Thank you very much any questions I have I will PM you!
I appreciate everyone on this forum, you’ve all been a huge help. I’m taking everyone’s advice into consideration.
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This. Incredibly smart. Find out if this is your thing or not. 
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My first car finally gave out on me after 13 years and I decided to buy a tacoma. One because I wanted a tacoma and two because I secretly want to start a PW business one day. I have since learned a buffer tank is pretty important so I will need a trailer eventually but can I not have the PW stay in the bed of the truck?
I guess an easier question is, why do you remove it from you F150 at each jobsite?
Great question! I do not have a buffer tank or chem tank set up yet. I still have the DeWalt 3.5 gpm/4kpsi unit that started with a year and a half ago that I bought from Home Depot thinking how hard can house washing be? After joining the forum this vast January I have since added a j-rod, better bleach, and Elemonator. My current washer works for everything I’ve asked it to do. I only go after single or two story homes and I don’t mess with roofs or commercial properties. I had been using the original 40-ft pressure hose that came with the washer and just moving the washer as need be around the property until I got all 4 sides cleaned. Today, for the first time, I added a second pressure hose giving me a total of 90-ft Which was awesome because I didn’t have to move the washer once from where I set it up (which was on the ground and next to the customers driveway). I think I’m going to play around with using the 90-ft of hose for a bit before adding another 50-ft section and ensuring that the washer I currently have is strong enough to pull my house wash mix through efficiently. For me this is just a part time job so I like to be able to empty all of my stuff out of my truck quickly if ever I decide I want to haul lumber or anything else I may want. With a buffer tank and chem tank I’ll have to create a platform to secure them in place and that’ll take a little extra effort to get in and out of my truck and for me to try and store in my single car garage with all my other stuff I have stashed in their. I think the goal for me is to end up with a small trailer to mount everything onto, but that’ll require me to buy a trailer, all the tanks, mounting hardware, plumbing, might as well and get hose reels at that time, etc, and then I’ll have to modify the gate/fence in my backyard to be able to drive my trailer into. My HOA won’t allow us to leave a trailer in the front yard or driveway.
So- to sum it all up - I haven’t stepped up to the big boy table yet. I am still a very small time guy that is working with what I have and I am doing well with it. I know there are better ways out there, but it takes time, money, and effort, and for now, I’m ok with the way I do things. The customers are pleased and hand out plenty of referrals so I am not worried about if it makes me look unprofessional-ish because ultimately the customer is still getting a clean house and happy to pay for it. I’m not stating this is the way you should do it by any means. But if it’s all you can afford, fit into, want to do, well then it can absolutely be done. Thank for asking, and feel free to ask anything else - I’m an open book!
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Get a trailer hitch and a small trailer - I would stick to residential cleaning until you get your feet on the ground,if you get the machine your looking at that is a great machine to start,you need a X Jet chemical injector and an extra 100’ pressure hose And a wand extension and start making money then bust lose - yes it is going to take a lot longer to clean a drive way with a wand vrs a surface cleaner but I can be done,it sounds like you have a lot more time than money - a lot of people on this site apparently think you can wave a magic wand and get a truck and fancy rig,you do people a good job and the word will get around,then you can move up the ladder - if you do a job with no insurance be sure and inform the homeowner before you start - good luck
I went on my own at 23, that being said… Id work and save til 25… Enjoy your youth a little more… Business brings huge responsibility…
Just my .02
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I’m going to disagree with this. It is an outdated blanket statement. Be smart with your financing. I bought most of my equiptment on my business credit card. I pay it off at an accelerated rate. But if something breaks or I’m in a pinch I’ll absolutely throw it on the card. Proper equiptment will pay it self off ten times in the first year.
I just financed a 2015 duramax because my f150 was dying and I needed a real truck. But I didn’t have 35 grand laying around for a truck at the drop of a hat.
There is absolutely no need to tell a young guy not to finance anything.
Here’s my two cents. Borrow money to build build a decent trailer. Use the money you have for marketing and day to day expenses. You will build up enough money in a couple months to pay off everything you borrowed if your life expenses are as low as you say they are. And at the end of if you won’t have to “upgrade later”.
You need a bigger vehicle too.
Most business take out loans for literally every aspect down to payroll for the first year. If you treat this industry like a real business you will end up much better off. Even if it is a side hustle for a few years while you figure out your life.
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I guess what I’m ranting about is don’t use substandard equiptment while you’re charging people for a service. It’s deep down at the core bad business. You are doing your customers a disservice if you aren’t willing to spend the money for proper equipment.
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I got to say I agree with this especially if you’ve done little or no PWing. It’s not popular on here but it’s possible to start with a minimum of equipment. John Lange did it and so have quite a few who post here. If you’ve proven this is business for you and you like it there’s little wrong with some strategic use of credit but it’s a slippery slope. Lots of us have had run ins with credit that turned ugly.
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I would say save at least $5000 before starting. Everything adds up pretty quickly. I’m 19 and just started washing this April and I’ve spent almost double (if you include chem). You can probably get away with starting out for cheaper, but you will be mad at yourself every work day.
You should look for a small trailer since you aren’t in the best position to get a truck right now. Create a facebook business page and google listing and get everyone you know to like it. Market yourself as a professional and charge like one. Put 2 hose reels on the trailer. 150 ft supply hose on one and 200 ft pressure on the other. 50 ft spare for each. Probably don’t need a buffer tank if your going with a 4 gpm unless your in a rural area. Buy a whole lot of 3/8 quick connects and watch Racer’s youtube video on the ball valve assembly (his youtube is pro clean exteriors). Get at least 2 downstream injectors and a j rod. Also get an x-jet for stucco/brick and pre/post treating concrete.
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I’m 50/50 on the financing, it really depends how much your borrowing and your drive to look for the work to have cashflow. I would hate to have to go back to a normal job and still be paying off a failed business attempt, that would make waking up in the morning extra hard. But on the other hand quality gear like used hondas and reels etc can be had for decent money. I also think it’s less business stress if you haven’t got a loan hanging over your head when it’s quiet.
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Your making 14 grand a month and you want to give it up for a pressure washing business? Is the work stable? I’d save up for a few years, learn as much as possible on here and rent equipment like you said here and there maybe once a week and do friends and family’s houses. If you really do like it you can just buy all brand new top of the line equipment and a newer truck outright, along with paying for a business consultant, all the other startup costs including marketing. Try some 11 hour days washing though! What state are you in?
I would guess that’s his weekly take.
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Bingo… Thats way better than buy HD, lowes or tractor supply garbage.
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Without a comma, you could read it either way—$715/day or $715/week.
But pretty sure he means per week.
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Makes sense
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Yes But I read it as he made that each day not each week. As @qons said the comma was missing! Some people do make that around here but rarely at 19. I give props to the op for being this ahead of the game…
