I am new to the business I need some help (I know we all seen this)

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DFlores6073

New member
Ok I am currently lookin at purchasing a 13 HP Honda cold water Pressure washer with adjustable wand that ranges from 0 degrees to 85 degrees. a 24' Alum Extension rod and a turbo nozzle. My plans are to work in the Residential an commercial industry. I would like to know what the going price for cleaning driveways, sidewalks, siding is. I would also like to know what kind of chemicals are best to achive the best results. I am also interested in washing decks but there are so many chemicals out there I am not sure which ones to use. Also what type of sealers achive the best results. I hope yal do not think that I am tring to pry into other businesses. But I do not want to bid to low and hurt the industry or bid too high and never get a job :eek: .

Also on the power washer they gave me an option to change the the adjustable nozzle to quick connect type nozzle for 50.00 do yall think I need to go with this option or should I stay with the adjustable nozzle

Also so every one know I am in the houston area and I appreciate all of yalls help
 
Welcome to the board! The answers to all your questions can be answered by using the search function,it is an invaluable tool when your first starting out.If you plan on doing commercial you should look into a hot water machine.As far as the upgrade to a quick disconnect for $50,save your money and do it yourself.The Delco pressure washing website has a pricing guide (ballpark figures),but pricing is different in different areas,and you have to know your expenses,all expenses (taxes,insurance,workers comp,etc.),and figure out what type of profit you need to make.Check out the search function,you will be amazed at the wealth of information there.
Good Luck!
Jim
 
There are a million different ways to do this business.

I'm new with a Cold Water system to this Business. I mainly do Residential. I've found Commercial to be kind of a pain. I use Bleach for most everything. Just store brand bleach. I've always used it and the guy I learned from who has been in this business for 10 years uses it. I'm tinkering with other chemicals but using it on friend's or my own house. Not Customers. I don't mess much with Decks. I know a man who does Full Restorations of decks and anytime someone wants me to completely restore or is hoping for Devine Intervention to take place I recomend him. If the deck is painted I'll use bleach because it doesn't screw with the wood finish. I treat it almost like how I rinse a house. What I do with that man though is I pressure Wash the Deck. (Sometimes without adding the cost) and let that man come through and finish it.

Driveways I use bleach. Same with Vinyl, Wood, Stucko, and some brick houses. Also when I'm done with the driveways I spray 1 more layer of bleach and let the Sun cook it in and it brings out many stains that won't come out.

Cost for me varies. I go on the house by eye. What I charge for the driveway is 0-8' $1.00. Every 4ft I add $0.25.

Now there are people on here Far More experienced and knowlegable than me. I hear people on here talk about different chemicals how they react with material and all kinds of stuff which is like a baseball that upset Barry Bonds. Way over my head. But this is what I'm doing now and it seems to be working. I hope to build up experience as I work more and more. And I want to keep it as simple as possible. I don't want to be one of those disgruntled workers who is always upset because his "Discombobulater Doohicky" isn't working right.
 
The problem I have with an adjustable nozzle is the fact that they put 2 pieces of metal between the orifice and the outlet that the water has to push aside to create the angular pattern, thus you have to lose some impact force after the water has already done some work just to get out.
 
The Big Question is How Much is your time worth? I think the delco site prices are a little low. I have been in the vent hood cleaning, pressure washing and fire equipment business for about 14 years now.. My secret is to feel people... understand what they want by asking questions.
1) Are you happy with your current cleaning company ?
If they say yes hand them a card and say thank you for your time and move on to the next person.
If thhey say no I'm Not happy or I have never had cleaning done..
You say ( Well it's pretty bad and I would say XXXX$$$$ ...)
You will probably not get the job right off , because they are going to try and clean it themself.

Ok The trick is to hand out 50 of your cards a day and go thru this same thing over and over and over . ( Don't come off your prices..)

You will get accounts and make money..

There is a company in Mississippi that would underbid everyone on vent hood cleanings, he would underbid them by $ 200 and $ 300 dollars.. but he wasn't cleaning on the roof , no fans, no duct.. eventually the managers went on the roof and saw the mess... no matter what my prices were they called me and said do you clean the roof fans and duct. I said yes remember --- months age I stopped by and said we clean your roof fans, ducts and vent hoods .. He says yes , I go do the joband do it right ( taking before and after pics )and make $600.00 a month + get the fire equipment at $350.00 every 6 months + clean the concrete at $ 150.00 a month..

See where am I going , there alot of people doing things the wrong way out there, take your time , do them right, be honest, be fair, don't lowball, be reliable... and you will go far in this business...

Word from one of my best customers " Yall keep showing up on time and doing what you say you are going too. you will have my business forever."
 
Very well said John! I only mentioned the Delco price guide as a ballpark starting place when someone is starting out and has no clue what to charge.The key to pricing is pricing to make the profit you need to stay successful in business,not to get every job that comes your way ,if you are getting every job your prices are probably too low.
Jim
 
Now since I will be starting out I do not have the money to purchase a hot water system. I also do not have a big water tank to carry around with me. Do you feel that by only having a cold water system is ok to start with on the residentual side of the business an use the customers water or should I at least have my own water tank? What is yalls feels and thoughts about this.
 
One of the biggest considerations when using a "tankless" system is can the HO's water supply keep up with your machine? Example - we run a 5.6 gpm machine. We've done houses before with water pressure lower than that - their water can't keep up. The tank, even if you have a small one, will allow you to keep your water flow up with your machine. Well driven water systems also can pose a problem - you'd hate to suck someone's well dry :)

Just something to think about.

Celeste
 
You should just purchase a 1500psi, hot water machine, electric over diesel, 2.5 gpm, i do hood cleaning primarily and occasional houses and walkways, as far as a water tank goes, our current machine has one but we just bought a new washer that i havnt used that doesn't have a water tank, its also 2.5gpm. You'll spend the extra money but you'll make out in the end.
 
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