Pressure washing has a low barrier to entry — anyone can buy a rig and put a name on a truck. That means the range of quality between companies in the Indianapolis market is wide, and it's worth knowing what to actually check before you hire someone.
Ask About Insurance First
This is the single most important question. Pressure washing can cause real damage — cracked siding, stripped paint, broken windows from high pressure, even injury from equipment. A company without general liability insurance leaves you personally on the hook if something goes wrong on your property. Ask for proof, not just a verbal "yes, we're insured." We cover this in more depth in is your pressure washer insured?
Understand Indiana's Licensing Reality
Indiana doesn't issue a statewide contractor license the way some states do — licensing requirements for pressure washing specifically are set at the local level and vary by city or county, so "licensed" can mean different things depending on who you ask. What Indiana does require, under the Home Improvement Contract Act, is a written contract for residential home improvement work over $150. A company unwilling to put the scope and price in writing is a red flag regardless of licensing specifics. More detail in do you need a permit to pressure wash in Indiana?
Ask How They Handle Wastewater
This is a question most homeowners never think to ask, but it matters. Reputable companies know that wash water can't legally be directed into storm drains, since it's considered an illicit discharge under Marion County's stormwater rules. Asking "how do you handle runoff?" is a quick way to gauge whether a company actually understands the regulatory side of the job, not just the equipment side.
Ready to book, or just want a straight answer on pricing for your property?
Red Flags Worth Walking Away From
- Refuses to give a written estimate before starting work
- Can't answer basic questions about pressure levels for different surfaces (a sign they treat every surface the same)
- No online presence, reviews, or verifiable local address
- Demands full payment upfront before any work begins
- Pressure to book immediately with an unusually steep "today only" discount
What Good Companies Do Differently
A company that knows what it's doing will ask you questions too — about siding material, how long since your last cleaning, and any specific problem areas — rather than just quoting a flat number sight-unseen. They'll also be upfront about which method (pressure vs. soft washing) applies to which surface on your property.
Our Approach
We're fully insured, provide written estimates before any work starts, and handle wastewater responsibly on every job — throughout Indianapolis and suburbs including Lebanon. If you're comparing quotes, feel free to ask us the same questions you'd ask anyone else; we'd rather earn the job than win it on price alone.