Hey guys sorry for the newb question, when I try searching it just keeps saying page cannot be found so I figured id post a thread.
I am trying to break into the business, I currently work a full time job making an average salary (for my area) and I have a small part time lawn care business on the side. Next year I hope to go full time.
I’m really wanting to get into power washing / surface cleaning to be able to offer that service as well, and if it ends up being more profitable I will progress.
Anyways I know my budget isnt the greatest but I have 4.5k to spend right now and ill say its hard for me to come up with 5k so I want to make the right purchase. id rather not purchase a cheap washer and have to upgrade in 6 months. is 4-5k enough of a budget to get a decent/good power washer? Id really like to start off right and get a hot water unit, I have an extra trailer or truck I could mount the unit in already and I already have a 550G water tank, the other stuff like spools hoses surface cleaner and chemicals I can buy a little down the road so id like to focus my 4.5k on a washer.
Should I be looking at used units or am I wasting my time buying someones headache? if so how many hours is too many?
Id love to have a dual wand setup but im sure its out of my budget. so what kind of PSI/GPM can I afford / should I be looking for?
Welcome to the board.
Like with any business, do you have a business plan? Im new to this as well and know my plans not the best but its a plan.
Within the plan there should be a section on who your target demographic will be. Either residential or Commercial.
I bring this up because a hot water machine is expense even used ones ive seen them cost more than your budget. With residential its not always necessary to have a hot water machine, although its always nice to have the option. If your going after commercial accounts then you will need hot water. Within that 4.5k you also need to account for the other cost of other equipment, advertising, insurance, and general overhead.
You state that you want to do “surface cleaning” but then say that you will buy one later down the road. For both residential and commercial a “good” surface cleaner is required from the start if your going to be doing flat work. You also state the chemicals will be purchase later as well. Most of the cleaning you do will require some type of cleaning agent unless you plan to just use high pressures to clean everything(don’t do that). I really suggest you use the search tool and look up “soft wash” and just read the years of experiences from the already established professionals. Even if you dont plan to do any buildings or roofs but just flat work, you need to know the correct pressure to be used. Flat work surfaces can also be easily damaged from high pressure, and not all concrete is created equal.
Hi im sorry I must have worded my original post wrong.
I own a lawn care business and I want to offer services aside from lawn care I have a 4.5k to buy a pressure washer ( I can come up more if necessary but I dont need a 11k unit) I don’t want to have to buy another power washer in a few months down the road though.
As far as other equipment I will buy it when the money comes I still have 2 sources of income currently so every check I can go out and pick up a hose or spool or surface cleaner/ misc materials. I have money im not struggling but in my mind I just don’t want to invest 15k and pick up another lawn care contract and have to let 15k worth of equipment just sit.
Basically my main question is there an average one decent pressure washer for multiple misc jobs in my price range. id like to focus on surface cleaning though but I would like to not be limited.
I found a Landa unit 4gpm / 3500 PSI hot water With 60 hours on it, 250g tank, 3 wands, 18" surface cleaner, 100’ hose and reel on a trailer setup for 5 grand.
Is this worth looking into or would this money be better spent on another pressure washer.
Ill add, I really want to avoid buying a used unit but 60 hours isnt much at all.
Nothing wrong with buying used…I’ve bought used stuff many times.
Season is almost over, there’s really no rush, don’t buy anything that would hinder you from making real money in the Spring…4 gpm just doesn’t get it.
If you’re gonna race in NASCAR…would you buy a 400 HP (4GPM) motor? 550 HP (5.5GPM) motor? or an 800 HP (8gpm) motor?..Which one will get you around the track faster? Which one wins the race?
Hi JC,
I’m surprised no one replied to this.
I would sure like to know what are the most profitable areas of the business.
I’m just getting started also.
Bob in Dallas
but moving to Atlanta area in November
If you are doing residential driveways you don’t need hot water. That save you a couple grand right there. For $4500 you can buy an 8 or 10 gpm machine. The most you will need is 3000 psi, as long as you are doing residential. If you plan on commercial, should get at least 3500 psi and 8 gpm. A 10 gpm machine will make you a ton of money fast.
Hey guys id like to thank you all for the reply’s.
Even tho you guys had some great opinions that may have better suited me I picked up a whole pressure washing setup yesterday for basically the price of 1 cold water 8 gpm machine.
The pump says 4.2 GPM 4k PSI The whole setup was purchased 9 months ago from a local place and I have the receipt where he paid 12k. Also came with 3 wands, 200 foot non marking hose, 18" surface cleaner, 110G of chemicals. multiple sprayer tips including gutter stuff aswell. I wish it had more GPM but I figured being the package deal it was worth it.
I can make some money with this setup for a bit and get a higher GPM machine if business is good.
If you decide you want to go with higher gpm can’t you upgrade your pump on the same machine? You will lose PSI but gain gpm. I believe if you went with a 5.5 pump your psi would lower to about 3500 or so. Maybe someone else out there can elaborate on this. What size is the engine you have on the Landa?
Yes, you can upgrade to a higher gpm pump. It’s very easy to do, you just have to work within the limitations of your engine. I went from 4/4K to 5.5/3500 with no trouble at all. Two suggestions though: go with an Udor pump and a Zeromatic unloader…Running your machine will, no joke, put a smile on your face!
Also, if you do a quick search you’ll find a ton of useful info about upgrading your pump.
Jesse
Atlas Services
Exterior Cleaning Specialists
North Carolina www.CallAtlas.com
