# How can i start a pressure washing business? **URL:** \ **Category:** Newbie Questions\ **Created:** [May 29, 2013, 3:59pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655 "2013-05-29T15:59:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skooks](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Skooks](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Skooks)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 7:05pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/21 "2018-04-12T19:05:31Z")
Tell me what’s wrong with using a predator engine and buying a high quality pump? I only used that as an example, as I said I do no recommend actually using that pump. There’s nothing special about the prebuilt machines asides from the warranty that it provides. Is a Honda GX 390 a bad engine for a 3000 psi 4-5gpm machine now? Because that’s news to me. Okay then, buy a used 4gpm machine with a Honda GX 390, then throw away the pump and replace it with a new one. Is that better? You old dogs forget people don’t have 5 grand to just dump into a machine when you start out. ---
**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 7:14pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/22 "2018-04-12T19:14:49Z")
Wow. Just you are using a lot of words but accomplishing nothing. Prebuilt units are not used mainly by those with big companies. Myself, and other large, legitimate companies I know, use custom built machines. AR and cat are not good pumps. do not advise people to mount equipment on a 2x6. Someone might not know you are giving stupid advice and might try it. I have nothing against predator engines. If someone wants to take a gamble, that’s on them, not me. I would encourage you to read, learn and be a sponge here. But, you should probably refrain from giving advice, at least to new guys that don’t know any better. ---
**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/23 "2018-04-12T19:16:42Z")
![Screenshot_20180412-151559](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/uploads/default/original/2X/2/20b36d2f86ddddcc2aa68f5128ac573026ce3746.png) For those following later. ---
**Author:** ![Skooks](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Skooks](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Skooks)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/24 "2018-04-12T19:25:09Z")
Okay. I know you’re right. Sorry if I came off as defensive. I have mine sitting on a 2x6 with rubber pads and then bolted in. It’s worked fine for me for the past year and the wood hasn’t warped or split so I just mentioned it. And AR pumps are not good, I am going to be replacing mine very soon. I didn’t know Cats were considered sub par however. Are they bad pumps? I was looking into getting a General Pump but I’m not sure. I’m open to being corrected on things. I do all the maintenance on my engine as well because there’s really not much to maintain asides from fluid changes and the occasional carb cleanout when I forget to shut off the gas line. ---
**Author:** ![Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/innocentbystander/32/36516_2.png) [@Innocentbystander](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Innocentbystander)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/25 "2018-04-12T19:30:30Z")
If you have the patience, time and money to rebuild them on your own every 500 hours or so, you can go general. The best pump on the market is Udor. AR, comet and cat are junk. ---
**Author:** ![Fatdaddy](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/f/838e76/32.png) [@Fatdaddy](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Fatdaddy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 7:30pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/26 "2018-04-12T19:30:53Z")
When is the NASHVILLE convention? i FOUND IT ---
**Author:** ![Skooks](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Skooks](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/Skooks)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2018, 7:35pm UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/27 "2018-04-12T19:35:37Z")
I’m very mechanically inclined so doing some dirty work is no big deal to me. I’ve basically got an entire tool shed in my trailer lol. Do all the work on my car too. Yes I would love to buy a 10gpm belt driven Udor, a GX 690 vtwin and 10 gallon aluminum gas tank with a 30" reclaim surface cleaner with hot water, that’s my 1 man dream set up. One day, one day… ---
**Author:** ![mark44](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@mark44](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/mark44)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2018, 1:56am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/28 "2018-04-13T01:56:41Z")
I have the inclination, skills, time, patience and tools and plan on maintaining my general pump, but that’s just me. I invested $4500 in my washer, and suggest others that purchase same, to gather the inclination, skills, time, patience and tools to maintain their equipment as well. These pumps are only as good as the operator and maintenance schedule. It’s good that you have anticipated equipment maintenance. ---
**Author:** ![mark44](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@mark44](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/mark44)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2018, 1:59am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/29 "2018-04-13T01:59:58Z")
not sure a gx690 is going to take you very far @ 10gpm… ---
**Author:** ![squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/squidskc/32/10222_2.png) [@squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/squidskc)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2018, 2:13am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/30 "2018-04-13T02:13:09Z")
> [@Innocentbystander](#): > > AR, comet and cat are junk. X a million. And if he’s going to take a gamble on a Predator it might as well be the 21 hp and get a great pump. He could have an 8 gpm with unloader for $1600 and if he goes that route I’ll send him one of these for it for the cost of steel and shipping if he promises to keep us updated on how the predator holds up. ---
**Author:** ![squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/squidskc/32/10222_2.png) [@squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/squidskc)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2018, 2:14am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/31 "2018-04-13T02:14:35Z")
![image](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/uploads/default/original/2X/1/1e140d4583d4f204bbe57ce7b7a555a406f94e49.jpeg) Forgot to upload ---
**Author:** ![mark44](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@mark44](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/mark44)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2018, 2:15am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/32 "2018-04-13T02:15:34Z")
That’s one fine looking 2X6 ! Nothing like hardwoods. ---
**Author:** ![squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/user_avatar/pressurewashingresource.com/squidskc/32/10222_2.png) [@squidskc](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/u/squidskc)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655/33 "2018-04-13T02:26:03Z")
> [@Skooks](#): > > General Pump Plenty of people are making money with General. I’ve got a general pump on a 4 gpm that has been running 20 hours a week for 2 years. I haven’t even changed the oil in it since I sent it north. Weird thing is Udor is the same price as many comparable pumps from General. If you want an udor go to their website, pick a pump, call Dultmeier and price it, then search that pump online. Dultmeier charges $400 less for my pump than I’ve seen other places onlne. OR plot twist. Find a Landa dealer and ask if they have a rebuilt Landa for sale. My Landa guy has racks on racks of old units he’s rebuilt. If you go to Craigslist for Kansas City you can search pressure washers and see all the alkota, hotsy, aladin, and others he’s selling. The pressure washing vendors aren’t really the best place to go for pumps. [Previous page](https://pressurewashingresource.com/community/t/how-can-i-start-a-pressure-washing-business/1655.md?page=1)