Pressure Washing Earnings Calculator
Calculate Your Potential Earnings
Estimate your annual income based on jobs per week and average job price. Based on UK market data from 2025.
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Tip: Top earners do 15-20 jobs/week and offer bundled services (gutter cleaning, sealing). Commercial jobs average £250-£600.
Pressure washing isn’t just a weekend chore for homeowners-it’s a full-blown cash machine for those who know how to run it right. In 2025, pressure washing businesses across the UK are pulling in between £30,000 and £120,000 a year, depending on how hard they work and how smart they price their jobs. This isn’t guesswork. It’s a proven trade with low startup costs and high demand, especially as more homeowners and property managers look for fast, effective ways to clean driveways, patios, and building facades without harsh chemicals.
How Much Can You Actually Earn?
A single pressure washing job typically takes 2 to 4 hours. Most professionals charge between £80 and £200 per job, depending on size and difficulty. A driveway? £100. A two-story house exterior? £180. A commercial parking lot? £300 or more. If you do five solid jobs a week, that’s £500 to £1,000 weekly. That’s £26,000 to £52,000 a year before expenses.
But here’s the real kicker: top earners aren’t doing five jobs a week-they’re doing 15 to 20. How? They build repeat customers. They get contracts with property management companies. They upsell services like gutter cleaning, deck sealing, and graffiti removal. One operator in Brighton told me he makes £8,000 a month during spring and summer by locking in 30 residential clients and five commercial accounts. That’s £96,000 a year, and he only works 40 hours a week.
Startup Costs Are Surprisingly Low
You don’t need a truck, a warehouse, or a team of employees to start. The bare minimum? A decent gas-powered pressure washer (like a Karcher K7 or Honda-powered unit), a 50-foot hose, a few nozzles, and a trailer or pickup to haul it. Total startup cost: £1,500 to £2,500. Many people start with a used machine from eBay or Facebook Marketplace for under £800.
Marketing? Free. Post on Nextdoor, Facebook Groups, and local community boards. Offer a £20 discount for referrals. Hand out flyers at local hardware stores. Within two months, you’ll have a steady stream of leads. No website needed at first. No ads. Just good work and word of mouth.
What’s the Real Profit Margin?
Let’s break it down. A £150 driveway job costs you £15 in fuel, nozzle wear, and cleaning chemicals. That’s an £135 profit. Do that five times a week? £675 weekly profit. After 52 weeks? £35,100. Subtract your £1,500 machine cost spread over two years, and you’re still clearing £30,000+ annually.
Now add commercial jobs. A local gym in Brighton pays £400 to clean their entire exterior every month. That’s £4,800 a year from one client. A small office building? £600 per clean, quarterly. That’s £2,400 more. These are repeat contracts with zero marketing cost after the first sale.
Seasonality Is Real-But So Is Opportunity
Pressure washing peaks between March and September. Winter? Not so much. But smart operators don’t shut down. They pivot. In the off-season, they offer:
- Deck and fence sealing
- Gutter cleaning and inspection
- Roof soft washing (moss and algae removal)
- Commercial parking lot striping prep
- End-of-tenancy cleaning packages
One operator in Hastings added roof cleaning to his service list and doubled his winter income. Soft washing uses less water, takes less time, and commands higher prices-£250 to £600 per job. It’s not pressure washing, but it’s the same customer base, same truck, same skills.
What’s Holding People Back?
The biggest myth? That you need special training or certification. You don’t. But you do need to understand water pressure. Too much and you strip paint, crack brick, or ruin wood. Too little and you waste time. Learn the difference between 1,500 PSI and 3,000 PSI. Know which nozzles to use on which surfaces. Watch YouTube tutorials. Read manufacturer guides. It takes a weekend to get safe and effective.
Another barrier? Insurance. You need public liability cover-around £150 a year. It’s non-negotiable. One wrong slip on a wet patio and you’re liable for thousands. Don’t skip it. Also, keep receipts. Track every job. Use a simple app like QuickBooks or even Google Sheets. You’ll need it for taxes.
Who’s Making the Most Money?
It’s not the guy who washes driveways for neighbors. It’s the guy who:
- Specializes in commercial properties-hotels, retail parks, industrial units
- Offers bundled services-clean + seal + protect
- Has a van with branding and a phone number on the side
- Builds relationships with estate agents and letting agencies
- Gets on their recommended contractor lists
One company in Leeds does nothing but pressure washing for letting agents. They clean 200 properties a month. Each job averages £120. That’s £24,000 a month. £288,000 a year. And they have just three staff. That’s the scale you can reach.
Is It Worth It?
Pressure washing doesn’t make you rich overnight. But it’s one of the few trades where you can go from zero to £50,000 a year in 18 months with no degree, no loans, and no fancy equipment. It’s physical. It’s weather-dependent. But it’s honest work with clear returns.
If you’re tired of minimum wage jobs, want to be your own boss, and don’t mind getting wet and tired on weekends-this is your path. The demand isn’t going away. Homes need cleaning. Businesses need to look presentable. And people will always pay to avoid scrubbing by hand.
The only question left is: are you going to start?
How much does a pressure washer cost to start a business?
You can start with a basic gas-powered pressure washer, hose, and nozzles for £1,500 to £2,500. Many people begin with a used machine for under £800. You’ll also need a trailer or pickup, insurance (£150/year), and cleaning chemicals (£50-£100 upfront). Total startup cost is usually under £2,000.
Can you make a full-time income from pressure washing?
Yes. Many operators in the UK earn between £40,000 and £90,000 a year. Those who focus on commercial clients, offer bundled services, and build repeat contracts often make over £100,000. It takes consistent effort, but the income potential is real and scalable.
Is pressure washing profitable in winter?
Winter is slower for standard pressure washing, but not dead. Operators who add roof soft washing, deck sealing, gutter cleaning, and end-of-tenancy cleaning maintain 60-70% of their summer income. These services require less water, less equipment wear, and often charge higher rates.
Do you need training or certification to pressure wash?
No official certification is required in the UK. But you should learn how to use equipment safely and avoid damaging surfaces. Watching YouTube tutorials, reading manufacturer guides, and practicing on old driveways or fences is enough. The real skill is knowing when to reduce pressure and which nozzle to use.
What’s the biggest mistake new pressure washers make?
Using too much pressure. Many beginners blast surfaces at 3,000 PSI on wood, paint, or stone and end up ruining them. That leads to complaints, refunds, and bad reviews. Start low-1,500 PSI for most residential jobs-and increase only if needed. Better to under-clean than over-damage.
How do you find clients as a new pressure washer?
Start local. Post on Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace, and community groups. Offer a £20 discount for referrals. Hand out flyers at local hardware stores, garden centers, and estate agents. Ask satisfied customers to leave a review. Within 30 days, you’ll have enough word-of-mouth leads to keep you busy.
Pressure washing doesn’t require a degree, a loan, or a fancy office. It requires a machine, a work ethic, and the willingness to show up when it’s raining or hot. The money’s there. The demand is growing. And the barrier to entry is lower than almost any other skilled trade.
