Introduction

[washdawg 14]

Hi all,

I have been lurking this board for a few weeks gathering the tons of info on the industry. I posted yesterday in the intro section, but it deleted overnight...hmm.

I am currently in the process of getting my business started, but will not be in business until after the first of the year. I will be doing this part time for now, as I have a great job as a computer specialist for a local Sheriff's Office. I am planning on specializing in fence, deck and wood restoration. I am a avid woodworker and enjoy restoring antiques and building everything from decks to cigar humidors. It has been a challenge researching and getting quotes on insurance, licenses and LLC, etc. I want to be a legitimate business, unlike many that are in my area (low-ballers I believe the industry calls them). I have had about 2 years experience running Pressure Washers back when I worked in a restaurant on a Naval Base. We had to pressure wash (hot and steam) and degrease every 30 days if not sooner. Became my job as I loved to do it.

I am shopping for a good commercial grade cold water unit to get started plus some extras like the surfacer, and rotary nozzle.

I am sure I will be asking lots of questions before I get started. Oh, If any of you need help with MS Office (Word, Excel, etc.), I used to instruct on them and would be happy to help with any problems. I also am the webmaster for our Agency and can help with HTML and ASP.

Sorry I am so long winded...

Dave

[Exterior Solutions 14]

I too have been reading a lot of posts on this site before even signing up. I haven't gotten any feedback on a post that I made earlier either. It's all good though. I don't know what your budget is, but you can start at $1,000 machine from Lowes (13hp, 4gpm) and work from there. I don't even have that good of a machine and am doing business. I haven't done any wood restoration, but I've done a lot of roofs and houses. I sub for a couple of local long time established guy's here in town. Good luck in the business.

"Jon's Exterior Solutions"

Jacksonville, FL.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

We have had a few database issues. Please feel free to repost if you like. Welcome to TGS. We're glad you are enjoying the forums. :)

Beth

[PressurePros 249]

Welcome to both of you. Florida is one of those markets that's a bit saturated but you can set yourself apart and still be successful. Jon, the Lowes machine will work fine but as always you get what you pay for. It will get you by but you obviously won't get much customer service from Lowes. That decision is ultimately yours.

Good luck to you both.

[Jeff 232]

Good luck to both of you, these BBS's are a great learning tool, enjoy

Water Cannon in Orlando has some of the best prices on everything for PWing 4GPM 3500PSI belt drives are around $1200-$1300, if you can afford it get the belt drive it last longer. I have 2 Lowes machines still working them but I also have the Waterconnon belt drive 4gpm and I like it better

Goodluck

JL

[washdawg 14]

Thanks for welcoming me to the board. I am not a stranger to the internet and BBS's. Beth, I understand where you are coming from with the database problems. I used to run a BBS about 12 years ago when a 386 processor and a 14.4k modem was the ultimate! Remember FidoNet? I used to be a mail hub for that...How times have changed.:)

Jon, Thnks for the info on the Lowes machine. I know which one you are talking about a Troy-Bilt 3700 psi and 4 gpm. I found a local store that will setup a 4000 psi 4 gpm belt drive CAT pump for a few hundred more. I would rather have the belt drive rig with a decent unloader. The Honda engines are great, as they are pretty easy to tear down and rebuild.

Ken, I realize that the FL market is pretty saturated, but I have to wash my house down about every 6 months (I live lakefront and the insect mess is all over the soffits.) Mold and mildew grow faster than the weeds around here, mainly due to high humidity and rain 9 months out of the year on average, plus a few hurricanes.

Any suggestions on how to get rid of caterpillar cocoons and mildew from perforated aluminum soffits w/o getting water into the attic. This kind of soffit is very popular in Central Florida. I have been using a truck brush and a mixture of Dawn and 12.5% chlorine. Works okay, but I still get black streaks. Should I try some Gutter Zap?

Thanks,

Dave

[Exterior Solutions 14]

Ken,

I agree about the customer service end. I'm doing everything to prevent having to go into debt to get this off the ground. I've done okay thus far. I still need to improve some of my equipment, but I'm working as of now. I read a post on another tread about leasing. I would consider that if I knew I wasn't going to get raped.... Thanks for your help.

Jon

"Jon's Exterior Solutions"

[washdawg 14]

Jeff,

I checked out Water Cannon's site, and they do have great prices. Sent for catalog. May go down next week to their shop and see what they have.

Thanks again.

Dave:irritated

[CCPC 26]

Welcome guys. I'm sure you'll find answers to just about any question you may have from this forum.

I checked out Water Cannon's site, and they do have great prices. Sent for catalog. May go down next week to their shop and see what they have.

I'm not certain of this, but I think Water cannon is a "ship to only" distributor, but you may be able to at least look around.

I found a local store that will setup a 4000 psi 4 gpm belt drive CAT pump for a few hundred more. I would rather have the belt drive rig with a decent unloader. The Honda engines are great, as they are pretty easy to tear down and rebuild.

I think you will find more use for a 5gpm machine with 3,000 psi. The need for more than 3,000 psi is very rare. with the exception of cleaning concrete, I rarely use more than 1,000 to 1,500 psi.

Hey Jon, are you in Pensacola or Jacksonville? Your sign in information has Pensacola, but you have Jacksonville written in your posts. Just curious because I live in Orange Park. What part of town are you in?

[Exterior Solutions 14]

Lance,

I'm here in Jax during the week and in P-cola on the weekends. I'm a Navy "geo bachelor". Good to meet you.

Jon

[CCPC 26]

Lance,

I'm here in Jax during the week and in P-cola on the weekends. I'm a Navy "geo bachelor". Good to meet you.

Jon

Likewise. .

[Mike Williamson 198]

I think you will find more use for a 5gpm machine with 3,000 psi. The need for more than 3,000 psi is very rare. with the exception of cleaning concrete, I rarely use more than 1,000 to 1,500 psi.

http://www.1800333wash.com/indvbelt.asp

For a bit more, you can get the 8gpm 3000 psi unit...That's one I'm looking at for the 2nd trailer.

[washdawg 14]

http://www.1800333wash.com/indvbelt.asp

For a bit more, you can get the 8gpm 3000 psi unit...That's one I'm looking at for the 2nd trailer.

I am looking at one of the 3000 psi 5gpm units at watercannon. That is about my budget for now. I understand that gpm is more important than pressure, especially since I plan on specializing in wood restoration. I can always cut the pressure down with the right nozzle selection. I will be doing some res. driveways and house washing too.

Thanks for the advice!

Dave

[Mike 64]

Welcome aboard guys! Good things your in Florida, the only kind of business you can start up here in january is snow plowing :)

Good luck, work smart and most of all have fun!