THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR READING, I KNOW IT IS LONG BUT I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UNDERSTANDING MY SITUATION
I been pressure washing since early spring as I have been interested in starting my own business and really enjoyed the satisfaction of this type of work. You guys are going to laugh, but my "rig" consist of my classic 1997 Grand Marquis, a simoniz hardware store special pressure washer, a couple deck brushes, orbital sander, cheap pump sprayer, and my oribital wood sander. I am 23 and many of my customers were friends or friends of friends and they weren't expecting me to show up in a fancy truck and rig. So far I have cleaned over 10 decks and 1 interlock patio. I must say, I really enjoy the work and I have been getting more and more jobs each week. I now think it's the time for a slight upgrade. I got a really good deal on A 4x4 Ford Ranger that I couldn't pass so I think I have enough truck for the type of work I will be doing.
The work I will only be doing is residential surfaces. Decks, driveways, patios etc.
All my customers so far have had no problem with me using their water. I talked to some veterans in my area and they said maybe one or two customers in the last 20 years have asked us to bring our own water. So I think buying a trailer big enough for a huge water tank is unnecessary. I like the 4x6 enclosed trailer. It's enough room for my pressure washer and surface cleaner. And it's small enough I can fit into my garage without taking up all the space. If a customer needs me to bring my own water I can fit a 100-150gallon tank on the bed of my truck. As well as detergents, brushes, sander etc.
Pressure washer. I have been researching what brand to get for what seems like forever. I know all you guys like the belt drive units but since I will have direct water flow through the pump with a hose I think I will be going direct drive to start with. HEATED WATER, do I need it for the type of work I am doing? Obviously not with wood but for stone and concrete? Later down the road I would like to buy a heated belt drive unit but not to start out with. Karcher, is the brand I am looking at now. The number one reason is that there is a dealer and service shop about 20min from my house. It comes with warranty and I like the fact that this company is mainly Karcher. Service and sales and they assured me they are not expensive to maintain. I can this pressure washer for $1700, maybe less if I pay cash. It's a 13hp honda gx engine, 3600psi 4gpm. Karcher axial pump and a 100ft hose reel. The only thing I don't like is that it is a pull start engine. What are your thoughts on this machine, any questions I should ask the dealer? Again, this is a start up machine for residential use.
Surface Cleaner. I really love the videos of the Landa surface cleaner aka the "water jet". I am pretty sure I am going to buy it when I go to the Landa dealer in Ontario, about 2.5hrs north of me. I am also going to see about their cold water pressure washers.
Detergents. I have been using what they sell at Home Depot for my wood restores. I used TSP but I know their is better stuff out there. What have you guys used? Were you happy with the results?
Pylons, leaf blower, sander, possibly a ladder though I want to focus on surfaces so not sure how a ladder may help but you never know. Pump sprayer. Handheld will be fine. I need a new one as I lost a part at a customers house (rookie mistake lol). What pumps do you use? I need one for pre spraying detergents and one for sealing stone and conrete. I GOT NO IDEA what kind of sprayer to get. Should I stick with the Home Depot brands or buy online?
My budget is around $4000-$6000 for my setup. I will definitely stay within with the set up listed. You guys have the experience and know what to expect out there. What would you think I should add? What do I have that won't be necessary?
Thanks again, I really do appreciate any input
I been pressure washing since early spring as I have been interested in starting my own business and really enjoyed the satisfaction of this type of work. You guys are going to laugh, but my "rig" consist of my classic 1997 Grand Marquis, a simoniz hardware store special pressure washer, a couple deck brushes, orbital sander, cheap pump sprayer, and my oribital wood sander. I am 23 and many of my customers were friends or friends of friends and they weren't expecting me to show up in a fancy truck and rig. So far I have cleaned over 10 decks and 1 interlock patio. I must say, I really enjoy the work and I have been getting more and more jobs each week. I now think it's the time for a slight upgrade. I got a really good deal on A 4x4 Ford Ranger that I couldn't pass so I think I have enough truck for the type of work I will be doing.
The work I will only be doing is residential surfaces. Decks, driveways, patios etc.
All my customers so far have had no problem with me using their water. I talked to some veterans in my area and they said maybe one or two customers in the last 20 years have asked us to bring our own water. So I think buying a trailer big enough for a huge water tank is unnecessary. I like the 4x6 enclosed trailer. It's enough room for my pressure washer and surface cleaner. And it's small enough I can fit into my garage without taking up all the space. If a customer needs me to bring my own water I can fit a 100-150gallon tank on the bed of my truck. As well as detergents, brushes, sander etc.
Pressure washer. I have been researching what brand to get for what seems like forever. I know all you guys like the belt drive units but since I will have direct water flow through the pump with a hose I think I will be going direct drive to start with. HEATED WATER, do I need it for the type of work I am doing? Obviously not with wood but for stone and concrete? Later down the road I would like to buy a heated belt drive unit but not to start out with. Karcher, is the brand I am looking at now. The number one reason is that there is a dealer and service shop about 20min from my house. It comes with warranty and I like the fact that this company is mainly Karcher. Service and sales and they assured me they are not expensive to maintain. I can this pressure washer for $1700, maybe less if I pay cash. It's a 13hp honda gx engine, 3600psi 4gpm. Karcher axial pump and a 100ft hose reel. The only thing I don't like is that it is a pull start engine. What are your thoughts on this machine, any questions I should ask the dealer? Again, this is a start up machine for residential use.
Surface Cleaner. I really love the videos of the Landa surface cleaner aka the "water jet". I am pretty sure I am going to buy it when I go to the Landa dealer in Ontario, about 2.5hrs north of me. I am also going to see about their cold water pressure washers.
Detergents. I have been using what they sell at Home Depot for my wood restores. I used TSP but I know their is better stuff out there. What have you guys used? Were you happy with the results?
Pylons, leaf blower, sander, possibly a ladder though I want to focus on surfaces so not sure how a ladder may help but you never know. Pump sprayer. Handheld will be fine. I need a new one as I lost a part at a customers house (rookie mistake lol). What pumps do you use? I need one for pre spraying detergents and one for sealing stone and conrete. I GOT NO IDEA what kind of sprayer to get. Should I stick with the Home Depot brands or buy online?
My budget is around $4000-$6000 for my setup. I will definitely stay within with the set up listed. You guys have the experience and know what to expect out there. What would you think I should add? What do I have that won't be necessary?
Thanks again, I really do appreciate any input