Buy or Build? That is the Question.

boyo8023

New member
I have been trying to get my business running for about three months now. I have started like most over zealous newbies at spending over $35,000 to get started. After thinking about the consequences I was at $24,000. Now I am just down to the bones, I want to stay under $14,000. I was going to go with the Hot and Mighty.....(pause for all the critisism i can handle it).......at $17k but I keep seeing people say "I can do alot better than what they are offering for way less." I will be getting 5.7 gpm 3500psi hot 250deg. Honda 630cc, 325gal tank, 2 dual adjustable wands, 21inch Mosmatic. Very nice tandem trailer with aluminum wheels. Very nice warranty, with labor included, shipping included. Help with pricing jobs and customer support. I was leaning towards this because of the warranty and quality of the equipment.
I looked up all different pressure washers(landa, hydrotek, hotsy, alcota), tanks, reclaim, and trailers and I can not get quality set up like this for under 14k. I know I said reclaim but that is something I want.
I challenge anyone to give suggestions on how I can get equivalent equipment or better for under 14k. Or any suggestion for a good start up set-up. I will be doing residential roof cleaning and house washing. Will use Pauls dual pump. Will also do commercial light stuff for now like gas station, strip malls and buildings (small hotel size). I would like to be able to take on a small parking garage. Any comments are welcome. P.S. Really want an enclosed trailer.
Thank You!!
 
Save a ton of money by purchasing some equipment used, like the hot water skid. It is getting into the off season in enough areas that you can score a good 8 gpm hot water skid for 4k or less. A used dual axle trailer should be 1.5k. A tank is 500 plus maybe 200 in misc plumbing. Some reels, hoses, roof pump, suply hose might set you back 2500 more new. Aonther small tank for the roof solution 150-200. Thats @ 11k. Better than 14k and you know whats there and gave a start on how to fix what you built. Just my $.02. Best of luck, Mike.
 
I build them all from scratch , best way to go, won't lie get the rigs off graiglist. I'm lucky a guy going out of biz stroll in about every 90 days with a rig with 50 hours or less


Ron Musgraves text me for questions 480-522-5227 Pressure Washing Institute
 
What Mike and Ron said!!!

From now until Jan. you'll find your best deals. 1st rig we ever bought was similar to the one you described less reclaim. Paid $7800.00 cash, found out soon that 5.5 gpm wasn't gonna cut it, it been eBay and C/L ever since.

Building one now and have under 10k when done. 2 (8) gpm units 1 hot 1 cold and roof rig. All from lightly used equipment. Bought one a couple of weeks ago same specs under 9k. Ready to go. 300 hrs. Come Spring I'll make that back in less than a month.


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Karl, you should call Guy. He has a great 8gpm for sale. It's a great buy for you.

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Save a ton of money by purchasing some equipment used, like the hot water skid. It is getting into the off season in enough areas that you can score a good 8 gpm hot water skid for 4k or less. A used dual axle trailer should be 1.5k. A tank is 500 plus maybe 200 in misc plumbing. Some reels, hoses, roof pump, suply hose might set you back 2500 more new. Aonther small tank for the roof solution 150-200. Thats @ 11k. Better than 14k and you know whats there and gave a start on how to fix what you built. Just my $.02. Best of luck, Mike.
Just bought a Pressure Pro hw skid 24 hp honda 8gpm with 114 hours on it for $2500 from a guy that couldn't make his business work. Already put 50 hours on it. Like they said, local paper ads, craigslist, maybe ebay. It helps if you are handy with mechanical stuff. If not we have great guys like Russ, Paul and Jerry that will get you going with great knowledge and supplies.
 
Thank you guys. I am kinda disappointed cause I didnt get any flak for almost going with the Hot and Mighty!!Lol Next time I will not give that much info. I found hydro tek with wand trailer surface cleaner. What would you say to 8.7 gpm hot 200hrs. With all that equipment (open trailer,hydramotion surface cleaner) what would you pay. Just throw some numbers at me. and is hydrotek reliable....here it comes!
 
Hydroteks are some of the best built machines in the industry. There is a guy who refurbs used hydros right there in LA that routinely posts them up on ebay.
 
Thank you guys. I am kinda disappointed cause I didnt get any flak for almost going with the Hot and Mighty!!Lol Next time I will not give that much info. I found hydro tek with wand trailer surface cleaner. What would you say to 8.7 gpm hot 200hrs. With all that equipment (open trailer,hydramotion surface cleaner) what would you pay. Just throw some numbers at me. and is hydrotek reliable....here it comes!

H & M??? Oh please:)

Without pics I'd say between 5&7k. Great equipment Hydrotek has. Its the only brand I haven't bought yet.

Again, used PW equipment doesn't hold a lot of value. You use it or lose it. Not a lot of guys understand that. The guy I bought our latest rig from showed me the invoice of the rig, $26,000.00!!!

There's more to washing, than just washing. Some get it some don't. Thanks a lot to the guys that don't.


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H & M??? Oh please:)

Without pics I'd say between 5&7k. Great equipment Hydrotek has. Its the only brand I haven't bought yet.

Again, used PW equipment doesn't hold a lot of value. You use it or lose it. Not a lot of guys understand that. The guy I bought our latest rig from showed me the invoice of the rig, $26,000.00!!!

There's more to washing, than just washing. Some get it some don't. Thanks a lot to the guys that don't.


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Thank you Mr. Guy. That is what I was thinking will go look at it tomorrow hopefully.
 
I think this thread is right on! Buy a gently used machine! You'll likely save some guys marriage, even if they are taking a huge loss! With the money you'll save on the trailer you found you can buy an enclosed trailer! Move you're equipment, clean up the old trailer, and put it back on CL or even use it as a trade in for your new trailer if you don't want to deal with it! Buying used also typically comes with some toys you would have though you didn't need/want, and you get a chance to use them for cheap! A few years ago, we were picking up equipment for cheap. We pulled the pumps, generators, and engines for back ups. We build new frames for heaters and sold them for more than we paid for the equipment!
 
Make a call to jerry, he can help you out with a complete setup 6 gpm hot water with reclaim not enclosed trailer. Super nice guy too!
 
Check epecs prices right now for 14k you cant find a trailer big enough to fit the machines they are offering.Great machines using the best motors an pumps money can buy,at about 1/2 of the other guys.Machines are very easy to work on and you can get to everything.Why buy used when you can get these machines for the same price some of these guys want for used.
 
The last 3 pieces I've bought have been used. I just bought a Land hot water for $250 bucks, put $400 in runs like a champ for $650. Bought a 7 gpm 3500 psi cold water for $600 and about 2 years I bought a Landa, 2 hose reels, water tank and 6 x 10 trailer for $500, put $250 in and still running 2 years later

Whether you buy new or used, the best time to buy is when you don't need it, and you're not in a hurry to buy, be patient and you will come across a good deal.
 
I think I found the rig I want. I will talk to jerry about the reclaim. I just hope when I go to look at this machine it is what I expect. I compared the pic to hydrotek web and it is the 9gpm unit.View attachment 18890
 
I got 2 8gpm cold water skids off craigslist today for 1500.00. you can find deals all day long, couple weeks ago i got a 5gpm hot water skid on a 16ft tandem with 2 reel craft hose reels for 1250.00. deals are out there, especially during winter! I've been burning them up. Hot n might is just way to high. get something used, save your money, youll be glad you did
 
That is awsome man!!

I got 2 8gpm cold water skids off craigslist today for 1500.00. you can find deals all day long, couple weeks ago i got a 5gpm hot water skid on a 16ft tandem with 2 reel craft hose reels for 1250.00. deals are out there, especially during winter! I've been burning them up. Hot n might is just way to high. get something used, save your money, youll be glad you did
 
H & M??? Oh please:)

Without pics I'd say between 5&7k. Great equipment Hydrotek has. Its the only brand I haven't bought yet.

Again, used PW equipment doesn't hold a lot of value. You use it or lose it. Not a lot of guys understand that. The guy I bought our latest rig from showed me the invoice of the rig, $26,000.00!!!

There's more to washing, than just washing. Some get it some don't. Thanks a lot to the guys that don't.


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What paper work do I need to get from seller if I go used?
 
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