April-October, peak April-June season in Vermont.
Vermont's combination of harsh winters, dense forests, and humid summers creates heavy mold, mildew, and algae growth on every surface. Burlington is essentially the only full-time market—the rest of the state is too rural and sparse. The season runs April-October, driven by spring cleanup after brutal winters. Vermont customers are environmentally conscious—market eco-friendly chemicals and water-efficient practices. Ski resort towns (Stowe, Killington) offer seasonal vacation property cleaning. Vermont's $125 LLC fee is moderate, and the small market means less competition. Price at New England rates—Vermont cost of living is 3% above national average.
Vermont has 650K total population—less than many US cities. Burlington metro (~220K) is the only viable full-time market. Consider combining with other services (window cleaning, gutter cleaning) for year-round income.
High pressure destroys vinyl siding, painted surfaces, and wood. Learn which surfaces need soft washing (low pressure + chemicals) vs. high pressure. One mistake can cost you thousands.
You're spraying high-pressure water at people's most expensive asset (their home). One broken window, damaged siding, or slip-and-fall without insurance can bankrupt you.
| Item | Low | High | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure Washer (Commercial) 4 GPM minimum, hot water optional for mold removal | $1,550 | $4,100 | 4 GPM minimum, hot water optional for mold removal |
| Surface Cleaner Essential for driveways and patios, 10x faster than wand | $206 | $618 | Essential for driveways and patios, 10x faster than wand |
| Hoses & Accessories 100ft+ high-pressure hose, nozzle set, extension wand | $258 | $721 | 100ft+ high-pressure hose, nozzle set, extension wand |
| Chemical Sprayer & Products Soft wash chemicals, house wash mix, surface cleaners | $154 | $412 | Soft wash chemicals, house wash mix, surface cleaners |
| Water Tank (Optional) For jobs without water access—300+ gallon recommended | $309 | $1,236 | For jobs without water access—300+ gallon recommended |
| Trailer or Truck Setup Enclosed trailer protects equipment from weather and theft | $824 | $3,090 | Enclosed trailer protects equipment from weather and theft |
| LLC Filing (Vermont) Vermont Secretary of State | $125 | $125 | Vermont Secretary of State |
| General Liability Insurance Essential—you're working on expensive property | $515 | $1,236 | Essential—you're working on expensive property |
| Vehicle (if needed) Truck or SUV capable of towing trailer | $0 | $5,150 | Truck or SUV capable of towing trailer |
| Marketing & Website Google Business Profile, basic website, door hangers, yard signs | $206 | $824 | Google Business Profile, basic website, door hangers, yard signs |
| Total range | $4,147 | $17,512 |
File with Vermont Secretary of State. LLC recommended for liability protection.
Minimum $1M coverage. Required by most commercial clients and some HOAs.
City/county business license required in most Vermont jurisdictions.
Apply online at IRS.gov. Needed for business bank account and taxes.
Keep personal and business finances separate from day one.
| # | City | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Burlington Largest city. University of Vermont, Lake Champlain waterfront. Eco-conscious customers prefer green chemicals. | Largest city. University of Vermont, Lake Champlain waterfront. Eco-conscious customers prefer green chemicals. |
| 02 | South Burlington Burlington suburb with commercial development. Retail plazas and office parks. | Burlington suburb with commercial development. Retail plazas and office parks. |
| 03 | Rutland Central Vermont. Ski resort area. Seasonal vacation property cleaning. | Central Vermont. Ski resort area. Seasonal vacation property cleaning. |
| 04 | Montpelier Smallest state capital in the US. Government buildings. Very small market. | Smallest state capital in the US. Government buildings. Very small market. |
Stowe, Killington, and Sugarbush vacation properties need annual cleaning. Spring (May-June) is prime time as owners prep for summer rental season.
Take before/after photos of EVERY job. Post on Google Business, Facebook, Instagram. Nothing sells pressure washing better than dramatic visual transformation.
Customer wants a driveway cleaned? Offer the sidewalk, patio, and house wash too. Average ticket jumps from $150 to $400+. Most customers say yes when they see results.
A surface cleaner attachment does flat surfaces 10x faster than a wand. A $300 surface cleaner pays for itself in the first week. This is the highest-ROI equipment purchase.
Check competition in Burlington and surrounding areas. Search Google, Yelp, and Nextdoor for existing pressure washers. Identify underserved areas and services.
File LLC with Vermont Secretary of State ($125). Get EIN from IRS. Open business bank account. Choose a professional business name.
Purchase general liability insurance ($1M minimum). Get quotes from 3+ providers—prices vary significantly. Add commercial auto if using a business vehicle.
Start with a quality 4 GPM commercial pressure washer. Add surface cleaner, hose kit, and basic chemicals. Buy commercial-grade—consumer equipment won't last.
Practice on your own property and friends' homes. Learn soft washing vs. high-pressure applications. Understand which surfaces require which approach to avoid damage.
Research local rates in Burlington. Typical residential: driveway $100-250, house wash $200-500. Price per square foot for commercial. Don't underprice yourself.
Claim Google Business Profile immediately. Create a simple website with before/after photos. Set up Facebook business page. These generate 70%+ of leads.
Start with friends, family, neighbors for portfolio photos and reviews. Door hangers in target neighborhoods. Post in local Facebook groups and Nextdoor.
Ask every satisfied customer for a Google review. Reviews are everything in this business—5 quality reviews will generate more leads than $500 in ads.
Offer annual house wash contracts, quarterly commercial maintenance. Recurring revenue stabilizes income and reduces marketing costs.