Water Transport Pricing - HELP - Page 2 - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

Stevie · #11 (**permalink**) 03-11-08

If the problem is time and fuel cost, then maybe you should look to obtain your water closer to the job site. I dont know just an idea. I have been hit hard by this too. I have had to convert one of my recovery rigs to clean water. Now I take 2 trucks and trailers to jobs. I know this isnt possible for everyone, and yeah it cost more to do so. I had to raise prices to comply. It costs what it costs to do a job and you have to profit X amount of dollars to stay in buisness. I love what I do for a living, but I cant do it for nothing. Its not how much you make a year, Its how much it cost you to get it! So my point is, at what point is this job not profitable for me to do anymore?

Just my thoughts!!!!

Stevie
Superior Exteriors
Fleet Cleaning Services
Georgia, South Carolina, & North Carolina

CaroliProWash · #12 (**permalink**) 03-11-08

We are all certainly having to alter the way we do business, some areas are far worse than others since each each county, municipality, town & city have their own regulations. It is difficult at best to keep up with the specific areas you service regularly, much less when going into an area where you may not work often.

The PWNC is working diligently on ways to assist contractors, either by connecting them with other contractors who can help with water delivery, encouraging job sharing in order to provide enough water in one trip to make the job feasible, finding alternative water sources that do not violate anyone else's rules.

We can still work, which is a blessing, and most of NC appears to be in recovery. With that said, we should all still absolutely practice the best forms of conservation in what we do, no matter what the water levels.

Celeste

Hottt Blaster · #13 (**permalink**) 03-11-08

Celeste : Are you a staff person with this site or?? just curious?

CaroliProWash · #14 (**permalink**) 03-12-08

Nope

Just been here a while.

DAFF · #15 (**permalink**) 03-20-08

Still having issues in NC. This is going tot be a good year for you guys, just figure out how to get water and move it around. The price is not the issue it is the capacity of your equipment. Addiing it will increase profits. Start looking for those smaller 3 ton trucks and yes go diesel. Anyone hauling over 5000lb 60% of the time must have one. Expecially with the price of fuel. Ya, Ya the price of diesel is higher but trust me it's the way to go. How often do you see a gas big truck???

I'm not totally familiar with the whole subject, but a smart buisiness person will ulter his buisiness plan to accomidate changes in local and federal policies.

DAFF

LightningGene · #16 (**permalink**) 03-20-08

Might look into a 1 ton flat bed just to haul a 500 gallon tank of water around for the extra water needed.......

CaroliProWash · #17 (**permalink**) 03-21-08

Several of the guys here in the Carolinas have made arrangements for unusual carrying capabilities

While the only area still acting like we're criminals is Raleigh, the rest of the state is enforcing much better conservation methods such as homeowners not being able to do it themselves - they have to hire a pro

Daff, I'm starting to think that you're right - this is going to separate the wannabe's from the "real deal" companies. As the PWNC continues to make the point that pressure washers are careful with our water, use less than commonly believed and are more often than not, cleaning for purposes of health & public safety ANYWAY.....people will start understanding and the phones will ring again

Spring has sprung!

DAFF · #18 (**permalink**) 03-21-08

Celeste, how are you moving the water around?? How far to the nearest unrestricted watering hole?? What are the restrictions of pools and fill ups??? I've got some ideas!!!

DAFF

CaroliProWash · #19 (**permalink**) 03-21-08

The largest part of our issues in the Carolinas is not the actual availability of water, it's the media screaming "no washing!" or the perception that what we do is wasteful and purposeless.

Reality is, many guys have the capabilities of hauling 300+ gallons to a house, which is (or should be) plenty of water to perform an average housewash. The companies that have not graduated to trailer mounted units or at least have a tank somewhere are the ones the most affected by local restrictions. The jobs that require more than a tank - therein lies a problem of what additional to charge. Property owners are not stupid - they watch the news too so everyone is painfully aware of the addition expense involved with leaving a site to fill up and return. One of our colleagues recently purchased an old fire truck (carries 1500+ gallons) and runs around servicing his crews. There are far more places that have water than don't. Raleigh is screwed up from the top, not from the water shortage. That is the area where it is the most difficult to find available water without having to drive 60+ miles one way to get it. Costs involved with such inconveniences include fuel and windshield time for labor - do it enough and your profits are GONE!

Pools, hot tubs, water features - all on the no-no list. If those folks have the $$ to have those "luxuries", they have the $$ to figure out how to use them, IMO

Nothing that is happening here is insurmountable, it's just a big - no make that HUGE PITA.

We'd love to hear your ideas though

Celeste

DAFF · #20 (**permalink**) 03-21-08

Pools, hot tubs, water features - all on the no-no list. If those folks have the $$ to have those "luxuries", they have the $$ to figure out how to use them, IMO

I wish I was there, can you say cash in!!!!! So you are already heavily affiliated with the media so why can't you create your own buzz about why can we use water which is trucked in from a non restructed area for bulk usages. There are enough families who have lots of $$ to spen on thier pools / hot tubs and such. Remeber these are all luxuries like you said and if they have the $$ they will swim at any cost.

DAFF