hi Richard,
here is an idea of something that may work. Offer some free/cheap services to one or two customers in a couple of areas that you want to work in. Sure, no one wants to work for free, but i have found that most of my estimates come from people seeing me out working. The way i see it, you can ask people for the perfect advertising solution all you want, but at some point you must become proactive and try a few different things.
This is what i suggest: Find a few subdivisions (high-income) and go to a visible house (front of street, lots of traffic) and offer to do their deck for expenses only (make a little up by adding some money for traveling). In exchange, you only ask to put up a yard sign ($25). When you finish the job, knock on 8 doors surrounding the house.
Say, "hello, i am Richard with X pressure washing, and we are just finishing up restoring Ms. Jones' deck. I just wanted to give you a card and offer you a free estimate, and if you'd like to see our work you can check out Ms. Jones' deck. Do you want me to go ahead and get you that estimate??"
I promise you, 80% of the people will let you give them an estimate. They may just be trying to get you off their back, but many will be serious. Get their phone number and call them once a month until they sign up. They will.
At this point, you've got to give something a shot. If you don't like the idea of doing the free work, then just do the door to door. If i were you, i'd go for the free work. Unless you also have a part-time job, you should have plenty of time for this. I promise it will pay off. The first year i started doing this, i bet 90% of my jobs came from doing door to door. Here is a tip---start by practicing door to door in a subdivision that you may not have as much interest working in. That way, you are getting practice and may get some jobs, but if not, nobody's hurt.
Set yourself a goal. Tell yourself: i am going to start knocking doors at 9 a.m., and i won't stop until i've given 5 estimates. Good luck Richard, i hope you will at least consider trying this.
Jon Fife
Nashville,TN