Barry M

I can see this being a problem already. I'm starting PT in residential, I know a lot of full timers do their estimates in the evenings or on Saturdays. My full time job keeps me from doing anything in the evenings. I never know what time I'm getting off, it's different from day to day, and then I have a 1 1/4 hour drive home. So the only time I will have to PW is every bit of day light on the weekends. I'm having trouble figuring out when to do estimates. The last thing I want is to tell someone I'll be there and then can't get off of work or something. I'm just trying to keep it simple, please help.

That's okay Ryan I like your looooooong winded posts......zzzzzzzzz. Just kidding dude. I really do enjoy them, the more info I get the better, thank you. Sorry for the confusion Michael, I work days. I leave at 5:30am and by the time I get home its 5 or 6 that night. Sometimes later I never know. So my evenings are pretty much gone. So morning are not an option either. I just might have to stop washing at 3 or 4 on Saturdays and go do estimates. But with only weekends to wash that would really suck. Any other suggestions?

I suspect that once you use products like CitriClean or Emulsifier Plus, you'd ask yourself why you ever fooled around with home brews. Just my .02 __________________ Tony C. Maybe because its cheaper. Why else do so many guys use sodium hypochlorite? I don't know I'm asking. Do these house washing products remove mold like 12% does? Tony, I'm pretty sure I read you use a rinse aid in your mix. Do you add anything else to citra or E plus? What ratio do you Xjet at? I know it boils down to doing my own field testing but I appreciate your .02 cents.

No, its not Guns N Roses but guns n lances that I'm confused about. I don't like the one that came with my new cold water unit. I dont know much about them yet but seeing how the hose they gave me with it, isn't even rated for as much psi as the machine and it leaves black marks all over the place, I'm guessing the gun is also a cheap piece of crap! Its a 36" dual lance GIANT, and it's as heavy as a VW. I'm sure it has its place. But I'm going to be Xjetting houses mostly at first and I wanted to put together a good quality lightweight wand that will last. I will eventually have a lot of different sizes and types like a lot of you do. But to start I'm looking for a good all around wand. I started to look on a site to put one together, but to a newbie it was very overwhelming. Insulated or non insulated, stainless steel or aluminum, what's a good size for house washing, who makes a good gun? My machine is rated 3500psi 4gpm please help.

You didn't have to use any stripper?

Yes I did get it locally. The machine is 3500psi the gun is fine its rated for 5,000 max I just didn't know how durable it was. The hose they gave me is rated for 3,000psi which would be under rated, correct? Well I'm glad to here that Giant is a good brand but your right I don't need a dual lance. What length do you like for house washing? Also do you like aluminum or stainless?

I use a turbo on extremely dirty asphalt shingles, but I hold it only a couple of inches away to speed things up. Sorry, I couldn't resist. Just kidding newbies. Wait a minute, I am a damn newbie!

Did you have any experience in powerwashing at all before you went into business? I have very little to none. I plan to hopefullly work with another company for a few days to gain a little experience and I also plan to practice on my own property and friends and family.

Yes I have purchased a cold water unit. Just last Friday as a matter of fact. I went with a belt driven unit, 3500psi, 4gpm, 13hp Honda. I thought long and hard about a direct drive unit because they are cheaper, but I wanted a unit that was going to last. But I also had the extra money in the budget to do so. I haggled the guy down $150 too. E mail me anytime, I will help you all I can.

I was thinking of ordering these from Nebs. http://www.nebs.com/NASApp/nebsEcat/products/product_detail.jsp?pc=H7485

Ok, who voted for wood? It takes a heck of a man to move a wooden ladder upright by himself. Especially after it rains and the wood swells. I use to do it for a vinyl siding company I worked for, talk about busting a nut.

Celeste do you guys use a stabilizer?

Hey all, not to long till I getted started part time. I will start with my own house, and deck. Then I will be doing in laws house and deck, then brother in laws roof. I will be doing these just for the price of the chems (I need practice). But I already have friends or at least people I know wanting my services but also wanting "a good deal". My question is how many freebies or good deals do I give before I start losing my arse? I know I need practice and experience but how do I handle these people that know me and know I'm just getting started that want a bargain wash? It kinda makes me angry. I mean they know I'm just starting out but they have the nerve to ask for a "good deal". How do they think I'm going to survive? Anyway what did some of you do?

Your right there Celeste, I do not want to be a lowballer. I never thought of it that way. But I know if I'm not going to cut them a deal they won't hire me. They just can't afford it. My first thought is I need the practice. But I also know I have a lot invested already including 5 months of research and networking. I don't want to work for nothing no matter who it is. I'm just starting to get the word out to everyone, and I think most of them think I just came up with this scheme overnight to make some extra cash, they don't know how serious I am and how much is involved in starting a business.

Sorry my subject title (no time) has nothing to do with the thread. I was going to talk about something else. Oh well.

Graff, let us know how it went. I'm thinking of using PP. What do you guys give for PP. I priced it at my local Napa, they get 21.99 for 5gal. or $199 for a 55gal drum.

I just submitted a request for a quote from Joseph Walters, on GL, just not sure how much coverage I should carry any advice? I'm just starting out and I'm part time with a cold water unit so I'm pretty small.

I just purchased the sample pack and will use it on my own deck that has 1 year old Thomson's on it, once the weather warms a little. Let ya know what I think and I'll take some pics.

Great site for a newbie.

If you are going in full time you should have enough money set aside to pay your bills for the first 6 months or more. Don't assume money will come pouring in, be positive but be realistic. Don't think you need to set up a huge business right out of the gate. Start small, buy used and keep expenses down even when money does come pouring in. Keep posting and asking questions and good luck.

Wow, there is a lot more people that didn't have experience than I would have thought. I am very motivated and ready to hit it hard, I just wish my wife would get a little excited. I mean she supports me but she's just not pumped up about it. I think she thinks it's another one of my hairbrain ideas to make a million dollars.

I agree John, there is a ton of info out there via the internet. I've been researching for 4 months now almost everyday but feel like I've only scratched the surface. Sounds like it worked for you Don, I will be there someday. I will be only part time at first so I will be gaining some experience before taking the plunge full time. Keep the posts coming guys.

I would like to see one on starting a powerwashing business. Things like licenses, permits, taxes, insurance, start up cost, market analysis, what services to provide, advertising, marketing in general, and so on. I know I personally have a lot of simple questions I would like to ask but don’t always want to make a whole thread out of it. Even though I search the board and post and e mail and even call some people it would be great to ask 20 questions in a row and have them answered in a chat by people who have experience. Just a thought.

As a newbie I have not invested in one yet. So what is the best surface cleaner out there, say for residential?

Congrats!! Being a Colts fan and seeing that the Pats look like they are going to be in the Super Bowl I am for the Eagles