Starting a pressure washing business: the honest checklist

General information only — not legal or tax advice. Business formation rules vary by state and situation. When in doubt, talk to a local attorney or CPA for your specific circumstances. What's below is the practical order of operations most operators follow.

1. Decide your business structure

Most new pressure washing operators choose between sole proprietorship (simplest, no separate entity, but no liability separation between you and the business) and LLC (a separate legal entity, modest filing cost — typically $50–$300 depending on the state — and the liability separation most operators want before they start spraying other people's property).

Key point people miss: an LLC is not insurance. It separates your personal assets from business liabilities in theory, but one uninsured property-damage claim can still sink the business itself. Entity first, insurance immediately after — they're complements, not substitutes.

2. Get your EIN

An Employer Identification Number from the IRS is free and takes minutes online. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file business taxes. Even solo operators get one — it keeps your Social Security number off vendor forms.

3. Check local permits and rules

Pressure washing is regulated more than newcomers expect:

• Business licenses — many cities and counties require a general business license.
• Water and runoff rules — some municipalities restrict where wash water can go. Reclaiming or diverting runoff isn't just an insurance question; it can be a legal one.
• HOA and commercial requirements — not permits, but gatekeepers: many require proof of insurance before you work.

Call your city clerk's office before your first job. It's a 10-minute call that prevents expensive surprises.

4. Open a business bank account

Keep business money separate from personal money from day one — your LLC's liability protection and your bookkeeping both depend on it. This is also where insurance premiums come from, so budget for them: a basic GL policy runs roughly $70–$75/month.

5. Buy your equipment

Start with what the jobs require, not the dream rig. A reliable pressure washer, surface cleaner, hoses, and nozzles get most residential operators earning. Add tanks, soft-wash systems, and water-recovery gear as the work demands it. Insure the equipment as you buy it — inland marine / equipment coverage runs roughly $31–$35/month and covers gear in transit, on site, and in storage.

6. Get insured — before the first paid job

This is the step operators postpone and regret. You need coverage in place before money changes hands, because:

• Commercial clients, property managers, and HOAs routinely require a certificate of insurance before hiring you. No COI, no job.
• The trade's classic claims — etched concrete, cracked windows, water intrusion — run $1,000–$5,000+ per incident. One bad job in week two can end the business in week three.
• Your homeowners and personal auto policies do not cover business activity. The "I'll get insurance once I'm making money" plan leaves every early job fully exposed.

Minimum viable coverage for day one: general liability (with your actual services disclosed — read what GL actually covers first), plus commercial auto if a vehicle hauls equipment, and equipment coverage for the rig. Add workers' comp the moment you hire.

7. Set up the basics that make you look legitimate

• A simple website or Google Business Profile with your COI available on request.
• Written quotes and invoices — even a simple template beats a handshake.
• Before/after photos of every job — your best marketing and your best claims documentation.
• A separate phone number or line for the business.