Hi there everyone, so I recently started an exterior cleaning business in Portland, Oregon. I started doing windows and gutters, but I’m adding pressure washing for sure, and I might add soft-washing as well. I’m struggling with a decision right now that is pretty unique and I could not find help for online, so I figured it might be okay to ask a question despite my low read time.
Basically, while I am definitely committed to this industry through this season, I have another career opportunity that I may want to pursue after this season. But, it’s super up in the air, so I just don’t know if that’s going to happen or if I will want to stick with exterior cleaning. What I’m trying to decide is if it would be worth it to build out a whole budget 5.5gpm pressure washing and potentially soft washing setup on my truck (I am getting a used truck for sure within the next couple weeks) if I am only using it for one season, or if I would be better off just getting a 4gpm pressure washer for this season and then upgrading after this season if I’m wanting to stay in the industry. Also, I have $5000 saved up that I could spend on equipment on top of the truck, though if it doesn’t make sense to invest that much into one season, I would just go with the 4gpm machine.
I appreciate any input you can give!
Are you thinking residential or commercial work? If you’re just washing some driveways and houses, a 4 gpm will be fine. The reason I’d lean towards 4 for you is that you don’t need a buffer tank most of the time with it. So, if you get out of the business, a 4 gpm is useful around the house or to throw in your truck for a quick job here and there. With a 5.5 or larger, you’ll most likely need to carry water, so a dedicated vehicle or trailer. No need for any dedicated soft wash system, just downstream from your pressure washer. If you need stronger, just carry a pump up. If you get out of the business, a dedicated soft wash system is no use to you anymore.
Whatever you decide to build or go with, you might want to consider resale as a potential way of recouping some of the investment. A well built 5.5 skid might net more next spring than a 4gpm machine and some assorted tools. And it’ll be a lot more fun to use in the meantime. Just a thought.
If you know you’re 100% committed to windows and gutters for this season, why not just lean into that and keep it simple for now?
Windows and gutters alone can keep you plenty busy, especially in Portland, and they require way less capital, setup time, and mental bandwidth than building out a full pressure/soft wash truck. Since your other career opportunity is still up in the air, it seems like a lot of money and effort to invest in pressure washing equipment you may only use for one season.
You could focus on maximizing revenue with windows and gutters this year, build your customer base, and see what pans out next year career wise. Then, once you have clarity on whether you’re sticking with exterior cleaning long-term, you can make a more confident decision about pressure washing and soft washing and invest properly at that point.
If you really want to offer pressure washing later, it’ll still be there next season and you’ll be making that decision with real experience, cash flow, and direction instead of uncertainty.
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I will add a couple things.
As a long-time window cleaner, I can attest that pressure washing insurance is stupid expensive compared to window cleaning. Back in the day I could get 1/2mil WC coverage for $55/mo. PW in my area runs about $3k/yr, and even then it was difficult to get.
Also, understand that one doesn’t just simply ‘take up pressure washing’ without knowing what it can do to the property. Concrete can get etched, plants will be killed, water can seep behind walls and electrical outlets will fry and potentially burn the wall it’s in (ask me how I know).
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Shoot I didn’t get notifications for any of these responses, didn’t see this 
I will be doing residential! I appreciate the input.
Very true, thanks for sharing!
That makes a lot of sense. Honestly though, I think I want to diversify the services I’m offering to more than just windows and gutters, as I am not liking the heights aspect of gutters and would prefer to do less of it. So I think I am going to do pressure washing of some sort this year, even if it’s maybe not the most logical approach.
In your opinion, is the 4gpm machine just too slow to even consider for offering professional services? It’s a bit tempting since I should be able to just sell it after the season if I either move careers or want to upgrade to 5.5, but if it’s just going to be too much of a pain to use during this season, maybe it’s not worth it. Thanks for the help!
Good points, will definitely keep those in mind.
I washed a good number of houses my first year with a 3.5gpm. I wouldn’t want to do it again now that I have an 8, but it got the job done and made me some money, and proved that I had a market to support investing into bigger equipment.
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Make sure to get a quote for general liability, and I think I read you’re buying a truck for the business, so get commercial auto insurance as well. Personal auto policies typically won’t cover you if you’re using the vehicle for work, hauling equipment, or traveling to job sites, and claims can be denied if the truck is considered business-use. If anything happens you will be out of the business before you even get started.
4 GPM is fine… it’ll be less efficient than a larger pump, especially on concrete, but it will get the job done. Most guys around here, myself included, started with one or are still running one.
I’ve found resale isn’t great locally with the smaller units. When a new one costs around $600, most people aren’t willing to spend more than $300 on a used machine, even if it’s only a year old. The main exception is if it has a Honda engine or is belt/gear driven.
If I have the storage space and time, I’ll list older equipment at around 70% of new cost. If I want it sold within a few days or weeks, it’s usually got to be under 50%.
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I was in the same situation, got tired of people asking if I “do pressure washing” and wanted to diversify a little.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have started with a BELT DRIVE 4gpm machine so I could hook it up to a small buffer tank. A direct drive is dependent on house water pressure and GPM, plus you must pull the trigger at least once a minute or the pump will overheat.
You can grow your business some with it, maybe 2-ish years before deciding to get an 8gpm. If you look around there are a few used ones for sale, may have to drive a ways.
Okay got it, appreciate the info
Okay got it, though I think if I were to get a buffer tank and belt drive system, I might as well just go with the 5.5 since I’m doing all that work anyway. Will have to think on that, thanks for the help!
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Just read your introduction post in the other thread. I vote to just keep using your brother’s 2.8gpm for the next year and focus on house washing. Concrete would be a slow process with it but could be done. If you’re able to hold off on buying a truck and new equipment until you figure out what path you’re taking next year you will most likely end up in a better position with less wasted money.
