Sorry I missed this thread back in Feb, but if you're still out there Blaze, give me a call, I'm glad to find someone wanting to learn how to do this business the right way from the beginning. Due to bbs like this one and, of course, orgs like UAMCC, your learning curve should be considerably steeper than mine was.
My philosophy regarding local competition: I can't wash every house and every house needs to be cleaned every few years. If I can't wash it, I still want it washed properly - by legitimate companies. Those of us that are doing this business as a business don't fear competition, but we get really p'd-off by those that think that just because they have a pressure washer that they are pressure washers.