3 Tips To Starting A Commercial Pressure Washing Business
For most people, starting a small business is the culmination of a life-long dream and the start of a grand adventure. It can involve a lot of hard work, long hours, and more than it's fair share of stress. If your business of choice is commercial pressure washing, here are some great tips to get your business up and cleaning quickly.
1. Get Insurance: Every business needs both liability and workmen's comp insurance. Workman's comp protects your employees if they slip and fall on the job, while liability protects you if some other person slips and falls due to your overspray. Liability also protects you in the off chance that you damage anything due to the force of the water. It comes out fast and can damage wood decking, fabric awnings, and vinyl siding. You should know, however, that many liability policies specifically exclude damage due to power washing. Be sure to explain thoroughly to your insurance agent what you do to make sure you are fully covered.
2. Protect the Landscaping: Most newbie power washers do not realize that they can damage the landscaping with their system. Not only do you need to protect bushes from the force of the water, but you need to protect the grass from the weight of many machines. Your customer does not want grooves in their manicured lawn. Use a sheet of plywood to distribute the weight over a larger surface to prevent this from happening on your job site. Also, when using chemical applications, be aware of where your waste water is running. You can kill many plants in landscaping beds when you allow a soapy, chemical residue to drain onto plants and flowers.
3. Find the Customers: Every small business wants to know the secret to finding the customers needed for success, especially when you are just starting out and your marketing budget is non-existent. Drive through strip mall locations near your home and offer to clean the sidewalks. People walk on sidewalks all the time, leaving them covered in grime, oil, food stains, and gum. You may not have an 'in' with the owner of the complex, but if you talk to the store managers, chances are they will put you in contact. They want the front of their stores to look good. Be prepared to give a price on the spot.
While the above tips can help you avoid any major mistakes when starting a commercial power washing business, the key to success with any business is to show up on time and do a good job. It's pretty simple.
With a little work, you can start a great pressure washing business like Best Choice Pressure Cleaning and Landscaping.