Should You Offer Power Washing Subcontracting to Landscapers or Painters?

As a power washing business owner, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Should I partner with other service providers to expand my revenue streams?” One of the most underrated yet potentially lucrative strategies is subcontracting your power washing services to local landscapers, painters, or general contractors. 👷‍♂️🧼

Subcontracting can boost your cash flow, fill schedule gaps, and build long-term alliances — but only if done strategically. In this article, we’ll break down the pros, cons, and best practices of subcontracting your power washing services to other trades. 🧠📦

🧩 What Is Subcontracting in Power Washing?

Subcontracting means you’re hired by another business — not the end client — to perform power washing as part of their larger service.

Examples:

A painter hires you to clean siding before applying fresh paint
A landscaper includes a patio wash in their seasonal maintenance package
A general contractor brings you in before exterior renovations or roof installations
A property management company outsources you for common area cleaning

You don’t handle the billing, client relationships, or upsells — you show up, do the job, and get paid by your business partner. 💼💵

✅ The Benefits of Subcontracting

Let’s start with the good stuff — here’s why many power washers pursue these partnerships:

📈 1. Consistent Work

Landscapers, painters, and contractors often have full schedules and multiple clients year-round. Partnering with them can result in steady recurring work — especially during slower seasons.

💰 2. Reduced Customer Acquisition Costs

You don’t have to spend on:

Marketing
Quotes
Phone calls
Sales emails

They handle the sale — you just provide the service. This means higher profit margins per hour of labor.

⏱️ 3. Fill Gaps in Your Calendar

Have gaps in your weekly schedule? Subcontracting work can smooth out slow weeks and keep crews busy.

🧠 4. Builds Strong Local Business Ties

Referrals flow both ways. Once a painter or landscaper sees your reliability, they’ll send you direct leads too.

📦 5. Potential for Bundled Services

Some partnerships evolve into joint packages. For example:

“Spring Clean Combo” = Lawn cleanup + patio wash + mulch
“Repaint Ready” = Siding wash + window cleaning + trim prep

These bundles are value-packed for homeowners and profitable for everyone involved. 🌿🏡🎨

⚠️ The Drawbacks of Subcontracting

Before diving in, weigh the potential downsides:

💸 1. Lower Margins

You’ll often be paid less than your direct customer rate because the contractor needs to make a profit too.

For example, if your house wash normally costs $350, a contractor might only pay you $250 to leave room for their markup.

🎯 2. Less Control Over Client Interaction

You don’t have the opportunity to:

Upsell additional services
Explain scope or limitations directly
Showcase your brand

One miscommunication — and you could be blamed for unmet expectations. 😬

🔄 3. Unpredictable Schedules

Subcontractors often get short notice:

“Can you clean this driveway tomorrow morning?”
“We need you on-site this afternoon — client’s rushing the paint job.”

If your calendar’s already tight, these requests can create chaos.

🧾 4. Inconsistent Payment Terms

Depending on the business, you might get paid:

Net 15
Net 30
After their client pays them (which could take weeks)

Be sure you’re not left chasing invoices or dealing with cash flow crunches.

🧠 When Subcontracting Makes Sense

Ask yourself these key questions:

Do I have extra capacity or slow periods I’d like to fill?
Am I willing to accept slightly lower rates for consistent jobs?
Do I have a reliable team that can handle jobs with minimal supervision?
Can I enforce written agreements and payment timelines?
Am I interested in growing brand awareness through B2B referrals?

If you answered yes to most, subcontracting could be a great fit.

🔍 How to Find the Right Subcontracting Partners

Start with these trades:

Landscaping companies – Look for lawn care or hardscape businesses offering property cleanups
Exterior painters – Many painters pressure wash before applying paint
Roofers – Soft washing prep or post-project cleanup
Window cleaners – You can mutually refer or bundle services
HOA management companies – They need regular work across neighborhoods

📧 Reach out with a short email or message like:

“Hey [Name], I own [Company Name], a local power washing service. I wanted to see if you ever need a reliable partner for pre-paint cleanings or exterior prep. I can offer flexible scheduling and subcontractor rates. Let’s chat!”

🛡️ Tips for Successful Subcontracting Partnerships

Use written agreements – Outline payment, job scope, liability, and who supplies materials
Clarify your role – Are you speaking to the client or staying in the background?
Agree on payment terms – Never assume when or how you’ll get paid
Keep detailed records – Track each job, including photos, in case of disputes
Maintain your standards – Even if it’s not “your” client, represent your brand with pride

🔑 Trust is everything. Be reliable, consistent, and communicative — and your subcontractor partners will keep coming back.

💡 Final Thoughts

Subcontracting your power washing services isn’t for everyone — but if you want more consistent income, stronger local connections, and fewer marketing headaches, it’s a smart way to diversify.

Start small. Build trust. Focus on being the go-to partner other businesses can count on. 🤝🧼💼