AmericanPowerWashing

Tim, How much is the acid injector that you mention in your post?

Thanks. I made one I am hoping it will come up when I post this.

Hey guys my name is Jon and I recently purchased some power washing gear that I am going to use to make this whole county shine. I have some experience but not a lot; I worked for another guy, not a professional though, for about a month at 50 hours a week. I really enjoy power washing and I am currently in college finishing up my AA. It may sound weird but I have fallen in love with power washing. I really enjoy the work and I also enjoy the thought of giving people the best service they can get. I made the decision to devote all of my free time to learning and researching what it takes to give people the best quality service. I have spent 100s of hours over the past 2 months just learning and trying to make sure that I will be the best I can. I came across this site a few weeks ago and I feel like I have been blessed. I am so impressed with the high caliber individuals that take their time to post the high caliber information that is here, thank you. I have learned so much that I am now obligated to use these resources and fully commit myself to not only making my own business succeed but to help restore the credibility that has been lost from the idiots in my town that pressure wash. Here is what I have purchased so far, I purchased a 4000psi 4gpm belt driven Honda 13 hp used cold power washer, a 5x8 trailer, a 100 gallon tank, 3500w contractor grade generator(the generator and tank were included with the purchase so I just took them also), a turbo nozzle, a 19 inch Whisper Washer Ultra surface cleaner, a professionally designed and trademarked company logo, my logo on 2 business magnets for my vehicle, uniforms with my company logo, business cards, signs, hose reel with 200 foot of hose total, I made a small tool box to keep in my truck with replacement quick connects and all the tools I need to do any field repairs I am capable of, a chemical injector, an extra wand, a ladder safer nozzle that I love, and a few other little things. But that is my hard ware and as far as advertising outside of my own connections that’s what I have to work with. Before I found your site I felt confident that I was ready. After getting the opportunity to learn and read about everything you guys say I know that I am not ready yet. I basically don’t know what I am doing with chemicals. I knew from the start I would need them but all the guys around here basically use either nothing(MOST COMMON), bleach(common), or simply house wash, bleach, degreaser(Extremely rare to see someone with T-H-R-E-E types of chemicals around here). So I need to really get on my job and study hard and formulate a plan to first identify the best chemicals and secondly to apply them in the correct and safe manner. I also need to rearrange my rig and I want to make sure that I rearrange it in the most practical and safe way I can but it’s essential that I project an extremely professional image. I have some contracts that others shared with me and am formulating my own plans of how to best deal with paper work. I feel paper work is absolutely essential and that things like customer agreements, receipts, proof of insurance, proof of license, and written record of all relevant information are provided to each of my customers. I planned to do the best I could and take my time and get the experience and learn right, not quick, but then I had my engine in my truck blow up. My truck has been in the shop for two weeks and its costing me $4,000 plus I lost my job because I couldn’t make it to work and do the things I needed to do without a car. So now I need to get off my butt and step it up and learn as quickly as I can. I had about $8,000 saved in the bank for when I transfer to another university next semester but now I have $500. I will have my truck back in a few days and I have a budget of $400 to work with. I still haven’t bought my insurance and I am unsure of how to go about it in the best way. I need to get my trailer re arranged, buy chemicals, insurance, and I am 100% confident I will discover multiple additional things I need to purchase that I have not accounted for. It would really help me out if I could get some personal guidance. I can read a book in a day, and I got plenty to read but I got a big wake up when I went to this site; the most important things I need to know I won’t learn from books and definitely not the pressure washers around here. I plan to only accept residential jobs at this point in time (I have commercial accounts that are ready to sign contracts but I don’t know what I’m doing and can’t risk that). My entire county is basically a huge retirement community with around 60% of the homes being $200K+ and those will be my initial customers. I have $400 of business lined up and my goal is to try to get on the road in 10 days. In 10 days its make or break time. If you find time to reply back you will help bring me closer to my goal; To provide residents of my own county with high quality power washing done in a professional manner and to put all of the local idiots pressure washing out of business.