How is this machine?

P

paramount

New member
First of all, great site! Everyone seems personable which isnt the case on most sites.

Background: I run a Mcdonalds and was asked to wash 7 stores. I rented a hot machine. I believe it was 3200 psi and 3gpm. Worked pretty well even though there are some light oil stains left. I just did the DT lane, sidewalk, and the front of the dumpster area that is seen (not behind the gates where all the grease and dumpsters are.)

Anyway, Im trying to talk them into letting me do the restaurants either once a month or every other. I charged them $150 per restaurant. I didnt get into a groove until the third restaurant where I got smarted with moving the hoses and techniques. I think the average store would take about 3 hours once I get a decent 16" surface cleaner. I used one from home depot and it was leaking by the second store.

I found a used ex cell 3200psi 4gpm cold machine for $300. Says its running and operating fine. Im just concerned about the pump going and not being able to repair. The model pump is pk16855. I cant find a brand or anything like that. I found sites that sell the pump for at least $600 so Im assuming that its a decent pump but cant tell if its rebuildable or not.

Also, is it me but is doing this line of work very relaxing? I just listened to some tunes while working outside with no one bothering me.

My questions:

1. Is $300 a good price? The owners says it wasnt used commercially. So the hours must be low. I know I would need a machine with more gpm but this would only be a side job at this point.
2. Is $150 enough? If I had the better equipment you guys have Im sure I could knock this out in half the time.
 
Welcome Paramount. I think you will find the answers to all your questions and a TON of more necessary info in older threads. More research= time and money saved!
The info from vets on here has saved me countless dollars.

"Also, is it me but is doing this line of work very relaxing? I just listened to some tunes while working outside with no one bothering me." - The easy part of this job is doing the work!
 
question 1. For what you will be doing that machine will not work. You need hot water to properly clean those stores. I would also look at a 18-20 inch surface cleaner.

Question 2 No this is not enough there are so many reasons why but I will give you a few. #1 If you cause any damage its your pocket. #2 you need insurance #3 you need a business license and tax ID. #4 Your equipment will need repair.$$$$$ #5 Fuel #6 Chems. At this point you will work for free for a few months just to break even not to mention putting food on your families table.
 
Heat is a must especially in a drive thru with the oil stains. Not sure how enforcement is in your area but be sure you are taking the appropriate environmental controls with the runoff, you don't need a fine if you are only charging $150.

If you are going to be serious about doing this I would look into a 5gpm unit with heat and be sure to do the things Kory listed above.
 
Thanks for the replies. I do understand that I need a better machine if I were to do this for a living I would get a better machine.

The owner isn't looking for absolute perfection. I actually did the one dt pad with no heat and he liked how it came out. The only problem was the gum. I had to use a 15 tip since my cheap surface cleaner broke. Took 3 hours.

What is a fair rate to charge? I forgot to mention that the owner paid for the rental that was $400 and the gas/diesel. So after all costs he paid $275 per store.
 
paramount said:
Thanks for the replies. I do understand that I need a better machine if I were to do this for a living I would get a better machine.

The owner isn't looking for absolute perfection. I actually did the one dt pad with no heat and he liked how it came out. The only problem was the gum. I had to use a 15 tip since my cheap surface cleaner broke. Took 3 hours.

What is a fair rate to charge? I forgot to mention that the owner paid for the rental that was $400 and the gas/diesel. So after all costs he paid $275 per store.
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We actually do or did alot of Mcdonalds stores in your area and the owner tells us they were now doing it themselves(maybe its you) and thats fine. We were charging them to do DT pads,sidewalks and dumpster pads and exterior of windows $399.95 every 60 days. The owner wanted us to drop our price and we said NO WAY. Fuel is $4 a gallon,ins is going up and so on . Good luck with the start up.
 
paramount said:
Thanks for the replies. I do understand that I need a better machine if I were to do this for a living I would get a better machine.

The owner isn't looking for absolute perfection. I actually did the one dt pad with no heat and he liked how it came out. The only problem was the gum. I had to use a 15 tip since my cheap surface cleaner broke. Took 3 hours.

What is a fair rate to charge? I forgot to mention that the owner paid for the rental that was $400 and the gas/diesel. So after all costs he paid $275 per store.
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I like the signature :).

D.
 
Ace, double the $150 or double the $275?

FoxCPM, Thanks. Pressure washing seemed SO easy until you start to think about it.

Inovative, We actually never used a pro for this before. We always bought cheap power washers to use and have the maintenance guys do the work. The washers they bought were 2.5 gpm and broke within a year because they ever checked the oil or the pump died.
 
If McDo is supplying everything, your price is just fine to start learning. I would do everything I could to keep your boss renting the equipment! You might consider spending the 300 on a decent surface cleaner 20 in or less.
Your price is way too low, and I understand that it's a side thing for you, but that should stop you from putting much of your own money and risk into this.
I would tell your boss you're happy to keep cleaning for 150 while he rents machine and supplies gas! That will give you time to learn a few things on his dime! You might even advertise to as many other places as you can, and rent the machine yourself if you get any work!
That machine you're looking at sounds like a wally world special!
 
Not sure if I am missing something or not. But if you run a Mcdonalds and now you are a contractor for them I would watch because thats a conflict of interest. If someone doesnt like you they can turn you in and you will probably be fired and never paid. At the very least, the McD's you wash may know this and have an idea that they will never pay you.
I am dealing with a hospital account now that claims they wanted us to go back for a third time to do a loading dock (on the first two attempts they had the dock loaded with boxes and trash) and when I said no they are now claiming all of our work isnt acceptable. Funny how someone can be so contradictory.
All I am saying is be careful on that end Paramount.
 
Your price is way too cheap. You wont even have enough for beer money after that.
$300.00 +
 
Aspen, my uncle owns the 7 stores so payment and my job aren't an issue. I may be able to pick up a few other stores as I know the owners. I would charge $250 for the dt, sidewalks, and the front of the dumpster area. $75 extra for the dumpster area. That should net me $75 an hour after gas and chemicals.

My thinking is that I could start with a 4 gpm cold unit. Use the eatoil stuff for the oil. I would try out different products for the gum to see what would work best. After I get a few cleanings I could step up to a better machine and use the original machine for sidewalks by another person.

I would definitely look into the reclamation as well along with license and insurance. the part making this tough is that I don't have a truck or suv. I will rent one for now.
 
paramount said:
Aspen, my uncle owns the 7 stores so payment and my job aren't an issue. I may be able to pick up a few other stores as I know the owners. I would charge $250 for the dt, sidewalks, and the front of the dumpster area. $75 extra for the dumpster area. That should net me $75 an hour after gas and chemicals.

My thinking is that I could start with a 4 gpm cold unit. Use the eatoil stuff for the oil. I would try out different products for the gum to see what would work best. After I get a few cleanings I could step up to a better machine and use the original machine for sidewalks by another person.

I would definitely look into the reclamation as well along with license and insurance. the part making this tough is that I don't have a truck or suv. I will rent one for now.
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Good Luck with that. The only "product" that works is HEAT.
 
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