Canada Forum?

It works buying from the US, but it's a pain. I live a few miles from the border but I still have the bs of brokering the stuff over myself. Lucky for me my dad used to work for a broker company and know all the forms and how to fill them out. Still a pain though.
As for buying larger equipment, I bought my 800 lb skid from Bob at PT and had it delivered across the country to me. The shipping company kinda butchered the pallet it was sitting on and scratched the stainless steel up but the skid still works. It made me upset at the time but we all make mistakes i guess.
I would love to have a local supplier that made chems as good as what the US guys have. Mind you, I haven't really searched and experimented with what is sold here. Soliel has helped me with names and phone numbers but so far I've not purchased any chems here. I may go that route this spring who knows...
 
Here is a tip since I don't see a Canada forum yet.

If you have a Greenline hose a Fitting's close by and need hose I would look here.

Try and get an account with them as well, their prices are really close to what I see from the US.

I know first hand here in Calgary many of the "Pressure Washing" stores get their hose from them and just mark it up huge. I went to one and got some sewer Jetting hose paid $400 for 145 feet as they were the only ones I could find with any stock. Once I was done I went to Greenline and got the same hose as it came in later that day, for about half that cost for 300 feet.

From Greenline the hoses that I have been using are as follows

118 100 foot sections, only rated to 200`F @4000 psi, but for most jobs that is fine. With account you can pay $1.50 a foot or less.
119H 100 foot sections, Rated for 250`f @ 3000 psi or 350 psi Steam. Expensive hose, only use for steam jobs, was fairly expensive, I think I paid $2.80 a foot with an accout.
172-04 100-300 foot sections. This is the sewer jetting hose that is used, 2900 psi @ 200`f. Got them down to $1.50 a foot with an account, paid $2.80 for the exact same hose at the local pressure washing store.

Also noticed the nozzle they sold me these guys sell as well. Greenline list's the nozzle for $10.30, paid $40.00 in the pinch today when I got the jetting hose.

If you have any questions just PM me.
I don't work for Greenline or get anything from this, I just don't want to see people taken for the ride that I was today.
 
Maybe there canadians Suppliers that do not know about PWI

Benjamin said:
Ups calls me all the time asking if they can broker my stuff and can never tell me what the cost is. Typically the only way I figure out the exact cost of duty is what appearts on the CC bill.

You are right, there are certain things that are cheaper and others that are not once all is said and done. Give you an example I just got 2 hosetrac reels from down south. The distributer has free shipping on most things when they are shipped in the US. So I punched in the size and weight of both reels into UPS and came up with $120 approx cost. Shipping was not on my original invoice, figured I would pay something, didn't expect it to be close to 50% cost of both reels combined. This final cost was way different then I was expecting and by the time it turned up it was a little too late.
So how does this relate to a Canada forum well if we share mistakes like this others can avoid them. Not saying to avoid hosetrac or getting a reel down south, but maybe ship it to the border and go pick it up and import it yourself. The free US shipping to that location and all you are out is time and fuel depending how far it is.

Another example, a burner down south is so much cheaper then up here. Was looking for 10-12 gpm and best price I could find in Alberta was $7500-9000. Where I was able to get the freight up here for half that with me doing the importing. I took a bit of a blind leap as I have never shipped anything that big and would encourage those getting into the business to consider it an option. Info like this helps others out, yeah you could search the net but typing in "importing pressure washing burner into Canada" I don't think will get the answers they are in need of.

I am not looking for a forum to spill my client list or trade secrets, but there are things like insurance companies and what you need to get started that are different up here.

There are pros and cons, I just think there are things we could share and learn that could benifit others.

Just my 2 cents
Click to expand...
 
AquaMike said:
I'm up here too!! :)
Click to expand...

In the 90's I sold a franchise for a for sale by owner car dealership to a guy in Kelowna. It was called "Owners Automart" back then. Is there still a for sale by owner car lot there?
 
Benjamin said:
From what I can tell in the searches I am the only one in at least 3 years that has posted anything. There are more guys out here and I am sure some just read stuff and don't participate on the forum.
Click to expand...

I'm still here too... Not doing power washing like the others but using a pressure washer to put bread on my table! ;)
 
Tony Shelton said:
In the 90's I sold a franchise for a for sale by owner car dealership to a guy in Kelowna. It was called "Owners Automart" back then. Is there still a for sale by owner car lot there?
Click to expand...


Not that I'm aware of. Good sell!! :)
 
Starting out.

Please point me in the right direction. I am looking at starting up a little pressure washing business on the side. Now don't get me wrong would love to go with all the big stuff but $$ talks and it says there is no way I can afford it. The only dealer around sells Landa and for now 6-7 plus everything else it's not in the cards. Keeping an eye open on Kijiji but have been burnt couple times so a little shy there.
I do have a friend that has a large home cleaning business and people are always asked if she does cleaning outside the house. She does not provide this service but would pass all customers to me hence looking for good basic equipment to start with. Couple of thoughts. Just go cold water with chemicals and also set it up to do soft wash. This with a flat surface cleaner may do the trick. I already own a hvlp turbine unit that works good on fences and decks so could go into deck and fence staining. Last but not least. I have a deal on a industrial steam cleaner that puts out 300 degrees at 100psi and may come in handy. Can pick it up dirt cheap off of friend who has another type of business. Would love the business to take off and I could leave my present job. I figure later maybe just buy a separate heating unit for hot water. I find this sight great but sometimes I feel it's over my head at least for now but great way to learn and grow into the business.
Any comments positive or negative would help. I have a tendency to pull positive things out of negative comments so fire away. Thanks
 
Last edited:
Djayvo said:
Please point me in the right direction. I am looking at starting up a little pressure washing business on the side. Now don't get me wrong would love to go with all the big stuff but $$ talks and it says there is no way I can afford it. The only dealer around sells Landa and for now 6-7 plus everything else it's not in the cards. Keeping an eye open on Kijiji but have been burnt couple times so a little shy there.
I do have a friend that has a large home cleaning business and people are always asked if she does cleaning outside the house. She does not provide this service but would pass all customers to me hence looking for good basic equipment to start with. Couple of thoughts. Just go cold water with chemicals and also set it up to do soft wash. This with a flat surface cleaner may do the trick. I already own a hvlp turbine unit that works good on fences and decks so could go into deck and fence staining. Last but not least. I have a deal on a industrial steam cleaner that puts out 300 degrees at 100psi and may come in handy. Can pick it up dirt cheap off of friend who has another type of business. Would love the business to take off and I could leave my present job. I figure later maybe just buy a separate heating unit for hot water. I find this sight great but sometimes I feel it's over my head at least for now but great way to learn and grow into the business.
Any comments positive or negative would help. I have a tendency to pull positive things out of negative comments so fire away. Thanks
Click to expand...

That setup will definitely get you started in the right direction. seize the opportunity to start a business. If you have to start part time then do it. fortune favors the bold.
 
Djayvo said:
Please point me in the right direction. I am looking at starting up a little pressure washing business on the side. Now don't get me wrong would love to go with all the big stuff but $$ talks and it says there is no way I can afford it. The only dealer around sells Landa and for now 6-7 plus everything else it's not in the cards. Keeping an eye open on Kijiji but have been burnt couple times so a little shy there.
I do have a friend that has a large home cleaning business and people are always asked if she does cleaning outside the house. She does not provide this service but would pass all customers to me hence looking for good basic equipment to start with. Couple of thoughts. Just go cold water with chemicals and also set it up to do soft wash. This with a flat surface cleaner may do the trick. I already own a hvlp turbine unit that works good on fences and decks so could go into deck and fence staining. Last but not least. I have a deal on a industrial steam cleaner that puts out 300 degrees at 100psi and may come in handy. Can pick it up dirt cheap off of friend who has another type of business. Would love the business to take off and I could leave my present job. I figure later maybe just buy a separate heating unit for hot water. I find this sight great but sometimes I feel it's over my head at least for now but great way to learn and grow into the business.
Any comments positive or negative would help. I have a tendency to pull positive things out of negative comments so fire away. Thanks
Click to expand...

Welcome here. Maybe find the into. thread so we all know more about you.

As for starting out, yes it can be a very intimidating reading about things you know very little or even nothing about. Spend a few hours going through old threads to read up on what others have asked. I know I've asked my fair share of stuff haha. Don't be afraid to spend money. The right equipment will get you it back.
 
I'm now selling full lines of equipment and parts in Canada. Not just chems anymore! I've got a used hot water skid that was traded in that needs a little tlc if that is of any interest. 20 hp Honda with 5.6gpm General pump. Coil needs repair or replacement on burner.

Call me if it's of interest. Can also get you a new machine on a lease to own program if that works better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top