Driveway and deck pressure washing

Restore driveways, decks, fences and siding for homeowners with a pressure washer and a trailer or truck.

Worker using a high-pressure washer to clean a driveway and exterior wall.
Startup costC$1.5k to C$6k
Monthly revenueC$1k to C$5k
Time needed10+ h/week
First incomeWeeks
  • C$1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about

Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.

What it is

A mobile service that cleans driveways, patios, decks, fences and house siding with a pressure washer, using your own equipment and a water source at the customer's home.

Your first three steps

  1. Price a quality pressure washer, surface cleaner and hoses, and check local competitors' rates for driveways and decks
  2. Practise on family or friends' property, take before and after photos, and set up a simple page or social profile
  3. Get commercial general liability insurance and offer discounted first jobs to neighbours in return for reviews
Who pays

Homeowners, landlords and property managers, especially in spring and early summer when people clean up after winter.

How it makes money

Fixed price per job or a rate per square foot, with add-ons such as sealing a deck or cleaning gutters. Referrals and repeat yearly clients help fill the season.

Skills that help
  • Safe use of pressure equipment
  • Judging surfaces and the right pressure
  • Quoting jobs accurately
  • Reliable customer service
Watch out for
  • Commercial general liability insurance, since high pressure can damage siding, windows and wood
  • Some municipalities restrict where wash water can drain, so check local rules on runoff and wastewater
  • Water use limits or outdoor watering restrictions in some areas, check with your municipality
  • Seasonality: in much of Canada work stops or slows in freezing weather, so plan for winter income
  • Whether you need a municipal business licence, and when you must register for GST/HST

Deep research report · Canada

Everything you need to start: driveway and deck pressure washing

Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a pressure washing business in Canada?

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your equipment and whether you use a trailer or truck. These are estimates, so compare equipment prices and insurance quotes before you buy.

How much can a residential pressure washing business make?

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many jobs you take and your pricing. This is an estimate before costs and tax. It assumes at least 10 hours a week, and winter work may slow.

What rules should I check before pressure washing for homeowners?

Check whether you need a municipal business licence and when to register for GST/HST. Some municipalities restrict wash water drainage or outdoor water use, so check local rules. Consider commercial general liability insurance, since high pressure can damage surfaces.

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Photo: Pixelleaf_studio on Pixabay

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