Considering starting a pwing business.. need advice

[Mow Right]

I am considering starting a pressure washing business by next spring. Currently I am in the lawncare business, but I am considering changing my name to MR Property Maintenance or something and venturing into gutter cleaning and powerwashing. I have a slew of questions, if you guys could please help me out by anwsering a few I would immensely appreciate it.

What is the suggested liquid capital for startup of the business? (I already have a truck) (I saw a whole powerwashing setup on ebay brand new go for around $8,000)

What is a the average first year revenue with a budget of $3,000 in advertisements?

Would those of you that are in this business suggest others to do so? (probably 50% of the people in the lawncare business would anwser this question as a no and wish they would have went into another business)

How long does it normally take to draw salary from starting a scratch pressure washing business?

Thanks for your help,

Josh
Mow Right



Edit: Was looking through ebay and found this business for sale.. figured I would post it on here incase somebody might be interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230038084126&fromMakeTrack=true

 

[Scott Stone]

I am considering starting a pressure washing business by next spring. Currently I am in the lawncare business, but I am considering changing my name to MR Property Maintenance or something and venturing into gutter cleaning and powerwashing. I have a slew of questions, if you guys could please help me out by anwsering a few I would immensely appreciate it.

What is the suggested liquid capital for startup of the business? (I already have a truck) (I saw a whole powerwashing setup on ebay brand new go for around $8,000)

That would be a good start. There are some that have been able to do it with less, and some more, but at least you would have a start on your business

What is a the average first year revenue with a budget of $3,000 in advertisements?

It depends on your area, what kind of accounts you do, competition, etc. It is impossible for me to predict. I do think that my first year was only about $1000 per month, but, I was part time, I had not figured out my niche, and I just did not work at it hard.

Would those of you that are in this business suggest others to do so? (probably 50% of the people in the lawncare business would anwser this question as a no and wish they would have went into another business)

This business has been very good to me, but there are days that stretch into 20 hour days that I wish that I had gone another direction. Then there are days that I love my business and the number of zeros to sell it go up dramatically

How long does it normally take to draw salary from starting a scratch pressure washing business?

I drew money out of my business right away, out of necessity. A better question is how long until I can support myself from it. Again this all depends on market and revenues.

Thanks for your help,

Josh
Mow Right



Edit: Was looking through ebay and found this business for sale.. figured I would post it on here incase somebody might be interested.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230038084126&fromMakeTrack=true

And there you have it.

 

[PressurePros]

If you are going full time and this will be your only revenue I would start with $50K as my working capital and spend $15k of it getting up and running.

Your first year you can expect to spend 15% of your gross on marketing. In your case your $3000 budget (consider upping that amount) would probably yield you about $20K worth of work. If you stick to your budget and buy chemicals correctly, you should net about $12,00 your first year (This is why I recommend the $50 k if you are going full time..you need to supplement your income) Your second year things might double for you. It all depends on your ability to run things, time management, etc. You start really making some money your third year and this is where you may consider expansion if you are on the ball.

I would recommend this type of business if:

You understand the difference betwen owning a company and owning a job

You are disciplined and can keep records and stick to budgets. (I suck at paperwork and need to hire bookeepers)

Write a business plan and define early your role in the company (in the beginning you will be everything from laborer to estimator to bookeeper)

You will have contingency funds and be able to endure slow times (and they will plague you in the beginning). You need support from your family if you have one that relies on you. Times will be lean at first.

You are relatively healthy. This is hard work. Most of us that have spent any real time in the field have carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, and back issues. Thats why you have to have a plan to hire labor and turn the work over to them.

Good Luck. (don't spend too much on a rig. A 5.5 gpm hot water machine can be had for under $3500)

 

[Mow Right]

Thank you so much for you guys information.

My plan is to schedule my lawns for about 4 days per week and the other days do side jobs + pwing.. and if the pwing business gets big run that as a second business entirely..

I will be attending college next year and live with my parents right now so I have NO living expenses.

Would I need to start the business in spring or would starting it in mid-summer be ok? I would have more money mid next summer..

What do you think could be my minimal startup costs? I am already covered $1M general liability so I wouldn't need insurance I dont think, and I am assuming I can just buy a trailer rig and use my same truck.

Thanks alot..

Josh
Mow Right

 

[taselton2]

If you are going full time and this will be your only revenue I would start with $50K as my working capital and spend $15k of it getting up and running.

Your first year you can expect to spend 15% of your gross on marketing. In your case your $3000 budget (consider upping that amount) would probably yield you about $20K worth of work. If you stick to your budget and buy chemicals correctly, you should net about $12,00 your first year (This is why I recommend the $50 k if you are going full time..you need to supplement your income) Your second year things might double for you. It all depends on your ability to run things, time management, etc. You start really making some money your third year and this is where you may consider expansion if you are on the ball.

I would recommend this type of business if:

You understand the difference betwen owning a company and owning a job

You are disciplined and can keep records and stick to budgets. (I suck at paperwork and need to hire bookeepers)

Write a business plan and define early your role in the company (in the beginning you will be everything from laborer to estimator to bookeeper)

You will have contingency funds and be able to endure slow times (and they will plague you in the beginning). You need support from your family if you have one that relies on you. Times will be lean at first.

You are relatively healthy. This is hard work. Most of us that have spent any real time in the field have carpal tunnel, tennis elbow, and back issues. Thats why you have to have a plan to hire labor and turn the work over to them.

Good Luck. (don't spend too much on a rig. A 5.5 gpm hot water machine can be had for under $3500)

GOOD ADVICE KEN, BACK PAIN = 800MG IBUPROFEN FOR ME. I KEEP A BUNCH IN EACH TRUCK, MOST DAYS IT WILL KNOCK THE EDGE OFF. I LIVE WITH LOWER BACK PAIN, AND MY RIGHT HAND IS STRONG BUT SORE. NICE TO KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY "BROKEN DOWN" HOUSE WASHER AROUND.

 

[Mathew Johnson]

call me.... i would like to chat and tell you how i got started