Are these prices for real?

[D_Tagr]

I just wanted some professional advice about this price list from y'all. I am bidding a 44 truck fleet, the same fleet that I posted in the graffiti forum.

I want to try 2stepping as I'm still a 1 man outfit.

Do any of you have any experience working for or against this company?

Feel free to PM if you don't want to talk price publicly.

Thanks all.
corporate fleet washing services

[Jarrod]

No, they're crap.

[Wayne S.]

They may be crap, but, there are a lot of companys out there doing them for those prices. Of course the wash jobs they do are also crap! I drive a semi for a contractor with FedEx Ground. The guys washing our trucks on a weekly basis, charge $10 per truck. I got in my truck Tuesday morning, soap still all over windshield and mirrors. Greasy hand prints on side of my door, from where my boss worked on truck 2 weeks ago. You clould see where they sprayed water on top of hood and it ran down the sides, leaving light and dark streaks. Tried talking to the linehaul mgr. and he said he was happy with their work! He says what do you expect for only 10 bucks! I said maybe a little soap and water----ha!

[Scott Stone]

That is a franchise started by a crook that now has NO franchisees left. Something must have been wrong with the business model, and I think that you could start with the pricing.

[D_Tagr]

I guess some of you are familiar with them then. None in Canada so far as I know.

I am really at a loss for how to bid this. I'll never go anywhere near $10 for a truck - that's suicide.

I'm running 3.0 GPM and 3000 PSI, hot water with a 125 Gallon buffer tank. I would appreciate any advice on technique. My chem supplier recommends 2stepping. Agree/disagree?

Are their rates a good starting point on pricing then? Add 15%-20%?

[Jarrod]

My first advice would be to get a 5.5 gpm or an 8 gpm machine.

[jbruno]

Originally Posted by Jarrod

My first advice would be to get a 5.5 gpm or an 8 gpm machine.

Or a second machine/ and a second guy. Aren't there any college kids looking for summer work??

[Biodude]

I agree with Jarrod. You need a pump that can put out some more flow. Fleet washing requires a lot more GPM than other cleaning methods. Especially is this true when it's warm out and your water evaporates quickly. We run 8 GPM and that seems to be enough to keep up with a fast pace of washing. We wash around 3000 trucks a week on average so we must be doing something right. You will struggle with this account until you do, so never sell yourself short financially and try to get the most amount of money you can so when your stuggling with it at least the money will make it all worthwhile! Maybe you'll be able to upgrade your equipment after you've done it a couple of times.

[Tmrrptr]

Originally Posted by Biodude

I agree with Jarrod. You need a pump that can put out some more flow. Fleet washing requires a lot more GPM than other cleaning methods. Especially is this true when it's warm out and your water evaporates quickly. We run 8 GPM and that seems to be enough to keep up with a fast pace of washing. We wash around 3000 trucks a week on average so we must be doing something right. You will struggle with this account until you do, so never sell yourself short financially and try to get the most amount of money you can so when your stuggling with it at least the money will make it all worthwhile! Maybe you'll be able to upgrade your equipment after you've done it a couple of times.

Wow! 3000 trucks a week! That is crazy!
Bio, didn't you just post that John was too low at a buck a car?
You know those cars were pretty much just sitting on the lot... maybe a couple test drives before they are sold.
Now trucks, that's different ! I've seen trucks that were hot swapped and on the road ALL the time except for maintenance of one sort or other.

How many workers does it take to do 3000 trucks a week ?
r

[D_Tagr]

I appreciate all the responses. I think I will just bid on the graf removal, as a new or 2nd rig is not an option right now.

Thanks all.

[Biodude]

We have 24-30 employees washing trucks on Saturdays and Sundays, but have about 36 or so that wash trucks. Some don't work on the weekend, some alternate, etc...It definitely keeps a person busy. I'm glad I'm not the manager!

[Tom DeFrancesco]

WOW !!!!!! Very impressive numbers. Good for you.