your company at risk.

So you should also look into getting additional coverage, such as workers’ comp, commercial auto, property coverage, tools coverage, and more. The amount you’ll pay for pressure washer insurance will vary depending on how much coverage you get and where you’re located, but on average, expect to pay about £750 (about $1,030 USD) per year for it.

Now that you’re aware of the cost to start a pressure washer business, you can decide if this is the type of company you want to create. If it is, it’s time to start shopping around for everything from pressure washer equipment to insurance coverage so you be on your way to owning a business!