Alright, let's talk about how this whole fence cleaning thing got started. It wasn't some grand plan, honestly. I was just looking at my own fence one day, covered in green gunk and dirt, looking real sad. Thought to myself, someone must clean these things, right?

Getting the Ball Rolling

So, I started poking around. Looked online, saw a few companies doing pressure washing, but not many shouting specifically about fences. Seemed like a little niche maybe? I didn't have much spare cash, so fancy business plans were out. It was more like scribbling notes on the back of an envelope.

First hurdle: the gear. You obviously need a pressure washer. I didn't know beans about them. Gas? Electric? PSI? GPM? It was confusing. I ended up borrowing a friend's electric one first, just to see if I could even handle it without blasting a hole through a fence panel. It felt… okay. Definitely needed something with a bit more grunt for serious grime, though.

So, I bit the bullet and bought a decent gas-powered one. Not top-of-the-line, but strong enough. Then you need hoses, nozzles, maybe a surface cleaner attachment later on. And chemicals! That was another rabbit hole. Different stuff for wood, vinyl, mold, algae... I grabbed a couple of general-purpose cleaners recommended at the hardware store to start.

• Gas Pressure Washer (around 3000 PSI felt right)
• Good long hoses (you always need more than you think)
• Different nozzle tips (very important for controlling pressure)
• Basic fence/deck cleaner
• Gloves, eye protection (don't skip this!)
• Buckets, brushes for stubborn spots

Doing the Actual Work

Okay, got the gear. Now what? I needed practice. My own fence was Victim Number One. Took way longer than I thought. Figured out quick that just blasting away isn't always the best, especially on older wood. You gotta find the right distance, the right nozzle. Made a few marks, nothing terrible, but definitely a learning curve.

Then I convinced a neighbor to let me do theirs for cheap. Like, really cheap. Just wanted the experience. Their fence was vinyl, totally different beast. Easier in some ways, but showed streaks if you weren't careful with the cleaner and the rinsing. That job taught me about technique.

Getting actual paying customers was the next step. Started super local. Told friends, family. Put a small notice on the board at the local grocery store. Even made a simple flyer and walked around sticking it in mailboxes (probably shouldn't have done that, learned later about the rules). Word of mouth was surprisingly effective in my little area. Someone sees their neighbor's fence looking sharp, they ask questions.

Figuring Things Out

Those first few paying jobs were nerve-wracking. Every fence is different. Old wood fences are delicate. You get that black mold that just doesn't want to budge. Vinyl can get those artillery fungus spots that are a nightmare. You learn which cleaners work best, when to pre-soak, when to use lower pressure (soft washing, they call it, though I just called it 'not destroying the fence' mode).

Pricing was tricky too. Charge by the foot? By the hour? By how dirty it is? I kinda guessed at first, probably undercharged a lot. You live, you learn. Started taking better notes, timing myself, calculating chemical costs more accurately.

It's not glamorous work. You get wet. You get dirty. Sometimes chemicals splash back. Dragging hoses around can be a pain. But honestly? Standing back and seeing a fence go from disgusting to looking almost new… that’s really satisfying. Especially when the homeowner comes out and is genuinely happy.

It never turned into a huge empire or anything. Kept it pretty small, mostly weekends and evenings. It's hard physical work, and scaling up means employees, insurance, more gear... decided to keep it manageable. It’s a good way to make some extra money doing something practical, being outside. And yeah, my own fence always looks pretty good now.