Carry water?

[Russ Spence]

Originally Posted by plainpainter

Big water tanks are for guys with big egos. Look at the logistics of doing business having to bring water onsite or getting a hookup - I'd say you are better off passing everytime if you need to haul water. I love my 35 gallon buffer tank for my 6gpm machine. I know another guy that has a 100gallon on a 8gpm machine - and has never run into any issues. Hauling water don't pay. Especially for residential customers!

but he was not talking about residential customers, we are talking about commercial. I never take water on site, that would be silly since a 500 gallon tank would last only 30 minuites. The sheer liability is too high to haul that much water. When doing commercial (which is all we do) we utilize every resource available to make the job easier and more profitable for us while taking the customer and others safty into account at the same time. We uuse hydrants, on site hook ups, and irrigation, all forms are discussed and explained to property managers prior to the job or jobs. I have a 525 and a 225 on one trailer that we built just for commercial applications and out of town work. I have a big trailer too, big 4 door truck, big hose reels, big guys surface cleaners and a bigger check book !!! hahaha Just messing around Dan but seriously the big tanks are a must in most cases that we encounter.

Here is the rig I was speaking of

[Mountain View]

Russ,

I have trailer envy!

All of these posts have been very useful. The variety of techniques, opinions, and rigs are impressive.

It's helped me, and I'm sure others, tremendously. It's also helped me to redouble my efforts to grow my business to the point where I can go full time. Thanks to everyone!

[Ron Musgraves]

Guys, i use nothing but the hose connections. I used to do the irrigation hydrant and all the other types.

I will have a hose bib connection installed if i have to pay for them. Its that simple and how important it is too me.

You got to have water onsite.......no hauling water from place to place for me.

Residential is very different...I wouldnt now what the norm is. Dont wash them....

[plainpainter]

I'm sure you guys have run all your figures - but I have a hard time believing if push came to shove that these businesses couldn't get a water hookup installed? Some of the biggest nationwide pressure washing companies use a 100gallon tank - that's it. When confronted with 'can you bring water?' They simply answer - no, why can't you have a hookup installed. And guess what - most of them do! Give the customer the easy option out - and they will take it everytime.

Obviously if you guys are running 4 men off the same trailer and doing commercial surface cleaning - then having a huge tank is what's needed. I just think if you are more of smaller residential contractor that does some of this and some of that - it makes less sense to have a big tank.

[Rick2]

I agree. I keep a small 60 gallon to do detail work (building signs and such) but always hook up to their water when possible. I've turned down work because of no water.

[FLORIN]

Originally Posted by plainpainter

I'm sure you guys have run all your figures - but I have a hard time believing if push came to shove that these businesses couldn't get a water hookup installed? Some of the biggest nationwide pressure washing companies use a 100gallon tank - that's it. When confronted with 'can you bring water?' They simply answer - no, why can't you have a hookup installed. And guess what - most of them do! Give the customer the easy option out - and they will take it everytime.

Obviously if you guys are running 4 men off the same trailer and doing commercial surface cleaning - then having a huge tank is what's needed. I just think if you are more of smaller residential contractor that does some of this and some of that - it makes less sense to have a big tank.

The problem with that is that to most customers the easy option out is to just get another contractor that has the capability of bringing water rather than to install a hookup.

[MichiganPowerWashing.com]

I cleaned many buildings on main streets WITHOUT any water hookup. The only way to clean it was to use water from inside of the store - which is many times impossible because some work is done at night OR bring own water .
Commercial contractors have different kind of problems that residential one. I'm doing both and I'm not a painter ... and I'm pretty sure you don't have to use a roller when painting a house - it's just too big ! ... the best is to use 2 inch brush . ;-)

Originally Posted by plainpainter

I'm sure you guys have run all your figures - but I have a hard time believing if push came to shove that these businesses couldn't get a water hookup installed? Some of the biggest nationwide pressure washing companies use a 100gallon tank - that's it. When confronted with 'can you bring water?' They simply answer - no, why can't you have a hookup installed. And guess what - most of them do! Give the customer the easy option out - and they will take it everytime.

Obviously if you guys are running 4 men off the same trailer and doing commercial surface cleaning - then having a huge tank is what's needed. I just think if you are more of smaller residential contractor that does some of this and some of that - it makes less sense to have a big tank.