Hi Everyone

S

snowman-mi

New member
I am brand new to this board and wife and I are thinking about starting up a pressure washing business.But not sure if we can because after reading the search it sounds like we should start out with a rather exspensive machine.To be honest with all of you we are looking to just make a little extra money in our spare time.As far as running a business goes we have before,went really well but had the chance to sell out and made a profit.Have already checked into insurance and license no problem.We are looking at doing houses.But it's the machine that"s holding things up.Looked at Lowes. Belive they are called Generac,saw one we were interested in 2700psi at 2.5gpm($498).
Also saw there multipurpose wash for houses.
Are we making a mistake doing this?
Thanks for your help in advance.
 
Keep reading; keep searching. Check out the other boards, too. You will be amazed at how much you will learn and how much knowledge is spread throughout from some of these guys. Any question you have can be answered.

As far as a machine, it is the heart of your business, and to answer your question, no. 2.5 gpm's are NOT enough. Lowes has a decent 4 gpm machine. May cost more now, but it will last you longer and save you time. After all, time is money.

Do some searches, learn your chemicals. Ask questions. You'll get out what you put in.:D
 
My two cents

You should wait until you can buy a hot water machine. Looking for extra cash can be hard sometimes and with a hot water machine it could be just a little bit easier. Why you ask? Because with hot water you are not limited to just the things you can clean with cold. Not ony can you clean the little things you want but hot water will alow you to do just about anything the pro's are doing. Just make sure you are wanting to make some extra cash and not wanting to start a different lifestyle. That is the discission you should base your purchase on.
 
I have a cold water p/w and I have not found anything it wont clean.I will get a hot water p/w one day but for houses and things around the home cold water is fine.I did the same thing you are doing. I started reading about what every body else has and was wondering if I should get a bigger p/w. I think the lowest p/w you should have is 4 gpm at 3000 to 3500 psi. Start out slow and learn as much as you can about chem.,priceing a job,accessorys for your p/w. Its a lot more than just buying a p/w and your in business.I think 1000 for a p/w and 1000 for accessorys and chem. Good luck!!
 
I think Mark is right on. You can do a lot of biz with the $1000 PW and other equipment. HD, Lowes or Sams. I recommend the 13HP Honda.
 
Absolutely no less then 4GPM's. Start out with cold water, and if need be, buy a hot water washer later and keep the other for a backup.
 
Snowman welcome,,


You have found the only BBS operated by pressure washers for pressure washer on the web.

I would like to share with you a few other sites that might assist you in this field. In our links section you can find about any resource you want. Our staffs of moderator’s range from 1 year to I believe Dave Olsen our senior member has over 30. Dave you can correct me if I’m wrong.


www.powerwashnetwork.com

www.thecleanernetwork.com

www.guttersouce.com ( Mike Hughes PWNA board member)

http://www.dcs1.com/dcs1boards/messages/front.cfm?board_id=10 deloco of fortworth,, the mother of all BBS

you can also search to find many more such as Russell BBS and Dave BBS.. all good guys…


I opened this BBS strictly because I felt the information needs to out there and that we needed and area where people could freely express there opinions. keep in mind that opinions sometimes are just opinions. Many members on this BBS as well as others are wrong, include myself I have made false statements to be corrected at a later date. Verify your info from these BBS and you will do great. Good luck with your Plans and I hope we all can help you.

Some may ask why would you tell somebody about other BBS when that’s what we do here? because we can here!!!!!!!!!




Thanks,
 
Welcome Snowman.

You have taken the biggest step. Researching. I can't thank the PW's on this board and all the others enough. If it were not for our fellow PW's I couldn't say what would have happened. The information you gather should help you in formulating "your" techniques. We all do things with water, how you do it is what you apply by gathering all the info you can and putting that info into trial and error. Don't be afraid to ask any question here. You will get a reply, probably several.

At one time or another others helped all of us. I feel it is only right that we pass on this time honored tradition and help others as they request it. There are numerous experienced business persons here that valuable information they provide will help you along the way.

Good luck to your business. We all learn from each other.

Reed
 
Sorry

Im sorry but I do not agree with the others here that you can clean anything with cold water you can clean with hot.... I recently read an article in one of our great trade mags that praised the cold water machine... thats great. I have been in business for only three years and Im no authority But I Know When The Kerosene Tank Runs Dry. How do I know this, because I am slowed in my cleaning process. Fuel is cheaper than water! Time is money and if you can clean any thing with cold you sure can clean it alot faster with hot water. Do not be mislead into thinking that you will be able to buy a cold water machine and be able to tackle the toughest jobs. It will not happen. My last post was to make you think for the future. It starts with a house and ends with the Washington Monument. Think about what you really want to do with your new venture and base your decision on that. If all you want to do is make some extra cash you can buy a used machine in any newspaper and try it out.
 
Walter,
There is nothing wrong with your thinking. Shoot for the starts. Aim high to get there. No problem with that thought process if you believe in yourself.

I have 2 hot and 3 cold PW's. I wished I would have bought hot in the begining.

I would recommend for any newcomer that is just starting out to also buy cold because its so much cheaper. Unless of course if a newcomer is aiming for commercial work then get the hot PW.

So my advise is if a newcomer is heading for residential work then start with cold because cold can pretty much handle most all that type of work. Down the road get the hot and use the cold for backup.

If commercial work is the goal then start with hot.

I would also buy new here so I know my machine is ready to roll with no problems and if there are any it is warranteed. No need to have problems in the beginning.
 
Snowman When selecting a pressure washer, it is important to remember that volume is more valuable in most cleaning applications than pressure. Volume is more effective in dispersing dirt than pressure. Pressure is important but if ever faced with an option of more pressure or more volume when choosing a washer, choose more volume.

Terry
Terry's Power Cleaning
S.W. MI.
 
getting started

Snowman,

I do remember the start up jitters. I would just like to encourage you in your part time effort in the area of deck care in your market.

Stay on the boards to gain knowledge and go for it. If you want it bad enough your part time effort will become full time.

Just a few tidbits as possibilities for you:

Plan your season efforts with the deck care season in your market
If you don't want to purchase a pw now just rent one and then you will buy one ASAP.

Get framiliar with cleaner application procedures and pw stroke (use long strokes and rainbow each long stroke so as now to leave start-stop marks on the deck ) with the wand. Keeping product off of plants, schrubbs, home, etc.
Get framiliar with the sealer of your choice and do's & don'ts.

Insurance/Corporation get it done firts! 1,000,000 liability for near 300/yr depending on you market and form a corp to limit liability will cost near 800.00.

Advertising
pass out 1000 flyers this week
get the pw and jug sprayer, lambs wool applicator, painters shield, respirator, safety equipment, ears and eye protection.

Don'ts
Spill anything on the driveway or cement below the deck
cover furniture so as not to get any cleaner or overspray on anything.

Do essss
Get those flyers out this week and start collecting checks. You will figure out the rest when you see the checks hitting the kitchen table.

Quote sheets, office etc is readily available at Staples/Office Max.

Go for it!

Write us when you make your 1st 20,000.

Brad
 
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