Hi there, I would like some feedback from so pros that have been in the industry for a while. I have a formed LLC, no insurance and not bonded yet. I have about 4k saved up and I am wondering what I should do to upgrade? Struggling to get leads but ive been running facebook ads and getting a few jobs here and there. I have no accounting software and all my book keeping is done on paper. I will list my equipment next. I am 18 living with my parents so I have almost no living expenses.
Generac 4GPM 4200PSI direct drive pressure washer
BE whirl-a-way 16 inch surface cleaner
150 ft of pressure hose
50ft of water house
0-rings, ball valve and an xjet
more misc stuff that isnt worth mentioning
I also have a truck.
Im wondering what I should invest in next? I was eyeballing responsibid or maybe getting a belt drive machine? Not too sure though. Im not looking for an entire plan just ideas of where I should upgrade. Thanks.
Get a business license for the cities you work in.
File with Secretary of State.
Paid fb ads are in my opinion a waste of money with little return. Iād rather join fb pages of the areas like community pages or swap shops/ garage sell and advertise there for free. Just post 3x a week.
Get a website and start paid google ads. No one goes to fb to find a business, they go to google.
Every time you make $100, put $25 into separate savings. 25% is for Uncle Sam. Even if you donāt have to pay 25% still good to save that much for taxes alone.
Get an accounting software. Quickbooks self employed is really cheap and good to start. But eventually as you grow, you will probably need to upgrade. Keep all receipts.
Get A CRM which will help you track customer information so you can re-advertise to them for repeat business.
As far as equipment goes, rock what you got till it drops. Save every penny for a 5.5 - 8 gpm setup.
Is close to what I had when I started. Insurance without a doubt. When getting started:
Get an Instagram account going. Half love, other half loathe HomeAdvisor, I use it, used it a lot when I started. HA will get you in front of people, quote a fair price, donāt give away the store, donāt build the fee into your quote, do a good job. Do a good job and people will refer you, ask customers if you can leave a yard sign (donāt leave it for more then a few days), try to get on neighborhood FB pages. Covid has changed this but when I had nothing to do go in I would go out and knock on doors. Always did/said the same thing, hand them a card and start backing away, introduce myself and company, āif you ever need your house washed or concrete cleaned I appreciate the businessā. 99% would say thanks and close the door, if they do anything other then that ask āwhenās the last time you had your house washed?ā
Licensing varies from place to place. The county I am in doesnāt require a license, however the town I work full-time for does require it. There are several towns/cities within my county that also require it. But just because you have one for the county (in the event your county requires it) doesnāt necessarily mean that if you are in a town/cityās limits that you are covered. They will typically ask how much you anticipate you will make within their territory and from there will charge you their base rate at a minimum and then likely higher if you plan on making more there.
Facebook ads donāt work well unless you have a lot to invest in. There are exceptions but usually for already established Facebook business pages with numerous likes and followers. A website will get you the most customers. You can do it yourself but there is a lot to learn to do it right.
I concur with what @DJPWS suggested accept for a solo operator starting out https://www.waveapps.com/ is free vs the $30 or so Quickbooks wants. It does accounting, invoicing, and receipts and I know a couple guys on here use it as well.
