Just to put this into perspective. 6 jobs at $200 a job and thats 1200. 4 months that $4800.
Stop trying to low ball your equipment. Stay away from the big box stores. They won’t run for hours and hours without replacing things.
In all seriousness, if your not going to provide professional services ie. job specific insurance, job specific equipment, book your 4-6 houses in one weekend and rent first thing saturday morning. Sunday is usually not charged by rental company and return on monday morning. This way a surface cleaner is included and you only pay one day. Or, go to box store and buy the one you want, use it all summer, run it dry for 20 minutes and return it. Buy the warranty. Its not really ethical, but neither is providing uninsured services and your not washing enough to buy decent coverage. Option 3, buy a used quality machine and build from there. It will serve as a good backup later when you buy an 8 gal. You will learn really fast that of your “wide range of jobs”, the summer money is in washing and its easy on the body. Everything else gets in the way. Just my opinion.
$4800-$1k for insurance-fuel-sh-extra hose-surface cleaner…just sayin
Ok, I’ll add my 2¢.
Live up to your namesake, @RIGHTFROMTHESTART. Do this right, from the start.
Power washing is the sort of service that can be super profitable if you set yourself up for it correctly. Or, it can be just another handyman, low-yield activity to fill your hours of the day in exchange for a modest wage.
Only spending $450-700 on a machine will put you in the second category.
I used a rental machine for my first dozen jobs or so, and drove myself crazy with it. I finally purchased a machine on credit, and it was the best business decision I’ve made in a long time.
So my advice:
- get a decent machine on credit. I went with the Pressure Pro 5.5 @2500. I mounted it on a used trailer along with a buffer tank & hose reels. Total outlay was around $3k, and it paid for itself in the first few days of using it.
- get your liability insurance in order
- adopt a new mindset. Look yourself in the mirror and say, “I am a professional. I will be professional. I will make choices from now on that reflect that fact.”
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Thank you for the advice air… glad to listen
Alex…thank you for reply…yes I want to it right and will look into what youve said… there is always a right way and a wrong one…
Great advice Alex
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Hey guys im new here and I just got into the wash game lately. I started with the 4gpm 4400psi preditor motor PW and returned it twice in a month, first one had rust and ran at 3800psi and the second one died the first job, and the harbor frieght employee said preditor is a good brand except the PWs which are constantly being returned. I bought the dewalt 4400psi 4gpm with the honda engine for $1095 with a 3yr warranty for an additional $250 and couldnt be happier. Its lighter, runs smoother, uses less gas and oil, and is made of better metals.
Brother dont skimp on this vital piece of equipment, you will loose money in the long run!
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Please take your website link of your signature
Yep finding out people dont like them here. 
