If you have 15K a pickup and the desire to start your own professional pressure washing business then let me save you some time.
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A few years ago I was teasing my wife by telling her that the dream retirement work for me would be to start a pressure washing business where it don't freeze or get to cold. Little did I know she would buy a house in central Florida and as they say, "time to make me a power washing business. Well I did and invested my pick-up and equipped it with a professional skid from a power washing company in Alabama. Cost was 14K. The start was hard and even a year later the phone does not ring much with a top 10 google placement. We have invested a couple grand on SEO help and have developed a 50 page area friendly website. I have had to learn to repair equipment as the environment is brutal. We are surviving by the hems of our boots from 1 good commercial account that I subcontract with or we would be dead. Now lease you think I just did not have the savvy to get moving let me say there are over 250 listings for power washing in my area. The competition is brutal but 1 year in we can see some light appearing. More inquiries on line and word of mouth has built interest. Flyer campaign's on bikes and even ready for a radio commercial to bring in some more commercial and residential interest to the table. Here are a few tips to help someone going down my road.
These are the most important tips I could share to help new entrepreneurs succeed in power washing.
Tip #1 - What power washing equipment should I buy to start a pressure washing business?
Starting with a small power washer is a bad idea!
If you intend on playing with the big fish a small 3.5 gpm power washer will have you doing residential and that market is saturated. There are thousands of painters pulling these small machines out of there trunks and calling them power washers. The best opportunities come with a good purchase and setup to pull hose up to 300 ft. An 8gpm pressure waher and a soft wash pump, tanks and several other pieces of equipment like a blower, rakes and brooms, repair tools some hoses and connecters and chemicals to address grease, rust, efflorescence, calcium, graffiti and more.
Tip #2 - Buy from a local vendor who can offer service.
Buying from a company like I did that was 400 miles away was a mistake. My next rig will be from a vendor 20 miles away.
If you have weak maintenance and repair skills this will help you stay up and running until you get seasoned in fixing your own equipment.
Tip #3 - Is the internet the only way to success?
If you are internet savvy and can organize Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, Twitter and have access to a good SEO person that can develop a decent compliant website with a mobile presence then you are on the right track. People that have no internet experience often pay $750 a month and a lot more for SEO and website management
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Tip #4 - What if I know nothing about power washing and the internet?
I would say that a 30 thousand dollar investment is probably needed for web presence training, equipment, insurances and the whole kitten caboodle to be ready to answer the bell!
Tip #5 - Should I spend all I have to get started?
I would say no to this statement because this profession is so saturated that I have seen people sell the equipment in 6-8 months. You will need some backbone and drive to make it work but with a bit of blessing and some hard work it can be rewarding. Good luck in your new venture if starting one.
What I offer to pressure washing startups!
I am available for $25 to personally answer questions about equipment, chemicals, maintenance, operations and anything else related to power washing in a 30 minute phone or video conference. Please use the contact form on our site to enquire.
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