Starting a real pressure washing business can be hard work
if you don't know the proper steps to take. So to make
things a little easier, just use these 10 tips as part of
your plan.
1) Be certain you enjoy the work. You are going to be
devoting a lot of time and energy to starting your new
pressure washing business and building it into a successful
venture, so it's vital that you truly enjoy the work.
Whether you'll be doing the physical labor yourself or just
running the business end of the company, you better be sure
you enjoy it or you'll be burned out before you even get
started.
2) Have your personal finances in check. Starting a new
power washing business can be tough. Realistically it may
be awhile before your new business actually makes any
profits. Starting your new business while your personal
finances aren't quite up to par will only put an extra
strain on you and the new power wash company.
3) Don't do it alone. It's imperative and usually
overlooked, that you have a support system while you're
starting a business (and afterwards). A family member or
friend can be someone to bounce ideas off but be sure they
give you positive feedback; some people will actually drag
you down and tell you that you're idea is crazy. Find a
successful business owner that can serve as a mentor,
someone whom has what you want. Talk with other contractors
in the pressure washing industry for support.
4) Get clients or customers first. Don't wait until you've
officially started your business to start looking for
customers, because your business won't survive without
them. Do the networking, make the contacts, sell, or even
volunteer your services just to get things rolling and to
give you some practice. You can't start marketing too soon.
You can't buy $10,000 worth of equipment and just expect
the phone to start ringing the following week.
5) Write a business plan. The main reason for writing a
business plan first is that it can help you to avoid
wasting your time and money on starting a business that
will NOT succeed. Your business plan should contain your
company's purpose, goals, budgets, projected income,
customer demographics, market analysis, advertising and
marketing plans.
6) Do extensive research. You'll do a lot of research while
writing a business plan, but that's just a start. You need
to become an expert on the pressure wash industry,
products, equipment, services, methods, and techniques if
you're not already. Joining related message boards, forums,
and attending networking events are great ideas.
7) Hire professional help. Moreover, just because you run a
small business, does not mean you have to be an expert on
everything. If you're not good at accounting or
bookkeeping, hire one (or both). As a new pressure washing
contractor you'll be tempted to wear many hats but you'll
waste more time and money in the long run by trying to do
things yourself that you're not qualified to do.
8) Have some capitol lined up. Save up if you have to or
approach potential investors and lenders. Figure out your
financial safety net plan. Don't expect to start a
professional pressure washing company on a shoe string
budget. Fly by night companies do this all the time and
that's why they are gone as fast as they came. To do this
professionally you have to look professional, and that will
cost some money initially.
9) Be professional from the get-go. Everything about you
and the way you do business needs to give people the
perception that you are a professional contractor running a
serious pressure washing service. That means getting all
the trimmings such as professional business cards, a
business phone, a professionally designed logo, matching
paper work, lettered vehicle, insurance, and treating
people in a professional, courteous manner.
10) Get the legal and tax issues right the first time. It's
much more difficult and expensive to detangle a mess
afterwards. Register your company with your State. Find out
about licensing. Make sure you have the proper amount of
general liability, commercial auto, and workmen's
compensation insurance. How will the entity of your
business affect your income tax situation? Consult with an
accountant or lawyer as to what business formation you
should set up. Learn what your legal and tax
responsibilities are before you start your pressure washing
business and operate within the law.
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Learn more about power washing from an industry leader at
http://www.midwestprowash.com which is one of the
contracting companies marketed by Shane Hester's web site
design, seo and marketing firm.
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