Looking to start a small business Power Washing, need advice.

[JohnnyOctopuss]

I've worked with them a lot in my life but I do not know much about the specifics of the washers and starting a small business (I'd probably be off the books to start if you know what I mean). I'll list my choices below.

I'm looking to do light duty work like drive ways, porches, decks and mobile car washing. I'd also like to do gutters but I'm afraid of heights if it's way to high up as I can only handle the gutters on small houses.

I only have a medium sized 4 door Ford Fusion as my daily driver by the way so hauling a gas powered unit around would be challenging and I would have to disassemble and reassemble at job sight..

Also another downside for electric is that 99% of the time you would be using the clients water so asking to use their electricity does not look great.

Here are my options I've found ... Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

5000PSI 4.0 GPM - Electric.​

5000PSI 4.0GPM - Electric​

5000PSI-Max 3.6GPM - Electric​

 

[JohnnyOctopuss]

Saw your rant. Might be just as well to start a mobile auto detailing service. It's popular in my area.

I was thinking this and thanks for reading. That guy really killed my spirits today haha. I think I'm definitely going to do this.

 

[majin]

i did this for a sumer in michigan, was great. we had both gas and electric. electric sucked. they were all lies. severely underpowered for what the claims were. A real 5000 PSI electric washer would need a dedicated 240V circuit and weigh more than your Fusion. What these “5000 PSI” electrics usually mean is 2000–2500 PSI, equalling1.5–2.5 GPM. Theres zero regulation in that aspect, same with led lighting, they can make outlandish claims becauset here is no penalty for doing that.
we always left the electric ones for someone else and lamented when we got stuck with it. made the jobs harder.
people usually expected us to hook up to their water, but tended to get cranky when wed ask to hook up to their power so we ended up having to bring get this.... a gas generator for our electric power washer.. ridiculous.
my suggestion would be look around opn mktplace for a used gas washer, throw the tools, hoses, chemicals and a can of gas in there and rock from there, maybe save a little money to spend on bug spray, we would always have people asking us to spray for mosquitos, just spray some down on the grass and remove standing water and it helps a LOT.
https://www.amazon.com/OFF-Control-...be306c0c40f9a6fc23|B008RGNGX2|1755732978821||
we also did window washing.
they all kinda go with eacch other, use the same tools basically, pressure washing the outside, squeegee the windows, spray the yard for bugs, onlt thing extra you would need would be ladders if the house is 2 story.
good luck bro!!

 

[Doom!]

Not sure what area you live in, but in most parts of the country, I imagine winter would be a down time for a power washing service. You might need a backup plan for the off season..

 

[JohnnyOctopuss]

Not sure what area you live in, but in most parts of the country, I imagine winter would be a down time for a power washing service. You might need a backup plan for the off season..

That's true, I do have a full time job as well but when things get taking off I'll need a pick up with a plow for sure. We're here in Michigan and our winters are getting littler by the year which is good.

 

[JohnnyOctopuss]

i did this for a sumer in michigan, was great. we had both gas and electric. electric sucked. they were all lies. severely underpowered for what the claims were. A real 5000 PSI electric washer would need a dedicated 240V circuit and weigh more than your Fusion. What these “5000 PSI” electrics usually mean is 2000–2500 PSI, equalling1.5–2.5 GPM. Theres zero regulation in that aspect, same with led lighting, they can make outlandish claims becauset here is no penalty for doing that.
we always left the electric ones for someone else and lamented when we got stuck with it. made the jobs harder.
people usually expected us to hook up to their water, but tended to get cranky when wed ask to hook up to their power so we ended up having to bring get this.... a gas generator for our electric power washer.. ridiculous.
my suggestion would be look around opn mktplace for a used gas washer, throw the tools, hoses, chemicals and a can of gas in there and rock from there, maybe save a little money to spend on bug spray, we would always have people asking us to spray for mosquitos, just spray some down on the grass and remove standing water and it helps a LOT.
https://www.amazon.com/OFF-Control-Yard-Pretreat-Pack/dp/B008RGNGX2?th=1&tag=bhg-onsite-prod-20&ascsubtag=8717087|n57c13ddbe5924888be306c0c40f9a6fc23|B008RGNGX2|1755732978821||
we also did window washing.
they all kinda go with eacch other, use the same tools basically, pressure washing the outside, squeegee the windows, spray the yard for bugs, onlt thing extra you would need would be ladders if the house is 2 story.
good luck bro!!

Thanks for the ideas, I really appreciate it a lot !
I'm just trying to take care of me and my girl and I never had anyone work with me on this stuff so thank you

 

[jojobeans]

I did rock chip repairs for a while after I got let go from the glass shop I worked out like 6 years ago. I did a lot wrong and covid ended up making me stop, but I learned a lot. Still did it in the side for a few years though. Hopefully it helps.

1.) Just open an LLC right off the rip. Don't do a sole proprietorship. Trying to move a sole proprietorship into an LLC is nightmare fuel. Not to mention the lack of protection you have with a sole proprietorship.

2.) Facebook is your best friend. Create a business page and learn how to use facebooks advertising tools. They are extremely powerful and will bring in a lot of customers.

3.) Don’t be afraid of commercial jobs. Collecting payment can be difficult sometimes due to the beuracracy of some businesses. But, once it’s setup, you have a steady job that’s somewhat consistent. Advertise a service to them that’s more than just a one time deal. Regular sidewalk cleaning for example… don’t be surprised if you’re doing some jobs late in the evening when places close. It’s part of hustle.

3.) Fake it till you make it is a very powerful attitude. Hold yourself to a high standard and act larger than what you are. Don't act weak which will potentially drive away higher paying jobs and growth. You may end up at a point where you feel you’ve bit off more than you can chew and that’s totally normal… part of the risk involved in owning your own business. You’ll figure out how to deal with it though and that stress is what will push you to grow.

4.) Make your own logo. There’s free programs out there. Spend an afternoon learning how to use it and make your own. You’ll save $500 there. Then take that logo to a local place that makes signs and business card. Make sure you’ve saved the file in the correct format beforehand. Get 2 magnets for the side of your truck and a good amount of business cards. Dont be afraid to ask other business if you can leave 20 or 30 of them there. They’ll usually say yes.

5.) most important of all… get a dedicated business phone… using your personal cell phone as a business line will make you want to throw it into a pond.

6.) hustle. Hustle. Hustle. You’re going to fail, you’re going to have angry customers, you’re going to get bad reviews. Just keep at it and don’t give up. Do the best you can do. Be prepared to work all hours of the night and 80-90 hours a week for a while. Dont be surprised if you’re still working a regular part time job too. Getting to the point your business becomes a 9-5 job takes years. If it was easy everyone would do it

Good luck! It takes a big set of cahonies to do what you want to do. Most people never make it out of the “thinking about it stage.”

 

[JohnnyOctopuss]

I did rock chip repairs for a while after I got let go from the glass shop I worked out like 6 years ago. I did a lot wrong and covid ended up making me stop, but I learned a lot. Still did it in the side for a few years though. Hopefully it helps.

1.) Just open an LLC right off the rip. Don't do a sole proprietorship. Trying to move a sole proprietorship into an LLC is nightmare fuel. Not to mention the lack of protection you have with a sole proprietorship.

2.) Facebook is your best friend. Create a business page and learn how to use facebooks advertising tools. They are extremely powerful and will bring in a lot of customers.

3.) Don’t be afraid of commercial jobs. Collecting payment can be difficult sometimes due to the beuracracy of some businesses. But, once it’s setup, you have a steady job that’s somewhat consistent. Advertise a service to them that’s more than just a one time deal. Regular sidewalk cleaning for example… don’t be surprised if you’re doing some jobs late in the evening when places close. It’s part of hustle.

3.) Fake it till you make it is a very powerful attitude. Hold yourself to a high standard and act larger than what you are. Don't act weak which will potentially drive away higher paying jobs and growth. You may end up at a point where you feel you’ve bit off more than you can chew and that’s totally normal… part of the risk involved in owning your own business. You’ll figure out how to deal with it though and that stress is what will push you to grow.

4.) Make your own logo. There’s free programs out there. Spend an afternoon learning how to use it and make your own. You’ll save $500 there. Then take that logo to a local place that makes signs and business card. Make sure you’ve saved the file in the correct format beforehand. Get 2 magnets for the side of your truck and a good amount of business cards. Dont be afraid to ask other business if you can leave 20 or 30 of them there. They’ll usually say yes.

5.) most important of all… get a dedicated business phone… using your personal cell phone as a business line will make you want to throw it into a pond.

6.) hustle. Hustle. Hustle. You’re going to fail, you’re going to have angry customers, you’re going to get bad reviews. Just keep at it and don’t give up. Do the best you can do. Be prepared to work all hours of the night and 80-90 hours a week for a while. Dont be surprised if you’re still working a regular part time job too. Getting to the point your business becomes a 9-5 job takes years. If it was easy everyone would do it

Good luck! It takes a big set of cahonies to do what you want to do. Most people never make it out of the “thinking about it stage.”

Awesome answer, very helpful and thanks a lot for the encouragement! Since it's late in the season I have all winter to prepare and open up in spring.

I appreciate the effort into your response !

 

[jojobeans]

Awesome answer, very helpful and thanks a lot for the encouragement! Since it's late in the season I have all winter to prepare and open up in spring.

I appreciate the effort into your response !

Anytime! I'm not the most experienced and my business failed. So take it with a grain of salt

It’s not for everyone. Definitely look into buying a cheap work truck if you can swing it. Scope out options over the winter and look for an older gas barebones f250 with either the v10 or a 2v 5.4. Those two motors don’t have cam phasers, are reliable and are old enough to be cheap. This way when you inadvertently get to the point you gotta haul a water tank around with you, you got something that can do it. Look at auctions local to you… depending on your location you can get a running and driving 99-03 superduty with a 5.4 for next to nothing. 3v V10’s in the newer ones can even be cheaper because people know nothing about them and think they’re have cam phasers.

 

[Chubaka]

Being in the pressure washing industry throughout my life, I agree electric ones suck.

I've used commercial ones with Honda engines, dewalt, less known brands and now I have a stihl rb400 or rb600 with a kholer. One thing to look is at hoses. Dealt and some stihls have proprietary hoses. You can't go anywhere for a new one and some attachment won't work with it. Others use a quick release that's interchangeable among brands.

Also those spinning surface cleaners will save time and your body.

The also make telescoping wands for high to reach areas. I've done 2 story houses with it (I dont do ladders).

 

[Chubaka]

That blue one do not buy. They show a cord and say hoses and then show a hose and say cord.

Also if you can adjust the pressure its a plus. If not changing the nozzles will help not damage surfaces.

Also if you go gas keep oil on hand. I've had a few not run if yhe oil is too low. Also always disconnect so the hoses dont corrode together. Speaking of hoses get a nice thick one that won't rip or tear. Those shrink when dry hoses are horrible.