When you’re launching your power washing business, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face early on is choosing a focus: residential or commercial work. Both paths can lead to strong profits, but they each come with their own pros, cons, and business demands.
So, which one should you start with? Let’s break down both niches so you can choose the right lane for your skills, budget, and long-term goals. 🎯🧼
🏡 Residential Power Washing: The Neighborhood Hustle
Residential work involves cleaning the exterior surfaces of individual homes or small rental properties. This includes:
- House siding (vinyl, brick, stucco) 🧱
- Driveways and walkways 🚶♂️
- Patios and decks 🌞
- Roof soft washing 🏠
- Fences, gutters, and more 🧽
✅ Pros of Residential Work:
- Easier to Break Into
Homeowners are often more approachable and less formal than businesses. You won’t need to bid on jobs or carry expensive insurance policies to get started. - Faster Turnaround
Most residential jobs take 1–3 hours to complete. That means you can do multiple jobs in a single day, maximizing your earnings. - More Personal Interaction
You’ll often deal directly with the homeowner, which can help you build trust, gather testimonials, and earn referrals. - High Demand in Suburbs
Many homeowners want their properties looking sharp — especially in spring and summer. Demand is steady in well-kept communities. - Lower Equipment Barrier
You can start with a smaller rig, which helps keep startup costs low.
❌ Cons of Residential Work:
- Lower Ticket Sizes
Compared to commercial work, the average job size is smaller—typically $150 to $600. - More Client Handholding
You’ll spend more time quoting jobs, answering questions, and adjusting to picky customers. - Seasonal Nature
In colder regions, business tends to slow down significantly in winter months.
🏢 Commercial Power Washing: The Big Leagues
Commercial work includes servicing businesses, municipalities, and organizations like:
- Retail centers
- Office buildings
- Restaurants and drive-thrus
- Apartment complexes
- Fleet vehicles and dumpsters
- Parking garages and sidewalks
✅ Pros of Commercial Work:
- Higher Ticket Sizes
Commercial jobs can range from $1,000 to $10,000+, depending on the scope and size of the property. - Recurring Contracts
Businesses love consistency. If they like your work, they may sign you on for monthly or quarterly cleanings—hello, predictable income! 📆 - Less Emotional Interaction
It’s mostly about results, not handholding. Many business owners just want you to get in, get the job done, and bill them. - Off-Hours Work
Most commercial jobs are done in the evening or early morning, which means less traffic, fewer interruptions, and fewer complaints. - Credibility Builds Quickly
Once you’ve landed a few commercial accounts, you can use that experience to land bigger and better contracts.
❌ Cons of Commercial Work:
- Tougher to Break Into
You may need special insurance, formal bids, or even business certifications to land commercial jobs. It takes time and persistence. - Slower Payments
Businesses often pay on net-30 or net-60 terms. That means you might wait a month or more to get paid. - More Expensive Equipment
You may need hot water systems, large tanks, or trailer rigs to handle commercial work efficiently. - Liability Risks
Slips, water runoff, and damage can lead to bigger lawsuits. You’ll need to be well-insured and operate professionally.
💰 A Quick Comparison of Revenue
| Type | Average Job Size | Jobs Per Day | Monthly Revenue Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | $200 – $600 | 2–4 | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Commercial | $1,000 – $5,000+ | 1 every few days | $8,000 – $25,000+ |
👉 Note: Commercial work may involve fewer jobs but significantly higher payouts per contract.
💡 Which Should You Start With?
Here’s the honest answer: Most beginners should start with residential work — and grow into commercial later.
Why?
- It’s easier to land your first clients
- You’ll build up reviews, confidence, and experience
- You can practice techniques on lower-risk surfaces
- You don’t need a massive trailer or high-dollar insurance policies
Once you’ve mastered the basics and built a solid reputation, you can transition to commercial jobs, which offer more stability and larger income potential. Many successful power washing companies eventually do both.
🚀 A Hybrid Approach: Why Not Both?
Some business owners mix the two for balance. For example:
- Residential work on weekdays
- Commercial lots on evenings or weekends
- Quarterly contracts mixed with daily single-family jobs
If you have the gear and the bandwidth, a hybrid strategy lets you make the most of your schedule and client base. It also shields your business from seasonality — when residential work slows in winter, commercial work may keep rolling. 🧭
🧠 Final Thoughts
Choosing between residential and commercial power washing isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. It comes down to:
- Your comfort level with different types of clients
- Your startup budget and equipment
- How fast you want to grow
- Your long-term business goals
The smart play? Start where you can win quickly — often with homeowners — and expand into larger accounts when your skills, confidence, and setup grow.
No matter which path you choose, there’s plenty of dirt to clean — and money to be made. 💦💰
