Tel: 0333 577 8086 • info@puresealservices.co.uk • Shop • Contact us
Trade Customer Login
0
how-much-profit-pressure-washing

How Much Profit Is Made in Pressure Washing?

Written by PureSeal Services on . Posted in Pressure Washing, Blog

1. Introduction

Pressure washing in the UK can be a high-margin service because:

  • Equipment costs are relatively low.

  • Consumables (fuel, detergents) are cheap per job.

  • Customers are willing to pay for visible, instant results.

But profitability depends heavily on:

  • How you price each job.

  • Your efficiency in doing them.

  • Your ability to fill the calendar with steady work year-round.

This guide breaks down realistic UK earnings, profit margins, cost structures, and ways to boost profits — all in pounds sterling (£).

2. The Basic Profit Formula

Profit = Revenue – Costs

Where:

  • Revenue = what you charge customers.

  • Costs = all expenses (fuel, detergents, labour, vehicle running costs, insurance, marketing, equipment depreciation, etc.).

Profit Margin Formula:

Profit Margin (%) = (Profit ÷ Revenue) × 100

3. Revenue Potential in the UK

Here’s what a driveway cleaning specialist could make depending on job type:

Job Type Average UK Price Jobs Per Day Days Per Month Monthly Revenue
Small Driveway £90 3 20 £5,400
Medium Driveway £140 2.5 20 £7,000
Large Driveway £220 2 20 £8,800

These are averages — actual results vary by region. In London/South East, prices can be 15–25% higher; in rural Wales or the North East, slightly lower.

4. Typical Costs for a UK Pressure Washing Business

4.1 Fixed Monthly Costs

Costs you pay whether you do 1 job or 100.

Expense UK Monthly Estimate
Public Liability Insurance £80
Marketing/Advertising £100
Vehicle Finance/Lease £300
Phone & Internet £40
Admin/Software £20
Total Fixed Costs £540

4.2 Variable Costs Per Job

Costs that increase with each job you take.

Expense UK Per Job
Fuel (Van) £10
Fuel (Washer) £3
Detergents £3
Parking/Tolls £2–£5
Labour (if hired) £60–£100

5. Average UK Profit Margins

  • Solo Operator (no staff)
    Gross Margin: 60–75%
    Net Margin: 40–50%

  • With Staff
    Gross Margin: 40–55%
    Net Margin: 20–35%

Gross Margin = Revenue – Direct Costs (per job)
Net Margin = Revenue – (Direct Costs + Fixed Costs)

6. Example Profit Calculations

6.1 Solo Operator Example (Medium Driveway Jobs)

  • Price per Job: £140

  • Jobs per Month: 50

  • Monthly Revenue: £7,000

  • Variable Cost per Job: £16 (fuel, detergent, misc.)

  • Total Variable Costs: £800

  • Fixed Costs: £540

Gross Profit = £7,000 – £800 = £6,200 Net Profit = £6,200 – £540 = £5,660 Net Margin = (£5,660 ÷ £7,000) × 100% ≈ 81%

6.2 With 1 Employee

  • Price per Job: £140

  • Jobs per Month: 50

  • Monthly Revenue: £7,000

  • Variable Cost per Job (incl. wages): £80

  • Total Variable Costs: £4,000

  • Fixed Costs: £540

Gross Profit = £7,000 – £4,000 = £3,000 Net Profit = £3,000 – £540 = £2,460 Net Margin = (£2,460 ÷ £7,000) × 100% ≈ 35%

7. Seasonal Impact on Profitability (UK)

UK weather patterns mean demand is seasonal.

Season Demand Level Jobs/Week Margin Impact
Spring (Mar–May) Very High 8–12 Margins +10–15% (higher prices)
Summer (Jun–Aug) High 7–10 Stable margins
Autumn (Sep–Nov) Medium 5–8 Margins steady/slightly lower
Winter (Dec–Feb) Low 3–5 Margins -10–20% (discounts)

8. Break-Even Analysis

Knowing how many jobs you need to cover your costs is critical.

Example:

  • Fixed Costs: £540/month

  • Variable Cost per Job: £16

  • Average Price per Job: £140

Break-even Jobs = £540 ÷ (£140 – £16) ≈ 5 jobs/month

Anything beyond 5 jobs/month is profit.

9. Residential vs Commercial Margins

Job Type Avg. Price Cost per Job Gross Margin Notes
Residential £100–£220 £15–£80 60–80% More frequent but smaller jobs.
Commercial £500–£2,000 £100–£800 50–70% Larger invoices, less frequent.

10. Profit Killers in UK Pressure Washing

  • Underpricing jobs to beat competitors.

  • Travelling too far between jobs.

  • Not charging extra for stubborn stains.

  • Poor equipment maintenance = downtime.

  • Relying only on seasonal peaks.

11. Tips to Maximise Profit

  1. Cluster Jobs Locally: Book neighbours the same day.

  2. Upsell Extras: Sealant, weed treatment, patio cleaning.

  3. Use Efficient Equipment: Cuts job time = more jobs/day.

  4. Offer Maintenance Plans: Repeat business = stable income.

  5. Adjust Prices Annually: Keep up with fuel and inflation.

12. Annual Earnings Scenarios (UK)

Scenario Jobs/Week Price per Job Weeks/Year Annual Revenue Annual Net Profit (Solo)
Part-Time, Small Driveways 5 £100 40 £20,000 £10,000–£12,000
Full-Time, Mixed Driveways 10 £140 45 £63,000 £25,000–£30,000
Full-Time + Staff, Larger Jobs 15 £180 45 £121,500 £40,000–£50,000

13. Return on Investment (ROI)

Item Cost Lifespan Jobs to Pay Off
Mid-range Washer £1,200 5 years 9–10 jobs
Van (used) £8,000 6 years 65–70 jobs
Marketing Setup £500 1 year 4–5 jobs

14. Common Mistakes That Reduce Profit

Mistake Fix
Not measuring driveway size Always measure or pace out m².
Ignoring travel costs Add mileage charges for distant jobs.
No charge for stain removal Add clear surcharge table.
Only working in peak months Market heavily in off-season.
Over-reliance on one client type Mix residential & commercial work.

15. Marketing That Improves Profitability

  • Local Facebook Groups (with before/after photos).

  • Google Business Profile with reviews.

  • Flyers in high-income neighbourhoods.

  • “Neighbour Discount Day” promotions.

  • Partnerships with landscapers/builders.

16. Health & Safety (UK)

  • PPE: Gloves, boots, goggles.

  • Wet floor cones/signs to prevent slips.

  • COSHH compliance for chemicals.

  • Noise consideration for early mornings.

  • Hose routing to avoid trip hazards.

17. Scaling Profit Over Time

Ways to increase your profit as your business grows:

  • Hire staff to take on more jobs.

  • Expand into soft washing, roof cleaning, gutter cleaning.

  • Offer seasonal contracts for commercial clients.

  • Add van-mounted systems to speed up work.

18. Case Study: High-Profit Solo Operator

  • Location: Surrey

  • Average Job: £160 (block paving with moss treatment)

  • Jobs/Week: 9

  • Weeks/Year: 46

  • Annual Revenue: £66,240

  • Variable Costs: £7,000/year

  • Fixed Costs: £6,480/year

  • Net Profit: ~£52,760/year (≈ 80% net margin)

19. Case Study: Small Team, Mixed Work

  • Location: Greater Manchester

  • Average Job: £180

  • Jobs/Week: 15 (split between 2 workers)

  • Weeks/Year: 48

  • Annual Revenue: £129,600

  • Variable Costs: £52,000/year (incl. wages)

  • Fixed Costs: £8,000/year

  • Net Profit: ~£69,600/year (≈ 54% net margin)

20. Bottom Line

Pressure washing in the UK can produce:

  • Solo operator net profits: £25k–£55k/year.

  • Small teams: £40k–£70k/year.

  • Margins are higher than many trades if you control costs and price correctly.

The key to strong profits:

  • Price per m² accurately.

  • Add surcharges for stains and access difficulty.

  • Keep equipment running efficiently.

  • Book jobs back-to-back in the same area.

  • Build repeat business.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Connect with us:

Copyright © 2025 Pureseal Services UK Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Built By BWAR!