power wash school, what do you all think?? please help.

[Cali]

Alright, better late than never. This is what I get for not being on the BB for a few weeks, again.

First of all, Kevin, I live in North Orange County. Right on the LA Border. I started my business at 16, detailing cars. Moved into Pressure Washing at 18. If you would like some local help, I am definitely the closet. E-mail me and we can "do Lunch".

I also have helped alot of contractors both locally and abroad. In Southern California, the detailing business sucks in my opinion. They are a dime a dozen. That is why I got out of it. I had a few good customers that stuck with me at my prices, but for the most part, very few will pay the $200 to get there car detailed when they can always find someone to do it for $150. Or $120. Take your pick. I was tired of fighting the guys over nickles and dimes.

Let me know if I can help.

Kendra Tillery
Polished Perfection
714-412-2646

 

[Larry L.]

<b><font color=green>See Kevin to many detailers in your area fighing over the butter it could be the same way with the powerwashers too as the reason I'm saying look at other trades in your area that may not be over supported as to make a better living(more money per hour).Right now is the time to stop and do more thinking because you know detailing is out what else is out around you if you want to live around there and make a living,check it out.You can drive around and look at where some of the powerwashers live and it will tell you a little not all.

If your area cann't handle another washer have you thought anything about a mobile lube,it may be more in demand than detailing or powerwashing,its a money maker too plus mobile.

It may read that I trying to talk you out of this trade and that is not my meaning.Just think if you had done more checking around on detailing in your area you may have gotten into powerwashing first.I'm not saying your making a mistake by picking this trade b/c its a good one.Around here the prices are on a all time high stand still if not dragging back alittle,,,,,Why,,,,like I said some bussiness are cutting back in their wash or skip me this week catch me next time.Most all this type bussiness (detailing)is feeling the hurt meaning they will skip a wash but want skip a oil chance or most don't.
Meet with Cali,you'll get to see the trade she in plus may even get some hands on squirtiing water by helping her for a few days.

My area is wide open for a mobile detailing or stand alone detailing shop,,wide open for mobile lube,,I've done my checking and already know where my money is in both.My area can not handle another powerwasher unless someone goes out of bussiness then they fight over getting his accounts by lowering price.Dig deeper in your area and see what trade is not over supported,lawn care,tree care,mobile lunch wagon,,,,check what is in demand but just a few doing or none at all.

 

[Jon Fife]

hi Kevin,

It is good to see that you are doing your homework before you bet the farm on one thing. i was like you. i started doing my business when i was 19, a freshman in college. i started out with a pressure washer in the trunk of a small car i was driving. i did not do a school or have any way of learning the trade.

there has been a lot of talk here directed to you regarding specializing in a particular trade of this business. my suggestion to you would be to try and do as many types of work as possible at first. get your feet wet in all of the trades (maybe with the exception of hoods) and then decide which one you like. The reason i say this is that money will probably be tight the first year or so, and i doubt you will be in a position to turn down work.

i respect what Bigboy says about finding out what is needed in your and go after that market (i.e., the 'find something no one else wants to do, and do it' arguement), but i also feel that there is always room out there for someone who wants to be the best at what he or she does and set new standards for others to follow. So i say, if this is what you feel like you will enjoy, by all means get into this business and be better than the other seven companies in SoCal!!!

That brings me to another point: being the best. the question is, do you want to be the best??? this may sound like an obvious 'yes' question, but think about it. I specialize only in wood restoration. the product i use to preserve my deck is a good one. is it the best??? i don't think so. it is good enough to last about 2 years and then i need to service the home again. you see, i dont want a deck finish that is going to last 10 years, because i want to go back and service that home more often! if i were servicing a log home, i would want the finish to last longer. so decide how you want to market yourself in your business, and go from there.

similar to in a town where there is a mcdonalds restraunt and a $50 per plate steakhouse. are both of them profitable?? yes. but they cater to different needs. decide how you want to do your business. some jobs want to spend the smallest amount of money possible and just see a result. other jobs will want the Cadillac treatment, and will spend the extra money to get the perfect service done. decide where you want to market.

Lastly, (i know this was long) be willing to take a couple on the chin early on. take for instance my wood restoration business. most of my jobs come from the neighbors seeing me working on Mrs. Jones' deck or fence. Those are the references you need, because you can usually get more money if the people come looking for you. Now, this might require you going door to door in a neighbor hood giving out cards. what i usually do is give the first couple of people a great price just so that i can get into the neighborhood and be seen working. this always works.

kevin, i hope i have helped you some, and you can absolutely make it in this business, i dont care how many people in your area do it. if you have a passion for it, go for it, because it is better to make less money doing something you love than it is to make more money doing something you hate!! Please call me if i can help you with anything,

best regards,
Jon Fife
nashville,TN
(615)837-3663

 

[Jon]

Kevin,

I know what being young and ambitious means, like others I have been there, burn out, at 19 I don't see how you really have experienced it yet, but like Bigboy said, working 80 hour weeks and you will very quickly.

Take Kendra up on her offer, she is only a couple hours from you one way as I am another but she has years more experience then I have.

Some harp on doing it all then finding which you like most, others say find your spot then go after that market, I knew what I wanted to do after talking with guys online, on the phone and reading things.

Don't expect business to just come to you since the first person you need to sell is YOU, walk in with shorts and and T-shirt then expect the customer to think you do work like that, you need to dress professional and talk that way.

As I said before I sale quality over price and always will, sure I take the small jobs also but I stick with my quality, anyone who wants to know HOW MUCH before "what will it look like" is not for me. I don't do many homes, they tend to always chissle for price after the fact and I don't budge once I quote a price.

Don't call up other pressure washers asking "what do you charge to do this or that" we know your either a pressure washer or looking to get into it with that question.

Do you have a business name picked out, registered? insurance? business cards, software program for bookkeeping, not your mom's but you own?

Bid sheets, a logo if you are going to have one? What are you driving around in towing your equipment?

Trailer ( single or double axle) and know weight limits
Pick up truck or car?
Have you priced equipment
gas, electric or diesel?
Water tanks
Hoses
Nozzles
Guns
Wands
Chemicals
(be sure to get MSDS sheets on anything you carry or use)
Learn about soft water
hard water
DI water

Kevin the list is endless, plan on breakdowns. Learn to do the repairing or you will go broke.

I ask others who I know have done it when I am not sure how to do something. Most here will gladly help for free. ( sure a couple want to charge me but I just send them funny money!!)

Kevin, just don't expect to take all the business from others in your area, it just does not work that way.

How are you handling accounts that quit you, will that bother you? if so you are in for a shock, win some, lose some is the name of the game in this business.

Ok now it is time for someone else to add to the list.

 

[debi]

detailing

I think I'm moving to Ca if you can make $200 on a car detailing
I make $75 for a car, $200 for a log truck and that takes me 6 - 8 hrs. That is what got me into PW was the requests by the truck drivers to have water and a mobile unit. It's nice to leave them with a polished rig, makes it that much easier to clean next time, unless they wait 6 months like they do mostly....LOL
Best of luck to ya, Kevin...

I'm finding the help on here is priceless, even around all the bullshoot.

and....even picking up some work with a nearby PW....

 

[Larry L.]

<b><font color=green>Hi Jon,hey your across the river from me and Jon or Luckyboy is over the hills from me,boy glad you two aren't here to get my bussiness .

Kevin,lets take a look at what Jon said,,

"((but i also feel that there is always room out there for someone who wants to be the best at what he or she does and set new standards for others to follow. So i say, if this is what you feel like you will enjoy, by all means get into this business and be better than the other seven companies in SoCal!!!))",,,,

That also goes true with detailing why run when you already have the stuff for detailing,be the best, stay away from the nickels and dimes and go after the dallors.

Your turn Luckyboy,,,"'((As I said before I sale quality over price and always will, sure I take the small jobs also but I stick with my quality, anyone who wants to know HOW MUCH before "what will it look like" is not for me. I don't do many homes, they tend to always chissle for price after the fact and I don't budge once I quote a price))"

If you can read between the lines in Jons post you'll see he stays away from the nickels and dimes.....Plus
(((Kevin, just don't expect to take all the business from others in your area, it just does not work that way))"

.....Not even with nickels and dimes will getem.


And from Sugar pie..

"((I make $75 for a car, $200 for a log truck and that takes me 6 - 8 hrs.))"

Did you think your area was the only one that had low prices.


Powerwashing and detailing will always have area's like that and Like Jon said if you want it go get it,don't look for the rabbit that layed the easter egg,look for the chicken that said he did.</B></f>

 

[kevin t]

jon and others,

yes i do have a basic concept of what a rig will entile . i am still not exact on how reclaim/recycle units are set up .

i will run a 12x16 tandem axel with 10,000lb axels and torsions .
a belt drive hot water pw with a min of 3000psi @ 5 gpm.gas powered , desiel fired (not sure what brand yet)
a cold water unit for back up and apps not needed for hot
a min of a 200 gal fresh water tank .
what ever water containment reclaim equipment i will need to comply with epa requlations .
a grey water tank .
tool box .
various wands such as dual lance or bypass wand . telescoping wand as well as other wands need to make the work easy and time efficeint .
pump up srayers ,
electic sprayer with mix tanks.
probaly start with a 24 inch surface cleaner
ladders
guns (trigger and open handle)
not sure yet what chems i will need
from what i heard by law i am suppose to carry msds sheets
nozzels
a full spare parts inventory ( lots of o-rings and couplers and one of ever replaceable part on my rig)
i plan to tow the rig with a 3/4 ton chevy truck .
much more !
about the book keeping , i plan to use quick books pro 2001 and i do have a copy of it on my pc . one of my friends does graphic design so they i handle the logo design.
i want you all to know that i am fully aware that i will not just able to steal work and that i will have to sell my self and look professional . i have seen many people that do business in shorts and a tee shirt . i myself thinks is shows a very unproffesional image for there company . no matter what the trade is!!!
if i am going to going into this trade or any i will have to be a sales man and i plan to dress and maintain a proffesional imgage both during the sale and through out the work and during any other aspect of my business .
i already dress in a "business casual " manner on a daily basis , so dressing up is not problem .
just so you know that i know what this is i will tell you .
maintain a clean cut , neatly shaved , styled hair and no ear rings not that i wear any .
a company logoed polo shirt (tucked in )
khakis or slacks
nice and clean shoes

does anyone have a pix of there irgs ??? if so could you please e-mail me some . i did a search on trailers . but the links arent there anymore !

my e-mail veedubx65@aol.com

thanks again

kevin

 

[Mark]

Here is one of the trailer packages we sell:

 

[Larry L.]

<b><font color=green>WOW,I see we're going to wash alittle of everything,thats ok,heck I did.

Will try to help you cut some of your cost as in spare parts,chemicals,ect.

You want need alot of couplers just afew,if you take care of them they will last for along time.20 0 rings is enough to keep in supply..You will need more plugs then couplers in supply,they will be what does damage to your 0 rings.My choose in both is stailess steel,my next choose brass couplers with S.S. plugs they seem to last longer than brass to brass contact which helps saves the 0 rings.

When you get ready to put it togather hallower I'm sure some of use can help,,,,,,,200 gal' tank could cost you money,may be to little depends.

If your going to skip school,lets go to work how any I help you?</B></f>

 

[Jon]

Kevin,

Have older pictures but always changing, improving and once new generator on I will take pics n post.

now I want to say what I think is going on here Kevin.

From what you just said in your last post your not a newbie, not even 19, my opinion only but your a pro who is playing with us.

No 19 year old just looking into the business knows what you just said, and to mention a cold water system as a back up says a lot about you, then you out of the blue mention reclaim.

Do you know the cost of a reclaim system? even looked at any yet? If so what brands have you looked into?

Sorry if you don't like my bluntness but you just gave yourself away.

Even if I am wrong and I have been in the past, I went back and re-read all you have said from the get go, it is not adding up to what you first said.

Someplace here you lost track of your first post.

SO why not tell us who you really are or who your posting for?

Now in the mistaken belief I am wrong, what Bigboy said about me is correct, I am not looking for the nickle and dime stuff, that is out there for all who want it, and yes we all can use those buffalo nickles and liberty dimes but I leave them for others, I am interested in larger accounts.

I do take some of those little ones when I feel it is a test to see what I can do before I get the whole 9 yards and I do them too.

If you are interested in a 16 foot tandem trailer with tool boxes on wheel wells I know one for sale, not sure of year but in good condition. I would buy it if it was 14 feet, but 16 is to long for where I park my rig.

Kevin come clean with us before you put both feet in your mouth.

Yes I speak my mind freely and openly but am honest about things too.. now where did I put my Swiss account number again!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jon]

MARK, that looks just like both Hydro Tek and All American with is now Alkota. Both are so much the same hard to tell anymore.. both good units but I feel All American (Alkota) is better.

 

[kevin t]

jon
i want you to know that i am definately a newbie and have never done any work in the trade before and i am 19 an no pro by far .
i am telling the truth and still seriously thinking about going to school .
the only reseason i know about all the equipment and rig basics is becasue i ahve been searching these boards for a few months now . as well as any other i may find .
just because i know what should be on a rig means nothing as far as me being a liar or trying to take you all.
the reason i know about reclaim is i have read about it on the epa sites regaurding the clean water act .

thats all

thanks again

kevin

 

[Jon]

Kevin,

By now you can see that many here get upset with me, some even feel I am out of line but they know I speak my mind clearly.

Some, a very few can even tell me off and get away with it.

Now if you send me your Email address I will send you a few pictures of my rig as it is now, but in two days there will be some changes again so you want to wait till the weekend I can send up to date pics.

Feel free to call me as well as the others that have offered.

I will admit I am not the best to teach you things, but I sure can get your dander up!!

And it is not done to PO you or anyone else.

 

[Mike Hughes]

Originally posted by kevin t
i will run a 12x16 tandem axel with 10,000lb axels and torsions .

No trailer is over 8.5' wide or so.


Here is a pic of mine. The van in the pic was retired last November........It could not handle pulling all of that weight. Blew the rear out of it twice. I now pull it with a Ford F250 SuperDuty which handles it with no problems.

http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1471628&a=11073115&p=45852259

 

[kevin t]

sorry , ment to say 12 x 6

kevin

 

[degraffreed]

Kevin,

I am als new to the PW biz also. I had intentions on attending the 6 day powerwashing school in Texas, the 2nd week of February. I would like to know what school you mention that is only 500-600 dollars and where it is located.

Please e-mail before I make any further commitments. I have purchased my truck and looking for a 7x12 or 14 and buying my equipment for Delco in Fort Worth.

 

[Dan S]

degraf, This thread you are talking about happen in the year 2001
I havent seen Kevin around here since!!

The best school you will ever get is the School of hardknox!!

Just get out and learn ....

 

[biznitch15]

degraf, This thread you are talking about happen in the year 2001
I havent seen Kevin around here since!!

The best school you will ever get is the School of hardknox!!

Just get out and learn ....

Good post DAN, where is kevin? has anybody seen him?

 

[Henry Bockman]

It's kinda weird to see these old posts pop back up after so many years.. Kinda like a voice from the past..

The PWNA has a few classes that you might be interested in for around that price.

 

[jandjsales]

this site has $2000.00 worth of info on it. you can get started and be effective from reading and learning all the good advice that gets posted here.

Jeff G