What kind of licensing or insurance do I need for a one-man pressure washing operation? (HS summer job)

If you're a HS kid do it under the table.

If you really want to go legit you'll need a business license, pay workman's comp, double your social security (as you'll also be paying the employee match) and have to pay Medicare, unemployment insurance and numerous other items, including general liability insurance you mentioned (about $85 per month). Then don't forget about your tax preparation in April.

Good luck.

Not gunna happen wrote:

If you really want to go legit you'll need a business license, pay workman's comp, double your social security (as you'll also be paying the employee match) and have to pay Medicare, unemployment insurance and numerous other items, including general liability insurance you mentioned (about $85 per month). Then don't forget about your tax preparation in April.

Why would he have to pay for worker's comp, social security, and unemployment insurance if he's not going to have any employees?

If he is the owner of the business and he is the only employee then you need to pay. The government will always gets theirs.

reading comprehension wrote:

Not gunna happen wrote:

If you really want to go legit you'll need a business license, pay workman's comp, double your social security (as you'll also be paying the employee match) and have to pay Medicare, unemployment insurance and numerous other items, including general liability insurance you mentioned (about $85 per month). Then don't forget about your tax preparation in April.

Why would he have to pay for worker's comp, social security, and unemployment insurance if he's not going to have any employees?

Because that's the way it works if you own your own business in the USA. Actually I'm not 100 % sure on UI and WC if it's only one employee but SS, definitely...you'd probably have to file qtrly returns and pay it then. Another thing you want to do is incorporate your company to protect your assets...say something bad happened on a job and someone sued you. Do you want them suing you or your corporation? If you are a minor, can they go after your parents and their assets....not sure but you incorporate yourself you are safe.

Check on the rules in your state....you may have to pay personal property tax too. You will get to write off a lot of stuff from your income....some cell phone bills, gas, supplies etc.

Starting up a business, no matter how small, can be a big hassle.

If he incorporates as an LLC he will not have to pay unemployment insurance or workman's comp.

Been painting houses for 35 years in the summer months. Never reported, never audited, never had an accident, always did quality work. I can't keep up with all the work that needs to be done. I pick the easy jobs now but it's all the same. Started at $10/hr now at $40/hr It goes a long ways toward track vacations like Olympic Trials, etc... No food off the table or out of the college funds. Uncle Sam gets enough from me at my regular job.

I doubt you know what you're doing, and like a lot of others who use pressure washers, you'll probably end up shooting water underneath a house's siding, or under window flashing, or whatever. Buy some insurance for the inevitable problems you'll create when you damage someone's home, or stick to washing decks and sidewalks.

Thanks so much for all the responses!

I live in the USA by the way.

I'll look into the LLC in case I need to protect assets.

I am only doing concrete surfaces and wood decks. No siding, no sheds, no houses, no pavers, and definitely no vehicles or windows. Only wooden decks, driveways, patios, and sidewalks.

Also, I have a lot of experience pressure washing. I worked for a garden shop last summer and they rented an industrial washer and had me wash the entire floor space. Man, watering plants really gets the place dirty! I've also washed neighbors' decks. I do agree that doing all the other stuff is more risky.

Listen, the money you make and the money the clients pay is not enough to worry about going legit at your age. Just find yourself some good jobs that bring you a little cash and don't worry about it. There's enough people paying for Obamaphones they don't need your money too.

You are responsible for any damage you cause. And ask several people pointed out, it's pretty easy to do a Shalane and "f*ck sh*t up," with a power washer.

You get in trouble with a power washer by trying to clean things it can't clean. Try to find out what you can, and can't, do with the power washing. Be especially careful on wood decks. If the wood is old, you could leave marks without trying.

You might ask your clients to check to see whether their homeowner's policy will cover any damage. Many do.

PS Wear ear protection.

Sometimes my mom pays a pressure cleaner to come down to the basement to hose me off. She always has to pay a little 'extra' for the premium package which includes extra horsepower to chip away at my bum crust.

OP, I think that you've dealt with this problem already? It was almost 3 years ago since you've started this thread. I'm about to do the exactly same thing. And I think that you can share your experience with me. BTW, what kind of devices do you use as a pressure washing worker? I didn't buy these yet. My friend sent me a whole list of these pressure washing machines and I'm thinking about buying one. Which one I should pick considering the fact that I'm a novice? Take a look:

https://homearise.com/best-pressure-washers-complete-reviews-with-comparisons/