Hi guys,
I'm Al - I've been in business 28 years, in central NY. I statrted out doing truck washing and cut my teeth doing that. When I started, hose was hard to get, and I know nothing. Through the years I have learned just about everything that is related to pressure washing. I trained 4 people, and they have very good businesses to this day. It seemed no one knew what a pressure washer was then. Now you see them all over the place. same with parts. I was fortunate to have a pw factory close by, but they took advantage of that fact and suked me dry for years. I began washing houses probably 4 yrs into. After a few it took off finally and I took out 2 competitors one who had a franchise with sparkle wash. I've washed probably most everything that can be. I will admit if I had enough sense I would have gone bigger, but found employees to be underhanded, rude, and unworthy to keep my reputation. working alone I set up a standard that couldn't be matched. I found my self being streched to limits I had never known. so I just gave up and went small again, refusing work, sticking with only small jobs, and I am still operational with in limits. In 89 I did fantastic amounts for a 2 machine operation, with 2 workers, I could trust as long as I was there. Houses, mobile homes, commercial bldgs, graffitti, paint srtripping,heavy equipment,stinking restaurants, (I hate but for the $) flatwork, gum,and just about everything else. I started hood service in my area, not knowing a thing about it. after paying for a new fan. There was no place to go then to learn or for advice. I taught myself the whole thing, incuding wrapping hoods, materials, and pricing. I was the only hot water machine in the area. and it stayed that way for many years. I've seen guys come and go, with formal training and not. There is one guy who came up and stayed, but only made it when I backed off. He took up where I left off. I still go out. No more ads I just get called. I'll go, but no longer look for work. My repuation is key. Now I just want to help see other people make it. and thats why I joined up.
I'm Al - I've been in business 28 years, in central NY. I statrted out doing truck washing and cut my teeth doing that. When I started, hose was hard to get, and I know nothing. Through the years I have learned just about everything that is related to pressure washing. I trained 4 people, and they have very good businesses to this day. It seemed no one knew what a pressure washer was then. Now you see them all over the place. same with parts. I was fortunate to have a pw factory close by, but they took advantage of that fact and suked me dry for years. I began washing houses probably 4 yrs into. After a few it took off finally and I took out 2 competitors one who had a franchise with sparkle wash. I've washed probably most everything that can be. I will admit if I had enough sense I would have gone bigger, but found employees to be underhanded, rude, and unworthy to keep my reputation. working alone I set up a standard that couldn't be matched. I found my self being streched to limits I had never known. so I just gave up and went small again, refusing work, sticking with only small jobs, and I am still operational with in limits. In 89 I did fantastic amounts for a 2 machine operation, with 2 workers, I could trust as long as I was there. Houses, mobile homes, commercial bldgs, graffitti, paint srtripping,heavy equipment,stinking restaurants, (I hate but for the $) flatwork, gum,and just about everything else. I started hood service in my area, not knowing a thing about it. after paying for a new fan. There was no place to go then to learn or for advice. I taught myself the whole thing, incuding wrapping hoods, materials, and pricing. I was the only hot water machine in the area. and it stayed that way for many years. I've seen guys come and go, with formal training and not. There is one guy who came up and stayed, but only made it when I backed off. He took up where I left off. I still go out. No more ads I just get called. I'll go, but no longer look for work. My repuation is key. Now I just want to help see other people make it. and thats why I joined up.
