Pinnacle power 14 Report post Posted October 7, 2011 Hello and THANK YOU all. I just want to begin by thinking each and every member that contributes here. I have been watching here for some time and now am at a real crossroads. A few months back I purchased a washing rig consisting of a landa 5gpm 3500psi hot water unit a 300 gallon water tank. I had to replace all then hoses and reels because it had been sitting for sometime. I also purchased a 24" steel eagle surface cleaner. I found the unit at a great deal and purchased it before I was prepared to start the business, so all I have really done is personal work and experimented on several friends houses and driveways. I know I don't know a fraction of the things I will need to succeed but I really feel that I am ready to begin. Last week I got my business cards in and got ready to start shaking babies and kissing hands, and that's where my problems began. The day I went to pick up the business cards from a relative that is in marketing. At that point we started discussing a website and decals for the truck and trailer. He told me to think about the services I wanted to offer. That leads me to where I am today. After looking around more closely I have figured out there is nobody within. 50 miles of me that advertises deck seal or stain. The only people that offer concrete seal are the contractors that pour the concrete offer to seal ass soon as they are done. The only person i have truly talked to and gave cards offered up several companies he is tied to that are interested in fleet washing and heavy equipment cleaning. Lastly I have never seen anybody do commercial properties around here and have been thinking about going after those. I started with residential house wash and driveway/sidewalk cleaning and sealing, but now I am completely lost what services to offer and am worried about trying to offer and try to start into to many sub ventures at once. Yet again I want to thank all here for there help and would greatly appreciate any and all help many of you all may have from previous experience. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueBliss 14 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 It might be worth trying your hand at many different services and finding which suits you best. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guy B 70 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 I would do a profit analysis on the different areas you're looking at. And go from there. Take into account your season length. Good Luck! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RGilliam 46 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 call me, 595 5173 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RGilliam 46 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 sorry Matt, thats 859 area code Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John T 744 Report post Posted October 8, 2011 When I first started my business over 16 yrs ago I took all calls and then decided if I can do what there asking. In the begining I didn't want to do any staining so the first year I stayed away from that.. Huge mistake because wood here you get paid decent money to stain it after Cleaning it. But pretty much I did mostly residential and very little commercial. Today our biggest jobs are Commerical but my bread and butter money is my residential. Try what you think you can do and make money at it. Don't kid yourself and think you can do for example Restaurant Hood cleaning without some type of training whether it be on the job training or classroom training. Make sure you have the required insurance because you never know when something can go wrong. I've been lucky that after all these years not one Insurance claim against my company..thats not counting 2-3 truck accidents my guys had..all minor..with other vehicles. Also go to Rountables in your area and do a search here to learn more about that.. and if you really want to go where you can meet more people like yourself and see some cool machinery go to some industry conventions...and with those and this bulletin board here and others on the net....network network network.. Good Luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pinnacle power 14 Report post Posted October 9, 2011 Thanks so much for the input guys. I really think I just kind of got overwhelmed with the whole idea of starting things off I do think I am just going to do any and all things that come my way till I do make it to a point that I need to specialize my business Share this post Link to post Share on other sites