operating expenses?

Kris Caswell

New member
I'm currently in my start up phase and trying to get some various financial reports prepared. I'm not sure if this is appropriate but was wondering if anyone would mind sharing an example of their operating expenses (fixed & variable)with me? I'm more interested in what items are listed rather then the figures (if you like you can delete the amounts). Feel free to pm or email me

In doing this it will help me find cost that I haven't yet identified.
 
I just use a simple Excel spreadsheet that my wife set up. She's advanced in it so she put all kinds of graphs and everything on it. I have gas for the machine, diesel for the machine, diesel for the truck, parts, clothing, travel, meals, truck payments, business insurance, truck insurance, truck maintenance, tolls, parts for truck, equipment purchases and misc.
 
I'm currently in my start up phase and trying to get some various financial reports prepared. I'm not sure if this is appropriate but was wondering if anyone would mind sharing an example of their operating expenses (fixed & variable)with me? I'm more interested in what items are listed rather then the figures (if you like you can delete the amounts). Feel free to pm or email me

In doing this it will help me find cost that I haven't yet identified.
Check out some of my Facebook Groups I have some of these Forms there .
 
I'm currently in my start up phase and trying to get some various financial reports prepared. I'm not sure if this is appropriate but was wondering if anyone would mind sharing an example of their operating expenses (fixed & variable)with me? I'm more interested in what items are listed rather then the figures (if you like you can delete the amounts). Feel free to pm or email me

In doing this it will help me find cost that I haven't yet identified.

Hello Kris. Welcome.

By "start up" do you mean as owner operator - one unit, or are you starting with a fleet/employees?

Also, what kind of set up do you have (or will have)?

Are you focusing on residential, commercial, or both?
 
Scott,

I'll be starting out pretty lean first starting out but plan to scale to 1-2 employee's as soon as I can. Here's how I'm invisioning what I'll be starting out at.

Focusing on small commercial property jobs. Doing surface cleaning for initial and routine matainence scheduling work. Other then hiring an on-call part time employee for actually job's I plan on doing all other activities myself.

Equipment wise Here's what I have planned out. (btw I'm holding off of any equipment purchases till after I've attended the san diego wash water control event)

dedicated vehicle (already paid off)
6x10 single axle trailer
5.5 + gal hot pressure washer
Surface cleaner w/ reclaim
250 water tank
chemical tank
250ft of high pressure hose
100ft chemical hose
reclaim system (tbd)




Once I get some experience under my belt with the smaller jobs I'll try my luck with trying to land bigger accounts. I just want to make that I'm confident in what I can do before I start making promises to potiential VIP clients. I'm optimistic about it all but really inticipating a slowwwwww start.

Let me know your thoughts? I'm always up for taking other's advice. I'm pretty new to all this so I know definately there's much for me to learn
 
Not bad. I'm starting up myself. outside of this forum, I've learned a lot from riding along with seasoned contractors and Doug Rucker actually has a pressure cleaning school here! http://www.pressurecleaningschool.com/
 
I would look at a stronger trailer like a 2 axle trailer with what you want to put on it.

Do the math, that trailer will be almost 1000 pounds by itself and will have a 3000 or 3500 pound axle then subtract the weight of the trailer so you can only put about 2000 pounds on it max but you should stay about 80% of max capacity or less so you don't damage the trailer or bend an axle.

The hot water skid will weight about 700 to 900 pounds depending on the brand (not including gas and diesel in the tanks which will add another 100 to 300 pounds when full depending on the size of the tanks).

Water weighs 8.33 pounds per gallon so if you keep about 100 pounds in the tank (no matter what size of tank), that is about 833 pounds of water, then add in the weight of the hoses, reels, surface cleaner, reclaim unit, etc..... You can easily have more weight on that size trailer than what the trailer can hold.

Depending on the reclaim system you buy, it can weight a couple hundred pounds to 1000 pounds depending on what brand you buy and then when it is working, there will be water in it so remember to add in that weight also when figuring in the weight of this equipment onto the trailer.

Going up to a dual axle trailer will give you a lot more room for the weight you want to put onto the trailer

OR

Plan on less equipment on the trailer.

One thing to think about is if you start out with this size trailer and just buy a larger trailer as you grow your business, you will be buying a larger trailer and then selling this one for a lot less than what you paid so you will lose money when selling it, even if it is a little bit used as nobody will pay what you paid for it new since it is used, even a little bit used is still used. It might be a better idea to buy a larger trailer and even if it is not full of equipment right now, you are not going to overload it with weight and always have room to grow.

Good luck.
 
Listen to Chris, keep in mind too that with reclaim you will collect debris, those tanks are even heavier with debris then water. Also keep in mind with your tow vehicle, your tongue weight and what you are allowed to pull.

Most start residential and use a single axle with no tank, or something like 50g. You want to dive into commercial with a good size tank sell your tow vehicle and get a 5 ton truck and start with that.
 
Kris remember this before you buy the first piece of equipment anybody that pays you money for your work is VIP.Carry on with the fun stuff like buying new stuff.
 
Ill try to find a starter excel sheet


Oct event San Diego free free text me for more details !!

Would definitely be interested in seeing this.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4
 
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