Ok ok you guys talked me into it… Looks like big daddy is busting out his checkbook next season…
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Is this a good unit to start with and if i get a unit like this do i need a buffer tank
If most of the houses in your area are stained you do not want to use SH on them, this will likely lighten the stain or cause splotchiness where the stain is failing in some places and good in others. Others may have better methods, but I will only wash a stained house using water a 1000psi tip. Fortunately for me there isn’t really any growth here so it’s just dirt. If you have heavy growth you need to do a lot of research here on how to clean without changing the appearance of the stain. the only way to safely kill organic growth from stained surfaces and not have problems with the client is to set the expectations in advance. You need to let them know that the stain will most likely lighten up and sometimes will need to be redone after cleaning.
I meant stained as in painted wood siding thats covered in algae growth (stained green from growth) not actual stained wood. But i am glad you explained that to me because i am researching and learning. Thanks
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If i go big instead cheap should i go 5.5 gpm or 4gpm …
8 gpm
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Agree with 8GPM. I have a 5.5gpm and an 8gpm. I cannot recommend the 8gpm strongly enough for a solo system. Your speed and efficiency will be MUCH better . Yes occasionally it’s a lot of water but you’ll learn to handle it.
jmac i started out with a Powerhouse pressure washer from Northern Tool and equipment. and I put that thing through hell. its 3100 psi at 2.5 gpm. I bought it in 2006 and it still starts on 2nd pull. and I washed a ton of property with it. its only 299.99 or they have a 4000psi at 4gpm for 799.99 now. don’t understand these little washers they work very well
yes it is
Not so fast, Sparky. Except in January, February, and some of March, my hot box stays idle (I don’t do any kitchen hoods or drive thru’s.) My recommendations would include a surface cleaner or soft wash system. I use those two every day. Besides roofs, I use the softwash system to put concentrated solution on front steps and brick foundations or anywhere else that the DSI doesn’t deliver the strength and concentration I need. I’m about to order another surface cleaner, and for you I’d recommend the 19" Hammerhead, not because it’s so great, but because it’ll run beautifully with a 4/4 machine and is almost indestructible at a very fair price. Then there’s exterior windows, where you’ll want to get a filtration system and water fed pole, and that’ll set you back a couple of grand.
Landing enough customers to be successful is difficult, especially starting out. I add depth to my line to upsell my services and end my jobs with a bigger ticket.
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Hot water is not necessary. 8 GPM is so fast that every time I use my backup 4 gpm I think it is broken because of how much less powerful it is. You will, however, need to carry a lot of water with you to use the 8.
You don’t need to carry water with you at all. I only carry enough to keep the pumps primed by keeping the outlets covered with water.
I fill up from the customers house.
You will have to use a buffer tank. I would recommend a 200 gallon tank.
With an 8? I’m in a rural area and the water supplies just aren’t enough to keep up with it, o I haul 200+ gallons constantly pretty much. That’s probably different in an urban market.
This is great info guys…
I live in a town with a population of 30k. Lots pf retired folks. Up here in a remote part of pacific NW so lots of moss algae and dirty houses…
Thru my lawn care i have about 20 clients. 3 of which are airbnb investors with multiple property’s. The main airbnb investor i work for would let me put signs on each property and one is on the busiest road in town.
There are 2 other “main” power washing competitorss. They both have about 70 reviews on Google mostly from last year.
I am wondering how effective door to door sales is and if it is appropriate. I planned on doing several marketing strategies but my main was to knock on doors of dirty houses and introduce myself explain the service and that i am in the neighborhood then offer them a “discount” which i have already factored into my price and give them a nice brochure.
. Do you guys think in a town this small and remote it is worth trying (30k population)? Lots of wells here too btw.
And with lawn care i get repeat biz every week or 2. With this once the whole town has cleaned houses is there limited potential for repeat biz?
Should i setup so I can targrt the busibess buildings as well as residential? There is a main strip through town with hundreds of businesses.
If i do this i dont plan on messing around. A busines to me is like going to war. I was planning to hit my target areas with force and suprise any competitors with aggressiveness. By the time they find out a new guy is in town it will be to late.
Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
The largest town within 30 minutes of me has a 15k population. You have to be willing to drive more, but he money is still there. My county has a population of 24k, and it generates about 2-3k per month on average and has since my first year. My service area has a pop of a few hundred housand, ad if I drive up to 1.5 hours away that jumps up to 2 million or so.
I’d like to try door to door, but I have been hesitant during this season because of COVID. I don’t care if I catch it, but people are scared of it now.
My gp hammer swivel broke on me after 3 months and after taking it apart and reliving it, it had the same issues. I’d skip it completely and just buy the “buy it once and have it forever” 19 in whisper wash classic surface cleaner. Save the money and headaches. I can see the difference in build quality.
Already built a soft wash system, basic, no fancy mixing systems or remote, 5.3 Remco, homemade gun with 1/4 quick connect, works great, cost $100 on sale at Rural King, so I bought 2. After almost a full season and rinsing religiously, not a single issue. Already have the surface cleaner, that’s pretty much a necessity for residential or commercial. Getting ready to buy a whisper wash 19" to see what all of the fuss is about, lol… Agree with adding depth, I was speaking about next on MY list, not the OP’s. All of us have different goals as far as scaling and what we want for our companies. Hot water is next on MY list George. I think we all end up forgetting what the original post was about. I just turned 50 and am trying to build something for my son, who will be 20 in November, to carry on with. I DO NOT want to work until I’m 90,lol…
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I mean…what are you going to do if you’re not working? I get bored lol
I hear you though.
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Fish,lol…
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GREAT ADVICE! The Whisper Wash 19" Classic is almost twice as expensive, but that or the Classic Extreme will be my next.purchase. I will say this:
When the Hammerhead falls off the trailer because someone puts it up and fails to tie it down, it survives the fall much better than the Whisper Wash. The Hammerhead lighter and cheaper than my WW (25") and I usually need to hit concrete twice to get everything with the WW AQUA PRO.
I hope my experience with the WW Classic is better.
