Question 1

How much does power washing cost in 2026?

Accepted Answer

In 2026, power washing costs $150–$320 for a standard residential driveway (1,200 sq ft), $0.18–$0.30 per sq ft for concrete, $0.25–$0.45 per sq ft for house siding (soft wash), and $0.35–$0.60 per sq ft for wood decks. Prices vary by region, surface condition, and job accessibility.

Question 2

How much does junk removal cost in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Junk removal in 2026 costs $125–$200 for a 1/4 truck load, $225–$375 for 1/2 truck, $350–$500 for 3/4 truck, and $450–$650 for a full truck. Specialty items like mattresses ($30–$60 each), appliances with freon ($50–$100), and pianos ($200–$500) are charged separately.

Question 3

How much does lawn care cost in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Lawn mowing in 2026 costs $45–$75 for properties under 4,000 sq ft, $65–$110 for 4,000–8,000 sq ft, $95–$160 for 8,000–15,000 sq ft, and $150–$250 for 15,000–30,000 sq ft. Properties over 1 acre cost $200–$400+. Recurring weekly or biweekly contracts offer the best value.

Question 4

What tax deductions can contractors claim in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Contractors can deduct vehicle costs at 70 cents per mile (2026 IRS standard mileage rate), equipment under Section 179 in the year purchased, tools and supplies (100%), phone (50–100% business use), software subscriptions like APEX Quote Online (100%), insurance premiums, dump fees, and home office expenses ($5/sq ft up to 300 sq ft using the simplified method).

Question 5

What is the best contractor software in 2026?

Accepted Answer

APEX Quote Online is the best all-in-one contractor software in 2026, offering AI-powered quoting with real market data, professional invoicing with Stripe payments, receipt scanning and expense tracking, tax deduction calculator, client CRM with self-service portal, two-way SMS messaging, crew dispatch, route planning, and real-time profit tracking. Free trial includes 3 quotes.

Question 6

How do I start a contractor business in 2026?

Accepted Answer

To start a contractor business in 2026: form an LLC ($50–$150), get general liability insurance ($40–$80/month), set up a free Google Business Profile, use APEX Quote Online for quoting and invoicing (free trial), and focus on one service niche. Get 5+ Google reviews to rank in local search results within 60–90 days.