In this episode of Home Service Headquarters, veteran pressure washing pro Doug Rucker shares his journey—from a 1979 high-school part-time job to founding two successful businesses, the Pressure Washing School, and a power washing company store. Learn how he built a profitable business, the keys to estimating and pricing, why proper training matters, plus Doug’s top tips on equipment, soft washing vs. pressure washing, and running a side-hustle thatscales.

📌 Chapters & Timestamps:
01:23 Starting a Pressure Washing Business
05:16 Expanding a Pressure Washing Business
10:04 Launching Doug Rucker’s Pressure Washing School (2011)
13:02 Opening the Doug Rucker Store (2018)
15:56 A Day in the Life of a Pressure Washer
21:48 Challenges of Running a Power Washing Business
27:35 How to Estimate a Pressure Washing Job
30:49 Financial Planning 101
36:43 Can Pressure Washing be a Side-Hustle?
38:07 Equipment & Budgeting Advice
44:46 Does Training Matter?
48:50 Doug Rucker’s Final Advice

Connect with Doug Rucker:
🌐 Website: pressurewashingschool.com
🛒 Store: dougruckerstore.com
📺 YouTube: @DougRucker
🎵 TikTok: @pressurewashingschool
📸 Instagram: @doug_rucker
✉️ Email: [email protected]
📞 Phone: 281-883-3630 

Home Service Headquarters

📺 YouTube Channel: @HomeServiceHeadquarters 

🎵 TikTok: @homeserviceheadquarters 

📸 Instagram: @homeserviceheadquarters 

📘 Facebook: @HomeServiceHeadquarters 

🌐 Website: https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/ 

🎙 Home Service Headquarters brings you real conversations with home service pros and business owners. Learn how they built their businesses, overcame challenges, and found success - one job at a time.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications to catch our weekly episodes!

In this episode of Home Service Headquarters, host Taylor Lund talks with Pete Wagner, a seasoned wood flooring contractor and owner of Wagner Wood Floor Doctors. With over 30 years in the industry as a floor installer and floor refinisher, Pete shares his journey from learning the tradeto running his own business and the lessons for success learned along the way.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Pete got started and became a skilled floor installer and refinisher.
• The benefits of training under experienced flooring contractors.
• The real costs of launching your own hard wood flooring business - and tips for saving up.
• How to communicate with customers and handle mistakes like a pro.
• Why word-of-mouth referrals are gold in the world of wood flooring.

Whether you’re an aspiring flooring professional, alreadyworking as a floor installer, or dreaming of starting your own business, this episode offers actionable advice from someone who’s lived it.

About Our Guest:

Pete Wagner, owner of Wagner Wood Floor Doctors, has been transforming floors in the White Bear Lake, Minnesota area for over two decades. Specializing in wood floor refinishing and installation, Pete has built a thriving business on skill, integrity, and customer service.

📢 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform! 

https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/ 

Home Service Headquarters

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HomeServiceHeadquarters 

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What does it take to build a standout electrical servicebusiness before your mid-20s? In this episode of Home Service Headquarters, host Jack interviews Jacob Palmer, a licensed electrician and the 23-year-old owner of Palmer Electrical.

Jacob shares his journey from beginner electrician tobusiness owner, revealing the early challenges, and the wins, Plus, what’s helped him grow fast, like showing up in person for estimates, wrapping his truck, and staying consistent on social media. He also opens up about the realities of running a shop at a young age, the power of Google reviews, andwhy it’s crucial to set clear goals from the start.

Whether you’re new to the trades or thinking about startingyour own service business, this episode is packed with practical advice, fresh perspective, and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Episode Breakdown:

00:27 Meet Jacob Palmer: The Youngest & Coolest Electrician on YouTube02:34 From Roller Rink to Electrician 06:31 Launching Palmer Electrical 18:24 Challenges & Wins of Young Business Ownership 22:44 How the Business Has Evolved 25:24 Shop Updates & What’s Ahead 29:22 Finding Jobs & Getting Work 30:20 Why Google Reviews Matter 36:46 Electrical Work as a Side Hustle? 39:55 Industry Hits & Misses 48:17 Jacob’s Advice for Aspiring Electricians 50:30 Where to Find & Follow Jacob  

📢 Tune in now on your favoritepodcast platform! 

https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/ 

Palmer Electrical

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PalmerElectrical

🌐 Website: https://www.palmerelectricalservices.com/

Home Service Headquarters

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HomeServiceHeadquarters 

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🌐 Website: https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/ 

Listen in as we sit down with Chad Cooke, the owner and operator of Cooke Pressure Washing in Spartanburg, SC. Chad shares how he went from being laid off to launching his career as a full-time pressure washing business owner. From his start hauling cheap pressure washing equipment around in the back of a Honda Pilot to now with 5 years in as a successful business owner, Chad breaks down the real difference between pressure vs soft washing, the chemicals involved, and what it really takes to grow a successful one-man operation.  
📌 Highlights: 

00:44 — Chad Cooke’s Story: From Sales Lay Offs to Full-time Pressure Washing 
06:00 — Pressure Washing vs. Power Washing vs. Soft Washing 
08:20 — Chemistry 101: The Real Science Behind Cleaning 
10:10 — Marketing 101: Door Knocking, ads, and the “Five Around” 
15:00 — Referrals and Reviews: The Secret Sauce to Growth 
17:55 — From Honda Pilot to Pro Rig: Investing in Efficiency 
20:00 — The Dirtiest (and Favorite) Type of Cleaning Job 
26:20 — $500 to Start a New Pressure Washing Business? 
28:00 — Don’t Undercut Yourself: Price for Profit 

Cooke Pressure Washing 

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_oYtZOg0llihtS1FmjxJRQ  

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cookepressurewashing  

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cookepressurewashing/  

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookepressurewashing  

🌐 Website: https://www.cookepressurewashing.com  

Home Service Headquarters 

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HomeServiceHeadquarters  

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📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomeServiceHeadquarters  

🌐 Website: https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/  

Don’t miss this unique episode on Zach Farmer, a side-hustlelandscaper and the creator of 731Zach, as he shares his unique journey into offering free landscaping and property clean-up services in his community. Get the inside scoop on Zach’s background, his current job as a wastewater plantoperator, and what inspired him to start his YouTube channel. Despite all obstacles, Zach remains dedicated to his mission of beautifying neighborhoods, driven by a passion for the outdoors and a desire to give back. Tune in to hear Zach's advice for aspiring landscapers, YouTubers, and where he’s headed next.

📌 Highlights:

00:44    Meet Zach Farmer: The Man Behind 731Zach

01:59    Zach's Journey: From Wildlife to Landscaping

03:40    Balancing Work and Community Service

08:21    Challenges and Rewards of Free Landscaping

10:44    Finding and Selecting Jobs

15:43    Advice for Aspiring Landscapers and YouTubers

18:05    Rapid Fire Questions

26:30    Future Plans and Final Thoughts

731Zach

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@731Zach

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@731zachmowing

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/731zach/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552957794095

Home Service Headquarters Contact Information:

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HomeServiceHeadquarters

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@homeserviceheadquarters

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeserviceheadquarters/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomeServiceHeadquarters

🌐 Website: https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/

Listen in to hear Zach Bleakly share the story behind launching Bear Mountain Builds with his dad. As a mechanical engineer by day, woodworker, and DIY YouTuber by night—Zach  gives us the inside scoop on what it took to grow his woodworking and restoration YouTube channel to over 150K subscribers in four years, all while balancing a full-time job, managing a rental property, and remodeling his home. You won’t want to miss this inspiring look at the dedication it takes to build something that lasts.

📌 Highlights:

0:00 – 10:02 | Zach Bleakly’s Journey from MechanicalEngineer to Bear Mountain Builds Woodworker and YouTube Creator

10:03 – 15:45 | Evenings, Weekends, and the Bear MountainBuilds Hustle

15:46 – 18:20 | Inspiring Beginner Woodworkers with Approachable Design Plans

18:20 – 27:57 | When Is It Time to Make YouTube Your Full-Time Gig?

28:31 – 37:33 | How to Make Your Side Hustle Work for You

Bear Mountain Builds Contact Information:

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BearMountainBuilds

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearmountainbuildsTop of Form

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bearmountainbuilds

🌐 Website: https://www.bearmountainbuilds.com/

Home Service Headquarters Contact Information:

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HomeServiceHeadquarters

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@homeserviceheadquarters

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeserviceheadquarters/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomeServiceHeadquarters

🌐 Website: https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/

In this episode of Home Service Headquarters, Taddy Digest shares his journey from starting in HVAC to growing a successful YouTube channel. He offers career advice for aspiring HVAC technicians, insights into his training courses, and the highs and lows of working in the industry. Plus, he shares strategies for HVAC business owners on handling slow seasons. Don’t miss this episode packed with HVAC expertise and business growth tips!

📢 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!

https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/

📌 Highlights:

1:13 – 9:27 | Taddy Digest: From HVAC Beginnings to YouTube Success

9:28 – 17:32 | Building a Successful HVAC Career: Advice, Job Choices, and Opportunities

17:33 – 25:59 | Exploring Taddy Digest HVAC Training Courses

26:00 – 29:00 | Tad Fuller’s Favorite and Worst Parts of the Jobs

29:01 – 34:02 | What to do when the customers aren’t calling your HVAC company

32:52 – 34:02 | Info on the Latest Video: How to Size an AC for Your Home

Taddy Digest Contact Information:

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TaddyDigest

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taddydigest

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taddydigest/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TaddyDigest

Home Service Headquarters Contact Information:

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HomeServiceHeadquarters

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@homeserviceheadquarters

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeserviceheadquarters/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomeServiceHeadquarters

🌐 Website: https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Dowdy, a former plumber turned entrepreneur and business coach, to dive into the realities of running and scaling a successful service-based business. Dan shares his journey from the trades to founding Built for the Trades, offering valuable insights on industry shifts, overcoming challenges, and what it takes to grow in 2025 and beyond.

🔹 How service businesses have evolved over the years
🔹 The biggest challenge facing trades businesses today—and how to fix it
🔹 Scaling strategies and the power of strong leadership
🔹 Myths about starting a trades business (Do you really need experience?)
🔹 Hit or Miss: The must-have success factors for service businesses in 2025

Whether you're just starting or looking to level up, thisepisode is packed with expert insights you won’t want to miss! 🎧

📢 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!

https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/

📌 Highlights:

0:00 – 1:30 | Introduction

1:31 – 9:03 | Dan Dowdy’s Journey: From Plumbing to Business Coaching

9:04 – 21:12 | Built for the Trades & How Service Businesses Have Evolved

21:13 – 28:24 | Scaling a Business & Overcoming IndustryChallenges

28:25 – 39:26 | Growth Strategies, Team Dynamics &Coaching Insights

39:27 – 46:20 | Starting a Trades Business: Myths, SideHustles & Experience

46:21 – 52:14 | Hit or Miss: What Service Businesses Need toSucceed in 2025

52:15 – 55:52 | Final Advice & Closing

Dan Dowdy and Built for the Trades Contact Information:

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@builtforthetrades

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builtforthetrades/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BuiltForTheTrades

🌐 Website: https://builtforthetrades.com/

Home Service Headquarters Contact Information:

📺 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HomeServiceHeadquarters

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@homeserviceheadquarters

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homeserviceheadquarters/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HomeServiceHeadquarters

🌐 Website: https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/

The aging-in-place market is an overlooked opportunity inthe home services industry. More seniors want to stay in their homes as they age, creating a need for professionals who can modify and maintain homes for safety and accessibility.

In this episode of Home Service Headquarters, Taylor Lundinterviews his father, Pat Lund, founder of Age Well at Home. Pat shares his journey from house painter to nonprofit facilitator and explains how home service professionals can tap into the aging-in-place niche—improving liveswhile growing their business.

📌 Highlights:

02:00 – Pat Lund's Journey: From House Painter to NonprofitFounder
04:22 – The Growing Demand for Age-Friendly Homes in Home Services
19:32 – How Age Well at Home Supports Aging-in-Place
32:42 – Tips for Starting and Promoting Aging-in-Place Services
46:32 – Heartwarming Story: Tommy’s Home Modifications

Resources Mentioned:

Age Well at Home: Age in Place Guide

Habitat for Humanity: Aging in Place Services

National Association of Home Builders: Aging-in-PlaceSpecialist Certification

Pat Lund and Age Well at Home Contact Information:

📧 Email: [email protected]

🌐 Website: https://agewellathome.org/

In this episode, we sit down with Melanie Summers, thecreator of I Speak Organized, to dive into the world of professional organizing. Melanie shares her journey from life before organizing to building a successful brand that helps others get started in the industry.

📌 Highlights:

🗂️ The history ofprofessional organizing and what organizers actually do (1:55)

🔄 Melanie’s career shiftand how she got started (6:50)

🚀 What success looks likefor I Speak Organized (17:01)

💡 The many facets ofMelanie Summers (28:10)

💼 Can professionalorganizing be a side hustle? (36:10)

🔥 Hit or Miss rapid-fireQ&A (40:31)

🎧 Tune in to learn how to take your organizing business to the next level!

Never miss a Home Service Headquarters episode!
🎧 Tune in now and explore more episodes:
https://homeserviceheadquarters.com/

How to Contact Melanie Summers

📺 YouTube Channel: ttps://youtube.com/@ispeakorganized

🎙️ Podcast: The Speak Organized Podcast: all major podcast platforms like Apple, Spotify, etc.📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/ispeakorganized

📘 Facebook: https://facebook.com/ispeakorganized

🌐 Website: https://ispeakorganized.com/courses

The Empowered Organizer – monthly organizer community with monthly coaching calls and a whole dashboard of courses and resources