Guy B

OK, I hope more people like yourself will read this and understand what I'm about to say.............It's Not A Secret!!! No one can tell you what you need to charge because no one knows what it costs to run YOUR Business. What have you set as a Profit Margin For Your Business Factoring In Expenses, Fuel? Labor? Insurance? Length Of Season? ETC. ??? Are you starting on a part-time basis or full-time basis? Your base price of $100 is for what? A house? How long does it take you to wash a house? 1hr, 2hrs, 3hrs, 4hrs? Personally I have a minimum of $175 for anything we do, I don't care if it's a dog house. What can you sell??? Can you sell your work at a higher price? If so do so. Our season starts in Feb-Mar and ends around Dec.-Jan....Don't think you can do that in Canada. Short season factors in price. I will throw out some numbers that I have read about, some of these prices are 10 yrs. old but maybe give you a starting point (They are not numbers we use) House Washing.........$0.10 per sq. ft. Concrete Driveways and walkways..........$0.10 per sq. ft. Outside gutter cleaning......$1.00 per running ft. Inside gutter cleaning.........$1.00 per running ft. We don't do decks anymore & can't tell you about the rest cause we don't do it. Everything cost more in your Country that factors in. As for your equipment choice, I strongly suggest you start with 5 or 5.5 gpm (We use 8gpm) machines. The more gpm you have the faster your work speed the more profit you make. Moving up in gpm won't cost that much more and worth every cent. Hope this helps.

I was told it had something to do with cooling the swivel, but that never sounded right to me. That's the same model we started with 6 years ago.

If it comes out a little it's ok, if it shoots out swivel needs a re-build.

I think I explained this in the previous post.

Yes & No Brian, if temps outside are 90+ degrees then you're right no hot water needed, if temps are lower heated soapy water cleans better and faster. We have both a cold water unit and a hot water skid on our trailers and we have done side by side comparisons.....Hot water wins hands down. But we never wash houses with hot water (150 degrees) when temps are below 40 degrees.

Man I hate being the odd man out. Hot water house washer here, have been for a while. Yes it works, yes it makes a difference, yes it helps when cleaning gutters in cold weather.

I'd say nothing, but (and I could be wrong) a 19 hp motor won't do those numbers.

All bull and no horns. Folks up North are prepared for a hurricane about as much as Southerners are prepared for a foot of snow. Y'all hunker down up there.

Not sure about the Adams injector, we (And most) use the general Hi-Draw injectors that are fixed not adjustable. Yes your tip selection sounds correct. I suggest hooking everything up and doing a draw down test to see how or if its going to work. This can be done by using a 2 quart measuring device filled with water, drop your soap tube in it and engage your gun with soap tips in. Measure or observe the amount of water being drawn out of the 2 quart container in one minute. I think you should see a drop of 1 to 1&1/4 quarts in a minute. Be sure that you adjust out not in on the injector

Sorry Darlin, my outraged-pissed off meter has been broke for almost 4 years now. That don't even scratch the surface.

Whoa Charlie, no attacks here just asking a question or maybe talking out loud.

Why would someone care what anyone else is looking at or researching anonymous or not??? Oh wait.... It was ignorant of me to even pose that question, never mind.

Hey Joe and welcome! Really depends on the situation. Moldy, dirty is one price. Degreasing different price. Rust removal another price. Some guys charge $.10 per sq. ft. My price is much higher and a minimum charge for any job we do.

You'll get no argument from me, couldn't agree more.

The real question is, are you (your business) in a position to where you will get proper ROI from this. No doubt these classes could affect the profitability to your business.....but could this money be spent more wisely elsewhere? Could spending this amount of money on your website (either by up grading or better SEO) be smarter???? I'd say absolutely!!!! Could spending this amount of money on upgrading equipment so you can wash faster and make more money be money well spent??? I think that is asked and answered. Good Luck!

Just another tool in the tool box for washers. Not knowing when or how to use it can get you in trouble.

Got a call today from a Lady in Las Vegas saying that she had visited our State recently and made contact with a Company that needed pressure washing services. She stated that she and her husband own a pressure washing company also and want to find a Company in NC to handle the accounts. She asked if I would be interested....and of course my answer was "Yes, but only if is profitable" she seemed to stumble when I said this and agreed saying "Well of course you have to buy gas and stuff".....Yea, I got to buy gas & stuff She was very vague about a lot of issues so I point blank asked her...."Whats In It For Me?" She reply's that they were willing to do a 60/40 split....Now thats 60% their way and 40% my way....I Almost Lost My Mind!! She then says ...."Well that's just a starting point, what do you have in mind?" First I ask how much the accounts are worth at each location, her reply....maybe $1000.00 (Still not telling me what the job is) I told her that I would "Think" about 90/10 split (My Way) depending on the what and where the job(s) was. Then I just got really mad and told her that we just are not interested....She seemed confused and said "Even If Was A $1000.00 Job??" By that time I'm pretty sure I pi$$ed her off and she thanked me and hung up. So if anyone else gets this golden opportunity......... Good Luck, My loss your gain.

Doug, I won't & can't speak for the fire business, but for what we do it is becoming more frequent and true.

Then the customer or Company will search for and interview a professional Contractor and get the job done correctly.

Ford E-250 5.4 Motors.....Love Them!

I put other......I would say "Confidence" is my strongest area in our business. Confidence helps you achieve better results in the other areas listed. It of course is not to be confused with Arrogance.

Speaking of knocking it off......did you know that Pressure Kleen Power Washing Service can knock off all the dirt & grime from your residential and commercial properties safely? Here at Pressure Kleen Power Washing Service we are experts at low pressure damage free power washing. Sorry Beth, no disrespect, I couldn't resist. I used to think having a BBS would be pretty cool, no way I would build one.........Too many "Drama Mommas"

Had that happen (torn meniscus) in my left knee, hurts like crap. Doctor said if they scoped it I'd have more problems down the road. Had a couple of cortazone shots and was good to go in about 3 or 4 months. Of course each case is different.

Got a lead for washing 10 buildings in this area (I think they're apartments or Condos), PM me for more info.

You can find them at Northern Tool.