How to start from scratch......

[allamerathlete]

Calling all knowledgeable people who own/operate power washing businesses, I need your input.

My plans are to start a power washing business in my local area in NE Los Angeles county. There is no large competition in the area that takes the time to advertise their services and that is where we feel our key will be. We want to get into fleet washing to help us cover our basic expenses that way. Then also go to areas where a large amount of cars are located to do exterior washing. Ideal spots are carpool parking lots, doctors offices, realtors, etc.

We are wanting to start off with a large van to store our equipment rather than a pull around unit. We are looking for suggestions on what type, brand, etc of pressure washing units to use. Also any help on how to store water, heat up the water with what type of units and such.

We have already looked into the EPA rules for our area and the effect seems minimal so far. We are looking into getting a permit to let the water just run offsite on all our jobs instead of containing the water. This obviously seems to be the best option.

Want suggestions on what the best setup would be equipment wise. How to go to get fleet accounts, how to advertise effectively. What is a good price to charge on various sized fleet accounts? Also do you have your businesses setup as sole proprietor or partnerships, s-corporations, etc.

[R L S]

Holy cow man, You asked about a hundred questions , I hope this is not the only reasearch you are doing.
A permit to just let waste water run off site that without filtering or anything, that I want to see.
As far as fleet washing goes have you ever washed a fleet of tractors and trailers? I highly suggest working with a fleet washing outfit for a few days to get at least get a little feel for it.
You want to get into fleet washing to cover your basic expenses, Why fleet washing?

[squirtgun]

I just don't understand how so many bypass the search function on this an other BBS.
This is going to sound harsh,but help your self a little and the rest of us will help you a lot.

[PRESSURE PACKED]

Originally Posted by squirtgun

I just don't understand how so many bypass the search function on this an other BBS.
This is going to sound harsh,but help your self a little and the rest of us will help you a lot.

i agree in addition try the search function with key words of your question because you are not the first guy to ask those questions.also the info is infinte compared to the outcome of mabye 40 post you would get from this thread

[David O'Connell Jr.]

Hey Mike, welcome aboard. You'll find a wealth of info here.
But.... We have a signature rule here on TGS so if you'll
follow this link to the forum rules on signatures, and update yours using the USER CP in the upper left hand corner it will help us all out.
http://forums.thegrimescene.com/foru...uncements.html


(someone had to be the first to tell ya!)

[One Tough Pressure]

Originally Posted by allamerathlete

We have already looked into the EPA rules for our area and the effect seems minimal so far. We are looking into getting a permit to let the water just run offsite on all our jobs instead of containing the water. This obviously seems to be the best option.

That will not be an option. The EPA rules are the same on this for everywhere and it is basically nothing but rain in the drain. Not sure here you checked on rules, but you got bad information.

[Don M.]

Originally Posted by squirtgun

I just don't understand how so many bypass the search function on this an other BBS.
This is going to sound harsh,but help your self a little and the rest of us will help you a lot.

Hey Scott, step away from the tommy gun. LOL

[PressurePros]

No one is trying to be short with you, allamerican, but the info you seek is here. The search function will get you started. I've flapped my gums plenty as indicated by my post count. I focus more on the sales and marketing aspect of the business but I'm sure I've hit on everything at least once. You lucked out, you came to the most inofrmative board out there. Everyone will help you out but you are blacklisted for 7 days and nights while you read, read, read (just kidding with you)

The reclaim issue is a big one. The laws are Federal not regional. When you have specific questions about it, Alan is the man to see. Extended vans are fine for residential work but if you want to do commercial work, especially flets, you can forget a van. Not enough room for water reserve.

Good luck and welcome to the board.

[Don M.]

Allamerican, I say this is the place that really helped my business. All joking aside you could spend DAYS on here using the search function, taking notes.

[David O'Connell Jr.]

Look in the quote for the ????

Originally Posted by allamerathlete

.....go to areas where a large amount of cars are located to do exterior washing. Ideal spots are carpool parking lots, doctors offices, realtors, etc. FANTASTIC IDEA

We are wanting to start off with a large van to store our equipment rather than a pull around unit. I hate trailers, so I'm with you on this one We are looking for suggestions on what type, brand, etc of pressure washing units to use. We have honda motors and General Pumps Also any help on how to store water, heat up the water with what type of units and such.

We have already looked into the EPA rules for our area and the effect seems minimal so far. We are looking into getting a permit to let the water just run offsite on all our jobs instead of containing the water. This obviously seems to be the best option.

Want suggestions on what the best setup would be equipment wise. All depends on your budget. How to go to get fleet accounts, how to advertise effectively. What is a good price to charge on various sized fleet accounts? Also do you have your businesses setup as sole proprietor or partnerships, s-corporations, etc.
s-corporations

Just go for it, read the boards and sell, sell, sell.

[David O'Connell Jr.]

Originally Posted by Don M.

Allamerican, I say this is the place that really helped my business. All joking aside you could spend DAYS on here using the search function, taking notes.

This is a true statement if I have ever heard one.

The Grime Scene has helped many people to suceed and to avoid costly if not fatal business choices.

[allamerathlete]

Okay..... well I think I got the signature thing taken care of. It is awlays a bit weard makigna first post on forums anywhere because you get your head bitten off for not searching the forums. Fatwallet is the same way. I have read a bunch of the posts here and gone to dcs1.com and found lots of valuable information.

I figured by getting fleets lined up it amde the most sense initially because...
1. It keeps your employee busy.
2. It can be used to get your name out there.
3. The margin will be much smaller on these accounts but it will be a steady/somewhat secure income stream.

Obviously I/we are just in the startign stages of this plan. We are going to begin the process of writing and proposing a business plan. I am sure some of you ahve reviewd the one on dcs1.com. I was wondering if you have an input to what is exagerated/incorrect in the proposal they wrote up. It appeared to me that soem of the precentages were low but maybe the market is much different than mine. Liek advertising only 3% of the gross sales. In the first years you must market until your hair turns gray is what my thought was.

I am going to go search the forums now for details on which pressure washer to buy and heating elements as well.

[bigchaz]

Your going to get tons of different ideas for fleet washing. I don't even do them but just from reading here everyone has their own methods. Going to take you some time for figure out what works best with your equipment and labor.

As for letting water run, some companies and government contracts (post office for example) won;t even want a bid if your not reclaiming

[Don M.]

Mike,

go to Your one source for everything pressure cleaning washer. Bob is a heck of a guy and wont steer you wrong.

[PressurePros]

Mike, you are correct about the marketing budget. Figure allocating about 25%-30% of your projected annual income to advertising the first year. My recommendation is to call on Paul Kassander at Envirospec North . He is also extremely honest, reliable and inexpensive. He has the added advantage of being able to offer you advice since fleetwork is the arena in which he operates.

Just a heads up from my perspective.. mobile fleet cleaning is beyond most new washers. The selling is difficult, the margins are slim, the competition is cutthroat and it takes refined efficiency to make money. To give you an idea, there are car lots out there paying $1.50 per car and for that you need to use specialty chemical, carry a nice reserve tank of water, unravel a she-load of hose, use deionized water for a rinse and be very careful in your frenetic runaround that you don't scratch any paint.