Just want to introduce myself

Way Off Topic
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Hey everyone. I just posted to another thread so figured it would be a good time to drop in and introduce myself. I’m from Central IL, married, and have two kids. My regular job has long hours but only for a few months at a time throughout the year. I normally have late spring, summer, and early fall off. It just depends on the year and what jobs I want to work. I always stay busy doing something around the house so figured I’d try doing something on the side.

Last year I ended up with a Karcher hds 1200 be. It’s a 5 gpm and 3500 psi. It has a 16 hp Vanguard. It’s an older unit but I stripped it down to every last nut and bolt and restored it. I got a rebuild kit for the pump, new fuel pump for hot water system, belt, fuel lines, and replaced every o-ring on it. I also stripped down the engine, cleaned the crankcase, and checked it over. I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep it to use around the house or sell it. My regular job has long hours but only for a few months at a time throughout the year. I normally have late spring, summer, and early fall off. It just depends on the year and what jobs I want to work. I’ve been doing research over the past year but have really stepped it up over the last month. I stopped at a few other forums before I came here. I just landed here a few days ago but feel like I know a lot of you already. I have to say, some threads had me rolling but most have given some great information.

Anyways, I’m going to start with residential and mainly concentrate on house washing, gutters, and flat work. I do have to order a sc. I might put together a setup for roofs just in case. The subdivision we live in has around 600 houses and every single house has green on it. That was a big driving force in my decision to get started. I also have a buddy who is a farmer who said the local farm auction house is always looking for someone to do portable pressure washing. I’m not sure if that would be profitable but figure it could experience if anything and also open some doors with all of the farmers in the area. They seem to know everyone and could be good for word of mouth.

I think I might purchase a 14’ dual axle trailer to start my build. The one I’m looking at has pipe top rails and brakes on both axles. I know it’s personal preference but if anyone thinks I should go with another size I’m open to suggestions. I just don’t want to go too small and wish I would’ve went larger. We have a lot of cul de sacs around here but they’re big enough for even a large trailer to turn around in. I’ve looked at the different builds and trailers on here so have a pretty good idea on how I want to set it up. It will be a few weeks before I get the trailer because they just sold out on the 14’. They do have 16’ in stock for $50 more so that’s an option too.

I have wok coming up next month for my regular job so it will be a couple of months before I completely pull the trigger if I feel I’m ready. I figure that will give me time to get everything else in order. I do plan on an llc to protect personal assets, insurance, website, marketing, etc. I definitely don’t want to be some hack.

Thanks for all of the great info on here. I’m looking forward to hopefully being a participating member. Oh, and thanks for the laughs! I’m sure you know who you are!

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Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you’re getting setup pretty good. Good luck.

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I may be biased, but I think this is the way to go. Upselling gutters and concrete are YUGE!

I wouldn’t rush. Get the basics and marketing down first.

That’s great! Get some truck magnets before you ever pull the trigger and be seen for the next few months in your subdivision. Get a single yards sign that says “House Washing” and a phone number and drop it in your own yard. Be seen for a few months. Then one time, and one time only, walk around the neighborhood and hang door hangers. (I think this is the only time you should disregard the 5-around rule)

You can fill your calendar for your “grand opening” and get your insurance, licenses, and LLC up an running, practice on your house and some friends and family in exchange for testimonials/reviews. After that your marketing materials can have your business name, Licensed & Insured, and website address.

Welcome to the forum. This is a great business to be in!

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Thanks for your service! @MDA1775 @Patriotspwashing and a few other guys on here are vets as well. I was Navy so my testosterone level is way down on the list behind these other guys.

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When you say pipe do you mean round tube or square/rectangle tube? I have heard those that regret round tube due to later mounting of equipment and rails and such.

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Thanks for the welcome Racer. Also, thanks for your trailer video. I’ve watched it a couple times. Very nice setup!

Great idea on filling the calendar for a grand opening. I have really enjoyed reading all of your marketing ideas Brodie. I can tell from your posts that going to school for business and marketing has definitely helped. You have a ton of great ideas and know exactly how to make a sale. Marketing and sales is definitely going to be what I need the most work on. I really should take some courses at our local community college or even online.

The town we live in is small at around 2500 people. It might be more because the subdivision we live in is a mile outside city limits. I’m not sure if it’s counted towards the town population. The good thing is we are smack dab in the middle between two decent size cities (130k and 175k) both being 20 minutes away. There are a bunch of others in the 10k to 20k population range within a half hour too. From what I can tell there aren’t that many pressure washing guys around but there are a few.

Thanks! I always enjoy the company of other vets. I remember seeing in a thread that you were Navy. I also know you like playing Sega with your girlfriend, taking your dogs hiking, don’t want kids, and once made your girlfriend pick a pizza up at exactly 8:44 pm. I sound like a creep don’t I? I’ve went through way too many threads over the last few days.

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Welcome aboard Devil Dog.I’m a retired Marine myself. Always good to see fellow vets getting out and creating their own opportunities. Lots of good info here as you’ve already discovered. As for the high T levels Rowdy I’m so old I have to inject it, still not as old as @Racer and he was a doggie… lol

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Thanks for pointing that out. It is round pipe. I kind of wondered about the round and if it would be a pain at times to mount stuff. I’d much prefer square tubing but angle would be just fine too. I haven’t found any other trailers with dual axles and brakes on both axles for the price of this one. I think he can order what I want but he said all trailers have a 7% manufacturer price increase now in effect. I guess that’s only like $125 so it might be worth it… The angle might make up for the price difference too. I weld for a living so can fab up what I need but I think I will check into finding one without round pipe. The round pipe is probably pretty dang strong but I don’t think we need the added strength for anything in pressure washing.

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Semper Fi! Thanks for the welcome. You’re right about there being lots of good info on here. There’s a wealth of knowledge.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying. “Not as lean, still as mean, always a Marine”.

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Of course but i’m probably not as mean anymore either.

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@MDA1775 and I had a solid phone conversation a couple weeks ago and I gotta be honest… sounds like he’s getting soft.

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I have a degree in finance and economics. I had to learn the Sales and Marketing on my own via books, SBA, marketing MeetUps, etc. If you’re not much of a reader, it’s a good time to start.

Mindset by Carol Dweck I just read a month or so ago and it’s phenomenal. Not marketing or sales oriented, but I think it’s a must read for entrepreneurs and business owners.

Start with Amazon.com : gitomer little red book of selling

for sales. Then the Ultimate Sales machine.

For marketing, check out the Quick Talk Podcast with Josh Latimer and pick up @Chris’s book on marketing for window cleaners. It’s free now. Chris can correct me if I’m wrong, but he’s was doing 7 figures a year with his company before he sold it. So probably a good resource for marketing.

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Noted.

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You might as well have a degree in sales and marketing. It sure seems like you do.

Thanks for the resources. I’ll take all the help I can get.

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@marinegrunt. Welcome to the forum, nice to see another grunt in this industry. I was Airborne Infantry in the Army from 08-14 OEF x 2. If you ever have questions feel free to PM me. Where at in central IL are you?

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You don’t. Get the angle if you can. Plenty strong enough for anything we do. And does come in handy for all kind things you may never think about. Mounting vise, running wire underneath, reels, standing on, etc.,

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Thanks for the welcome Patriot. My dad was Army but that was back in 65’. He was in Vietnam for a year and than at Ft. Hood. I believe he was in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. I was 3rd LAR 1st Marine Division based out of 29Palms.

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I’m going to see what I can find. I would think the angle would be a litter cheaper too. I know if you buy a stick of angle or round tubing the angle is normally cheaper. One good thing about the round tubing/pipe is I would be able to run wires inside of it. I don’t think that’s important enough to go with round though. I would really prefer square tubing but I’m sure I’d pay for it too.

Mounting a vice is a good idea and will definitely be doing that.

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I was a DI at Ft Polk and Ft Jackson. You guys lucky I’m putting up with any of you’lls crap. Hit the ground and gimme 20 :sunglasses:

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Your voice belongs to an old school DI. Lol