Save save save then save some more. If you need to work with that low of a budget I would highly recommend renting a power washer and pricing it into quotes. You can also “house wash” with a garden hose and a back pack sprayer as long as you have the appropriate knowledge.
I would personally recommend trying to get concrete/aggragte sealing jobs because the profit margin is generally higher than just flat work but the catch being that it is a muti day processe.
Lets say you bid a 1500 sqft driveway at $.50 a sqft and budget 100$ for renting a surface cleaner and powerwasher and another 300$ for the sealant and roller/applicator. That leaves you with a nice profit margin and alows for mistakes, marketing, and saving.
Now lets compare that to a flat work job of simmlar size, 1500 sqft in my area for a guy like you would probably be 150$ but lets be optimistic and set it at 200$. After renting equipment your left with 100$ and a very little margin for marketing, taxes, ect.
Now clearly you will put in more work on a sealing job but I would recommend going down that path untill you can charge more and own your own equipment.
Edit: Racer is correct, save $$$ from your 2 jobs and spend your spare time prepping yourself with all the info you need instead of going in blind and dropping more than you can on a consumer washer. If you absolutely arnt going to make rent or are in a situation that will force you into taking a subpar loan then I would recommend doing what I have said.
Thanks everyone for the information. So none of the first 2 choices would work to make some money on my 1.5 scheduled days off during the work week? I’m also looking to have a unit to do whatever I need it to do around the house/property as well as use it to wash the cars and use my foam canon. Possibly doing detailing at home as well.
I understand where your coming from in terms of looking at small machines, i started with a smaller machine… a lot of ppl started out with a big box store special.
But you on what is suppose to be a professional forum. Nobody that is on here, and takes even some pride in making the industry better, is going to recommend a $200 machine for someone to go out and try and make a quick buck cause the have gift cards. There are enough hacks out there that get a “Business Ready package” just cause it comes with some attachments and end up destroying peoples property, working for $15 an hour. You are talking about only at lowes for whatever reason, i didnt take time to read everything, but what about insurance? what about license(s)? truck/trailer? pressure hose?, 25 ft aint gonna cut it? $100’s worth if QCs, Tips, etc?
Post such as these are the reason that we are losing true professionals of the industry that can actually bring some value to the forum. Not saying those that have left are it, cause there are some here that go out of their way to help when they can. People here asking about how to clean their houses, how to fix a $150 machine, will this or that work, etc… im by no means above anyone, nor against seeking help, but im guessing you have only done a few hours a reading (at most, ill click on name and see when done) and want to jump in head first. People are given you some good advice to save your money, others have given you advice that is useless and more or less the blind leading the blind.
Now I see where the name comes from, perfect fit right here. I have a business license and I’m insured as well, this would be a totally different direction in what my business which has been sidelined due to living in California and having to work 2 jobs just to live here. My plan was to not only have the ability of using either one of the top two first choices as a main home rig, to wash around the house and vehicles then use it make some income back with auto detailing and also washing others homes, which I wouldn’t dare touch until I’m comfortable doing my own first to learn. For now I have a Lowe’s card with some credit available and that’s my only option to get a power washer from them as the two units from costco didn’t work.
im not detering you from perusing the industry. Money can be made somewhat easily compared to other manual labor jobs or working for someone at the $10/hr rate.
There is more info here than you will ever process… dont worry about what machine from lowes you need, read read read and then stuff will start to make since.
A machine from lowes will be fine for around the house and becoming familar with pressure washing. Heck, even as a back up if you were to pursue this adventure… my small machine stays in the trailer for just that reason.
Im sure you will find your way quickly but I would recommend sorting from top rated to start your plunge into the endless abyss of knowledge that is this forum.
Also have you considered working/apprenticing a local guy? I wouldn’t recommend looking to close as not to be a competitor but im sure someone would love a helping hand once or twice a week.
Funny that u bring that up. Yes I have someone in mind and were going to meet up this week. His company isn’t local so I have to drive a lil bit but I imagine it’ll benefit me more than him so I’m willing to drive.
Check the classifieds, sometimes theres stuff literally free. 3weeks ago a guy was selling his 5x10 trailer with a hotsy burner with a honda gx690 for $800, i was 2 seconds too slow, some are $275 around complete, 1 was a landa HOT unit for $100, no joke. 1 was free. I do always seem to be too slow acting tho.
Hes right ive read alot on here and have been on a few jobs with a well know member on this forum “racer” and i still have ALOT to learn. Just washing your house is not going to teach you much read on here. Watch some youtube vids and do some friends, families and maybe neighbors houses. If your serious about doing a quality job and succeeding in the business then i would wait learn and buy some quality equipment. I rushed in and bought a box store machine like you. Wash families houses with it and realised really quick this wasnt going to work. After finding this forum i returned that machine and saved up and got better equipment. After reading here for awhile you will see what i mean. Im still getting my setup ready too. You can get a decent setup for about $3000 thats enough to get you going.
Heres my first post here with the same budget as you.
Ive been with @racer on a few jobs. Endless info, hands on experience, good pay, local connections for chems and you make a friend with similar interests as you. Never know when you might need to call on one another.
Either of the first two units, I can indeed use them for backup and use them to wash vehicles, just need to be a 3 feet back and have the correct tip in place to not damage any vehicle? Just confirming.
…yes make sure you use the red tip that comes with it when your closer than 3 feet. @Ebs1391 says SH and joy dish soap works well on vechiles and it creates a nice smelling mix. Good luck to you!!!
Grizz this is horrible advice…dish soap removes any wax that was on the car…and SH on a car??? As was stated by @Heath71… don’t use the red tip for anything
