Making a pw buisness!! (Im 15)

[imp96ss4life]

Ok I am 15 and did some pressure washing in my neighborhood last summer. I made signs, fliers, and went door-to-door and got some good buisness. This summer i plan to take it up a few steps. I am working on a website and planning on buying a 3000psi 4gpm pressure washer along with a 30'' rotary surface cleaner from ultimatepressurewasher.com. Im going to try to get a few key jobs (pools, my school, friend's parent's buisnesses...) to get some advertising. I plan on doing this throughout High School. Any suggestions comments?? Anything would b helpful!

 

[FCPWLLC]

Get Insured and properly Licensed. As you are the President, CEO, Treasurer, laborer, and all the other titles that are needed to successfully run a business, be sure to charge accordingly.

Good Luck

 

[UPCC]

Another 15 year old. Sweet

Who does the pool belong to. If you dont know the person I would be careful...that is a really personal and valued investment of the homeowner that they'll be a lot more touchy about than something like a driveway. There are some really helpful people on this site. Welcome to the forums and good luck.

 

[imp96ss4life]

How much and what does it take to get licenced/insured? And by pools i mean like pressure washing walkways and curbs at local neighborhood pool clubs.

 

[grasshawg]

Getting an insurance company to even talk to you may be a problem being under 18. Insurance is something you're going to need if you plan to get serious. Hate to bust your bubble, just get yourself prepared for some disappointment.

All the best to you, though. I admire your attitude. Good luck.
Randy

 

[imp96ss4life]

Would licensing be a problem too? And does anyone have any recomendations on pressure washers? I want atleast 3000psi and 4gpm and would really like it to be pressure adjustable. I would like to keep it in the low $1000s range.

 

[CaroliProWash]

Our experience with insurance is that (a) they prefer experienced contractors. That being said, you're looking at probably well over $1000-$1500 for $1 M for General Liability, which is probably a minimum for doing any commercial work. Secondly, if you're going to be working for a company as opposed to a homeowner, you may be required to have some sort of Workers Comp (even though it won't cover you as the "owner"), probably another grand. I think you're going to hit more legal issues with your age than anything else at this point.....at 15 you can't legally own anything or be held responsible. Are your parents on board with being financially responsible for whatever can and may go wrong?

Next hurdle, and now I am speaking from a homeowner's perspective. You are going to be selling a service that is going to affect my largest investment. I'm not going to be inclined to let a 15 year old work on my home, driveway or anything else that could cost me tens of thousands of dollars to repair or replace. Washing the car maybe, but not my house or deck. Companies are going to be even harder.

I admire your drive at 15, however, your best bet at this age would be to find a contractor that is looking for help. Learn your tail off for the next 3 years then when you can legally have a business, you'll be light years ahead of your peers.

Celeste

 

[russ s]

i will probably get a lot of negative feed back for this bit of advice but if you are in alabama the laws are not as strict as in some states ....the homeowners will be more or less giving you a job to wash around the home because you are 15 and trying to make it not because you are a pro and have a million dollar liability policy.explain to them that you are trying to make extra money much in the same way you would if you were pushing around a lawn mower with a gas can tied to it ,let them know you are not inshured but do go to the Madison County courthouse and get a state license and to city hall in Huntsville and get a city license.Hope this helps you,its not the best advice but its basically how i started 10 years ago,baby steps!!!

and by the way it would be best if you just went to work for a company and learned the trade but if you are like most 15 year olds you are gonna do what you want anyway so good luck and you are welcome to call me im in selma about 3 hours away

 

[Scott Stone]

You know, Mike Hinderliter started out in High School. You might want ot get in contact with him. He is a real nice guy and is running a pretty successful operation 20 years later. Of course, this post will probably get deleted because I mentioned a Hinderliter. His number is 1-800-steamaway

 

[imp96ss4life]

Yea i do think that most of my buisness is from people who are impressed by my age and attitude of wanting to get out and do something. And i am mainly going to be doing residential work and a few small comercial jobs. Also this just to get me ahead while im in high school (My parents would kill me if i didnt go to college). If i were to make this into a real profession how much could i expect to make in the long term? Thanks for the help!

 

[russ s]

just aim yourself in the direction you want to go have a plan ,stick with it and learn from your mistakes.......good luck and call me if you need anything homeboy

 

[PressurePros]

You're in the right place. I admire your willingness to learn. My advice is the same as Celeste's..here's why. People will expect to pay you next to nothing. At 15, how are you planning getting the washer around? I guess you could get a portable and walk around but there is only so far that you can go. By the time you get a licnse and insurance, a machine, a few neccesary attachments and hose, I doubt you'll make your money back. Get a job with an established company. When things go wrong, and they will, you can rely on two things.. the insurance of the company you are working for and their insurance. You will get started right by learning from someone that has been doing it awhile. If you go on your own now, it's trial and error. And yes, your parents would be responsible if you mess something up. It sometimes takes a trained eye to walk away from a job where you know you will do more harm than good. You need to get that experience.

You will be so far ahead of the game. You will have picked up business tips, proper technique and chemical usage, you'll see a variety of jobs and by the time you are ready to start this thing at 18, you'll be the man. Seriously, you have to trust those of us that do this professionally, you will make more money working for someone.

 

[Jonathan Elli]

Give me a call, I would like to talk to you.
678-522-3182

 

[UPCC]

I think you'll be fine if you get someone with a little more cash, a license, and free time to get into this with you. For example my 18 year old cousin and I co-own our business. If you carry yourself well, dressed nicely with a good attitude there shouldnt be any problem getting a few quick residential jobs and then you can move on from there. To make sure that you can get more jobs you might want to just try renting or borrowing a PW for a couple of days and getting some cash/more experience with that. If that works out well then purchase one. Good luck. Feel free to contact me too.
(330)573-2845
Ryan

 

[imp96ss4life]

What about concrete sealing? Is it very difficult? Can you make much money? I could just PW driveways and seal them. That way i wouldnt have to worry about anything else. BTW, again, thanks for all this help!

 

[russ s]

its a good sideline for a college guy as well i personally know a guy who was in the buisness while in college and upon graduation with a double major stayed in buisness and is still in buisness and doing well

 

[CaroliProWash]

When do you get out of school for the summer? We could use you up here in North Carolina for a couple of months We specialize in wood restoration, new brick construction and we also do decorative resurfacing - an area that is growing by the second. We'll feed, house & train you and keep you out of trouble for your folks We've had more than a few newbies come train with us - nobody's complained yet about being misinformed or abused [whip]

Celeste

 

[MR ALAN]

How does the Dept of Labor view this? I know that on CA work permits (required when you are under 18), a minor is not allowed to operate any machinery. A pressure washer would fall in that category.
Even as an owner, I am sure you can't violate that law if it is applicable to your State.

 

[Mark]

I think you may want to look closer at the offer from Roger & Celeste,

Heck if I was your age I would! [hello]

 

[FCPWLLC]

Celeste,

If this boy is anything like our kids, he might eat you out of home.... LOL