State specific business start up requirements.

[spbutton 14]

• Graduated University in '05 with BA Sports Development & Leisure Management.
  
• Ran a couple of small businesses with my fiance while at University, also worked in health and fitness club industry.
  
• Upon leaving University got a management job with a large health and fitness facility - loved this job!!
  
• Opportunity to emigrate to US came up in early '07 - came across, bought a swimming pool service business.
  
• Branched into Pressure Washing in March of '08, which is moving in the right direction in the first year of business (despite the economy)
  
• Business is an LLC, 1 million General Liability, 1 million Umbrella, Workers Compensation, 1 million commercial auto
  

[unnown1 14]

Hi. My name is Nikki and for protection my bf goes by unnown1. He is ready to start his own steam cleaning business. He's been in it for a while, but we are uncertain on the proper steps to get started. I've researched quite a bit and I am still confused on how to go about getting (or if its even necessary) licensed/bonded/insured/certified/stickers etc... We live in Pa. We don't have any money to get started, he's got the contacts and his cleaning is immaculate. He's tired of dealing with bs from a company I won't mention. The owner doesnt know what the f he is doing, its not his top priority and pretty much relies on "unnown1" for everything, in only a couple weeks of him starting. The owner only had it since Jan. Its pretty stressful. We know how much its going to cost to get started with equipment and all that. If someone could please help in anyway, I would greatly appreciate it. I bet my bf could easily have a successful business.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

unknown1 -

Welcome to TGS - please go to your My Controls and fill in your signature.

Thanks!

Beth

[Guest ALICIA21]

thanks

[RPetry 564]

... I bet my bf could easily have a successful business.

Nikki,

There is nothing easy in developing, establishing, and keeping a profitable, and growing, successful business. Takes a lot of hard work, many hours, financial savvy, marketing expertise, and some gumption to get to that point.

[CedarSam 16]

I am in the start up stage. I have Insurance and don't need License for less than $10,000.00 jobs but am looking into getting one anyway. Planning for over a year and have some pretty nice equipment already. I know that's not enough, it will take hard work and proper training.

I believe customer service is #1. After all, alot of the time in life, I'm the customer for someone. I know how I would want to be treated.

I read everyword that is writen on this site. some times 3 or 4 times.

I try to keep my mouth shut and my ears and eyes open. I don't just want to get something washed, I want to get it CLEAN and be the one that did what most couldn't.

My business name isn't etched in stone but I am in the process of reserving it. I Goggled and only 1 business come up, (no pressure washing Co.) My slogan is, "Escape from the scene of the grime", (get good responses around here, so far) I'ld like to use this on my business cards if I can get permition from this board, who do I need to ask?

I have a million questions and most times it's already been asked here somewhere, and I'll find it.

I appreciate the kind people that are members here, priceless resourses!

I love the smell of off road diesel burning in the hot box early in the morning.

I have leads to offer in the future if I can't handle them now, hope someone will return the favor.

I try to think out of the box alot of times, with todays economy, you have too, I think.

Look forward to reading even more Lay it on me...lol

Edited September 1, 2009 by CedarSam

[JohnB 14]

Been Cleaning Hoods and inspecting fire equipment close to 20 years now.. B&R is going oon its 8th year in business, prior to that I worked for Hydro-Clean, American Fire, American Fire and Safety in Ridgeland, Reed Fire Equipment , Burgess Fire Equipment.. Certified and trained in Pyro-Chem and Ansul Fire Suppression systems. Prior too all of this I have a 2yr electrical engineering certificate from HCC, 2yr certificate in electronics and robotics engineering, General Contractor's License, B&R is Licensed by the ABA, we are a member of the BBB and contribute to the AFA.. We carry a Business License in Mississippi, We are Insured , and in towns in Mississippi that require it we are bonded..

[demjernikki 14]

• Started in this business 17 years ago (as an employee during college). Left it for awhile to pursue career

• Left the corporate world as a marketing manager in 1998 to partner in a company called Grease Doctor.

• Started PressurePros, Inc in 2001 and switched to residential work the last 2-3 years.

• We are insured with $1M in liability and carry Workman's Comp for one full time and two part time employees

• Previously a member of the PWNA, the PA Restaurant Association and am currently a member of The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, BNI, and WRAPI

• PA does not require licensing for contractors. When I did Kitchen Exhaust Cleaning I utilized Phil Ackland certification

• I accept Visa, Mastercard, Discovery and Paypal and use Paypal's merchant gateway for field service and for products sold on www.restore-a-deck.com

• Training includes:

- working with four local companies before I ventured into any arena of PW'ing

- ongoing chat with contractors from this board

- hundreds of hours in time management, organizational and planning skills, sales, marketing and motivational courses. I listen to taped audio from the masters of sales and marketing almost every day

- B.S in economics from a good school

• For me daily prayer and meditation are crucial for success. Maybe this one should have been first

-What do you mean, on the last statement? If you were to start all over again, with the all the education and talent you have, you would make a better living in what___?

Edited March 28, 2010 by demjernikki
I forgot, Yes God is first! In my opinion.

[demjernikki 14]

-What do you mean, on the last statement? If you were to start all over again, with the all the education and talent you have, you would make a better living in what___? You seem disappointed, with the power washing business and straying away from the commercial kitchen exhaust cleaning aspect??

[demjernikki 14]

Hello: I too have been investigating the power washing business. I am a little worried about the future earning potential there is in this industry? I know it depends on you, as the owner and thinking smart (out of the box) additionally, expanding territory with sale people on the road (branding), I thought, this is one way to expand someone's successfulness for longevity? I am 40 yrs old and coming from the corporate world, which was a love and hate thing, (no, I have been laid-off, yet) I have come to a cross road, where should I invest? I am looking into Franchising, buying an existing business, or spending a lot of time, getting a business off the ground? In my previous life, my family owned many successful car washes throughout the city and now all have been sold-off. So, I know a lot in respect to cleaning and cleaning well! Customer/service oriented, to high-end customers. In the meantime, I need help and this forum, seems to be the best in experience, respect, honesty and intelligence. I need assistance in getting started, assuming I am correct, in this sector and where the future brings in the 'Green' realm, for the next 20+ yrs of my life and passing it along to my children. In this business is there equity built up and how would this be valued, as an exist strategy? Thanks to all.

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Welcome to TGS. You need to add a signature, you can do this by going to SETTINGS.

Beth

[TroyCRS 14]

Hi yall my name is troy lewis and i am a part owner and the operator of CRS Power Washing in Southern Colorado. We are just getting started, 500,000.000 insurance liscensed I am part of a roofing Company. We had an accident with a hot asphalt kettle and had an area of a wall with HOT on it and bought a mobile rig. Did some research and got the Hot asphalt off the brick wall without any damage to the wall. So here we are we have alot of property managers in need of graffiti removal so that is our main focus. so only time will tell.

[Guy B 70]

Welcome Buddy and Good Luck!

[Scott Stone 604]

Hello: I too have been investigating the power washing business. I am a little worried about the future earning potential there is in this industry? I know it depends on you, as the owner and thinking smart (out of the box) additionally, expanding territory with sale people on the road (branding), I thought, this is one way to expand someone's successfulness for longevity? I am 40 yrs old and coming from the corporate world, which was a love and hate thing, (no, I have been laid-off, yet) I have come to a cross road, where should I invest? I am looking into Franchising, buying an existing business, or spending a lot of time, getting a business off the ground? In my previous life, my family owned many successful car washes throughout the city and now all have been sold-off. So, I know a lot in respect to cleaning and cleaning well! Customer/service oriented, to high-end customers. In the meantime, I need help and this forum, seems to be the best in experience, respect, honesty and intelligence. I need assistance in getting started, assuming I am correct, in this sector and where the future brings in the 'Green' realm, for the next 20+ yrs of my life and passing it along to my children. In this business is there equity built up and how would this be valued, as an exist strategy? Thanks to all.

Look at the swinging watch... There is no money to be made in this business... We are all hobbyists...You will believe me...

[Lukos 14]

In the final processes of setting up now.

Cards getting printed this week insurance for 5M liability getting processed and all equipment has been purchased.

Been doing some free jobs for friends and family just to refresh my memory on how it all works and its coming up good.

Now all I need is to find some real customers!!!

Have been speaking to a lot of contractors about site clean up and they seem interested.

The idea of getting your home pressure washed in Melbourne Australia has not really taken off yet due to full water restrictions for the last 5 years which have finally been dropped, So now I need to find a way to bust into the residential market.

We are starting a mail drop next week on who we are and why you should have your home pressure washed and hopefully word of mouth from friends helps out.

My old boss had contracts which held all New Zealand's Police/Fire/Ambulance stations and buildings half the supermarkets in the north island and mos government buildings plus a lot of schools. I have also been trying to figure out how to get into the supermarket/school side of things.

any advice on how to break into the market would be great!!!

Luke

Edited September 13, 2012 by Lukos
attach card

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Welcome Luke -

Signature Please.

Beth