Hey everyone,
I’m starting up a new pressure washing business In the spring of 2022 in order to pay for grad school. Honestly, I’m really excited to jump into it, and have put in a few days research into it and I have lots of questions!
I am currently a college student living with my wife and son, so as you can imagine my budget is very limited— So I am looking to get started as “minimalist” as possible, but I also understand good equipment is worth the cost. Here is what I have planned so far, any input or advice would be appreciated:
I understand a 5 gallon per minute, 3000 psi honda GX390 (belt drive) is ideally what I’m looking for. I haven’t found any on sale in my area, but the ones I see online are typically in a bundle with around $2000, such as this one I found on Pressurewashersdirect.com —
https://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/Pressure-Pro-EB4040HC-HTQBS-Pressure-Washer/p6715.html
Am I going to need to buy a water tank in order to use this? or can I hook it up to a customer’s water spicket and be fine?
As far as advertising goes, I was going to print out 1000 business cards for really cheap and start going door to door, i would also try FB marketplace and Craigslist once I had some before and after pictures. Until I’ve had a few clients and built some revenue, I was planning on just using water with no chemicals. I would service driveways, patios, gutters, and sides of houses (no roofs yet). For pricing, I wanted to have a $150 minimum or $0.20 per square foot, but I’m not sure what people charge for house cleaning or gutters. Any help with pricing??
When I do move on to chemicals, I don’t imagine using more than bleach for organics and oxalic acid for rust stains, and SH for roofs, did I get that right? And do I only spot clean for rust stains?
Any professional advice would be greatly appreciated. These are all the questions I have thus far, I am super excited to open this business next year, but the last thing I need is getting started on the wrong foot. I feel comfortable with an initial investment of $3000, but obviously anything cheaper would help if it’s possible. I know mistakes are a natural part of learning, but I want to minimize any HUGE avoidable mistakes. Thanks!