Making the big jump

Can anyone who was working full time and doing this on the side. Help me understand what changed in your mind to make the leap? I’m been rocking back and forth doing this the last year or so but keep backing out. My wife can put me on her insurance so that part is covered.

The decision is hard since I make a great living in my current field but the freedom that comes with it is non existent.

My thought process was once I make X amount of dollars a year power washing part time that I could make double that full time. Although that amount does not add up to what I make a year now but the work load on my body and family is getting tough to manage. I’m easily putting in 20 hours a week power washing on top of my 50 plus hours a week at my day job. Leaving lots of money on the table because I dont have the time to followup or meet someone in person for an estimate. We also quit doing decks because I dont have the time to devote to them anymore.

Looking for words of encouragement is all really.

Thanks all.

4 Likes

It sounds like you have made your mind up and just delaying the inevitable. If it’s your desire to work for yourself full time and you have some cushion make the educated decision. As far as the freedom goes, I get what your saying but in all honesty I had more free time and flexibility working for someone else. I’m never off. Always thinking about work. Work all day, come home and do estimates, marketing, scheduling, contemplating ideas, taking phone calls from on the weekend, etc. Granted that you’re probably better at turning off then I am. It was easy to be off the clock mentally and physically working for someone else. Now, not so much.

9 Likes

How long is your wash season?

If you want true freedom, simplify.

If you can work most of the year, 20 hours of power washing a week plus your wife’s income should be enough to live on. It’s more than the average american household makes.

I’m going “pedal to the metal” this year to pay off our debts and stash away a decent emergency fund. But I’m still not working more than 40 hours a week (of on the job labor; all things considered I’ve probably had a few 50 hour weeks this year). Next year I hope to cut back to 30 hours max per week and spend time on more important things.

8 Likes

I totally get this piece but id rather dig my own grave rather than build someones castle.

6 Likes

Seven months roughly but I could branch into commercial concrete cleaning if needed to make it longer. We also dont do gutters come fall due to the shorter days. Was a full time painter before I got into IT was also thinking about starting a painting company during the winter months.

Business is 100% debt free at the moment the past three years I’ve grown day by day within the field and my equipment.

2 Likes

@Harold I agree. I spend a lot of time in the peak season working. I would definitely have more time working for someone else but I wouldn’t have the same lifestyle or money that I have now. I do get to have 2-2.5 months off in the winter so to me that is my time to decompress for the year and do some things I want to do. I am also looking to take a vacation for 1 week in August as well. I am thinking the last week in August just as a mind break to mellow out and rejuvenate and get ready for the second crazy season which is in the fall.

@AquaTeamPowerWash As for going out on your own? Only you can make that decision because only you know your financials. I would save up about a yrs salary before You decide to leave your full time job and if that is too much then I would at least save 6 months of salary at a minimum.

4 Likes

Agreed. Wouldn’t have it any other way. My goal is to be where you’re at in two years with multiple rigs and out of the field. By the end of the summer I’d like to not be washing unless it’s a roof or big job that needs my assistance, then in peak season I’ll get back to it. For now I’ll wear many hats and a lot of hours for the sake of tomorrow.

4 Likes

I’ve been in your shoes. It’s a hard call but @Harold made some great points. This is how I see it… you wouldn’t be contemplating this if you absolutely loved you normal job. If that was the case you probably wouldn’t be doing this in the first place. You obviously want to do it!

HOWEVER… before you do ANYTHING make sure you have complete support from your spouse. If you make that jump without them being completely on board it makes things a lot more difficult. When times get tough, which they will, you will need that support.

I probably wouldn’t be doing this full time if it wasn’t for the support I get from my girlfriend. I have a friend who had to give up because he didn’t have that support from his wife. It there’s no support, things crumble when it gets hard

8 Likes

It’s tough to make the jump but worth it…just learn to put money away in the busy months and you’ll be fine.

6 Likes

I just left a decent paying job in retail management in March. I had put in just shy of 11 years and was making about $65k. I was also putting in 55hrs per week there AND an additional 25-30 Washing houses. I found myself avoiding Decks (which I love) and anything requiring more than a few hours of work or any investment of research (any unfamiliar type jobs). After making the change to full time in my own business, I have already reached 70% of the Pressure Washing business I did all year in 2018, (a respectable $56k). I have the extra time to spend with my customers to explain everything and sell them on my process, experience and choice of products. If you’re passionate about it and you’re a self starter…go for it. The sky is the limit, brother. Now get out there and kick some ■■■!

9 Likes

I have a little different business model than others here…many want or have fleets of trucks out on the road each day…that’s not me. I like doing all the work myself out of a simple 5x8 trailer. I love washing vinyl box houses and knocking out 5-6 a day. My price point is lower than many here…no I’m not the $99 guy but I’m not the $369 guy either. I’m there 30-40 min and just can’t charge what others do in different parts of US. I stopped doing decks or any wood, gutter cleaning, and very few driveways now as well. Don’t like them. Just house washing.

I only wash 2-3 days a week and am a Realtor the other days. I like a mix of blue/white collar. Washing 5-6 days a week would be hard for me. I think I would lose the love of what I do if I did it too much.

If you’re sick of IT work or it’s getting monotonous then go for the full time move. If you’re washing 20+ hours a week then you understand how to fill your schedule. I agree with having the full support of your spouse. Many here have gone full time and have never looked back and don’t regret it.

7 Likes