definitely no on the 4gpm for parking garages,i don’t do them but everything marine grunt said is accurate from the info i have gathered on parking garages,it takes a vacuum industrial strength and tank to collect the dirty waste water too,then a truck to haul the weight of the double axle trailer and equipment on it,i have 500 gallon buffer tank and 500 gallon waste water tank vacuum,double axle trailer and f250 truck,and that is just for restaurant reclaiming of dumpsters
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I didn’t even think about reclaim. Being San Diego I’m guessing that’s required. I think I estimated about $15k for a trailer build to do parking garages but a reclaim system adds quite a bit more to it. Maybe another $3k-$5k?
Hopefully knowing now that you have to reclaim all water on commercial jobs you’ll realize you might be better off starting on residential. @Justus Commercial is a whole different game especially when reclaim is involved. Pulling a 4 gpm machine out of the bed of your truck just isn’t feasible for parking garages.
yea about 5k for the vacuum,generator,pump out,tank etc
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My sister lived in Mission Beach for awhile years ago. She loved it out there. I was stationed at 29Palms and was home on recruiter’s assistance for a month over Christmas That’s when she up and decided to move out there and rode with me when I made the 2000 mile drive back. We have an Uncle and cousin in Carlsbad so she wasn’t completely alone out there. She was always one of those carefree type of people.
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WOW! Thanks guys! Sorry I disappeared last night, I reached a post limit. Perfect timing. I just got home from work.
I know I am moving super fast, it’s just my brain works that way with all the “what ifs” and “if this then that…”
I think the best approach I have, from what you guys are giving me, is just get myself a good machine to start off with to put in my midsize and get my butt to practicing and get my technique down.
Can I ask for a good set up to put on a small skid?
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Both are very good options. I want to start right away and get my hands dirty but if I wait I know I can save a lot if I just hold on for a while longer. It’s killing me thinking I’ll have to start saving again for another machine in the future but I’m guessing almost everyone has done it at some point. I have a great job, but I have been working the same industry for 15 years. Was hoping for a little more freedom and change of pace.
Thanks DJPWS.
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Thanks for the message @marinegrunt.
It opened my eyes a lot more to what might be needed.
I have definitely thought about the professional look and how using a small machine would make the customer think they could have done it themselves or the work is worth less. The supermarket chain I worked for required the million dollar insurance you stated before, which I priced out and on average was pricey per year, but it would be worth the contract. The trailer and equipment really does add up fot commercial work… Wow.
Expect 15-20k for a decent pressure wash build. That’s why I say do house washes on the weekends and save every penny you earn while you live off your main job.
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So do you plan on starting residential then? I didn’t even think about reclaim equipment like @powerjet pointed out because we don’t have to reclaim where I’m at or at least for the most part. You’re talking quite a rig to be able to go that direction. I think you’ll have a problem making a go at flat work alone though unless you traveled hours outside of home base.
Reply to everyone in one post to save on your 10 post daily limit unless @Infinity can increase it for you.
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Yikes. I didn’t even factor in how big of a tank I would need for waste water. I know here in California you do need recovery but I wasn’t aware of the math… that is a large amount of water to drag around. It’s probably a pain to come to a stop in that truck haha. So at 8gpm you would have exhausted your tank and filled up your waste water tank within an hour so?
Yeah, I’m definitely going to start with residential and get my hours in to learn the equipment and everything before I progress. Hell, I might be happy just sitting there and doing it on the weekends for quite some time. Should only take me a million or so jobs to use my earnings for a large rig in the future. 
Jokes aside, you guys are definitely right. I’ll start off with a 4gpm and just go from there. I just need some recommendations of where to start equipment wise.
I still want to build or comission my own skid I just don’t know what to get except for what youtubers say to buy.
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An hour ? Heck if your running 8gpm on flat work and don’t keep that sucker filled let’s say a 275 gallon tote, you will be out of water in 30 min! Always gotta have a supply hose to hook up to the commercial locations water to keep the tank filled. If they don’t have a garden hose hookup then you gotta use a hydrant. Hydrant meters cost money do does the water you draw.
With that amount of weight anyways you will need a duel axle trailer with 6 but preferred 8 lug axles. Then you need to think can your midsized haul that? Need airbag suspension? Brake controller so you can stop safely? Can your midsized even haul that much weight ? So you can see how it cost money to make money and takes time to build up the right equipment.
But then again if your smart about things, 100 house washes with a minimum profit return of $200.00 after business expenses will get you your $20,000 dream washing rig. You can do 100 washes in 3-6 months starting out if your diligent in marketing yourself
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I think marketing is very important. I told marinegrunt that I have a certain amount set aside for marketing that is untouchable. If there is anything I learned from college it’s marketing and selling yourself.
My midsize would NOT handle it, it’s just a Tacoma… and even though my old Dakota is a trooper I wouldn’t even put more than 500lbs on or behind him. Haha!
Thanks @DJPWS.
I’m not too worried about my post limit tonight. I have to return to work at 5am so I gotta be good.
Can I pass some options by you guys tomorrow night and you can tell me if you would purchase it?
I have a Tacoma. 6,900 rated haul weigh, @Infinity has one too. With a tune, suspension upgrade, and a controller, it can haul a build. Just don’t have huge water tanks filed up lol
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An,thats cool,i live in san marcos,only 10 minutes from carlsbad,the tulip fields and windmill are nice focal point of carlsbad.we are spoiled out here with the weather
You dont need a 500 gallon buffer or waste water tank,its just nice to have,you dont have to roll up your hoses as often to find a sewage drain to dump waste water, and a large water supply tank you can fill it up while working,roll up your water hose,then relocate to a different area on your jobsite that might not have working water hookup,or you can go to your next couple jobs and use your tank thats already filled with water from your first job
Actually also i have only$ 2,000.00 invested in my reclaim system,500 for vacuum head,Milwaukee,500 for canister,600 for generator,200 for cheap waste water tank, and hoses and extension cord,heavy duty(gauge)cord,and 200 for pumpout to pump water from vacuum to waste tank
@DJPWS nice! I will be getting rid of these two vehicles and getting a new pickup. Still up in the air which direction I will go.
@marinegrunt Been here all my life. Glad you sister likes the area. It’s hard to beat the weather and the ammenities.
@Powerjet Nice. I’m right in the middle of San Diego at the moment. Not the best area to live but you can’t beat the travelling time to… Well anywhere. Haha
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Okay guys. Been looking at a few components that I’d be interested in putting together and plumbing. Let me know if it’s overkill.
Still don’t know what the minimum is to power this though. I know I want a honda engine for sure, just not sure what kind of output I need. Also looking at a commercial grade surface cleaner but still deciding.
Honda GX390. I would look into a gear drive pump instead of direct drive. Go to Envirospec.com and look at their pumps. They aren’t the best but they’re aren’t bad at all. Plenty of guys on here use them. You also want a steel skid to mount the engine to.
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