Midwestern NEW business

Newbie Questions
1

Hey guys, I’m new here. Like, really new. I’m particularly looking for some advice and info from guys in the midwest… (Missouri Kansas Iowa Nebraska) on starting a NEW business…

  1. What equipment would you suggest for starters? I have a 2500hd diesel truck, so trailers/weight is not an issue. I would prefer a hot water unit. Hotsy is near me, but pricey. I do not want to be too limited to what I can do, but I’m not going to invest 20k into something I’m going to start small and part time. I don’t want junk. I want something that will last me for years. I’m plenty capable of doing my own maintenance. I plan on doing this with no employees to start.
  2. I’ve done a lot of research on what to charge. Most of the people on here are in Florida or down that way, so I feel like that may not be accurate pricing.
  3. What do midwesterners do for winter side gig? Obviously snow removal is a big one. But what else is there.

Thanks in advance for any friendly advice I may receive.

2

Welcome. Today, I’ll be the first one to suggest using the search option. This forum is packed with all the information you need and more. Search for any questions you may have and I’m sure you’ll find the answer if you look hard enough. You’ll also find out that most people on this forum aren’t from the Florida/down south area. There are people from all over the US, Canada, a few Aussies, etc. Do some research and you’ll learn more than you think you may.
Best of luck.

jpeg_1551133969527
jpeg_1551133969527439×782 59.7 KB

3 Likes
3

You’re near the Hotsy on Winner Road. Your IP address says Olathe. On the Kansas side, Overland Park would be a beautiful market to dominate. Tons of money. Olathe is pretty dang good too. Don’t stretch yourself too thin by marketing in 4 states.

I’ve posted a ton about pricing. Keep searching.

Commercial Industrial Sales in Riverside, MO is a better option. They’re a Landa dealer. Landa is a better option IMO if you’re deadset on hot water. I’d scratch Hotsy off my list if I was as close as we are to a Landa dealer.

Engineered Sales and Tomkins Industries are fine options for hoses and fittings in Kansas City.

Southeast KC like Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, Independence has a company called Southern Clean that you’ll have a difficult time taking market share from, but they travel all over KC. I’m actually gonna sub a 3 level parking garage at hotel downtown to Josh, the owner, if I win it and he wants it.

Liberty, Gladstone, and Parkville are mostly mine and more so by the day. This year I have $40k to invest into marketing to own 20 minutes in any direction of these three. So you’ll have a hard time there too, but not impossible. There’s plenty of work in Kansas City. There’s only about 5 companies in total that are really threats and we’re all at capacity until we start hiring and adding trucks.

We all have to deal with a company called A Lot A Clean that hires felons and the state pays 1/2 their wage through some program so they’ll underbid all of us sometimes by 50%. Be ready to sell your rear off if you’re in a competitive bid situation with ALAC and your customer just wants bottom dollar service.

If I could only pick a couple other markets to dominate you’re in the heart of them. Olathe, Overland Park, Leawood.

Power Wash 360 is the company I send most of the hot water work to if I get it. Never met him. Just know he seems like a nice guy and he hasn’t given me a reason not to trust him. I think he’s solo though. Not totally sure.

When you get insurance, equipment, and 5+ reviews and a couple commercial references let me know. I’ll send stuff your way on the KS side

3 Likes
4

Oh… for chemicals Harcros is by far the cheapest… until you see some random charges and late or misdelivered shipments. Eaton chemical is more expensive, but worth it for the service.

5

Hey, thanks for the info from a local guy! I’m actually in Smithville though, not sure why it says Olathe. I’ll see if I can change that.

6

No need to change anything. You’re only about 15-20 minutes from me. My shop is on North Oak. I live 2 blocks from it in Gladstone. PM me your number. We’ll get together and help if I can. Like I said, the demand for what we do in Kansas City is higher than the supply of contractors doing it.

2 Likes
7

Google Squids Pressure Washing. That’s me.

8

I sent you a message on Facebook