Pressure Washing
Low startup, high demand — start this weekend
Pressure washing businesses clean driveways, sidewalks, buildings, decks, and commercial properties using high-pressure water. It is one of the lowest barrier-to-entry businesses with strong demand and satisfying visible results. Many operators start solo and scale to multiple crews within a year.
Avg Revenue
$120K
Profit Margin
47%
Acquisition Multiple
1.5x - 2x
Startup Cost
$5K - $25K
Difficulty
1/5
How It Works
Customers book jobs online or by phone. You show up with a pressure washer, surface cleaner, and cleaning solution to clean their property. Residential jobs (driveways, houses, fences) are typically $200-$500, while commercial contracts can be $1,000-$10,000+. Most leads come from Google, Nextdoor, and referrals.
Revenue Range
Real Acquisitions in This Category
SBA 7(a) change-of-ownership loans · NAICS 561790 · Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings
Deal Size Distribution
Deal Flow Over Time
Financing Profile
Recent Comparable Deals
| Closed | State | Loan | Implied deal | Jobs | Franchise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | IL | $3.0M | $3.5M | 24 | — |
| Nov 2025 | MN | $75K | $88K | 2 | — |
| Nov 2025 | OH | $3.2M | $3.8M | 21 | — |
| Nov 2025 | OH | $125K | $147K | 21 | — |
| Sep 2025 | FL | $285K | $335K | 4 | — |
| Sep 2025 | MA | $250K | $294K | — | — |
| Aug 2025 | TN | $305K | $359K | 2 | — |
| Aug 2025 | OH | $865K | $1.0M | 4 | — |
| Aug 2025 | UT | $350K | $412K | 4 | Painter1 |
| Jul 2025 | WI | $1.3M | $1.5M | 25 | — |
Source: SBA 7(a) FOIA dataset, filtered to acquisitions (loans where business age is "Change of Ownership"). Implied deal size assumes an 85% loan-to-purchase ratio, a common SBA change-of-ownership structure. Charge-off rate shown only when 10+ loans have resolved (paid in full or charged off). Interest rates reflect last 24 months only. Actual deal values vary with equity injections, seller financing, and working capital terms.
Pros
- +Extremely low startup cost — under $5K to start
- +Easy to learn — minimal training required
- +Satisfying visible results drive referrals and reviews
- +Commercial contracts provide larger, recurring jobs
Cons
- -Physically demanding outdoor work
- -Seasonal in colder climates
- -Low barrier to entry means more competition
Best For
First-time entrepreneurs who want to start a business this weekend
Operating Costs
Very low costs: fuel, cleaning chemicals, equipment maintenance, insurance, and marketing — most revenue drops to the bottom line when owner-operated.
SBA Financing Estimator
Adjust the deal — see if it cash flows after debt service
Estimates only. Excludes owner compensation, capex, working capital draws, and taxes. Margin assumes average occupancy and volume. Actual SBA terms vary by lender and borrower profile.
Where to Buy
Find pressure washing and cleaning businesses for sale
Browse exterior cleaning business opportunities
Acquisition Score
Scores margin (30), entry multiple (25), SBA market depth (20), category risk (15), and deal momentum (10). Higher = better acquisition candidate.
Quick Facts
- Category
- service
- Difficulty
- 1/5
- Buy price
- $180K–$240K
Buyer's Toolkit
Essential tools to get started
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Ready to Buy? Start Here →
Largest business-for-sale marketplace in the US
SBA loans and business acquisition financing — get funded fast
ROBS financing — use retirement funds to buy a business tax-free
Bookkeeping for small business owners — hands-off financials
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