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New Member, New Start-Up - LONG

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Paul Freeman

New member
New Member

Almost two years ago, after just moving out of state, I started looking at the Mobile Power Wash industry and determined that it’s a growing industry with a lot of potential, not to mention the type of work that I would enjoy doing.

Before buying anything, I posted a message on a bulletin board and the responses I got regarding my newfound aspirations were a reality check. So, I bought some books, hunted down and talked to some local people in the power wash business, continued to read everything I could find, and started taking a close look at those who would become my competition.

Since all this began, we have had to move back to our home state. We moved back in order to take care of other business interests that we thought we could handle remotely, which was a hard learned lesson.

So here I sit, over a year later, still determined to start a Mobile Power Wash business. I have decided to make a modest investment in new equipment and use my ¾ ton truck to haul it around. I’ve also decided to buy the equipment from a local distributor who can and will maintain the equipment until the end of the warranty period or I feel confident enough to maintain it myself.

I’m in the process of getting quotes from three local vendors, I already have two; I’m just waiting to talk to one more distributor this week. Then, I’m going to post the price for specific equipment from each of the distributors on the board. If you have time to look at that post and respond, I would appreciate it and be very grateful.

Establishing this business has, so far, been a daunting task. Listed below are some of the most important things I can think of, that I’ve either addressed or still have to work through.

Business Plan
Training
Certification(s)
Permits and Licenses
Articles of Incorporation
Insurance
Equipment
Supplier(s)
Membership(s)
Business Card
Business Forms: Estimate, Service Agreement (contract), Invoice.
Payment Methods: Cash, Check, and Credit Card.
Advertising: Website, Yellow Pages, Flyers, Newspaper, Coupons, Ads in annual Homeowner Association booklets, Yard Signs, Yard Signs at Yard Sales – in exchange for a free driveway or walkway cleaning, Business Card sized magnets, Raffles - one complete free cleaning in a sub-division in return for Yard Signs for minimum of 30 days, Radio – to advertise website and services, Banner Ads – other local websites.

Paul Freeman
 
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Reply to Paul

First of all "good luck" on the startup of your new venture in Oklahoma. When I read your post it made me think back to when I started in this business. I bought a 1000 psi, 2 injector cold water system that had this thick heavy 2 stage hose attached to it. Rented water softeners from Culligan Man and had to set them up and break them down on every single job because I was working out of a Toyota Pickup. I started in mobil home parks washing trailers for senior citizens on fixed incomes and loved it. After doing that for a year I wanted to wash trucks so went to an aerospace company out here and asked if I could do a demo on the dirtiest truck they could bring me. In those days I was using hydraflouric acid followed by hot alkaline so I was able to get that truck pretty darn clean. Well much to my amazement they hired me on a week to week basis and that was 24 years ago, and I'm still amazed (cause I'm still there)!!

I didn't get a stronger machine till I'd been in the business for 3 years, and it was another 7 years before I got a 2nd truck (I use Ford Vans now). I was just insecure because I didn't have anything in writing at that account for the first 5 years, and to be honest with you pretty naive about this business.

I guess what I'm tryin to tell you here is just jump in and get your feet wet doing anything you can find. The important part when you first start in this is putting some hours on that machine and gaining some experience (my opinion).

Jeeze it just dawned on me that both of our posts should probably be in Scott Stone's "Two Questions" thread. Oh well, sorry Scott.

Good Luck to you Paul.
 
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Hello Paul,

The one thing that I did not see on your To Do list was researching who are your potenial Customers!

I suggest that you contact all of the contractors that are in your area and ask them if they want to get out of the business! You may find someone that really has a going business but needs to sell out!

Remember the hardest thing you will have to do is get someone to pay you to do want you want to do "Paying Customers"! You will always be able to find someone to sell you any equipment that you think you might need. If you buy someone out that has customers that alone will tell you what type of equipment that you will need to serve those customers.

My customers really don't care what equipment I have, they want a job done, they want it done well, and in a timely fashion!

My $.02

Dave Olson
 
Just wanted to trough in my 2 cents on the trucks.
Used trucks is a wise investment.
I can pick up a good running 1-ton dually cheap. Put 8-10k in it within 5 years and start over, or I can pay 35k for a new one, put 5-8 in it over the next 5 years and be in the same spot just with 30+ k out of my pocket.

Direct Examples: (By the way, we do have smaller trucks also)
1982 Chevy C-30, $1800 in 2000. Needed $300 in exhaust work and $600 dollars in tires, plus $200 Earl Scheib paint job.
Truck is run everyday and has not let us down...yet (knock on wood)
1983 GMC 3500 Crew-Cab, $2000 in 2001, $75 in exhaust, $300 in tires, already painted the right color, runs great
1987 Ford E-350 Extended Van $50 in 2001, $600 tires, $75 maintenance, $250 paint, runs great
1981 Dodge 350 Extended Van $50 in 2001, $125 tire, $125 Maintenance, $250 paint, runs great

None of these 1-tons are pretty, no leather (They all do have A/C though) and they are not stylish and new. But as long as monthly maintenance is a mere fraction of a truck payment, then I for one am not complaining!

Unfortunately 1/2 & 3/4 tons are not as readily available with a cheap price tag that have not been abused to death.
Those I end up buying late model.
 
Chuck - that's a great story about how you began. I remember when people did business with a handshake. Things have changed haven't they? Hey, thanks for the words of encouragement too, I appreciate it.

Dave - Excellent point, I forgot to list potential customers and that’s a concern of mine, which is right up there with my equipment concern. I’ve been checking out middle and upper class sub-divisions all over this county, as well as the surrounding counties to determine the potential need for services. There seems to be a huge market here for deck and fence, repair and restoration. It seems that ‘all’ sub-divisions built within the last five years, either have a 6ft wood fence or a brick wall around them. Many of the homes within the sub-divisions have wood fences running up to the front corners of the house, and the majority of those have never been stained or sealed. Most of the homes in the middle class subdivisions have a concert patio. However, many of the homes in the upper class sub-divisions have decks, some of which are elaborate. Again, many of these look so though they have no protection.

I believe that educating my potential customers is going to be my biggest challenge. I would say that 75% (or higher) of the decks and fences I’ve seen in the area are made with treated lumber. Convincing people that their treated lumber needs protection is going to be tuff. The best tool I’ve though of so far is to offer up pictures of unprotected decks and fences in slightly older sub-divisions, combined with my verbal pitch (where applicable), and literature.

I also like your idea about checking other contractors, to see if anybody out there might be tired or just want to get out. Thanks!

Ronniels - I agree. Sticker shock is what motivated me to have my truck engine rebuilt when I started having trouble with it. It cost under 3k to have the motor completely rebuilt and new bearings and seals put in the tranny. Hey, was $50 van(s) a typo or what? Thanks for your comments!
 
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Although a nice cushy leather interior smooth and quiet ride would be nice... :)

Yep, 50 bucks a peice for the vans. Got them from a church that dumped them last year because gas was 1.70/gal. The vans were getting 8-10 mpg. Seemed fine with me when one of my duallies gets 4-6mpg and one of the other trucks I did have was only getting 7-10
Thing about the 4-6mpg dually is that the sucker will absolutely suck your eyeballs out when you lay into it! (not stock at all)
 
Paul,
All the above are great responses to your post. You also seem like you will be well prepared when you are ready to start. Your website is looking pretty good also.

I also agree with you to post the price of whatever equipment you are going to buy so that way if anyone knows of a dealer that is selling what your looking for and for alot less they can let you know. That is a great Idea the more I think about it.

And of course like Micheal Jordan stands for, Just go for it. Jump in and get your feet wet. After reading your above post I'm sure you will do just fine unless you don't want to work hard for your money which I'm sure is not the case. JUST GO FOR IT.
 
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