Any members in the Birmingham, Alabama area?

New guy here. Going to be starting up a solo business this spring. Was wondering if there was anyone who I could buy a cup of coffee or lunch to chat about the business and give some pointers.

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Not in your area, but just curious - do you have equipment already? Formed a business or are you more in the “I think I might want to do this and need to get more information before jumping off the cliff?”

Have not purchased equipment but have studied here and am pretty dead set on it. In process of beginning paperwork for LLC. Starting out with 4gpm / 4000 psi. Small trailer with surface cleaner and etc. wanting to do commercial and residential work. I know I want to do it. Just a bit nervous.

Probably should have included that my father is also starting up this spring in the next county over. He will we technically operating separately from me but we plan to divide and conquer. He’s starting with pretty much the same setup, a bit smaller than mine. He plans to do it as side work while I want to transition into full time work.

If I may, having started in September…

If at all possible go ahead and get a 5.5gpm/2500psi machine. They run about $1,500. I realize it seems like a lot up front, but some vendors offer payment plans and you’ll really appreciate the cleaning ability of a 5.5, plus you won’t be needing to upgrade in a year.

BTW you may find insurance for both commercial and residential may be cost prohibitive. I do resi window cleaning and pressure washing, my insurance is $170/mo. Commercial is a whole different deal.

$170/mo for how many months? Whats your coverage?

That sounds kinda high??

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It’s for both WC and PW. Actually quite low compared to other quotes I got. Hiscox wanted $1,100/mo just for PW.

Ahh, workmans comp. That explains it.

I don’t have workman’s comp, I’m a sole proprietor.

WC means window cleaning. Got it.

I’m paying 97 per month for wc up to three stories and pressure washing.

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My broker says I can do windows as long as they represent less than 25% of my revenue.

Not bad.

Wow,Hiscox quoted me a little over $5,000 for a year,95% residential,5% commercial.I think I may have to call Erie Monday.

We went through Grange if that helps any.

I’ll call them ,too.That’s pretty close to what I was was quoted from my current provider for my home maintenance company.(Glorified Handyman) Ironic,because I can pressure wash under my current insurance company,but I cannot be a pressure washing company.

I tried them last year. They were rediculous! Nothing over 1 story, no washing retaining walls, didnt cover leaking windows?! Weird. Erie took my info and called me back in 1 hour with everything you see there. He just made sure my commercial work was less than 30% I think. That will have to change this year cause I was right at the max. My broker rocks too. I bugged him several times to make sure I was within my boundaries as well as having my customer “named” on the proof.

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Right on,for me,30% commercial would be great,I don’t foresee doing a lot of commercial right off jump but I want the option to do the work when I get a call.I’m definitely going to give them a call Monday.Thanks for the heads up.

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