How to Raise Prices in a Pressure Washing Business (Without Losing Customers)

If you’re wondering how to raise prices in your pressure washing business without losing good customers, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common issues I see with pressure washers who are busy but not profitable.  Costs go up. Equipment wears out. Fuel isn’t cheap. Accordingly, if your prices stay the same year after year, you’re slowly working yourself into the ground.

Raising prices isn’t about being greedy; it’s about building a pressure washing business that actually lasts. Done right, most customers won’t leave, and the ones who do usually aren’t the ones you want anyway.

Here’s how to raise prices the right way.

1. Know Your Numbers First
Before you change pricing, you need to know what it costs to run your business.
That includes:
 Fuel and chemicals
 Equipment maintenance and replacement
 Insurance
 Marketing and software
 Your time
If you don’t know your hourly cost, you’re guessing. And guessing leads to underpricing.
Here’s a reality check: Even if you lose 5–10% of your customers after raising prices, you can still make
the same or more money with fewer jobs and less stress. That’s how professional businesses grow.

2. Raise Prices Because Your Value Is Higher
Customers aren’t paying for water. They’re paying for:
 Experience
 Professional equipment
 Consistent quality
 Reliability
 Peace of mind
 Results

If your work looks better, lasts longer, and you actually show up when you say you will, your pricing should reflect that.  A lot of contractors lose money because they assume customers only care about price. The truth is, good customers care about professionalism.  If you’ve upgraded equipment, improved your soft wash process, or streamlined your service, that’s value. Charge for it.

(For more on this, see Project 2 Payment’s article, How to Price Services for Profit.)

3. Communicate Price Increases Clearly
Never surprise a customer with a higher invoice.  Keep it simple:
“Starting on [date], our pricing is being adjusted to keep up with increased operating costs and maintain the quality of service we provide.”  That’s all you need.
Best practices:
 Give at least 30 days’ notice
 Communicate before their next service
 Don’t over-apologize
Price increases are normal. When you treat them that way, customers usually do too.

4. Take Care of Long-Term Customers
Your repeat customers helped build your business. Respect that.
You don’t have to freeze their pricing forever, but you can:
 Phase in increases
 Offer bundled services
 Personally thank them for their loyalty
A short personal message goes a long way and keeps relationships strong.

5. Stand Firm and Professional
Some customers will push back. That’s part of business.
When they do:
 Stay calm
 Explain rising costs
 Reinforce the quality of your work
If someone only wants the cheapest option, they’re not your ideal customer.
The goal isn’t to win every job, it’s to build a profitable, professional business.

6. Make Paying Easy
One thing many contractors overlook: Easy payments reduce resistance to higher prices.
When customers can pay quickly and professionally, they focus less on the price and more on the result.  Digital invoices, multiple payment options, and automatic reminders all make your business look more professional.

A tool like Project 2 Payment can help streamline invoicing and payments so price increases don’t feel like friction for customers. You can get the first three months free by signing up through my page.

Final Thoughts
Above all, if you want to know how to raise prices in a pressure washing business, it comes down to this: Know your numbers. Communicate clearly. Deliver quality work. Stay professional.  You don’t need every customer. You need the right ones.  Raise your prices with confidence and build a business that actually supports you long-term.  If you’re looking to up your business game, sign up for our Pressure Washing School. We have both in-person and online courses.