Starting with Nothing? You’re in the Right Place.
Let’s be real. A lot of business advice out there is made for people who already have money. This isn’t that.
This blog post is for the grinders, the guys sleeping in their cars, the ones tired of dead-end jobs and paycheck-to-paycheck life. If you're broke and still believe you were made for something better, keep reading.
I’ve been there. In late 2016 and early 2017, I was flat broke, sleeping in a van—not down by the river, but in a cold parking lot in the dead of winter. So if you’re reading this while trying to figure out how to hustle your way up, I see you. This one's for you.
Let’s get into 3 reverse steps to starting your pressure washing business when you're broke.
Step 1: Sell Before You Own Anything
That’s right. You’re not buying gear first. You’re not building a logo. You’re selling jobs first.
Grab a clean shirt (a polo works great), and start knocking on doors. Talk to friends, family, and neighbors—people who are more likely to give you a chance. Offer them a "friends and family" discount, and make sure you book the jobs a few days out.
That gives you time to get what you need. You're not cleaning today—you’re building a schedule and creating proof that people are willing to pay you.
Step 2: Rent Your Equipment from Home Depot or Lowe’s
Now that you've booked several jobs, it's time to get the tools.
Head to your local Home Depot or Lowe’s rental center and rent a basic pressure washer and a surface cleaner (especially if you're doing concrete work). Don't rely on the downstream injectors on these rental units—they don’t work. Instead, grab a basic garden sprayer for applying your cleaning solution.
Stick to simple concrete jobs or vinyl siding—you’re not doing roof restoration yet. You're stacking wins and building confidence.
Step 3: Do the Jobs. Make the Money. Reinvent Yourself.
With 5–6 jobs booked, knock them out in a day or two.
Assuming you charge modestly (even with friends-and-family rates), you could make $1,000 or more in just two days. And here’s the kicker: you just started a business without a dime in your pocket.
That money? Now it’s fuel. Reinvest it. Buy your first piece of serious equipment, maybe a starter trailer or a soft wash system. From here, repeat the cycle, raise your prices, and watch your business grow.
Bonus: Invest in What Matters Most—Your Knowledge
If you've made it this far and you're serious, here’s the real secret sauce: education. The best gear in the world won't help if you don’t know what you're doing.
That’s why we recommend the Softwash 101 class from Southeast Softwash (SESW). It’s built for people exactly like you—whether you’re broke or already rolling in cash. It’s a no-fluff course that covers:
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Chemical ratios
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How to properly clean every major surface
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How to avoid insurance claims and callbacks
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And how to operate like a true professional
Thousands of contractors have taken Softwash 101, and it’s changed the trajectory of their lives—and businesses.
👉 Check it out here: Softwash 101 – SESW
(Also look for the “How to Wash” course—it’s a banger.)
The Takeaway: Broke Isn’t Broken
Being broke doesn’t mean you’re out of the game. In fact, it might be your greatest advantage—because you’re hungry.
Remember the protocol:
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Sell first
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Rent gear
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Make money
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Reinvest and repeat
Start small. Hustle hard. Learn fast. And before long, you won’t recognize the man in the mirror—because he built something from nothing.
From sleeping in a van to running a six-figure pressure washing business...
If I can do it, you can too.
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