New and in need of advice

K

kleenimage

New member
Not sure if im posting this correctly but giving it a try. I am a former vet and in need of some very helpful advice. Long story short I was givin an oppurtunity to start a pressure washing business and to be honest am clueless.I do not want to by no means disprespect anybody or give the industry a bad name. If there is any chance someone can help me I would greatly appreciate it. This is not a side project and will be the source of my income for me and my daughter.
I have purchased a vehicle, water storange tank, gum buster removal machine, cold water pressure washer. I did not know there were so many techniques and ways of pressure washing. I do not know where to get insurance and what kind as well as what to price. I am in the Houston area and at this point stressed out of my mind because I am anxious to start but now that ive been reading various forums and post not sure how. I was planning on starting small as far as store fronts and gas stations that are owned by friends..PLease any advice, information and prayers would be welcome. I am such a newbie and want to be a professional in this very elite group.

Leonardo Vazquez
Gum Be Gone
Pasadena TX
 
If you have contacts with gas station owners and store fronts and they are frineds, you will be able to do limited jobs for them. Please understand that to do the above named jobs for non friends, you will have to have hot water. As far as pricing, I dont know. We are totally different markets, and different overheads. What is a removal machine?

Insurance: search it out. you can get it at most any insurance company, just make sure to get everything that is needed. There is also Joe Walters Insurance. They may be your best bet if you do not know what all to look for.

Ask direct questions. "Any advice" goes a really long way. What are you looking foR.
 
I thank you for your reply and appreciate your time to help me out. I guess and Im sorry if this sounds dumb but I want to know if im headed in the right direction. The gum removal machine is from gum busters out of New Jersey and the water pressure machine is the cold water type. All the equipment was giving to me by a family member to help me out in these tough times. I was not even aware that there is a hot and cold water pressure washer and which is better. Also i was looking to purchase the rotating wand or would the 3 piston axial pump. I am putting all my time, effort and money into this not to mention blood, sweat, and tears. Not sure by what you meant as far as limited jobs. Is there also a certain pressure washer used for homes and roofs or am I to new to even think about adding that to my plate? I thank you for your time once again.
 
By limited jobs, I am talking about in the commercial world. The only real commercial jobs that are available for a cold water washer are friend's who own businesses, clients that dont know any better, and people that only care about the lowest price. Cold water, I believe is all you need for house washing.

As far as headed in the right direction, no one can answer that other than YOU. This is a great business, but is not right for everyone.
 
The fact that you are asking questions and looking to do the job right means you are off to a good start. Use the forum search tool thoroughly. Decide what your main business focus will be.
What size PW did you purchase?
Hot water helps cut through grease, grime and gum. You can add a hot box on to your existing machine.
 
First let me say thanks for your service to our great country!! There are plenty of great guy's in Texas that will be happy to help you out, I am sure some will ring in and be happy to maybe have you shadow them or work for knowlege.

Cold water rig will narrow your work search to mostly residential, but we all started small and built it up from there. Do searches on this forum and you will find out most anything you need to know from insurance to chemicals, what you dont find, just ask. Welcome to the board.
 
Jonathan Ellis said:
By limited jobs, I am talking about in the commercial world. The only real commercial jobs that are available for a cold water washer are friend's who own businesses, clients that dont know any better, and people that only care about the lowest price. Cold water, I believe is all you need for house washing.

As far as headed in the right direction, no one can answer that other than YOU. This is a great business, but is not right for everyone.
Click to expand...

Is there any reason you have the word "claening" in your signature Mr. Ellis? Don't think we didn't see your little clandestine subliminal advertising...... Are you trying to get all the misspellers of cleaning or did you just spell it that way so that other Pressure Washers could find your site? :rotflmao:
 
lolololol I wonder how many people are thinking, what in the world is he talking about. LOL. It is for those who can not spell.
 
Leonardo, you are starting off in the right direction, I myself have been in business for 2yrs now and have learned alot from the guys here at PWI. Do yourself a favor and start slow, do not get yourself into any jobs that you can not handle to start with. Also try to find someone in your area that is in the business and see if they will let you tag along to help in your learning process. This is a great industry to be involved with but it also has many liabilities that come with it.
Take the time to read ALOT on here, use the search option and you will find many answers to questions you have not even thought of yet.
Good luck in your new adventure!!!
 
Welcome, as the others have mentioned be sure to take the time to read and learn. Don't be afraid to ask any questions we are all here to help.

If you really want a crash course make some time to go to the Myrtle Beach round table in Sept. there will be tons of info there.
 
Leonardo, welcome to PWI. First and foremost there is no such thing as a "former Vet". Thank you sir for your service and dedication to our Country. As a proud Veteran and member of the American Legion, Post 105, Phoenix, AZ, I personally welcome you and my phone and email is available to you at anytime for any questions you may have.

A great source for information, equipment, chemicals and training in your area would be DELCO CLEANING SYSTEMS OF FORT WORTH
2513 Warfield Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76106-7554
U.S./Canada Wats: 800-433-2113, Fax: 817-625-2059, Local: 817-625-4213
email: delco@dcs1.com , WebSite: http://www.dcs1.com

You've already found the most helpful and professional forum (in my humble opinion) on the web. And you've shared your desire to learn. Get all the training and information you can, consider working for a well established professional pressure washing contractor in your area. Once you have the knowledge of the basics of pressure washing, then you will be on your way to hopefully a long and successful career.

Good luck to you Leonardo. Send me an email, PM or feel free to call me. I'll do my best to help.
 
Veteran owned business here as well - so vet to vet - THANK YOU and WELCOME. Come to Myrtle Beach - will be the best trip/investment you can make in your business.

Roger
 
I would like to start of by saying thank you for all the advice and help it is greatly appreciated. I am putting all my effort into succeding and establishing myself as a professional. I still have many questions and do not want to seem like a burden to some. I understand it does take my part to research and I will do everything it takes to do the job right.


Leonardo Vazquez
Kleen Image
281.508.2923
Pasadena,TX
 
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