How much did it cost you to start?

[jgotterb]

Ya'll say to find a niche and stick to it. uh huh. Doesn't that mean I still need to try it all to find out? And too, in this area every tom dick and harry has a lowes pressure washer on a 4x8 trailer and is trying to do houses for nothing. So doI even try to do houses or do I have to do houses? The flat work like gas stations, and bank etc. would be great but I can't afford the environ. equip. to start.

[cleanhoods]

$200.00 to start and maybe 20,000 the first year.
Marko

[JohnB]

Around 11,000... This includes the fire equipment stuff , hood cleaning stuff , my old truck that I bought for 2500 years ago ... It is setting up now waiting to be sold.. My biggest expense was insurance.. Now with the new stuff just in the past year and a half we have purchased about 25000.00 dolars worth of ( truck, machine,trailers,and fire equipment stock... ( Dang I am Broke )

[timhays]

i started out with a $2000 pressure washer from northern and starved for a couple years 10k-50k building up the business,we did $280k in 06 with myself and 1 assistant.

then the building boom bursted and we were 100 percent leveraged in new construction.

the drought for the last 2 years has hurt business as well.

profits have not been the same since 2007 but things are picking up around here

[nitrox2595]

started with a 96 ford e250, hotsy 1260, and about $1,000.00. 10 years later i have 6 trucks, 2 trailers, and last year we did about $650k. This year I got rid of my office( - $4,500 a month) My waste of time secretary that was surfing the net all the time.(-$650/week) and got rid some poor performers. I hope to break 1mil between all my business this year.. I HOPE... back to basics for me.

[CarolinaProWash]

Nitrox (Chris).....Please fill out your signature - house rules

[CarolinaProWash]

Ya'll say to find a niche and stick to it. uh huh. Doesn't that mean I still need to try it all to find out? And too, in this area every tom dick and harry has a lowes pressure washer on a 4x8 trailer and is trying to do houses for nothing. So doI even try to do houses or do I have to do houses? The flat work like gas stations, and bank etc. would be great but I can't afford the environ. equip. to start. Back to the question. as soon as Uncle Sam gives me back my $ I will have about $3500 to start. I already have a Hydrotek hot cold. Still very confused.

If you don't want to "try" everything - which really does mean marketing everything - find a couple of companies that have found a niche and ride along, get your hands in it and see if you click. There are several companies in NC & SC that will be happy to have you for a day or two (we call it Labor for learning and you will work!)

We're one.....I believe William Page (Off Duty Fireman does it). Feel free to check with us - when it warms up a bit!

Celeste

[jgotterb]

Thanks Celeste. I am definitely going to take you up on the offer! Let me know when's a good time.

[Guy B]

I'm close J, call anytime.

[onaprwl]

I decided to sell the truck stop/wash and go mobile so I went out on a Monday and spoke to 4 companies, Pepsi Cola, Ryder, NorthAmerican Van Lines, and Fayard Trans.. I had all four companies before lunch. Now all I needed was a machine and some soap. I rented a preasure washer from the local rental company for $30.00 and called the guy that sold me soap when I had the truck stop/wash. About $150.00 in chemicals and the machine, and I was in business. I did some independents on weekends for cash that paid for the rental of the machine all week and the soap and contuniued this until the profits from the large companies came in. When the money started to flow came the new machines, insurance and another truck. the only advertising I have ever done was a business card so when peoplke asked what was the name of the company or how to get in touch with me, I handed them one. That has been the extent of my advertising for 31 years. I stopped handing out cards 8 years ago but that hasn't seem to change anything.

[Little Buddy]

Do you guys think age, I'm 20, will hurt me or doesn't it matter?

[onaprwl]

I started at 22 and it didn't seam to make any difference. It depends on how you present yourself and you abilities to preform good work.

[Chris Tharpe]

Do you guys think age, I'm 20, will hurt me or doesn't it matter?

It can be somewhat a hurdle to overcome however its not impossible. I am 25 and it seems as I get the snub sometimes. Just present yourself well over the phone and email if you communicate with them before face-to-face meetings and you will do much better and they will be impressed

[Chesapeake]

Do you guys think age, I'm 20, will hurt me or doesn't it matter?

Deffinately a little tuff to gain the confidence of the customer. Present yourself as a professional, and do professional work, and the work will start rolling in. Use your past customers as references for future customers. If you do good work, the word will spread. I was 24 when I started. I think alot of people think a younger person in business should have cheaper prices because their bills shouldn't be as high as someone with a family. Hold firm to your pricing. I use to get it alot. People thought my prices were too high. I don't have that problem much anymore. Maybe that's because of my company's reputation, or maybe I'm just a better salesman now, or could be due to the fact that I'm getting older and have some grey hair surfacing.

[Chesapeake]

I started the company with
$800 cash for a trailer
$4000 on a credit card for a small hot water machine, hoses, chemicals, and a couple ladders
$? small general liability policy

I had a $3500 job lined up before I ever bought any equipment, and had everything paid for before the credit card bill ever came in.