Time to be honest with myself

[RyanH]

Hi All!

It's been quite awhile since I've been here. Looks like Beth and Rod have done a great job with the site...membership seems to be up and the forums are very much alive. I used to consider this place a second home...it's nice to see it's still around.

Anyway, I've realized it's time to be honest with myself. Several years ago I was really into the cleaning game. Had my own janitorial business, did pressure washing regularly, and had lots of fun. Truth be told, I haven't picked up my gun in almost 2 years other than the occasional "clean for beer" jobs for friends and family. I simply don't have the time to get out anymore and drum up the business. I've been going through the basement and garage and realize that right now real estate in these areas is more important and valuable than "having tools if necessary." I think I'm at the point where, when something needs to be cleaned around the house, I'll call [another] pro out to do it.

That being said, I'm getting rid of all my stuff. All of it works and has been used about once every 6 months and has been kept in my garage. Details:

Pressure washing stuff:

Skid mount pressure washer, 16 hp Briggs, 5.5 gpm, 3000 psi pump.

12' - 24' fiberglass extension pole

100' (continuous) 4000 psi hose with quick connects

high pressure hose reel (holds 50'...from Northern, never used)

30" Steel Eagle surface spinner with 2 arms AND adjustable deck (30 hrs use)

20 gallon buffer / recycle tank w/ water control float valve

4' x 8' single axle trailer with 30" high expanded metal (Ryex type) walls and drop down rear gate (axle is warped from holding 250 gallon water tank too long...that was dumb on my part. It works fine for around town use but should be replaced for long-term duty)

Xjet (adjustable, not fixed)


I'd like to see around $2500 for all of the above, but I haven't priced things out in quite awhile, so perhaps that's a little too optimistic. Market will tell.

Janitorial stuff:

Premier floor buffer, low speed 16" (no pads, just brush for attaching pads) ($100)

Galaxy commercial carpet extractor with wand (wife may overrule this, however) ($900)

Other Stuff:

1997 Honda Accord, 4dr, 4 cyl, 160k miles (fair condition...will update price tomorrow)

I'll take some pictures of the above items and update this post tomorrow. I'll contribute 3% of the final sale price to this board. It's nice having this stuff around "when I need it," but I honestly simply haven't taken the time to use it.

Cheers!

Ryan

UPDATE:

PW engine is 16 hp, not 18, and is 5.5 gpm, not 5.
pics at http://www.holbird.com/tgs

[alvisishere]

what would you want for your 30" surface cleaner? any pics of it?

[newlook]

Shucks Ryan - you've been part of the industry for a very long time. I remember those pics of the warehouses you used to do!

Sorry to see you hang it up guy! You brought alot of talent and expertise not only to this site but to the industry overall. You will be missed my friend!

Sounds like you are in the Real Estate business - if so what are customers saying about the drought down there...good, bad or indifferent!

You take care of yourself Ryan!

[Beth n Rod]

Ryan -
Tell me more about the floor buffer and carpet extractor?
I'll get Rod to look at the thread....
Beth

[Jeff]

Hey Ryan, good to see that smiling mug of yours. Hope all is great for you. Have a great 2008 man

[HotShot]

Ryan, thanks for the chemical information that I learned from your posts. You're a smart dude, I'm sure you'll do well at whatever you pursue

[Ron Musgraves]

Ryan, Good luck

[John T.]

Best of luck Ryan with your future. I always enjoyed your post.

[Camelot]

Ryan - your insights have been a big help to me...especially when I was starting out. Thanks for the help and good luck with everything.

- John

[RyanH]

Thanks for the feedback, guys, though I'm not really just now "giving it up." I haven't done a job in over 2 years. When we moved from our old house, I kept the equipment around "just in case" I had time to pick it up again. Since we've been here, I've only used it on my place twice and haven't had time to pursue other business. I travel quite a bit for work so there hasn't been ample opportunity to make a real go of it.

Carlos, not in the real estate business. What I meant was the real estate in my garage and basement is more valuable to me than the rarely-used equipment that occupies it.

I pulled everything out today to take the pictures. The weather was so nice and my wife has been on me to turn our graying siding back to white that I thought "what the hell" and put on some shorts and went to work. I had some water left in my buffer tank when the house was finished, so I washed our cars. I had forgotten how exhilarating it was! As for equipment performance, the machine ran for about 4 hours without any problems. Never had issues with pressure cycling, never shut off, and pulled water from the tank easily. I really wanted to sell everything as one bulk bundle, but after using the unit again I've decided that maybe it isn't so bad having it around. I'll break it the items up.

Machine, hose, gun, extension pole: $1000
Extension pole: $150 (if purchased alone)
Hose reel: $50
Surface cleaner: $1000
Trailer: $500
Pictures are at http://www.holbird.com/tgs
I put them there because they are rather large and there are many of them. If you have any questions feel free to call me (770-490-7610) or email. I'll be out of phone reach for 7 days starting this Wednesday, but I'll have email access at night.

Really, for someone starting out, the $1500 trailer + washer and accessories would be excellent. Throw on a ladder (if you are into the hand-scrubbing windows and panes like I was) and you're in good business.



Like I said, it's been a joy doing this, but I never intended to make a full-time deal of it and I've proven to myself that I just don't take the time to use the good equipment I have. I'm also considering giving up all of my lawn equipment and just hiring a pro to bring my lawn back to life. After reading "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and "The 4-hour work week," I'm reconsidering how many things I do for myself and am pursuing a different thought process. I've been doing design and process engineering for awhile and think I'd like to put some of my spare time into refining the design and operation of some consumer products. I have so many gripes with the way so many things are made nowadays that I think I'm going to try and "find a better way" to handle some of them. I figure I invent new stuff almost everyday for industrial applications, so I should be able to figure out how to make a stupid floor lamp that doesn't sit crooked on carpet (staring at that particular Made in China POS marvel right now). Maybe I'll even tinker with some things that would have made washing easier. At any rate, I've discovered a new sense of enjoyment in reading through the new threads, so perhaps I'll poke in from time to time. I still have my ipe porch that will need some attention, and I'll be tearing down my old porch and building a new one in the next 18 - 24 months, so I won't completely lose the need to visit this fine gathering of industry minds. I'm getting more into the commercial and business end of what I do, too, so I'm very interested in reading about marketing and business thoughts from some folks here (Ken Fenner, for one...I always enjoy your stuff).

Cheers in 2008.

Ryan
http://www.holbird.com/tgs

[Gutter Squad]

Did this unit ever sell? I'm looking for a second unit over 4.5 GPM... never noticed anything after that last post...

[Gutter Squad]

Does anybody know how to get ahold of Ryan?

I want to buy his PW...

oh well...

[Adrian]

His number is up above your 2nd to last post.

[CarolinaProWash]

Or you can use the Holbird family web page web address - his email is on the page.

[YVPW]

I will sell you a Karcher Hot Water Pressure Washer skid unit, Honda 20 HP, adjustable thermostat, tachometer, 5.5-6 GPM, 500 hours on it. If you're interested PM me. Also sell the 535 gallon tank with it.