Starting from scratch - equipment recommendations needed

im140.6

New member
Advice needed please. I'm wanting to get a trailer mounted washer and supplies to get started with residential (eventually add commercial). This is something I'll be doing full-time, starting soon (getting laid off from my job). I pretty much need advice on reliable equipment (and which to stay away from). From what I've been reading it looks like I'll need 5+ GPM, hot water, surface cleaner, single-axle trailer, insurance, marketing, etc. My strengths are in website design, marketing, customer relations, strong work ethic. Areas of growth are hands-on experience, day-to-day workflow, taxes, etc.

I stopped by one dealer in the Houston area and found another by Googling. I've also contacted two PW companies in the Houston area and asked them about reputable dealers in our area. Both replies were almost identical: one very short sentence directing me to a couple of online stores. I have a feeling these local companies don't want me knowing anything about the local scene because I'll infringe on their business.

As far as my budget is concerned, I need to stay as low as possible. Once I'm laid off, the bi-weekly paychecks stop and I have to start generating income. I could take all the money my company is going to give me when I leave and buy top-notch equipment, but then what? I need PW equipment and I need to have funds left over to pay the mortgage. Haha

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.
 
Need some help just call me....
 
Advice needed please. I'm wanting to get a trailer mounted washer and supplies to get started with residential (eventually add commercial). This is something I'll be doing full-time, starting soon (getting laid off from my job). I pretty much need advice on reliable equipment (and which to stay away from). From what I've been reading it looks like I'll need 5+ GPM, hot water, surface cleaner, single-axle trailer, insurance, marketing, etc. My strengths are in website design, marketing, customer relations, strong work ethic. Areas of growth are hands-on experience, day-to-day workflow, taxes, etc.

I stopped by one dealer in the Houston area and found another by Googling. I've also contacted two PW companies in the Houston area and asked them about reputable dealers in our area. Both replies were almost identical: one very short sentence directing me to a couple of online stores. I have a feeling these local companies don't want me knowing anything about the local scene because I'll infringe on their business.

As far as my budget is concerned, I need to stay as low as possible. Once I'm laid off, the bi-weekly paychecks stop and I have to start generating income. I could take all the money my company is going to give me when I leave and buy top-notch equipment, but then what? I need PW equipment and I need to have funds left over to pay the mortgage. Haha

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Local companies didn't steer you wrong. It is rare to find a local dealer that offers prices and customer service like the vendors you will find here. Local distr. and dealers are usually way overpriced and can never help you when an emergency arises.
 
Local companies didn't steer you wrong. It is rare to find a local dealer that offers prices and customer service like the vendors you will find here. Local distr. and dealers are usually way overpriced and can never help you when an emergency arises.
Thanks for your reply. So here goes my stupid question: ordering a complete trailer set-up, how does it get from dealer to me? I'm assuming the shipping/freight charges would negate any savings. Also, what happens when something breaks and I need warranty work? Do I have to haul it hundreds of miles to the dealer for repair?
 
Come to the UAMCC Houston event next week, I'm sure some of the distributors here will have machines there and you will actually learn quite a bit in a short amount of time at the event.
 
Before you do anything my friend go to that event so you can see and feel what this industry is about. No sense in spending money if you hate what you do, washing your car once in a awhile or your house a couple times year is way different then doing it daily.

In terms of suppliers, would not recommend putting all your eggs in one basket, I have found that to work well. It is not something you figure out over night, its taken me years to nail down, but I know what and where to get local and what is best to get mailed in. You try and keep consumables local and savings for big things to mail in vendors.

This is just a start, lots you can learn when you spend enough time in the industry.
 
Thanks everyone!

I'll try my best to attend the UAMCC event. Thanks for all the tips too.
 
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