To start a pressure washing business in Florida, you don’t need a state license. You need an LLC (or another structure), a local business tax receipt, liability insurance, and a plan for where your wash water goes. A professional starter setup costs roughly $5,000-$13,000, and the work never stops: Florida’s heat and humidity grow mold, mildew and algae on homes, driveways and buildings 12 months a year.
There’s no winter slowdown like in northern states. Many HOAs require regular exterior cleaning, and vacation rentals need cleaning between guests.
Which services should you offer?
House washing is the most common residential job. It’s a soft wash: low pressure with cleaning solutions on siding, stucco and vinyl. Roof cleaning is also soft wash only, since high pressure damages roofs, and it’s more specialized with higher margins. Driveways, sidewalks and pool decks get high pressure and show quick, visible results. Fences are usually add-ons.
On the commercial side, you’ll find storefronts and building exteriors (often evening or weekend work), parking lots that may require water recovery, fleet washing for trucks and heavy equipment, and dumpster pads, which are recurring and often require water containment.
How do you set up a pressure washing LLC in Florida?
You’re working on other people’s property with high-pressure equipment. If you damage a customer’s home or someone gets hurt, an LLC keeps the claim away from your personal assets. Many commercial clients also only hire LLC or incorporated vendors, and commercial insurance is easier to get with an LLC.
- Choose a name. Check availability on the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) site. It must include “LLC.” Pick something that suggests clean, is easy to spell, fits on truck lettering, and doesn’t tie you to one town if you’ll expand.
- File Articles of Organization. File online through Sunbiz for $125. Processing takes 2-3 business days.
- Write an operating agreement. It documents ownership and operating rules, and banks and future partners will want it.
- Get an EIN. It’s free from the IRS at irs.gov.
- Open a business bank account and keep business money completely separate.
What licenses and permits do you need?
Most Florida cities and counties require a local business tax receipt. Contact your county tax collector’s office. It costs $30-$150 a year.
Florida doesn’t require a state license for pressure washing itself. Some related services are different:
- Pool deck sealing may require a painting contractor license if you’re applying sealants.
- Roof cleaning needs no license, but some insurance carriers want a certification.
- Commercial painting bundled with washing requires a contractor license.
Where can your wash water go?
This is the biggest regulatory issue in the business. You can’t let wash water flow into storm drains, which typically lead to waterways without treatment. Violations can bring significant EPA fines.
You have a few ways to comply. Water recovery systems capture runoff. Berms and dams contain water so it can evaporate. Some areas let you direct water onto landscaping, and some allow discharge after proper pH neutralization. Which ones are allowed depends on where you’re working, so call your local stormwater management authority before your first job, not after a complaint.
If you use bleach, surfactants or other chemicals, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and dilution ratios, and protect the customer’s landscaping from runoff. Some commercial jobs require Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on site.
What insurance does a pressure washing business need?
| Coverage | What it covers | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| General liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence typical) | Broken windows, damaged siding, stained surfaces, third-party injuries and legal costs | $500-$1,200 a year for new businesses |
| Commercial auto | Your truck or trailer when used for work, which a personal auto policy doesn’t cover | $1,200-$2,500 a year |
| Equipment (inland marine) | Theft and damage to your pressure washer, trailer and equipment | 1-3% of equipment value a year |
Many homeowners and virtually all commercial clients will ask for proof of insurance before you start. Workers’ compensation is required in Florida once you have 4 or more employees, and it’s worth having below that threshold too.
What equipment should you buy?
| Machine | Price | Specs | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | $200-$500 | 1,800-2,200 PSI | Not suitable for professional work |
| Gas | $500-$2,000 | 2,500-4,000 PSI | Fine for most residential work, but consumer-grade parts wear faster |
| Belt-drive commercial | $2,000-$5,000 | 3,000-4,000 PSI, 4-8 GPM | Built for daily use. The pump runs cooler and lasts longer |
| Trailer-mounted system | $5,000-$20,000 | Hot or cold water, large tank | Professional presentation |
We’d start with a belt-drive commercial unit. Gas machines with consumer-grade parts are cheaper on day one, but you’ll be using the machine every day.
PSI or GPM: which matters more?
PSI is pressure. GPM is how much water flows each minute. GPM often matters more for cleaning efficiently. Multiply them to get cleaning units (PSI × GPM). A 4 GPM machine at 3,000 PSI produces 12,000 cleaning units and outperforms a 2 GPM machine at 4,000 PSI for most work. Aim for at least 10,000 cleaning units for professional work (for example, 2,500 PSI × 4 GPM = 10,000).
The full starter kit
| Item | Budget range |
|---|---|
| Commercial pressure washer | $1,500-$4,000 |
| Surface cleaner (for flat surfaces) | $200-$800 |
| Hoses (100+ feet) | $100-$300 |
| Spray wands and tips | $50-$150 |
| X-jet or downstream injector | $50-$150 |
| Chemical tanks/soft wash system | $200-$1,000 |
| Extension wands | $50-$200 |
| Safety equipment (goggles, gloves) | $50-$100 |
| Trailer or truck bed setup | $500-$3,000 |
| Water tank (100+ gallons) | $200-$500 |
| Total starter setup | $3,000-$10,000 |
You’ll also need a truck or van that can carry all of it. Check bed size, towing capacity if you’re pulling a trailer, and the weight of a full water tank.
How much should you charge?
Flat surfaces are usually priced by the square foot: driveways at $0.15-$0.35 and sidewalks at $0.15-$0.25. Fences ($1.00-$3.00) and gutters ($1.00-$2.00) are priced by the linear foot. House washes and complex jobs are usually quoted per project, based on size, height and difficulty.
| Service | Price range |
|---|---|
| House wash (single-story, 2,000 sq ft) | $200-$350 |
| House wash (two-story, 2,500 sq ft) | $350-$550 |
| Driveway (standard 2-car) | $100-$175 |
| Sidewalk (50 linear feet) | $50-$75 |
| Roof cleaning (soft wash, 2,000 sq ft) | $300-$600 |
| Pool deck | $100-$250 |
| Fence (100 linear feet) | $150-$300 |
| Full house package | $400-$800 |
Commercial work prices differently: lower per-unit rates on large areas, overnight work, and the cost of water recovery and containment built in. Annual maintenance contracts are where the recurring revenue is.
To set your own rates:
- Work out your hourly operating cost (equipment, chemicals, insurance, vehicle).
- Add labor, whether it’s your time or an employee’s wages.
- Add a profit margin of 20-40%.
- Estimate time per job.
- Build pricing sheets for your common services.
Track your time on your first 10-20 jobs to refine your estimates.
How do you find customers?
For residential work, door-to-door is the most effective method. Leave door hangers where you can see mold and mildew, and offer a discount when neighbors book together. Before-and-after photos sell more work and protect you if a customer complains.
Your truck is a billboard, and quality lettering or a wrap costs $200-$1,000. Online, a free Google Business Profile with before-and-after photos, plus Facebook and Nextdoor, drives local leads. Lead services like Thumbtack, Angi (formerly Angie’s List), HomeAdvisor and Yelp charge per lead or take a percentage.
How do you build recurring revenue?
Sell quarterly or semi-annual house washing, monthly commercial accounts, and HOA contracts for common areas. Seasonal pushes help too: cleanup before summer, before holiday guests arrive, and before a home goes on the market.
Commercial accounts bring larger, more predictable revenue: property management companies, HOAs and condo associations, restaurants, gas stations, shopping centers and fleet companies. Expect to provide insurance certificates and, sometimes, to bid.
What does it take to keep things running?
Check oil before each use, inspect hoses for wear, clean inlet filters, and change pump oil on the manufacturer’s schedule. Well-maintained equipment lasts years longer. Store chemicals properly, track inventory, follow mixing ratios, and know which chemicals work on which surfaces.
On the compliance side:
- File your Florida LLC annual report by May 1 each year. The fee is $138.75.
- Keep your insurance current and send updated certificates when customers ask.
- Pay quarterly estimated federal taxes (including self-employment tax), reemployment tax if you have employees, and your annual federal return.
- Keep mileage logs and records of equipment, repairs, chemicals, insurance and marketing costs.
How much does it cost to start?
| Expense | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| LLC formation | $125 |
| Business tax receipt | $30-$150 |
| General liability insurance | $500-$1,200 |
| Commercial auto insurance | $1,200-$2,500 |
| Pressure washer (commercial) | $1,500-$4,000 |
| Surface cleaner | $200-$500 |
| Hoses, wands, accessories | $300-$600 |
| Chemical system | $200-$500 |
| Water tank | $200-$400 |
| Trailer or truck setup | $500-$2,000 |
| Marketing materials | $200-$500 |
| Initial chemicals | $100-$300 |
| Total | $5,000-$13,000 |
That’s a professional but starter-level setup. A serious commercial operation costs more.
What mistakes sink new pressure washing businesses?
Too much pressure is the classic one. It damages siding, wood and roofs, so learn soft washing before you take house jobs. Ignoring wastewater is next, since environmental violations are expensive and hurt your reputation. Skipping insurance means one broken window or injury claim can end the business. Pricing too low, without counting equipment replacement, slowly does the same thing.
Get set up before your first job
The first customer who asks for an insurance certificate will also expect to pay a business, not a person. IncCraft handles your LLC formation quickly while you focus on equipment and marketing. We’ll file your Articles of Organization, get your EIN, and provide registered agent service.
Get started with your Florida pressure washing LLC today.