New to business

[Cap]

I'm considering starting my own business and was hoping to get some tips, suggestions and/or advice.

Although I've identified some segments of the business that need service in my area, I'm still concerned with making a living at this business. Doing houses, driveways, farm/construction equipment with some commercial building accounts.

But like with any new venture you have a little bit of nerves making the investment and always concerned if you can actually making a go of it.

I've been looking at Hotsy 1200 series machine. The machine has a 16, 20 or 21 horsepower engine, electric start, triplex pump, oil-fired water heater w/120V generator and trigger gun.

I had planned to install this on an enclosed trailer along with a 500 gal tank.

As you guys know better than I...it ain't cheap. Am I over killing this thing or am I preparing properly by buying a machine that may be a bit bigger than I need today but will allow me to tackle most any job? Are there other brands I should look at first?

I'd appreciate any advice you might be able to provide.

Thanks!
Cap

 

[oneness]

I'm considering starting my own business and was hoping to get some tips, suggestions and/or advice.

Although I've identified some segments of the business that need service in my area, I'm still concerned with making a living at this business. Doing houses, driveways, farm/construction equipment with some commercial building accounts.

But like with any new venture you have a little bit of nerves making the investment and always concerned if you can actually making a go of it.

I've been looking at Hotsy 1200 series machine. The machine has a 16, 20 or 21 horsepower engine, electric start, triplex pump, oil-fired water heater w/120V generator and trigger gun.

I had planned to install this on an enclosed trailer along with a 500 gal tank.

As you guys know better than I...it ain't cheap. Am I over killing this thing or am I preparing properly by buying a machine that may be a bit bigger than I need today but will allow me to tackle most any job? Are there other brands I should look at first?

I'd appreciate any advice you might be able to provide.

Thanks!
Cap

Whether that's overkill depends on the work you're doing. If you plan on doing commercial flatwork or heavy equipment, it is a must.

It also depends on finances. If you can afford it, get it now. That way you're not wasting money upgrading down the road.

You might also consider a used setup...this is the time of year when guys are bailing out. Keep an eye on the boards.

 

[Cap]

Thanks Mike for you advice. I'm going to keep my eye out for something used.

Does Hotsy have a good name in the industry?

Appreciate your taking the time.

Cap

 

[Mike Gwas]

Hotsy - not bad, but I think there are better. I agree with Mike, don't spend your last dollar but bigger is better.

 

[Dan Flynn]

Hotsy is over priced if you ask me

 

[Cap]

Hi Dan -

What rig do you suggest as a less expensive alternative?

Also am I making the right choice here? I recently lost my job after having spent 25 years in my industry.

I'm 55 and can't shake the feeling that I'm starting off in this business a bit too old. I'm in good health and have a lot of energy to promote and work. Just a nagging feeling that it's a bit silly for a guy my age to begin a new thing like this.

Not sure if there's anyone on this board that can relate to this or not. Would appreciate comments.

Thanks. I'm sure glad I found this board.

Cap

 

[AdkinsPwrWash]

I'm pretty partial to my Alkota 5355J. It's got a 20-horse electric start Honda gas engine, diesel fired wayne burner, 4.6 gpm, and 3,500gpm. So far I can't say that I have run across anything that just water alone couldn't remove.

 

[AdkinsPwrWash]

Also-a little FYI...the machine itself new isn't cheap...tags a hair under $9k before shipping/tax. [getout]

 

[Larry L.]

Yes I can relate to it....57

Call Mark at easy clean systems,he is on the board,if it was me starting out,3000psi,5gpm hotwater,12v,16hp skid rig.Then upgrade to a 35000psi,5.6 or more gpm hotwater,120v,20hp skid when buying your next one.

Don't be afraid to jump in,if you have good people skills You can make it in this business if you want to work.

 

[Mark]

Cap,

Feel free to give us a call we would love to help you out.

http://store1.yimg.com/I/pressurewasherzone_1823_996452

 

[Cap]

Yes I can relate to it....57

Call Mark at easy clean systems,he is on the board,if it was me starting out,3000psi,5gpm hotwater,12v,16hp skid rig.Then upgrade to a 35000psi,5.6 or more gpm hotwater,120v,20hp skid when buying your next one.

Don't be afraid to jump in,if you have good people skills You can make it in this business if you want to work.

Thanks Larry. What part of Ark are you from? I'm living in Southeast Mo.

 

[Larry L.]

I live southeast of where spring river runs into black river,that should give you a ideal.

I wash mainly trucks and farm eqt.,I don't do houses or flatwork,I can but I want unless its a friend of a freinds I'm doing business with.The trucks I wash are all grainhaulers,soybeans,rice,corn get the ideal.Combines,tractors,grain carts,ect.,I can get all this type stuff I can handle at the end of harvest plus now and then though the year.I wash small fleets ranging from 1 to 15,I guy(one man team) can wash so many trucks in a days time(weekends), you can get more money per truck by washing small fleets than you can washing large fleets.By going with small fleets your more able to make it in this bussiness,losing one or two want hurt near as bad as losing a large account.You may get to where you want to hire helpers as to grow more so then a one man crew this is the time for the larger fleets and stuff.

I've been though the helpers,larger fleets and stuff but wouldn't trade my one man crew for all the fleets and helpers in the world.Check and find the powerwashers in your area,talk to them,tell them what your wanting to do.They can be a big help in sending you business they do not want,chemcial help,how this and that plus its just plain smart business to know your competitor.

 

[oneness]

Also-a little FYI...the machine itself new isn't cheap...tags a hair under $9k before shipping/tax. [getout]

HUH???? Is it made of gold? What makes it worth $9k??? And why such a small pump?

You said you haven't found anything that just water won't remove...You don't use chems?

 

[oneness]

Yes I can relate to it....57

Call Mark at easy clean systems,he is on the board,if it was me starting out,3000psi,5gpm hotwater,12v,16hp skid rig.Then upgrade to a 35000psi,5.6 or more gpm hotwater,120v,20hp skid when buying your next one.

Don't be afraid to jump in,if you have good people skills You can make it in this business if you want to work.

Why buy a smaller unit now, and then a slightly larger one later? The price difference isn't all that much, why not get the 5.6gpm machine now?

 

[Aplus]

Cap,
I'd take Mark up on his offer....call him.

I bought my hot water rig from him, it's an All American, and so far it has been a very good machine. And it was WAY LESS than 9k.

Good Luck

 

[AdkinsPwrWash]

For starters..that's waht your average peerson would pay if they were to order the identical unit from Alkota..I paid $3,800.00 for it shipped to my door. 4.6 isn't a "small" pump..why would I want, or need to go bigger? It's just me doing the work, and I do it in my part time anyhow, so I'm not in the market for a machine that will knock holes through cement walls...I have my commercial accounts which I am happy with, and my residential that this machine is more than enough for.

Yes-I do use chemicals, but my question is, why...if the machine is capable of getting oil etc, up from a parking lot, and leaving it looking better than some most parking lots I have seen where people have used chemicals...WHY would I want to spend the money on concrete cleaners etc., that aren't going to make that much more of a differece?

 

[Larry L.]

Why buy a smaller unit now, and then a slightly larger one later? The price difference isn't all that much, why not get the 5.6gpm machine now?
__________________

Will agree,starting out tho the extra price differents can be used for chemicals,hoses,wands,chemical tanks,nozzels,ect.ect..The 3000psi,5gpm,16hp 12v system can handle just about anything that the 35000psi,,5.6,20hp 120v system can handle only big differents is the 120v.The 120v needs the extra hp(20hp) for pulling the gen and extra gpm,by all means if he can afford the extra its the way to go,less burner problems then the 12v.

Will agree also with hotwater cleaning concrete without chemicals,depends,you and I know chemicals are made to help clean faster and better without the damage some do to concrete.

 

[Cap]

Cap,
I'd take Mark up on his offer....call him.

I bought my hot water rig from him, it's an All American, and so far it has been a very good machine. And it was WAY LESS than 9k.

Good Luck

Thanks Tony.

By the way, I was really impressed with your web site. Very clean and easy to understand. Today it seems there's a tendancy to try to cram too much onto a web site and the reader becomes bewildered and loses interest. I found yours very informative and to the point.

Do you also do brochures based on this type of format.

Thanks again!
Cap

 

[oneness]

For starters..that's waht your average peerson would pay if they were to order the identical unit from Alkota..I paid $3,800.00 for it shipped to my door. 4.6 isn't a "small" pump..why would I want, or need to go bigger? It's just me doing the work, and I do it in my part time anyhow, so I'm not in the market for a machine that will knock holes through cement walls...I have my commercial accounts which I am happy with, and my residential that this machine is more than enough for.

I didn't mean to insult your pump, I was just surprised that a $9k machine had a smaller pump than I've seen on many hot water skids (the standard seems to be a 5.6gpm 3500psi General TS2021). 4.6 is only slightly more than you get with a Home Depot machine (though they don't have hot water, of course). gpm is a lot more important in cleaning effectively, quickly, and safely than psi.

I get what you're saying about the price now. You didn't pay $9k, nor does anyone. No one pays "retail". $3800 sounds like a decent deal for the machine you're describing.

The flow isn't what punches holes in concrete, it is the psi. For most applications, you'd be better off with higher flow and less psi.

Yes-I do use chemicals, but my question is, why...if the machine is capable of getting oil etc, up from a parking lot, and leaving it looking better than some most parking lots I have seen where people have used chemicals...WHY would I want to spend the money on concrete cleaners etc., that aren't going to make that much more of a differece?

Why not clean with both hot water AND cleaners? You can't tell me you can clean concrete better without chemicals. You may be able to clean it better than someone who doesn't know what they're doing, or doesn't use hot water, but you can't get it as clean as you will using the RIGHT chemicals.

If your hands are greasy, are you going to just rinse them in hot water, or are you going to use something to emulsify the grease first?

 

[Mike Gwas]

$9,000.00 !!!! Does it have 4 wheel drive ?