OK, time to take this seriously!

[boho444]

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR READING, I KNOW IT IS LONG BUT I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN UNDERSTANDING MY SITUATION

I been pressure washing since early spring as I have been interested in starting my own business and really enjoyed the satisfaction of this type of work. You guys are going to laugh, but my "rig" consist of my classic 1997 Grand Marquis, a simoniz hardware store special pressure washer, a couple deck brushes, orbital sander, cheap pump sprayer, and my oribital wood sander. I am 23 and many of my customers were friends or friends of friends and they weren't expecting me to show up in a fancy truck and rig. So far I have cleaned over 10 decks and 1 interlock patio. I must say, I really enjoy the work and I have been getting more and more jobs each week. I now think it's the time for a slight upgrade. I got a really good deal on A 4x4 Ford Ranger that I couldn't pass so I think I have enough truck for the type of work I will be doing.

The work I will only be doing is residential surfaces. Decks, driveways, patios etc.

All my customers so far have had no problem with me using their water. I talked to some veterans in my area and they said maybe one or two customers in the last 20 years have asked us to bring our own water. So I think buying a trailer big enough for a huge water tank is unnecessary. I like the 4x6 enclosed trailer. It's enough room for my pressure washer and surface cleaner. And it's small enough I can fit into my garage without taking up all the space. If a customer needs me to bring my own water I can fit a 100-150gallon tank on the bed of my truck. As well as detergents, brushes, sander etc.

Pressure washer. I have been researching what brand to get for what seems like forever. I know all you guys like the belt drive units but since I will have direct water flow through the pump with a hose I think I will be going direct drive to start with. HEATED WATER, do I need it for the type of work I am doing? Obviously not with wood but for stone and concrete? Later down the road I would like to buy a heated belt drive unit but not to start out with. Karcher, is the brand I am looking at now. The number one reason is that there is a dealer and service shop about 20min from my house. It comes with warranty and I like the fact that this company is mainly Karcher. Service and sales and they assured me they are not expensive to maintain. I can this pressure washer for $1700, maybe less if I pay cash. It's a 13hp honda gx engine, 3600psi 4gpm. Karcher axial pump and a 100ft hose reel. The only thing I don't like is that it is a pull start engine. What are your thoughts on this machine, any questions I should ask the dealer? Again, this is a start up machine for residential use.

Surface Cleaner. I really love the videos of the Landa surface cleaner aka the "water jet". I am pretty sure I am going to buy it when I go to the Landa dealer in Ontario, about 2.5hrs north of me. I am also going to see about their cold water pressure washers.

Detergents. I have been using what they sell at Home Depot for my wood restores. I used TSP but I know their is better stuff out there. What have you guys used? Were you happy with the results?

Pylons, leaf blower, sander, possibly a ladder though I want to focus on surfaces so not sure how a ladder may help but you never know. Pump sprayer. Handheld will be fine. I need a new one as I lost a part at a customers house (rookie mistake lol). What pumps do you use? I need one for pre spraying detergents and one for sealing stone and conrete. I GOT NO IDEA what kind of sprayer to get. Should I stick with the Home Depot brands or buy online?

My budget is around $4000-$6000 for my setup. I will definitely stay within with the set up listed. You guys have the experience and know what to expect out there. What would you think I should add? What do I have that won't be necessary?

Thanks again, I really do appreciate any input

 

[Mark]

Bobby,

You can get a belt drive unit for that kind of price.
We can set you up with a 13 HP Honda powered belt drive
for what you are talking about spending on a direct drive.



Cool Drive power washers runs 25% cooler than other belt drives produced today, providing you with up to twice the pump life.

Cool air is drawn through outer vents for cooling of pump. A laser aligned patent pending pulley fan system creates cooling air flow. This cooling air is being propelled over the pump resulting in 25% heat reduction. A free standing belt guard does not connect to the engine, thus reducing vibration by 45%.

Features Include:
Stainless steel cart
50' high pressure hose
Heavy duty foam fill tires
Trigger gun with 36" lance
A quick coupled nozzle set
Downstream chemical injection
13hp Honda GX390 commercial engines

CD351CO Comet HWS3540 13hp 4000 psi 3.5 gpm
CD351GE General TS1511 13hp 3500 psi 4 gpm Best Seller!
CD351CA Cat 5CP3120 13hp 3500 psi 4 gpm

 

[Doug Rucker]

Bobby, I would definitely go with belt drive unit over the direct drive. You ARE going to get very busy, and there is no reason to settle now and have to upgrade later, based on the budget you have.. If I were you I would call Mark at Easy Clean Systems. Mark has been in this business for years, both as a contractor and a distributor. That gives him the advantage of knowing what you need as a contractor, AND knowing what you don't need.

In other words he will protect you against buying needless things. He's not ever gonna sell you anything you don't need. Plus, he can get you EVERYTHING you need from the Pressure Washer, to the right chemicals, pump up sprayers, etc etc. He's like a one stop shop, so you can spend your time on other things than chasing down different items from different vendors/shops. And get better pricing as well.

Good luck to you and we are all here to help you with anything you need.

 

[boho444]

Would you guys agree that hot water isn't necessary? Also, my local Landa dealer is asking 1900$+ for the surface cleaner. That seems a bit high, am I better off buying online? Thanks

 

[Doug Rucker]

Would you guys agree that hot water isn't necessary? Also, my local Landa dealer is asking 1900$+ for the surface cleaner. That seems a bit high, am I better off buying online? Thanks

IMO hot water isn;t "necessary" for residential. You can get by without. I have rarely needed hot water for residential.

 

[Apsurface]

That is pretty much the machine I used for 3 years doing residential work. I would get a whisper Wash Classic surface cleaner.

 

[boho444]

My truck

 

[boho444]

With the equipment I will be purchasing the room and weight does not seem necessary for a trailer. Am I being cheap by storing eveything in the bed of my truck? Or should I purchase a trailer?

 

[Apsurface]

You can get buy with the truck. A trailer will make it much easier. With your truck your are going to have to move everything when you need to get at something.

 

[archie_MN]

Here's my 2 cents:

Machine - Go hot water and belt drive. Wouldn't you pay 20% more for a car that lasts twice as long? The belt drive is worth the money. Also, ice dam removal is great winter work (for us, it's the only exterior winter work). They don't happen every year, but when they do, you'll be very happy. I realize that a machine like that is going to be a BIG chunk of you budget, but I promise it's worth it.

Chemicals - Talk to Mark. You'll save a ton by buying stronger commercial detergents instead of paying over-the-counter prices for diluted detergents.

Truck - I still work out of my truck for most of my residential work, only using the trailer rig for big gigs. It takes some getting used to, but once you get an organized system, it's great.

Surface Cleaner - Unless you're doing a lot of flat work, save the pennies for now. If you need the increased pressure, get a turbo nozzle.

Pump Sprayer - Expect to pay $15-$25, and expect the sprayer to last you a few jobs. Once you're working every day, you'll probably go through 1-2 a week. I haven't ever found 1 to be significantly better than the others, even in the $50+ sprayers.

Ladder - It's probably a good idea to watch Craig's List for a Little Giant type ladder. You might come across a deck that doesn't have stairs.

 

[boho444]

Interior work, I will be doing tile and stone restoration and polishing. Grout cleaning, countertop restoring etc. I have taken a course and I am working part time with a company now. That should keep me busy in the winter. I want a surface cleaner because there a massive interlock driveways around here and I think it would be much easier to work with a surface cleaner. I may go whisper wash and purchase the Landa a few years down the road.
After researching more for a few days I think Mark's "Cool Drive" pressure washer is the way to go. I will definitely get the 4gpm 3500psi. But not sure which pump. Cat or General? Have you guys used these machines?
Thanks again

 

[boho444]

This is probably a dumb question, could I run the pressure washer sitting in the truck (with the hatch open) with a water supply hose going to it or is that dangerous? Should I roll it out at each job? With a trailer could I leave it in there?

 

[Mark]

I would not run in truck if there is a shell over the bed,
you could run it in an open trailer easily.

 

[archie_MN]

I run Cats. Never had an issue with them. Can't speak to General's as I've never had one.

And you can run it in the truck. Set it right inside the tailgate with the exhaust facing the rear with the hatch and tailgate open. Make sure it's strapped in though, as it might want to walk off.