One of those newbies

[Max_rob]

I would just like to say that I am one of those newbies out there, but I have a different problem. There is really no competition in my area. I live in Lincoln NE and there is a whole 2 other power washing companies here. I thought it would be a good idea to start something up here. And so far I have busted my ass trying to get work. I would like to say that I found this site, and am hoping to get some good information from it. But I don't want to be catergized as some fly by night business. I am starting out on small projects so that I can afford some of the equipment that you guys use. I am charging what I think I can make a little money at and still be in business. but what I am finding is the other two companies are charging astronomical fees. for example, i bid kentucky fried chicken at $1,000, the competition came in at $3500. The whole job takes 2 hours to do. But I am sure I am pissing off the competition, so what is a man to do.

 

[Larry L.]

If your talking powerwashing and If it only took 2 hours for one man to do I guess I'd piss a newbee off by under biding you atleast 700 dallors.Besides your post looks a little fishy and the prices you and they charge is a joke,I didn't see no turth in your post want to try again.


[2022]

 

[Max_rob]

for every action

well bigboy, this is where all your years of knowledge seem to do you no good. See as a newcomer I would have bid the job at $450, but after hearing what the other quote was, I thought it would be wrong or unethical to underbid by a lot. So i bid what I thought would be right to the competition. Now as paul harvey would say, "the rest of the story". I have since bid the same kind of jobs by actual specific parts, such as drive-ups, entrances, lot, and grese tank area, and the customer picks the "package" that they want. And now I am underbidding the competition by a lot. But then again I am making plenty of money. So lesson learned is do what you think is right for your business and don't worry about stepping on the toes of the competition. See my business plan is to power wash someones property more than once a year, so I don't have to charge an arm and a leg to do it. Since this realization I have contracts that are monthly and bi-monthly. and only a few that are yearly. I don't even have to wash the lots, I just maintain the trouble spots. This seems to be the best way to start a business. Being fair.

 

[Mike Hughes]

Sounds good so far............I guess if theres little to no competition, the prices go up bigi time...............try to get more then $300 for that here and you'll get laughed out of the place........

 

[Max_rob]

well, thanks mike. I have found that I can get between $250 and $500 a month out of the companys a month for washing what they feel they need washed. And what's real cool about it is that for a better price they sign a year contract. So it's money that I have comming in every month. See I just seem to get upset, when there are comments made like bigboy made. I have put everything I have into this company and to have someone make a blanket comment really hurts. I know that he is right about the majority of people that go to walmart and by a powerwasher and then go out and do their thing, but when a person invest $15000 of their own savings into something that sort of comment isn't appreciated. But thank you for your kind words.

 

[ron]

ron p

MAX can you clear this up for me? The way im reading your first post is that KFC is paying you $500 per hour to do there power washing? Also that before you came along they were paying $1250 per hour?
If BIGBOY was thinking this about the price I could understand his post,as would most.
Just because if it's too good to be true, it usally ise'nt.
God bless you if you are getting that per hour.
Second if you are undercutting the compition by that much, watch your back and your equipment.
Third, if you are getting $500 per hour, do yourself a favor and NEVER post anything about what your getting, ever again. It will just invite trouble. Look what happened way back when when one guy found 1 peice of gold in cailf. Play that gold mine, till she runs out.

 

[Larry L.]

But still your talking wishy washy as a newbee and I still do not believe 1000 for 2 hours work nor the 3500 from your competition...and now 15000 invested,hahahahah give me a break man,come clean or will that to cost me a arm and leg in my knowledge.Your talking bull crap as in a newbee,your talking more like a few years under your toes as in stepping on toes.

Will say tho your the KING of all newbee's,does the labor and chemical cost in your area just for a price you have stated.Like Ron said,I'll get my hat and bowtie,see you before years end,I love to make that much,hell I'd be the biggest lowballer in your area and I'm not a newbee hmmm could work in your area for a few months and take off the rest of the year with dat kind of money................Besides I've been wrong and stupid all my life but I'll have to hear more from you before I'd really believe ya as in a newbee and why the cost runs as much as you say in your area.I have friends that travel the states washing 600 to into the 1000's of pieces of work,they left Monday going to N.D. to wash 1200 pieces and I do not see how they have missed your area as in knowing where the better money is at.

going to give the a break huh?

 

[Dan Flynn]

Hmmmmmmmm,

 

[Kenneth]

Hey Everyone,
I'm Kenneth. I'm in the U.S. Navy stationed in Virginia but in Bahrain right now two weeks into a six month deployment. I worked a few months for Falcon Auto Wash out of Warrenton VA before I was deployed doing seven eleven's in the Hampton Roads Area. I enjoyed the work and decided to invest the extra money I make while deployed to start my own business in Wichita,KS so I can be near my son. I'd realy appreciate any advice some of the veterans have on getting started. Also any information from anyone in Wichita concerning which markets have the most room right now. I'll probably try to focus mainly on residential and hopefuly some commercial but I don't have a clue how many companies there are out there and like Max Rob I don't want this to be a fly by night operation. Also any advice on what equipment is worth investing in and what's a waste of time. The only reason I posted under Max Robs post was because I just recently passed up orders to Omaha NE at Offutt AFB. If the prices are what he said they were I might've been better off doing a few more years in the Navy out there 'fore I got out. Well, I'll talk to y'all later. Kenneth

 

[Beth]

Seems unclear to me what is being done for the prices given. Is it a drive thru lane or windows or post-construction clean up or parking lot or the building or one or more of these things? All of the items would be priced differently.....

Please clarify....

Beth
[help]

 

[max_rob_other]

two cents worth more than face value...

HI, my name is Tonya. I found this board for Rob as we venture into this powerwashing thing. Reason for us even looking is "this seemed a bit to easy." Rob is correct in our bidding and contracts. I thought in the begininng that these prices (the ones we were offering to do a job at) were outrageous! As we looked at competition, he is right, we fall a good 50-75% below what other powerwashing companies are out here. Rob is a great man when it comes to speaking with future contracts and has a respectable manner. I thought for sure, that what these other business' charge, was a normal going rate out there, didn't realize that you all make just over cost to do this. If its such a tight market and you got to keep your price to do a job...how do you stay in business? Or why choose to be in business? You all got to be making some money to be able to profit enugh out of it to expand, whether that be to hire on an employee or buy a new truck.
To see some of you dumbfounded or in disblief is rather bothersome. I have seen Rob put effort into this, his heart, and a large goal for our family. We came here looking for support, advice, and a heads up. Seems some can't bite what may be bitter, but as I say "your taste is lacking". I am sure once we have been an established business, it won't be long before we do the community a large favor and have these other companies drive their prices down. I feel its about the best thing that we get our foot in the door before we actually have that competition, and a good amount of time to become reputable.
Its too bad for some of you that are making a hard living and not reeping all the rewards for your efforts.

 

[ron]

ron p

TONYA, would you please post a pic. of your wash rig at work?

 

[max_rob_other]

I suppose that wouldn't be too hard to do, but that is something you will have to ask of Rob. I am not in the city currently, Rob is remaining there to get everything up and running before I plan to move our family there., I just returned the other day. As for having a picture now, I never assumed I would need a picture for any possible reasons other than insurance. The request is a bit odd.
As for the man who posted that turned down Omaha and went to Wichita, the hotsy dealer here said that there is alot of business' in Omaha, many people from Omaha purchasing power washing equipment. I know from Rob speaking with some of the new accounts around town that there are other guys out there doing as Rob is, just do not quite know how often they seem to do it or how to contact them, they don't list themselves in the yellow pages. Sounds though as if the men that are out there doing it, don't do it for much other than some side money. Do you got alot in Kansas City (I relaize you are in Wichita), or have you ever checked that out? I am feeling its a bit untouched out in these parts.

 

[Beth]

Tonya,

There are many intelligent, professional, hard working, educated, industry savvy people on this board. I respect your enthusiams and support for Rob, but I question the logic of wanting to drive prices down in a market where there is little competition. To me that would seem unwise. You see, there are also many folks who read this board who are not rooted where they are, and are thinking about getting into business for themselves. Let's look a year or two down the road for a moment... One day your new phone book arrives and there are a dozen new companies listed and they start to undercut you severely. How might you react? Do you think you might be upset that a newbie would intentionally drive prices down? What if you had a couple of truck payments and a half dozen or so employees to pay and the phones slowed down? What if the volume of work you needed to do in order to meet your financial responsabilities and keep your staff was not feasable at those prices?

You might want to consider than many here are reaping the "rewards of their efforts" and as such we have chosen to assist others so that they may also. We all want to succeed.

Do you feel you are capable of contributing constructively to this community as you grow too? We hope so.

We wish you all the luck and success in the world, and will be here if you need our assistance. Please remember though, you'll get more flies with honey than with vinegar, so the saying goes.

Beth

 

[max_rob_other]

Beth,
I suppose that is why the other companies around here ask so much out of a job. They have employees and so forth. If the companies do not drive their prices down (which it seems nobody is able to fetch the idea that they are OUTRAGEOUS here), then so be it, but often those of us who are n this field doing honest work for honest pay, will in the end..take some of those customers. Yes, there are companies who would rather have the good man then a fair dollar but certainly not all of them. I guess enough about this, I will come back and post in a year, and let you all know how its gone. I can't sit here and justify myself all the time when it is other intentions I had in coming here. Its great to have a board like this, but to come here and be tossed around, its rather unjust. Any company that drives their prices that high to meet the need of paying employees, obviously need to rethink things. If you aren't making enough to pay the employess then a. you aren't getting enough work and need to get rid of some of them or b. need to stop taking so much out of the business for personal use

 

[Larry L.]

{{See I just seem to get upset, when there are comments made like bigboy made.}

Same here max-rob,when I see a lowballer lowballing prices 50,75% a job and a newbee.I'm sure the other powerwashers in your area would say the same thing about you.You may see your investment go down the drain when everything has to be replaced and like most around here its to late to realize why other powerwashers where charging the higher price.Go back and re'read your post and read between the line as to what you have said.Nothing personal man,just cann't seem to understand,I have yet to see a lowballer stay in business around here and if your area has prices like that,its for a reason. I do not know of no powerwasher that takes advantage of his/her accounts,there was a reason for his bid to be 3500,he's the one you need to talk to,,,,,,,anyway welcome to the bbs maybe both our comments will get better.

 

[melsmobile]

I HAVE 1 ACCOUNT THAT I DO ON A, WILL CALL BASES TO WASH TRUCKS , THERE 16 TO 20 FT BOX VANS FOR $25 EACH IT TAKES 2 HRS TO DO 18 OF THEN WITH 2 WASHERS . AND EVERY TIME I LEAVE I FEEL LIKE I SCREDED THEM!

BUT NOW I THINK I NEED TO GO UP TO $50 PER TRUCK SO I CAN MAKE $500 PER HR

 

[Larry L.]

18 with one washer,7 min. to each box,with 2 washers 3 1/2 min. per box as in the two hours.Do not see nothing wrong in your pricing for each truck unless they call only two or three times a year,guess they want them done on weekends,guess you could say that is finger licking good hahaha,do you run both washers or do you have helpers digging into that screded,atleast your not lowballing with the price but what if someone cutem 50,75 % and still make 500 a hour huh....O will it will aways be a cut or stab in this trade nomatter what area you from,only your name will set you apart from the others wheather lowballer or highroller.I do more or I mean better job than blow and go Joe.

 

[Jon]

Max and Tonya, sorry but the price you say you're getting for KFC makes me ROFLMAO, really you might be able to pull some peoples leg but not mine.

Say you are really getting that, then I dare you to post a copy of your invoice with a copy of a check from them as the only proof to your words.

I do only flat work and if your getting that much I am moving there and lowballing my price to under cut you by $200 and still rack in the bucks.

Why not tell us who you really are, post your pictures, the name of your business and other information about you.

I highly doubt your getting any more then $300 and without proof I for one will not believe either of you at this time.

Nor are some of the other Pro's here.


Jon

 

[melsmobile]

BIG BOY,

IT ABOUT EVERY 4 TO 6 WEEKS ON SUNDAY WHEN I WASH THEM.
MY 17 YEAR OLD BABY BOY HELPS ME(235LBS AND 6' 3")

USE TWO WASHERS FOR A TOTAL OF 4 HRS WASH TIME BUT ONLY THERE 2 HRS. SO THATS 13.33 MINS. PER BOBTAIL

THE TRUCK WASH DETERGENT I USE IS KICK ASS! RINSE WITH HOT WATER ALSO ! I PUT THE SOAP ON AND MY SON DOSE THE RINSING. AND NO BRUSHING!

THE TRUCKS CHARGE AT LESS $35 TO WASH THIS SIZE OF A TRUCK .

(ISWYSI) JON, I SMELL WHAT YOUR STEPPING IN !