Deciding On where to invest.

john neilson

Roundtable Host 2009
I would really appreciate some advise. Right now im using a 3.5 GPM belt drive Mi-T-M. no tanks. I buy my SH in 5 gallon containers about 20 gallons at a time. I have a 20" whirl away. It does a good job but it is still time consuming. A portable Electric ignition hot box by north star. I will be looking to buy more equipment. I want to buy new unless I know the equipment was taken care of. I really would like to go with an enclosed trailer. I know if I can do demos I can land the jobs. I was thinking of:
http://shop.powerwashstore.com/High-Pressure-and-Soft-Wash-Skid-PWS-SKID-PWS-SKID.htm

Any suggestions.
 
JMHO it a good choice if you can purchase without going into debt. When we started out we went the reverse meaning we secured 10 monthly commercial job before we ever purchase equipment. The equipment we purchased in the beginning was purchased in mind of doing both commercial as well as resident although we only did commercial for the first two years.
 
All of my equipment is used except my trailer and hose reels. Paid cash for everything and built the rig myself with help from reading the boards. My rig gets the job done and it's paid for. Nothing wrong with buying used to stay out of debt. It's really a personal choice. I would love to have new equipment but need to build up the biz first.
 
I noticed this new unit was a cold water unit. Are you going to keep both on the trailer? Is the max gpm on your heater 4 gpm?
Good point, I missed it. Yes it is 4 GPM. Yes I want everything permanently mounted. Maybe an open trailer would be the way to go. I do have a van for misc. items. I might have to get another complete unit and possibly sell mine. I know I can get a buyer.
 
All of my equipment is used except my trailer and hose reels. Paid cash for everything and built the rig myself with help from reading the boards. My rig gets the job done and it's paid for. Nothing wrong with buying used to stay out of debt. It's really a personal choice. I would love to have new equipment but need to build up the biz first.
True. I will be paying cash also. new will shorten my equipment list. There is a used auto place by me selling equipment and tanks, hoses etc. he just says all that is needed is a trailer and it is ready to go. Thanks for the thought.
 
Ya know its really nice to pay cash for everything. But when you want new not many people have the cash to lay out.
 
I don't understand the question, are you looking to expand in equipment for vent hood cleaning, cleaning concrete, washing buildings or? ? ?

That would help determine which equipment to lean towards.

Most of the restaurant guys don't need more than 3gpm for hoods but if you want to do more concrete and building washing, I would go with 5 or more gpm's and hot water so you can remove gum at the existing locations you service the vent hoods already. There might be opportunity to make more money at your existing locations by offering more services.

That link shows a nice rig but no hot water, if you want to do commercial sidewalks with gum removal you will need hot water to melt the gum for removal.

I would also get a Whisper Wash Classic as they are a great and durable surface cleaner and will last you a long time.

With the more gpm's, the surface cleaner will go a little bit faster, don't buy larger than this as the rule of thumb is 4" per 1gpm or you will be walking slower and slower, been there and done that already, so have others, learn from our mistake.

I think that just a hot water skid and a small buffer tank like 100 gallons will fit in the back of a truck or if you want to put it into a trailer, this will give you more opportunity for commercial work and with both machines, have 2 guys working at the same time for the larger jobs.
 
Good point, I missed it. Yes it is 4 GPM. Yes I want everything permanently mounted. Maybe an open trailer would be the way to go. I do have a van for misc. items. I might have to get another complete unit and possibly sell mine. I know I can get a buyer.

I was going that route myself, getting the add on heater from Northern Tool. After doing more research, I found it best to just wait until I can get a complete hot water unit. With my budget I bought the best I could. http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200324565_200324565 I also have the northstar 20" blue surface cleaner. I was going to upgrade piece by piece as well - not any longer. In order for me to upgrade (to at least 8gpm) I'll need a new complete unit, larger buffer tank (at least double the current one - 125 gal) and surface cleaner. Personally I don't see the point in going from 4gpm to 5.5 gpm. I'd rather go straight to 8, then sell the 4 gpm or keep it as a backup or residential only unit.
 
I don't understand the question, are you looking to expand in equipment for vent hood cleaning, cleaning concrete, washing buildings or? ? ?

That would help determine which equipment to lean towards.

Most of the restaurant guys don't need more than 3gpm for hoods but if you want to do more concrete and building washing, I would go with 5 or more gpm's and hot water so you can remove gum at the existing locations you service the vent hoods already. There might be opportunity to make more money at your existing locations by offering more services.

That link shows a nice rig but no hot water, if you want to do commercial sidewalks with gum removal you will need hot water to melt the gum for removal.

I would also get a Whisper Wash Classic as they are a great and durable surface cleaner and will last you a long time.

With the more gpm's, the surface cleaner will go a little bit faster, don't buy larger than this as the rule of thumb is 4" per 1gpm or you will be walking slower and slower, been there and done that already, so have others, learn from our mistake.

I think that just a hot water skid and a small buffer tank like 100 gallons will fit in the back of a truck or if you want to put it into a trailer, this will give you more opportunity for commercial work and with both machines, have 2 guys working at the same time for the larger jobs.
I have my set up for the hoods. I have a 2.5 GPM/3000 north star, I do want to expand though. I see a lot of opportunity. I can keep my current set up as a greaser. I was looking to see if maybe I could combine them or get a second set up. Concrete is a must in my area. I am currently cleaning 3 story condos and I can reach the peak but at that height its like a water hose. I need more volume.
 
For commercial concrete, no less than 5.5 gpm, and hot water is a must. I have my paid-for starter unit. When 4 gpm is too slow, that means I have sufficient jobs and contracts to upgrade to a hot 8 gpm. From what I'm finding... about $7,500. $400 for a 325 gal buffer tank, $900 for an all steel surface cleaner. $8,800 to upgrade to 8! I should almost about double (at least 1.5x) my productivity AND INCOME! Meaning in a short period of time the equipment will have paid for itself (and a few other things)!!
 
For commercial concrete, no less than 5.5 gpm, and hot water is a must. I have my paid-for starter unit. When 4 gpm is too slow, that means I have sufficient jobs and contracts to upgrade to a hot 8 gpm. From what I'm finding... about $7,500. $400 for a 325 gal buffer tank, $900 for an all steel surface cleaner. $8,800 to upgrade to 8! I should almost about double (at least 1.5x) my productivity AND INCOME! Meaning in a short period of time the equipment will have paid for itself (and a few other things)!!
Im looking to stay in the ball park of around 5-8k I can go a bit higher but would rather not. I have made some good connections with local officials, and my work is being recommended, I have some walkways to do in 2 months but My 3.5gpm wont get it done fast enough And I often worry about water supply. I have turned down 3 jobs because I needed water. A wall, a sign, and a parking lot.
 
Im looking to stay in the ball park of around 5-8k I can go a bit higher but would rather not. I have made some good connections with local officials, and my work is being recommended, I have some walkways to do in 2 months but My 3.5gpm wont get it done fast enough And I often worry about water supply. I have turned down 3 jobs because I needed water. A wall, a sign, and a parking lot.
About 6 months ago I called Bill over at the Power wash store and got a quote for some equipment. If I can remember correctly it was 8 gal. minute hot water skid with generator, two hose reels, two 100 foot hoses, 2 wands, 8 tips. a 24 inch surface cleaner. I know there was a few other thing included. The total was about $7,200. I thought that was a great deal because it was all new. I did have to add the trailer and tanks though because I had none. anyway for 7.500 you can get a lot of new equipment from thepowerwashstore.com
 
About 6 months ago I called Bill over at the Power wash store and got a quote for some equipment. If I can remember correctly it was 8 gal. minute hot water skid with generator, two hose reels, two 100 foot hoses, 2 wands, 8 tips. a 24 inch surface cleaner. I know there was a few other thing included. The total was about $7,200. I thought that was a great deal because it was all new. I did have to add the trailer and tanks though because I had none. anyway for 7.500 you can get a lot of new equipment from thepowerwashstore.com

I'll definitely call Bill when I'm ready!
 
Im looking to stay in the ball park of around 5-8k I can go a bit higher but would rather not. I have made some good connections with local officials, and my work is being recommended, I have some walkways to do in 2 months but My 3.5gpm wont get it done fast enough And I often worry about water supply. I have turned down 3 jobs because I needed water. A wall, a sign, and a parking lot.

There are always lots of options for those kinds of jobs, let us know the specifics and we can help you with lots of different options. If you feel more comfortable with pm's, that is cool also, lots of guys don't want their customer info, their info or other stuff out in public.
 
Thanks Christopher. I don't mind posting for all to see. Its funny how guys post pics of their rigs, and I think to myself,"someday" . Well that day is approaching. Im looking forward to my set up. before i get moving on it I am first going to join UAMCC
There are always lots of options for those kinds of jobs, let us know the specifics and we can help you with lots of different options. If you feel more comfortable with pm's, that is cool also, lots of guys don't want their customer info, their info or other stuff out in public.
 
I am first going to join UAMCC

There are some really good rebates ($250&up) and discounts with joining the uamcc. Give Ron a shout, he'll point you in the right direction!
 
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