Bookkeeping for Pressure Washers: Keep Your Finances as Clean as Your Jobs

You’re out there making driveways, houses, and storefronts look brand new — but what about your books?

If you're running a pressure washing business, keeping your finances organized is just as important as keeping your gear in good shape. Solid bookkeeping helps you stay profitable, avoid tax-time stress, and grow your business with confidence.

Here’s a simple guide to bookkeeping for pressure washers — no fancy terms, just what you need to know.

Why Bookkeeping Matters in Pressure Washing

You’ve got:

• Invoices to send

• Equipment to maintain

• Fuel to pay for

• Quotes to follow up on

Without bookkeeping, you can’t see if you’re making real profit or just staying busy. Clean books help you:

• Track income and expenses

• Know which jobs are most profitable

• Prepare for taxes

• Make smart decisions (like buying new equipment or hiring help)

What Should You Be Tracking?

1. Income

Keep track of:

• Client payments (cash, check, card)

• Jobs by type (residential, commercial, etc.)

• Any discounts or refunds

Tip: Use invoicing software like QuickBooks Online, Joist, or Jobber to keep things professional and easy to track.

2. Expenses

Common pressure washer expenses include:

• Fuel

• Equipment (hoses, surface cleaners, sprayers)

• Repairs and maintenance

• Chemicals and detergents

• Marketing and advertising

• Insurance

• Phone and software

• Business licenses and permits

Save receipts and track every expense — you’ll thank yourself at tax time.

3. Mileage or Vehicle Use

If you travel to job sites, track your mileage or gas costs. You may be able to deduct either:

• The standard mileage rate (IRS rate), or

• Actual vehicle expenses (repairs, fuel, insurance, etc.)

Use an app like MileIQ or QuickBooks' built-in mileage tracker.

4. Equipment Depreciation

Larger equipment purchases (like a high-end trailer rig) may need to be recorded as assets and depreciated over time instead of expensed all at once.

A bookkeeper or tax pro can help you handle this correctly — so you don’t miss out on deductions.

How Often Should You Do Your Books?

Here’s a simple rhythm:

• Weekly:

  • Categorize income and expenses

  • Send invoices & follow up on unpaid ones

• Monthly:

  • Reconcile your accounts (make sure your books match your bank)

  • Review your profit and loss statement

  • Set aside money for taxes (25–30% of your net profit is a safe estimate)

Common Bookkeeping Mistakes Pressure Washers Make

• Mixing personal and business expenses

• Not saving receipts

• Letting invoices go unpaid

• Waiting until tax season to organize books

• Forgetting to track mileage or equipment costs

Best Tools for Pressure Washing Bookkeeping

• QuickBooks Online – Powerful, flexible, and cloud-based

• Joist / Jobber – Great for estimating and invoicing on the go

• Google Drive – Store receipts and job records

• Mileage tracker – MileIQ or QBO’s mobile app

Final Thoughts

If you’re serious about growing your pressure washing business, your numbers need to be just as clean as your work. Bookkeeping doesn’t have to be complicated — but it does have to be consistent.

Need help getting your books sorted or caught up?
I offer a free Bookkeeping Health Check just for service-based business owners like you — pressure washers included.

Contact us by clicking here

Or send us an email at David@RuckandReconcile.com

Check out or services here

And as always, thanks for reading!