PowerWash Q?'s

[biznitch15]

Hello everyone, i'm new around here and i wanted to ask a couple of questions. I was thinking of starting a powerwashing business, but i dont know what kind of income ill be making and what expenses ill be doing. Pretty much im trying to price. I just started my research 2 days ago and no luck. I want to start off slow/ Part time pretty much, just to see how it goes. But hopefully the business grows. Any suggestions in any of my concerns?

 

[steve r]

business

Hello everyone, i'm new around here and i wanted to ask a couple of questions. I was thinking of starting a powerwashing business, but i dont know what kind of income ill be making and what expenses ill be doing. Pretty much im trying to price. I just started my research 2 days ago and no luck. I want to start off slow/ Part time pretty much, just to see how it goes. But hopefully the business grows. Any suggestions in any of my concerns?

just stick around and ask questions ya get what ya need to know

 

[biznitch15]

just stick around and ask questions ya get what ya need to know

Thanks Steve.

 

[steve r]

start

Thanks Steve.

yull find everything ya need to know here.just surf around and read threads.ya learn a lot here.your welcome

 

[jandjsales]

just keep in mind, it takes time to build a business. you are smart in starting part time. i call it the perfect part time business. alot of people pop up in the pressure washing business planning to make it big quick, very few last longer than 6 months. i would spend the winter months getting equipment and making contacts and be ready to start working right after the first of the year. buy quality equipment in the beginning, don't go for the cheap home depot stuff. and i would highly recommend starting with a 200 preferably 300 gallon water tank, 3000psi washer and a trailer or a skid unit to fit in the back of a pickup.. a set up like this just looks more professional and is relatively cheap to buy a complete unit or build your own set up. for about 4500.00 you can get a turn key package with everything you need to go into the business to clean houses, concrete, trucks etc..... gas stations, heavy equipment, resturants etc will just about require hot water, which will get about 2 to 2500.00 more out of your pocket. plan to make $50.00 to $100.00 per hour, sounds like alot, but you've got equipment to maintain, insurance, vehicle expenses, advertising, chemicals to buy, hoses to replace etc. there is alot of info here, so browse around and don't just take my word for it.
Jeff G

 

[Mark]

Welcome To The PWN ! [hello]

Try the search feature at top of page,
I typed in "pricing" and got these results:
http://www.powerwashnetwork.com/search.php?searchid=28211

 

[biznitch15]

Thanks guys. But here is what i was thinking. I should probably buy cheap to learn how to do the job at my own place first, cause if i dont learn or just get tired of it then i wont regret buying expensive. Also lets say i like it, and get in to it, should i start around the neighborhood locally and see how it goes, or do you guys have any suggestions?

 

[john orr]

I don't think you will find a pressure washer on this (or any) bbs that would recommend that you go into business without insurance - and (at least in VA) you can't get insurance without a business license. Having a license means that you will be paying taxes.

Having said that, in order to determine whether or not you would want to pw, why not rent a machine from HD and clean your own and family's properties? Just a few thoughts. Good luck.

 

[CCPC]

Good advice from Jon and the others. starting out with the bare minimum is not such a bad thing, but if things go well, and you decide to stick with it, you'll regret it down the road. Take it from me, as this was the way I started. Part time, small setup on a 4x6 trailer. Needless to say I out grew it practically right from the get go. The big issue with starting out with inferior equipment is you will greatly reduce your speed which will affect your earning potentail. When I started out using my starter rig I was only able to bring in $25-$50 an hour, where as now I average $75-$100 an hour. This was partly to do with gaining speed with experience, but a good portion of the increase was due to using superior equipment compared to before. My prices haven't changed (accept for an average increase of about 5% a year).

 

[biznitch15]

Good advice from Jon and the others. starting out with the bare minimum is not such a bad thing, but if things go well, and you decide to stick with it, you'll regret it down the road. Take it from me, as this was the way I started. Part time, small setup on a 4x6 trailer. Needless to say I out grew it practically right from the get go. The big issue with starting out with inferior equipment is you will greatly reduce your speed which will affect your earning potentail. When I started out using my starter rig I was only able to bring in $25-$50 an hour, where as now I average $75-$100 an hour. This was partly to do with gaining speed with experience, but a good portion of the increase was due to using superior equipment compared to before. My prices haven't changed (accept for an average increase of about 5% a year).

I guess i should probably rent. Well i fuigured that the whole insurance and license thing i wont need right away since im only exploring at home or what not, but if i do start around the neighborhood i will definately be getting that stuff. My biggest concern is not being able to compete in the industry. I also worry about not being a good entrepreneur and failing in the business. Does it take much besides effort?

 

[BriteSide]

Bznitch,
You said that you worry "about not being a good entrepreneur and failing in the business." If you live in LA i dont care how many pressure washing contractors are out there, there's still going to be people needing the service done, w/ the average home value and incomes way above national average people are much more willing to dish out cash to have their homes kept up.... CCPC is right about the equipment if you have the right stuff it makes the job a lot easier, You aslo mentioned you dont have much experiance w/ pressure washing, yeah maybe you should rent one and just try it out on your home and a friends home, when i first started out i didnt mind pressure washing i just wanted to do my own thing instead of working under another contractor, but after a while i began to almost love the job, i mean outside, no one around to bother you, you're doing your own thing, making good money, it's a great startup job.... + this job you can start w/ a small investment compared to what you can make... i wouldnt go for the whole buy a trailor and a skidmount when you're not even used to using one in the first place, if you decid you like it and want to start out small, try getting a portable cold water unit around 3000 psi 4gpm... they run around 1500 for a good belt drive, after the hose, attachements and all you can start out w/ a 3k investment, use another grand or 2 in advertising if you decide you want to grow.. if you decide u want to go w/ the business after doing a few homes for your friends def.... buy insurance... you may never use it, but its a def. must in this biz.

-Jonathan

 

[PressurePros]

Dedication, determination, drive, a willingness to learn and staying power are the staples of owning any business. This is not like a punch in punch out nine to five job. When you start as a one man show you have to have some money to advertise in addition to the insurance and licensing others mentioned. If you do it right, you will be lucky to break even your first year (yes, meaning NO PROFIT for yourself) That's why it is wise to start part time unless you have a nice capital reserve to keep you afloat.

The problem with also having a full time job is the obvious, lack of time. You are going to be sales person, estimator, laborer, and bookeeper. You are going to be slow at first so you will probably need money from your full time job to supplement chemical costs etc. So a scenario of working full time, coming home, getting showered and going back out to do estimates followed by figuring out marketing technique and doing paperwork followed again by waking up and working your tail off for maybe two completed jobs on a weekend is likely in the beginning.

Get books on sales, marketing, closing and taxes. Start on the right foot with decent equipment so three months down the line you don't have to upgrade again. A 4 gpm cold water machine will get you by just fine with the right use of detergents. Learn how to measure and do proposals. Keep professionalism your number one priority. Learn about the competition and what the going rates are for your area. You'd be smart to find someone relatively close from these message boards and work with them for a week before you make any kind of investment.

One final note: If you are reading this saying to yourself, "Wow screw all that I just want to make a few extra bucks every month" then yes, you have every reason to worry about failure. Like others sugested...do your homework.

 

[biznitch15]

Dedication, determination, drive, a willingness to learn and staying power are the staples of owning any business. This is not like a punch in punch out nine to five job. When you start as a one man show you have to have some money to advertise in addition to the insurance and licensing others mentioned. If you do it right, you will be lucky to break even your first year (yes, meaning NO PROFIT for yourself) That's why it is wise to start part time unless you have a nice capital reserve to keep you afloat.

The problem with also having a full time job is the obvious, lack of time. You are going to be sales person, estimator, laborer, and bookeeper. You are going to be slow at first so you will probably need money from your full time job to supplement chemical costs etc. So a scenario of working full time, coming home, getting showered and going back out to do estimates followed by figuring out marketing technique and doing paperwork followed again by waking up and working your tail off for maybe two completed jobs on a weekend is likely in the beginning.

Get books on sales, marketing, closing and taxes. Start on the right foot with decent equipment so three months down the line you don't have to upgrade again. A 4 gpm cold water machine will get you by just fine with the right use of detergents. Learn how to measure and do proposals. Keep professionalism your number one priority. Learn about the competition and what the going rates are for your area. You'd be smart to find someone relatively close from these message boards and work with them for a week before you make any kind of investment.

One final note: If you are reading this saying to yourself, "Wow screw all that I just want to make a few extra bucks every month" then yes, you have every reason to worry about failure. Like others sugested...do your homework.

BriteSide and Pressurepros, once again thanks for your input, i definately needed your help, ill make sure to use it, thanks.