Getting Started in PW

[Roger]

Not sure if this is the correct category for this post, but it seemed to be the most likely place to put it.

I am trying to start a PW biz in the Dallas area. Planning to start out small, doing mostly residential work, washing patios/porches, walks, driveways, fences, houses, etc. and possibally some light comercial, storefront entries, etc.. Not sure where to start first on setting up the business end.

If there are members here from the Dallas area or from another large metro area that could help me get started in the right direction and avoid some of pitfalls and or runaround from city gov you may have encountered while getting started, it would be greatly appreciated.

I have 2 main areas of concern right now are:

1. What licenses/permits/etc may be required in a metro area to run a PW biz and typically what city dept. issues these. Are there any specific questions that need be asked or any issues that should to be brought during this this process?

2. EPA compliance issues... After digging thru as many of the regs as i can find, I am more confused now than when i started. From what I have been able to gather, if you are going to be trully EPA compliant, nothing other than clean water can be allowed to soak into the ground or enter the storm drain system. Any thing else must be recovered and disposed of via the sanitary sewer or hauled to a processing facility. Have I missed something or are there exceptions to the rules. Do cities have a list of chemicals/detergents/etc that are allowable to remain to soak into the ground or enter the storm drain system? After all it would be rather impraticle to recover all the the water when washing a house which is surounded by grass and to clean it properly some sort of cleaning solution would be required. How strictly are the rules enforced in most areas? Any other thoughts or comments about EPA compliance?

Sorry to babble on, just trying to get my ducks in a row from the start. It's much easier than trying to round them up later.

If anyone has any additional info that might make my startup go more smoothly, I am all ears and would greatly appreciate any help anyone is kind enough to offer.

Thanks in advance,
Roger

 

[Scott Stone]

I would recommend that you contact Delco in Fort Worth. They are up on the local Reg's and are pretty good people. Larry or Robert would be the most likely to know what you are talking about, but someone else might be able to help as well. Their number is 1-800-433-2113.

 

[Roger]

Thanks Scott

I did get ahold of Robert @ Delco via email. He did have some usefull info.

Thanks again.

 

[Pete Marentay]

Franchise possible?

Sun Brite, the premier name in deck and fence restoration in Georgia, is offering franchise opportunities for both new and established contractors. With five operations currently active in Georgia, the company is geared up to support new operations in the southeast and as far west as Texas and Oklahoma.

In addition to the use of its brand and logo, Sun Brite offers up to 3 ½ weeks of training on the use of its system and products. Most of this time is spent giving ‘real-world’ experience in both Georgia and in your own territory. Our franchise fees are among the lowest in the industry, geared to help your new business get off on the right foot by minimizing your start-up expenses. Sun Brite franchisees enjoy the lowest possible prices on materials and supplies, too.

If you think this opportunity might help you start your business the right way, contact Pete Marentay at (770) 277-6363 or marentay@mindspring.com

As far as your EPA concerns, residential work like deck and fence restoration or house washing is not affected by the EPA. Residential work is quick and infrequent - so it is not worth any regulation or enforcement efforts.