Not every company that shows up with a pressure washer knows what they're doing. With power washing businesses popping up constantly, knowing what to look for before you hire someone can be the difference between a property that looks incredible and a repair bill you weren't expecting. Here are 10 things worth considering — straight from a team that's been doing this for over 18 years.
Quick Reference — 10 Factors to Consider
- Find a company you can actually trust
- Look for authentic customer reviews
- Understand what services they specialize in
- Always get a formal estimate with COI and Terms of Service
- Ask about experience, training, and certifications
- Make sure they carry the right insurance
- Know who's actually doing the work
- Ask about their equipment
- Understand what cleaning solutions they use — and how
- Research their website and social media
Find a Power Washing Company You Can Actually Trust
There's been a real influx of people entering the pressure washing industry in recent years, claiming expertise they haven't earned. Some use fake Google reviews. Some borrow before-and-after photos from other contractors. And honestly? Some can't wait to figure out how to do this work — on your home.
There's no substitute for real experience. At Simple Clean LLC, Ryan McGowan has spent over 18 years in this industry — not learning on the job, but mastering it. As an owner-operator, Ryan is personally involved in every project, which means your property gets individualized attention and care, not just a crew sent out without oversight. We won't rush through your job to get to the next one, and we don't cut corners. Ever.
Look for Authentic Customer Reviews
Reviews matter — but fake reviews exist, and the power washing industry has had its share of them. Before hiring any company, dig into their reviews carefully. Look for specificity — real customers mention real details. Generic five-star praise with no context is a red flag.
Simple Clean LLC has built its reputation one honest job at a time. Our reviews come from real Delaware County and Chester County homeowners who can speak to the actual experience of working with us — the communication, the process, and the results. We'd rather earn five stars the hard way than buy them.
Understand What Services They Actually Specialize In
Not all pressure washing companies are built the same. Some focus on commercial fleet washing. Some work mostly with property management companies. Others, like Simple Clean LLC, specialize specifically in residential exterior cleaning — and that distinction matters.
Residential work is detail-oriented. Every house is different. The siding type, the roof material, the landscaping, the age of the structure — all of it requires a different approach. That's where our experience in house washing and soft washing really shines. We don't treat every home like it's the same job, because it isn't.
Always Get a Formal Estimate With a Certificate of Insurance and Terms of Service
A professional power washing company should be able to provide a written estimate — typically via email or a professional CRM portal — before any work begins. That estimate should come with a certificate of insurance and a clear terms of service document that outlines what's included, what to expect for different surfaces, and what's expected of you as the customer to prepare.
This isn't just about protection — it's about transparency. A company willing to put everything in writing is a company that stands behind its work. At Simple Clean LLC, every estimate we send includes pricing, scope of work, and our terms of service. No surprises. No hidden fees.
Ask About Experience, Training, and Certifications — Then Ask for Proof
Anyone can claim they're trained and certified. The ones who actually are can back it up with documentation. When evaluating a soft washing or pressure washing company, ask to see their certifications and find out which organizations they're affiliated with.
Simple Clean LLC is a certified PWNA (Power Washers of North America) contractor. The PWNA is the recognized industry leader in developing standards for ethical business practices, environmental awareness, and safety through continuing education. Ryan holds PWNA certifications in House Washing, Roof Cleaning, and Fundamentals of Power Washing — certifications that require real training and testing to earn, not just a checkbox on a form.
If a company tells you they're certified, ask which organization certified them and what the certification covers. A legitimate contractor will have no problem sharing that documentation with you upfront.
Make Sure They Carry the Right Insurance
This one catches a lot of homeowners off guard. Most general liability policies for contractors don't actually cover the surfaces being worked on — which means if something goes wrong during a house washing or soft wash service, a claim could be denied due to policy exclusions.
If you hire an underinsured contractor who damages your siding, screens, or windows, you could end up in civil court trying to recover costs — because their policy didn't cover what they were actually doing. Always ask for a certificate of insurance and verify it covers exterior cleaning work specifically.
Simple Clean LLC carries the appropriate coverage for every service we perform. We're happy to provide our certificate of insurance with any estimate we send.
Know Who's Actually Showing Up to Do the Work
There's a real difference between a large franchise sending out a rotating crew and an owner-operator showing up personally to manage your job. With franchises or large companies, you often have little visibility into who's on your property, how much training they've had, or whether background checks have been run on their employees.
Simple Clean LLC is an owner-operated business. Ryan McGowan is personally involved in the work performed on your property. That level of accountability isn't something you get from a franchise model — and it's something we're proud of. Our AskTheSeal accreditation also verifies our licensing and includes a background check, so you can have full confidence in the team working around your home.
Ask About Their Equipment
The right equipment matters — a lot. Whether a company uses downstream injection, a 12V pump system, or a gas diaphragm pump, the goal is the same: delivering the right pressure and the right solution to the right surface. A company using underpowered or inappropriate equipment for a job isn't going to get the same results as one that's properly set up.
Before hiring any pressure washing company, ask what systems they use and why. A knowledgeable contractor will be able to explain their equipment choices and how they apply to your specific surfaces — from soft washing delicate siding to applying higher pressure on concrete and hardscape.
Understand What Cleaning Solutions They Use — and Whether They're Trained to Use Them
Cleaning chemistry is one of the most overlooked aspects of hiring an exterior cleaning company. The wrong solution on the wrong surface can cause serious and sometimes irreversible damage. Equally important is whether the person applying those solutions has been trained to use them safely.
Simple Clean LLC has completed OSHA 1910 certification training, EPA environmental compliance training, and GHS/HazCom training — all of which govern the safe handling and application of the cleaning solutions used in soft washing and power washing services. These aren't formalities — they're what ensure your landscaping, surfaces, and property are protected throughout the entire cleaning process.
Do Your Research — Check Their Website and Social Media
In today's world, a company's digital presence tells you a lot. Look beyond the star rating. Are the before-and-after photos actually theirs? Is the website content original, or does it look like a copy-paste template shared across a dozen other companies? Are they active and engaged on social media, or is the account a ghost town?
At Simple Clean LLC, everything you see on our website — every photo, every review, every piece of content — is ours. It reflects real work performed in Delaware County, Chester County, and the surrounding areas. We're also active on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok, where we share real job content and connect with our community. Doing a quick search before you hire anyone takes five minutes and can save you a lot of regret.
