Hello Jeff!
I'm Randy with Aran Services in the Raleigh area of North Carolina.
If I can help - let me know!
As for your list of questions
As for your question "Are ther any schools near Virginia to attend?"
2 suggestions:
1) This board is by far the best school anyone can ask for! These folks are straight shooters and we have many people who have a lot of years in this industry!
2) When you determine which area of pressure washing you want to be in, ask the board - someone may have a training video they would sell you. That will at least help you gain some insight into that particular area of the industry.
As for the question "What type and how much will a good "rig" run me?"
One thing most everyone will probably agree with me on is that you should have a BELT DRIVE unit.
There are many other factors to look at - Gallons Per Minute, PSI, to or not to have a generator, getting one with or without a temperature control. Do you want a skid mount unit or one with wheels... and the list goes on from there!
Personally speaking; We have 3 different units.
One has a temperature control & a generator It pumps about 4.8 GPM at 3,000 PSI
The second has no temp control, no generator. It pumps 5.3 GPM at 3,000 PSI
The third is a cold water unit (I think) It pumps 4.3 GPM at 2,400 PSI (that is mainly for decks & fencing)
ALL 3 of mine are belt drive!
A few more things to think about are:
Hose Reels (some are better than others)
Hoses - there are 1-wire and 2-wire, and there are also non-marking hoses also.
Water Tanks - personally I find that a 200 to 250 gal. tank is just fine for what we need in the field.
Truck Mounted or Trailer Mounted (open or enclosed trailer?)
Sprayers - Pump Sprayers? Electric or Manual? Hand Sprayers?
Wands? Short? Long? Extension Wands?
Basically - expect to spend about $15,000.00 to around $30,000.00 for a trailer set up right!
(this does NOT include a truck to pull it with!)
If you need help putting together a trailer let me know! We will get you fixed up with no problem!
Feel free to contact me for an help that you may need!
Good Luck!
Randy
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Cleaning America - One Job At A Time!
Once this shell of a body is vacated, may the Great God above know that I have tried to do better than I did the day before!
E-MAIL: aran@bellsouth.net
Our URL:
http://easypath.to/pressurewashing