Guy B

Large gpm units (+10 gpm) can be self built or check outhttp://envirospec.com

Depends on how big your rig is. i run an E-250 & an E-150, with 5.4 & 4.6 engines. While a lot of guys use pick ups, I prefer vans, just a personal choice, more advertising area, and to me more professional. I don't own a personal vehicle, where I go so does the van, and so does the business name.

I kind of like this set up, but hey I'm predigest

6-28-10 Fulltime, after 4 years of working a job and building a Business, I'm Ready!!!

Been thinking about the same thing myself!!!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting down guys that use cold water. But from the time I started thinking about getting into pressure washing, I knew I was going to buy a hot water rig. You leave too much money on the table by not using hot water. Fleets- Hot Water Greasy Concrete- Hot Water Dirty, Greasy Heavy Equipment-Hot Water Gum- Hot Water Houses- Hot Water Soap, Cold Water rinse (Great Selling Tool) Hood & Vents - Hot Water Will a cold water machine clean all of the above....sure, but it will take longer, and cost more in stronger chems to make up for the temperature difference, so you make less money. I don't know about you, but I didn't start this business to make less money, I started it to make as much as possible. Just Think About It.

Again, you have done your homework Charles. Would it be a problem to hit the ground running next season fully prepared, or jump the gun with improper equipment??? In your region you only have a few months left anyway. Look you seem to be doing everything right, LLC, insurance. Why go to all that trouble if you're not going to equip yourself for maximum profit?? What if you snag a chain of stores??? Are you going to be able to pop gum, clean dumpster pads, or quickly clean dirty concrete with cold water, I don't think so. I know some people will disagree with me on this, and thats cool. But I know what has worked for me, and it's worked pretty good. Don't short change yourself on equipment, do it right.

Charles, Go with a hot water skid, 5.5 3500psi unit. It may cost more right now, but that will be recouped very fast in time savings. Hot Water opens revenue streams that you won't be able to do with a cold water machine. Don't want hot water, cut the switch OFF. Keep an eye on ebay and craigslist, you can pick up a good used unit for a third of the price of new one. Matter of fact I have a Alkota 5355 J for sale only a 1000 hrs. $2500.00 You've done your homework on your Business, don't limit yourself on equipment. I do 80% residential work, but all of my units are Hot Water skids, why???? Because I want to be prepared for whatever job comes my way. If you're dead set on a cold water unit, go with higher gpm, like 8 gpm. The more gpm the faster you wash.

Don't laugh, I bought 1 of them off a guy who went under, rig had 18hrs on it. I felt bad for about 10 mins. :)

O-ring prob gone, if you change out unloader, don't go with the same kind pictured. down streamer built in (No No), if the down streamer craps out unloader no good????

Down Streaming is the easiest and fastest when washing houses. X-jet has it's place (I got 3 M-5's). Low psi is what you want to use and market to residential customers (House Washing) you should only use high psi for brick and concrete cleaning. Adair??? You got kin in Hartsville S.C.???????

Charles, you have come to an understanding, that not many people who tried to start a pressure washing business has come to. I have seen so many guys buy equipment first, only to find out they had no idea how to run a business, and then have to sell a $20,000.00 rig for $7,000.00 6 months later. You're on the right path, Educate yourself first, have a plan. Washing is the easy part, running a successful Pressure Washing Business is the hard part!!!! Good Luck Buddy!!!!!

What will you be washing???

Hello (Add Name Here), the washing part of the business is the easy part, it's all the other stuff thats hard. Marketing, Accounting, Paperwork, Insurance, Sales, Customer Contact...etc Long and short....... Hot Water rig 5.5 gpm or higher (I prefer 8 gpm), duel axle trailer, 325 or 525 tank. If you keep your eye out in craigslist and ebay you will find a good deal. I suggest you wait and do quite a bit more research before making your jump (Season almost over) Take some Small Business classes. I really suggest going to a round table meeting. The next one put on by The National Cleaning Expo will be in Tampa Fla. the end of July. 200 Pressure Washing Contractors will be there, you will find quite a bit of knowledge there. $4-7 k will get you what you need, no problem.

If you're just going Residential, you don't really need anything over 225 gals. Just carry 75 or 100 gals in the tank as a buffer, in case of low homeowner water volume. With a 4.7 gpm machine you should have no problem keeping up.

Can you get inside the Beach House?? If so go to the windows and wash from there.

Man, I just Love that "New Baby Smell"!!!!!!! Congrats J-Man!!!!!!!! Tell Momma Great Job!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who and how many vendors are coming Ron??

We call it a handshake down here, unless it's over $2,000.00.

Everytime!

Depends on what you're trying to wash off. I've cleaned a lot of split block, whats on it? Pictures?

Hey George, sorry just saw this. Just some thoughts, This seems like a good deal, I do feel it's under powered though. You can run a 20" surface cleaner with that rig. If it has a generator built on the skid it's 120v if not 12v. You should only need a 200-250 gal buffer tank. Good luck!!!!!

Personally, I won't touch a deck for under a $1000.00. I don't care how small it is.

Now, if more Contractors would start to understand that, they would see they're profit margins rise!!!

Unloader.