Which washer to purchase ?

K

ken wiggins

New member
As some of you know by now, I am in the process of setting up shop. The salesman at ICE, just down the road from my office said buying a single axle 3500lb skid, hot water 13HP Honda, 225 gal tank w/2 hose reels, chem tanks and wand for about 7k is all I need. Some of you think it is mistake to buy this economical unit, when for maybe 3k more, I can get a 18-20 HP Honda, 300 gal. tank, dual axle trailer etc. Others say spend a bit more and get a enclosed trailer. My plan is to do commercial work, flat work and residential part time until I can jusify full time, which I'm sure will be many months. Will the smaller unit do all I want, or will I be wishing I had spent more money as the business grows? Will the higher end unit get me more business ? How much faster can it make my work ? Thanks for your input.:confused:
 
Ken, give me a call. 248-961-0800
I'm not a dealer, so don't worry - I won't try to sell you anything.
 
Ken,
I guess one of the questions we need to know is what market do you plan on targeting for your services. If its residential then a good 4 gpm 3000 psi Powerwasher at a cost of about $800-$1500 for direct drive up to a belt drive should suffice..You can buy an open trailer at a decent size in the nieghborhood of $2000 and then add a few hose reels and maybe a water tank and a few other needed items and your ready to go for under $5000.

Or better yet if you have a pick-up truck you can store your equipment in the back of that and purchase ramps to get your powerwasher in and out of your truck and you will save an additional $2000 or so dollars. This would be the cheapest way to go..

Now of course you can go for the more expensive items such as an Enclose trailer where I would recommend for you not to get smaller then a 7x12' and that will run you over $4000 dollars with a few options thrown in..it might even cost upwards to $5000. Now if you want to get a Good Hot Water Powerwasher instead of just a cold water one then I would look to get at least a 5gpm @3000psi and this will cost you in the neighborhood of $4000-$6000 which depends on the type you buy...

There's so many ways you can go and it comes down to how much money do you want to spend to get started and be prepared that if it doesn't work out for you and you decide to sell what you bought at most you will get 70cents per every Dollar you spent on your equipment so that should be put into considerating also. Lastly if you are going to do commercial work then you will need a hotwater powerwasher because alot of commercial work consist of Powerwashing walkways and to pop the gum up fast the only way to do it is with Hotwater.

Good Luck
 
Ken Wiggins

Thanks John, I appreciate the input. To be ready for the jobs that I plan on going for, I am sure I will go with at least 5.5, maybe an 8 GPM. Looks like if I buy the larger unit on line, and have the skid put together locally, I will have the machine I need and save a couple of grand.
 
I'd suggest a hot water 5gpm skid, mounted in the back of a pickup with a small float tank and reels. Figure about 5,500 and you won't have to worry about backing up a damn trailer... It will also be small enough to store in your garage.
 
Ken Wiggins

Thanks for all of the info. I will probably go with the trailer simply because I use my pick up for another business. Luckily, I'm an experienced trailer backer upper ! Now, with all the help from the fine folks from PWI, I hope to become an experienced pressure washer !!
 
Something that everyone fails to mention is that $7000 is way too much for a cold water unit on a trailer. Give Delco a call or their website is www.dcs1.com and they have set up hot water units on a single axle trailer with a water tank for less than that.

Scott Stone
 
Ken Wiggins

Hi Scott, Sorry for the misunderstanding. The unit I am looking at is a hot water unit. Thanks. And I will check these folks out !
 
Ken,
There is a place in Garner ( xterior ) and another in Raleigh ( MVP LANDA)
that might give you a better price. I have a tuff skid hot water, 16hp vanguard
300gal.Tank , dual axle trailer for under $7,000. I also know an independent that
gets skids and services the equipment.He does alot of commercial up keep and even travels to Wilmington.If you want more details you can PM meor my email is rodneysprowash@mail.com.
 
Ken Wiggins

Thanks Rodney. Yes indeed, I would like to run it past them. My cell is 910-200-3750. I will be on the road all day Thursday, so if you get a chance, give me a call. Thanks for the info. :D
 
Ken, you might also want to give Glenn at Ace Cleaning a call......he's out of Washington, NC, just north of Wilmington. www.pitchwitch.com Tell him we sent you:)

Celeste
 
Ken Wiggins

Hi Ron, Thanks for the help. If you get a chance, go to www.1800333wash.com. Look at the skid modles HS-6035-12VT and some of the others. What do you think ? Pricing looks really good.
 
Ken Wiggins

Thanks Scott, GOOD PRICES. Do you own one, and if so, how's it holding up ?
 
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