You’re going to come across a lot of individuals here that operate full-time businesses here. The advice you are getting above is not wrong at all. But, each business can certainly be set up differently and operated as the operator sees best. The suggestions you’ve gotten from members here are solid.
With that stated, if you are a glutton for punishment like several of us, we decide to do things differently and usually in an inefficient manner to get started and if we’re smart, we hopefully upgrade as business grows.
Starting a business this time of year is a valid point to take into consideration. Also, knowing the type of siding you’ll be targeting is key in determining the route in equipment purchases you’ll be making. Vinyl is simple; stucco, though not a difficult process, requires a stronger chemical application (often multiple times, meaning more solution you must carry in your vehicle).
Pool Essentials chlorinating liquid will work just fine for what you are wanting to do. It’s how many start out. Heck, there’s still folks here that buy pallets of 1-gallon bottles. Hopefully, as business grows and equipment becomes upgraded you’ll be able to buy bleach/SH in bulk and receive better pricing. Just make sure whatever you are buying the supply chain is solid. Here in South Carolina, Pool Essentials disappears from store shelves during non-pool seasons.
Have you considered finding a decent equipment rental store that would rent you washer and trailer? You’d have to have a receiver installed on your Fusion, but that’s probably better than carting all of the equipment and chems inside the car. In the heat on a sunny day, you’ll regret putting a gas can or bleach container in there.
Do you have any clients yet?
Have you washed before?
Do you know what your pricing is/is going to be?
I would love to. No room. No room for a trailer either. Thats the best ive been able to come up with. The hoses work well there. Down here in Florida we have HOAs that dictate how your vehicle can be presented in the driveway. No work trucks! Im just glad they haven’t said anything about my hoses being there
I have seen those old Corollas doing fast past times in 1/8 mile. Dont remember how fast cause it was 20 years ago.
Heres another analogy for you:
Everybody 6’6" and up are professionally gifted basketball players
Santa clause is real
Harbor freight is the best store ever
People that shop at wal mart are educated consumers
I think people that own six digit pieces of equipment generally know how to use them. I think people with beginner equipment sometimes get caught up in looking at what others have and just assuming that they are silver spoon people that never had to learn or earn their position. It all sounds like sour grapes to me.
I know its hard to imagine. But there is so much washing down here it leads to that possibility. Ive only seen it once. But i see countless 7 x 14 or more double axle awesome trailers with nice equipment and you can tell by looking at the way theyre set up that they are clueless. Built before they ever did a wash it would seem. But im done with this conversation
It’s possible to use a 12v, carry an empty batch mix tank, and drag it all out of the car on site. Its slow, but it will work. I know this because there is a guy in my area that soft washes out of the trunk of his Jetta. Rinses with a garden hose.
I also know that a $1,000 budget would buy you a ladder, a leaf blower, a gutter tool, 100’ of garden hose, and your first month’s insurance premium. You’d have the equipment to clean gutters and save for a washing set up that you won’t have to replace in 3 months. Plus, everything you buy for cleaning gutters would be the same stuff you’ll need in 3 years from now.
I piddled around all spring putting a bare bones trailer build together with used equipment and finally started washing 2 months and $3,500 later. If I’d just bought a ladder and a leaf blower in March I likely would have made a lot more money this year and have a much bigger customer list to market to next year.
It is a possibility. I’m suggesting that it is the generally the exception rather than the rule. However, I see no issue with someone on purchasing the best equipment they can afford to start out with. In fact, I’d say that is probably the best route to take for most. With decent equipment, you not only look more professional but you also open yourself up to taking on bigger projects which helps you recoup your investment much faster.
Perfect! How can I get this setup or get the right tools to build this setup? This is exactly what I’m looking for I would definitely like to grab this and play around with it to start off
Hey thanks for the long response I was limited to respond on here so I had to wait 24 hours to reply so sorry for getting back so late
As far as that NO my first client will be Nov 20th for a close to 2000sqft home. What I did was went house to house and left flyers in the Orlando area…when I got my first call I said I was booked for the next few weeks and went ahead and scheduled a little bit before thanksgiving. That way when I knew when I bought the equipment I would have already been on route to making money
As far as renting the equipment no I haven’t even thought to go that route at all
Ive got all day. How would I make it work? My other job is software development and Airbnb so if i have to spend another hour or two thats fine. I played football so manual work is no issue
So If I have a 2.5 GPM the only issue will be time? It’s not like I can’t do the work with that size machine?
