Should a new PW Company "Specialize" ??

[Indy Mike]

Hello everyone, This is Mike from the Hoosier state of Indiana. I am a part time pressure waser that has done jobs on the side for a while now and wanting to hopefully go full time one day. I enjoy the work and I enjoy seeing the results of my work. I have 2 questions open for advice and suggestions....

1 - As a new PW'er starting out in the Business, is it best to "Specialize" in 1 or 2 area's when getting started? I have been cleaning alot of Sidewalks, Driveways and Concrete in general. I also have done a few homes and fences, but mostly just concrete. It seems with all the parking lots and driveways out there a guy could stay busy cleaning concrete for a long time. Should I concentrate on it or expand to every kind of Pressure Washing as a new PWing business.

2 - Is there a favorite book or CD or program out there that explains the "business" part of Pressure washing, for example: Taxes, Estimates, Advertising, Record Keeping ect. There are so many out there, are there any worth the money?

Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

Mike
hoosiermike@hotmail.com

 

[Scott Stone]

There is a certain degree of specialization that you need to do. This does not keep you from covering other areas of the industry. After a while you might find a particular niche that you did not do before that is something that you enjoy. So, in my opinion, go ahead and specialize, and keep your eyes open for other opportunities.
As for programs, I like quickbooks. It covers the bases, and is fairly easy to use. There others, but this is the one my accountant recommended.

Scott Stone

 

[Dave Olson]

Hello Mike,

We do a little of a lot of things. I invite you to visit our web pages http://www.tps-inc.com might give you some ideas. I'm about 100 miles from Indianapolis. If you would like to come over and talk shop, just give me a call!

Dave Olson

 

[Dan S]

Dave if I am ever even close to your area I would love to sit down and have a cup of coffee with `ya . In my personal opinion You are with out a doubt the BEST pressure washing contractor I have ever have the priveledge < spelling> to know.

You are very professional

I think more people should follow your steps and at the very least take you up on your offers!

Thank you for being part of the PWN.



Mike,
welcome to the PWN You are alright by me I was born In fort wayne Ind .. So you must be alright >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> POST AWAY and take Dave up on his offer he will make your business Thrive.

 

[Indy Mike]

Thank you everyone for responding to my post. It's nice to know there are sucessful people in the business that are very gracious with their time. Dave, I visited your web page and will go back often to learn more. Your company looks like it has done very well and you have been very sucessful at what you have done.

Again, I am just a part timer at this for now.. I have done side jobs for a while now with a cold water pressure washer, I love the results I get and the satisfaction I get from my hard work and I want to take the next step, and hopefully be able to do this as a living, something I really enjoy doing. I am researching and wanting to learn as much as I possibly can.

Dave thank you very much for your offer. I know you probably have a busy schedule, and I dont want to look like the guy sticking his hands out for freebies, so let me know when would be a good time to contact you when your not busy so I wont be a bother.

Thanks again to everyone here, and for those of you that will still respond to my original post.

Mike

 

[maddog]

Hey all. My name is Barry, also from Indiana. About 2 hours north of Indy. Isn't it called powerwarshing around here LOL. I'm a newbie too. Did a few decks on the side just for some extra cash for some people I know. They didn't want to pay a pro. I stumbled across some forums like this one with no intensions, other than just curiousity. Then became interested in the industry and what to start my own business. Been researching for a month now, trying to learn all I can. I don't know if I'll be ready to start up this spring or not. I visited your site Dave. It looks like your very well established. That's good to see in a four months of winter area like we live in. Anyway just wanted to give a shout out to my neighbors and introduce myself. I work utility construction in Fort Wayne, don't mind working there, don't know if I could live there. Too fast paced for me. See ya.

J & B Powerwashing

 

[Dave Olson]

Thanks Dan S. for your kind words.

Mike, most anytime would work. We have been going almost 7 days a week for the past couple months. Just completed water blasting 900 feet of tunnel. That took us 10 days and had to haul all of our water! Have another 150 feet to get done.

Really whenever your schedule permits you the time, give me a call and I'll see what I'm up too, and we can go from there. If you know what type of work you would like to see most let me know and I can tell you the next time we will have that work on our schedule. Some will be weekends, some nights, and of course during the day during the week, etc.

Dave Olson