what equipment did you start off with?

C

chemozkiy

New member
I would like to know what kind of equipment some of you started off with. I have a small p/w in the back of my truck with 100' of hose on a reel and a 275 gal tank. everyone i talk to is saying " you need a bigger p/w" well can't you do this job with a good p/w. i have a 2.5 gpm 2700psi washer and i have no problem cleaning houses and drives. sure it takes me a little longer but i still get paid. why does everyone look down on people like me starting out with a small p/w do they not understand that we may not have the money they do? i have read post with the same response about needing a bigger washer. I was just wondering what you started out with.


I don't want to step on any toes. i'm not out here to pretend i'm a pro or anything. I want to learn, but i have to start small and work up to my equipment.
 
I think alot of people started out with small equipment. There's nothing wrong with it if you can duplicate the work and price of people using commercial machines. I think alot of people relate inferior equipment with low ballers/poor work which gives the industry a black eye. When I first thought about starting out, I too had a small machine. It didn't take long to realize that there is no comparison. Not only do you work more quickly, but the parts last longer, and are easier to find. I do understand that money is tight, but I think your first priority should be a new machine. A new 4gpm machine can be found for under $1000. This time of year, you could have that easily after a few housewashes. Next, you need more hose so you don't have to lift that big machine in and out of the truck. Good luck.
 
thanks for your respones. i'm trying to find a machine i like that is 4gpm so i know what price i'm looking at.
 
I started out with a 4 gpm 3500 psi cold washer I bought at Sam's Club. It worked well for me. I still have it and it runs fine. I bought it about 4 years ago. I then bought a 5.5 gpm 3000 psi hot water washer, then another 4gpm cold water(belt drive), and then another 5.2 gpm hot water washer.
 
I started with a 3000psi @ 4GPM cold water machine..........which I still have but rarely use.

In 1999, my second year, I leased the trailer pictured below. I didnt have too much money either, but leasing worked well for us.


People are not looking down on you..........they are looking out for what's best for you. You will not succeed in this business with 2.5 gpms...........unless you live with your parents and have minimal expenses. The only way for you to continue to grow your business and be competitive is to upgrade your equipment, as soon as possible. A 4gpm machine would be sufficient.....5 would be great, but a lot more money.

Best of luck to you! Please feel free to post any questions you may have.
 

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2.5

I started with the same machine and a surface deck. And the 2.5 didn't do the job. Upgraded to a 4gpm machine and it made a BIG difference in time takin to do the job. And it's an over all great machine. Wouldn't trade it for anything. Work your butt off, and do a good job and upgrade later. Hard work ALWAYS pays off..
 
As a side note to my post above: A house wash we did the other day, the lady told me the last time she had it done it took them 3 hours to do it. We did it (with only one of the washers in operation) in and hour and ten minutes.

Before the job she asked me how long I thought it would take, and I told her about an hour to an hour and a half. She needed an explanation for that, since the last guy took 3 hours.

I stopped by her house to inspect the job and pick up the check (shes only a mile from my house) and she told me once she saw the equipment, she needed no further explanation. She apologized for questioning me........as she was very happy with the job.

Anyway, my point is.........you can't afford to take 3 hours to wash a house that your competion does in a little over an hour. Even your customers will notice.

Do the best you can with the equipment you have for now, but work on upgrading soon. Perhaps you could find a good used unit and save some money.
 
rebuttle

Great advice, but i would be weary of leaving too soon. What are your veiws on being there "NOT LONG ENOUGH" ?
 
When we do gutter cleaning jobs, which require little skill (besides the danger involved) and almost no equipment, I pay attention to the amount of time we are there. If a job goes super fast, I will usually discount the price, however we do maintain a minimum price per job.

When it comes to power washing jobs, I worry very little about not being there "long enough". Its not hard to justify my price when we do a great job, and have $50,000 worth of equipment parked in their driveway. It's obvious that they got what they paid for. I make sure the job is done well, and sometime throw in a quick extra like a small sidewalk or something like that ( done very quickly with surface cleaner).

As time goes on, and you get more jobs under your belt, you will gain confidence and be more comfortable in such situations.
 
Yea, your equipment kind of shows your past success. I am going to focus on vinyl siding , sinc :D e it's such easy money, and then sell them on cleaning the driveway, and maybe restoring the deck. I may do a gutter cleaning or 2 , depending on the situation !
 
i think you guys stasrted pretty high on the equipment side i started with a 2400 psi 2.8 gpm machine ...... but thats in a diffrent market
 
3000 psi 4 gpm, surflo pump with tank, and this board. This board being the most important piece of equipment.
 
Ok In 1993 When I Quit the company I was working for and went out on my own. I started hood cleaning with a Landa 1000 psi 2.2 gpm elec hotwater unit.. Then an Alkota Elec Unit in 1996. Same gpm/ psi. I bought another Alkota Elec. in 1998.

Then one day I was going thru Vicksburg and I saw this crew with a big trailer / water tank/ and a gas motor. They where outside a Ryan's Steakhouse.So I Stopped and Watched.. They Cleaned Ryan' so Quick ( like 3 hours ) .. I went over and talked to them and asked what kind of machine is that .... they said whitco 3000psi 4gpm... The I could here the snickering from behind my truck. ( One guy said you don't clean hoods with that little thing do ya ? I said yeah and drove off... Well I suffered the payments and bought my first whitco... I really agree with what Mike says.. when you show up with commercial equipment you get the job done quicker , you get noticed, and your equipment last longer... My First whitco cost $5100.00 brand New .. I now have 3 of them and old faithful is still kicking strong.

Credit in the business is where it's at.. If you can make enough to pay about $140.00 a month ... Many companies will lease or finance you a machine.. not only does this give you a good machine,,make you more money in less time, But it builds your credit reputation with a pressure washer distributor..which is great if you ever get in a tight spot with your machine and you need to get parts on credit until your checks roll in...

Look thru E- Bay at some of the units and fill out the credit app.. or talk to your local bank or small business administration they love to help out new business..

Good Luck
 
One of the Whitco's is Back .. This is old Faithful... 2
 

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I'm just starting out and have a Mi-T-M 3500PSI, 3.3GPM, Hotwater belt drive machine. I found it gently used 1/2 price at a local rental w/ rebuilt cat pump and new unloader. A 225Gal recycled tank from my local Hoods ($90), 100' for supply and high pressure hose, dual lance wand, and single lance w/ a turbo tip. A homelight 3500 watt generator.
 
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