Hello, I have just started a power washing business with a power washer about 3500 psi and 5gpm… I have yet to do my first job although I have passed out several business cards, (mainly to stores and gas stations) but will start passing out to residential asap… As excited as I am to receive the first call I am a little nervous on what to charge customers when I do start receiving calls. The power washer itself cost about $7000 and it takes $75 to fill up our tank with chemicals. I know it is good to factor in such things when doing bids for jobs but I just do not know how. Can someone please explain to me how they go about bidding their services or a few good pricing equations to go by???
For a normal home, I price strictly based on the amount of time that I think it will take me to wash the house. I multiply the number of hours by the amount that I need to get per hour.
Example…3hrs x $150=$450
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Do you charge solely based on the time per hour and not the square foot? I have heard of some charging by both. Does doing it by just the hr help cover the cost of materials, drive time and other factors that may cost you?
Get some jobs, do the work. Prices will fall where they should/need to be for you.
You may not be able to charge the $350 for a 1800 sq ft ranch style house, maybe your area would support $200, or $99. Figure out what works for you.
I charge flat rates based in 1 vs 2 story… brick vs vinyl… if its a bigger house than average, charge more… if there are areas that will need extra treatment charge more.
Use that expensive machine and go to some houses for family/friends for free.
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I guess I will need to see what works in my area first and also do a few demos to sort of get the idea of time and materials used to really figure out pricing. I am doing a neighbors house and then a driveway this weekend that will hopefully help me with an idea.
Curious, how much more (generally speaking) do you charge for brick? Do you use stronger mix for brick?
For the most part, my pricing is solely on time. I can look at google and tell pretty close. I also have the customer text pictures of their house, all sides, if I have questions. Occasionally, I will miss quote…but not often. I work within a 20mi radius, so travel is not a big consideration.
About how long should it take and about how much would you charge for a driveway like this? I am doing this driveway for free as a demo for the business but I know several houses in this neighborhood have about the same size driveway
Sorry, I was not clear with you about my pricing…I was thinking house wash only.
My house pricing is by the time I estimate to wash…all concrete is by square foot.
I measure all concrete to get square feet and then multiply the square footage by 13 cents.
Example…1200 sq ft x .13=$156 and I would round up to $160.
I charge .35 cents per linear foot for curb and gutter.
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No problem. I most likely will go the route you have gone by using time taken for houses and sq ft for concrete after I figure out the best price per sq ft in my area. You said you charge for bigger than average prices and areas that need extra treatment. Are there any other charges that you usually add when pricing or mainly just those?
Mr. @JimLuke in the pic above would you pre treat with an ebc mix and then post treat with house mix? I want to get more into flat work and just curious. Thank you!
What kind of surface cleaner do you have?
I would save my ebc for grease pads just pre treat with your house mix and then post treat with your roof mix strength and let it dry sh is cheaper than ebc
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I have not purchased one yet but I am looking at a 20 inch probably wisper wash. I have a 5.6 gpm 3500 psi unit that I have done hood cleaning for 9 years with. I am getting into house and flat work this spring as I am in the north east and it is cold.
Really that strong on a post treat?
Yes and let it dry don’t rinse
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Thank you
It just takes you give a price on a job do it and fig how long it took what you made… You learn from each job you do
I’m normally .15/ft including post treating, unless a little one like that and that $90-$100. Thirty min tops.
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Here is where your market research comes into play. Grab a map and circle a 10 mile radius around your house. Then highlight the best neighborhoods where you can work. Avoid new subdivisions. Then drive through the neighborhoods and take note of the size, complexity, and filth. Then price out about a dozen, from big to small. Find a price that is slightly above the average for each of the services. That is your price list for your target market. Then create personas for the families that live their. Create your marketing messages such that it speaks to those people. Then make yourself known in that market and advertise your business. If you laser focus on your clientele in an area you’ll be more successful than casting a wide net.
I hung 5000 flyers last year. I can tell you that my clients have either a 40 foot driveway or 100 ft driveway and 65 percent are two stories from 2500 SQ ft to 3500 SQ ft. The only variations I really have are built out back patios, rust and tannin stains. And most need their concrete joints repaired. I built my price list and services to match these demographics. I then did a competive market survey and found that my prices are just above average. Right where I want to be. Good luck. I hope everyone is gearing up for a good spring.
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