Medic442

I just love the missouri unlimited doe tags!!!!!!!!! got three of them opening day.... gona have a freezer full mmmmmmmmmmmmmm..... I just cant wait until muzzle loader season.

Did my first “paying” job this past weekend. Cleaned about 600sq ft of a concrete slab that has never been cleaned for the past 30 years. Then I did about the same footage on concrete block with heavy heavy mold. It took me about two hours with beer breaks… when the job was finished I told the homeowner I would take $150.00 for the work. The homeowner said she would give me a steak dinner with all the fixings in trade… gee moms are great!!!! But on a serious note… I did the work in about two hours with breaks, moving stuff around, and clean up. The concrete slab never looked that good before the entire time when i lived at home. Wow it’s amazing how things can turn out when you do your homework and read the proper ways of doing things. Thanks for all the info posted on this board.

I read a post about building your own shuflo pump. I have looked and called every body in St. Louis for one. They all say the same... we never heard of... vitrohama what???? You have to buy that from Granger. (great if you have an account) Can anybody give me a place to buy the pump? I think i want the 120 volt. Thanks for the help

Hey Ryan, That is a good idea.. never thought of that. Come to think of it i might be able to get one of those for free. Gee, don't know why i never thought of that. Thanks man.

I looked at northern tools and i did not see a 120 volt pump. I think they only sold the 12 volt. I do not feel like dealing with the batteries. I want to be able to put down chems and seal on my deck and the growning list of family decks. Strange how that happens.... you tell them you are starting or planning to start a pw biz and the next thing you know... i have this you can "practice" on. That is ok.. family and they are willing to let me practice.. I was planning on putting down some stripper on my deck or sealer. I know the 12 pumps are cheaper but i really do not want to mess with the batteries. Thanks for the help guys.

I am no expert and am just wondering... would a longer dwell time have worked better rather than three applications of stripper or would the longer dwell time have damaged the wood? My deck looks about the same or worse. Just wonder what to do with mine.

I have been reading this message board for some time before I joined. I have digested a lot of information. I have been thinking about starting a power washing business. It seems that it is the perfect business with low start up cost, low overhead, and potentially a lot of jobs out there. However, when I started looking into it I must admit I thought it was just “wash on wash off” theory. Gee was I wrong! There is a lot of knowledge to acquire. I like the thought of the low start up cost. Due to a recent bankruptcy (Thank you Blue cross and Blue shield and your “preexisting clause that you never told anybody about”) I do not have a lot of startup capitol. I do have some credit cards to buy equipment and the drive to make it work. Can anybody tell me how much can be made on a part-time basis.I know there are a lot of variables to consider. Just looking for a ball park on $$$ that can be made. Where can I get all the information on chemicals, equipment, and procedures? I think I would like to stick with decks, house washing, and maybe driveways. Where is the best place to buy chemicals and equipment?? I live in St. Louis and do not and will not “low ball”. I just want too be able to compete and dig myself out of this financial hole I seem to be in. Thanks for the help

Thanks alot guys... I think I am going to pick all your brains and also call Reed. I also think I am going to build all my stuff up over the winter and jump in running come spring. Thanks for all the help, info, and offers!!

Jon, Bourbon……I am sorry…. Just kidding…. I like that area down there. But Sullivan… those people are crazy!!! How did you get to Tennessee? The bankruptcy was because we had our first child and it was cheaper to place her on Bluecross insurance rather than a policy from my employer. Saved about 200.00 a month. She had a problem and the insurance company said her problem was “pre-existing” and they would not pay for a single thing. The hospital and doctors bills added up real quick. The next thing ya know…..just could not keep up. I will take the credit hit for my daughter. (although I thought about selling her on e-bay a time or two but the wife said no..) I was thinking it was kinda late in the year to be starting. I was thinking it would be in my best interest to get all the equipment over the winter and jump in come spring. I have the truck. 2002 Ram quad 4x4 and the trailer that is used to trailer my tractor when needed. So I am somewhat ahead of the game. I just need the knowledge and the rest of the stuff to go with it. right now I wish i could get a guide on the chemicals and how to use them. well thanks for the input.

Alan, I think the pressure washing business does have a lower capitol investment requirement as compared to other ground floor business start ups. Every see the money needed to open a franchise? I have a full time job at the present time. I need to supplement my income and need to keep my health insurance. I have the funds available to me to spend what ever it would take to start the business up. I was thinking realistically between 5-7k. I could be wrong on the start up cost. I just needed to know was it worth investing now considering the summer is almost over and what type of income is a realistic expectation. Thanks for all the info so far.