Getting started - buy the best, or not?

Supplies & Equipment
1

Hi everyone,

I am getting started and need some advice. I have checked most of the “admin” boxes to get started. So far I have: Website, Facebook, Instagram, Google business, Yelp, Nextdoor accounts setup. I’ll just need more pics for content etc.

I have my LLC, insurance quote(need to activate), business checking account, I have an attorney, and accountant for taxes, and my invoice templates and admin documents ready. I also have my uniforms (shirts) ready to go.

I have door hangers being printed, and business cards. I am aware I will need to do digital marketing too.

I got a brand new 5x10 3500lb tandem axle trailer with ladder rack built for me ready to go.

Now I need to get the equipment which leads me to the money question…

Is it best to build the trailer out with the best stuff and be ready to tackle the work
efficiently? or should I buy simple less expensive equipment? I’ve put money away throughout my previous career, and I know often times guys getting started don’t really have much cash to get started with.

I was looking at getting the following built for me which will put me at 9900 including tax and labor and all plumbing and hardware…

GX690 8GPM Pressure Pro
200 gallon buffer loaf tank
100 Gallon Batch loaf tank with 12V pump for chemical/softwash application
3 Titan reels for pressure, chem, and supply.
200’ ft of pressure and chem hose, 100’ of supply flextral hose.
(2) guns for pressure and chemical
19" whisper wash classic

with this setup I will need to cough up a decent amount of cash, but I won’t be financing it so I won’t have any payments on it.

Looking back, if you had the cash int he beginning would you have gone this route?

Or is it better to just buy small stuff and work my way up little by little? Seems like a tougher road and less efficient in the day to day even though I’d be saving costs in the beginning. I feel like to “do it right” I should build the rig, but don’t want to be foolish either and spend unnecessarily.

What do you guys suggest?

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I’m a fan of buy once, cry once. I HATE working with crappy quality. It’s frustrating and inefficient

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Man, I agree 100%. I truly want to just buy the best stuff so I can be confident I can provide quality work, and be efficient too. I just don’t want to be “that guy” just getting started and dropping 10K on his trailer. I a few jobs lined up already just need to get the build done. Also could build it myself, but would rather just have these guys knock it out for me.

What did you start with, what do you have now, and what would you have done differently?

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If you can afford to buy the right equipment now, do it. You’ll save money and headaches in the future. If you need that money to pay bills and feed your family start small but I would make Power Washing my second job until you can make that jump.

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I have cash put away to pay bills for now, and my wife still works full-time with a fair salary. Unfortunately, I was let go from my full-time career due to Covid. So if I’m going to give it a real push then now is the time I believe. The old lady is also supportive which helps. Im 30. Either I give this a go, or I look for another job during covid which isn’t likely or preferred.

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Sounds like your already with your online presence and all the office/administrative stuff is done. Just get your equipment and your ready. Tough part is most parts of the country power washing slows down this time of year. Sounds like you are a planner and I’m sure you already know that and have figured it in.

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Looking back I would have spent more on marketing early, and less on equipment. Protect your cash. I’m happy with all of my equipment, it lets me be efficient, but I could have grown quicker if I invested more in acquiring customers first.

I don’t think you can go wrong with the equipment listed, but a 5.5 machine is great to start with and you can spend the savings on a proportioner system for the 12v system to save the batch madness. Then again, some people like to batch so nothing wrong with that.

It’s not that I wouldn’t buy the equipment I have now, it’s just that I would have slowed my progression from each size to the next and spent that money on marketing first.

Just my .02 on it.

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First of all, thank you guys so much for giving me your input. I truly appreciate it. Im in Florida which helps since we don’t have winter. Of course we still have slow season etc but it is what it is.

I have the online stuff ready, just don’t have much to post because I don’t have equipment and don’t want to take anybody’s pics etc. Once I get my stuff ill be able to get original content to post.

Do you think that’s a fair price for what I listed for the build?

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Makes perfect sense. I considered the 5.5, but I’ll ultimately get a 8 so I figure just get it. Definitely torn on that.

I’ve done all my homework on the proportioner and it def seems to make sense, but a lot of guys also advise against it since they’re very pricey and the chems beat them up…

I considered fabricating one myself down the road if I absolutely can’t stand batching.

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Budget for marketing but buy the 8GPM. You can save by assembling it yourself.

I started with an 8GPM and a 5.5GPM. I’d sure be annoyed if I hadn’t got the 8GPM and then I saw one later or used one. Haha

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What do you budget for monthly marketing? And where do you put your dollars?

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The price looks good. Especially since it’s getting plumbed for you. I mix my house wash in a bucket on every job. You don’t NEED a proportioner when you start out. I like to change the strength for every house.

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Man that’s a loaded question. Depends on your area, demographics, and age brackets. It requires research. But starting out I am finding Nextdoor gets me the most views.

Currently my sure fire way is to roll out the hoses and do a job, I’ve been hired every time I do it. I did a free driveway today for pictures and someone rolled up in their car and hired me. The person I did the driveway for insisted on paying me even though it was agreed I’d do it for pictures. Then they wanted to leave me a review.

Practice for pictures pays off and costs you little when you’re not busy.

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That’s great advise. I think I’ll just get the good stuff and get out there and start spraying. Coughing up that money will definitely light a fire under me!

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@pressureman33 almost all of that stuff looks perfect. Definitely go big out of the gate, just make sure your customer service and your attention to detail is on point as well. I spent almost nothing on marketing my first year (this year), because each job just seemed to land me the next one.

Your question was about the equipment. Yes buy all of that.

Edit: I read too fast and didn’t see that you had plans for 12v. That all looks great my dude, you’re on the right track

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If you have the money and it doesn’t affect you financially go all out. Only if you know this is something you want to.

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Don’t worry about a proportioner, it’s overrated, unless all you have is a softwash system. Most downstream from the pressure washer. I bought one but honestly only use my 12v for roofs and batch mix anyway since it’s shoots much better. Pressure pro isn’t exactly high quality. Hydrotek and Landa are good. @racer has a hydromax 8.5gpm and loves it, maybe go that route. Even tho I started with a 5gpm it didn’t last for me once I took this business seriously (my business for the last 17 years is an electrical sign contractor, and still am). I don’t have time for a 5gpm. I need to get in and out but with quality results. Go 8gpm and make money. You can’t make any money digging a hole by hand, maybe a little more with a 1 man auger but a tractor? Forget about it! Equipment makes money, not labor…

Edit. I should clarify, I have two 55 gal tanks for chem. One is my bulk sh tank the other is a mix tank (Or more bulk sh if needed.) this helps eliminate one of the only major benefits of a proportioner

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Thanks man this helps!

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10k in machinery to start a business is peanuts behind a couch in the scheme of things, you could make that back in a month or 2 with basic marketing. if you have the money buy the best you can, it works better, lasts longer, has a better resale value, and the most important one it’s reliable and dependable. Buying a brand new car should be a scarier thought, that’s guaranteed to lose 10k not make it.

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You have your whole life ahead of you, you have time for multiple careers still. If this doesn’t pan out, try something else. You will love and hate the freedom that being your own employer gives you. No work this week…your fault. Made a ton this year…pat yourself on the back, then on to next year.

I can’t give you advice on purchases because my situation is different. I had money set aside before I retired for my next gig. Let’s examine facts rather than emotion. Buying an 8gpm doesn’t guarantee you work, nor does buying a 4gpm deny you work. The costs difference is the detail examination that you need to conduct. All other prices remain essentially the same. What do I mean? . Chems, suttner gun, nozzles, plumbing, reels, all pretty much cost the same amount regardless of the size of your machine. You can get a smaller buffer tank with a 4gpm and that would cost you maybe $100 less. A surface cleaner at 16" and 19" doesn’t have a significant cost difference. The only real significant cost difference is in the machine, everything else is negligible. Think I’m crazy? I know I am, and I understand that a couple of dollars here and a couple of dollars there add up to real money pretty quickly. Once you get the numbers for both machines then do a cost/benefit analysis and you will have your real answer. Then once you have that you can start to project some ROI figures for your market.