After many months of asking questions and researching Im excited to finally have the money to purchase my start up equipment and am ready to conquer the world lol. Just got some pressure treated wood which I will be building my rig base off. Just wondering if a ladder is necessary or do guys just carry that for roofs? Will have to get the ladder rack built on left side if so. I got another $1500-2000 I can invest into this start up. A portion is going towards marketing, shirts, business cards, yard signs etc. Should I invest in a Xjet m5 or add a 12 volt system. How much can a 12 volt cost to get set up? I got the 39 gallon for the buffer tank & can probably fit another 66 gallon tank beside it for a 12 volt. I can also fit a 3rd hose reel at the top. Or should i just keep the set up basic and invest in a mini trailer for a soft wash system later on as i get sales… what’s your thought guys. How would you play with the rest of the money? Cheers.
good for you.
Many members on here will tell you that wood will be destroyed in short order.
An M5ds is nice, I don’t own an xjet so I couldn’t tell you. Read up on 12v systems, the pump and hose are the two most expensive pieces.
I didn’t think I would need a ladder, until I used one washing my house. How high, well, that is up to you.
Save your sanity and wash whats on the right, Not whats on the left.
If your gonna roll with that plywood skid I’d suggest more 2×4 floor joists under there, The weight is gonna sag it the way you have it now.
Probably don’t need a 12v right now if you’re just washing houses.
From my experience I would make that truck work for you if you can keep it dedicated to washing. Skip a trailer and go from that truck to a service/utility truck or flatbed. I have an SUV so I bought a huge trailer and now would like to start saving to get one of those trucks. It feel dangerous pulling a heavy trailer around everywhere and it is putting serious wear in my personal vehicle.
12 volt: I have built one with a 5gpm pump and 250 ft of 5/8 hose. Switching soon to 200 ft of 1/2 because I’m not getting near enough distance with the longer and larger hose.
My advice, and this may go against others, would be to build something even cheaper that is inline with your other equipment. I would build a 2gpm 12 volt off of a small battery and a moveable 5 gallon bucket with two hose options, 25 ft 3/8" and 10-12 ft 3/8". I would use the 25 ft when I need to get up to an eave and clean a small amount of nasty stucco on a dormer. Better than trying to haul a pump up up there. You could pre treat nasty driveways and maybe even do a few very small roofs. I hate pulling out my big hose, and getting my larger 12 volt set up just to do small stuff. Mostly I use a pump up and will probably build one of these guys soon.
Get one of the small foldup style ladders from home depot and make a little spot for it to stand vertical in your trailer.
Now you have a 6 figure rig.
Spend all 2k left over on EDDM. Pick 3 or 4 mail routes in a small area and start sending them every 6-8 weeks. Then grow from there
You’re looking at about $1100 for a DIY 12V including dual deep cycle 100AH marine batteries.
DIY 12V Soft Wash System with links to purchase.
An X-jet can do basically everything you need done except for probably roof washes, I haven’t done those so I’m not totally sure. You might be able to do them with multiple applications, since a 5.5 can do I think 3.5-4% from an X-jet (with 12.5% to start). Toting a jug around is a pain but I think I saw some guys using dozens of feet, like closer to a hundred feet of hose for that.
Downstreaming is an option for house washes. I’d get some Flexzilla, I got regular intake garden hose and regret it since Flexzilla wasn’t easily available where I am (outside the US). Hose reels are important, the amount of time you will save is amazing + it’s just more professional looking. Optics are a thing.
Ladders, well it doesn’t hurt to have a few around if you can’t reach some bit of the wall due to weird architectural decisions, balconies etc.
If I were you, it looks like you have most everything you need to get started. Shell out the money for the X-jet and put the rest into marketing or save it up. Getting jobs is priority and you won’t get any if people don’t know you exist.
Mine was more like $500. I did forego a reel but opted for a kuritech hose over the polybraid. Add about $220 for a reel if needed. Going with Flexzilla might save a little. I haven’t priced it out.
Personally I would choose a 12v over an Xjet but even better to have both.
That includes pump, hose, batteries, battery case, plumbing, fittings too? My price was dual deep cycle 100AH @ $179 each
I agree. I didn’t even buy an xjet and glad. What a pain it would be to haul around buckets of chem.
I used 1/2" Flexilla for my 12v and it cost $180 for 250’.
Yep. Only a single deep cycle battery though.
Would you take a look at my list and see what is extra or suggest how to lower the cost?
I used a 35 gallon drum for a tank. I spent maybe $30 on connecting hardware. I use a homemade ball valve with a riser tube or a Gilmore garden hose gun depending on preference. 
P.S. I am frugal and/or cheap.
Looks good,maybe include the battery charger on that list too
Oh I understand saving money. I was curious how you cut $600 off the list. I see the $45 savings on fittings as that was an estimate. Saving $30-40 on the gun assembly makes sense.
@Powerjet you read my mind as it’s on my equipment list but not that list. Trickle charging deep cycles is a must.
+$90 off skipping second battery and $290 skipping the reel.
I blew a hole in my hose yesterday for the first time. I had to hand roll it up so I could take it in to Napa to get it fixed. No way would I ever not have a hose reel. If I had to I’d eat Ramen Noodles for a month just to save up to get one. Heck, I’d even eat dog food. For a few hundred bucks I see a reel as a necessity.
I agree a reel is very nice to have but we all have to prioritize. Having everything to start with is beyond the means of many new PWers. It’s also easy to add as your bring in money.
You don’t have to justify to me why you’re cheap…err…frugal. 
I get what you’re saying.
How frugal and cheap are we talking outside of pressure washing? Tupperware at a buffet type or?
