Power Washer! Where to start?

[mtb4396]

Alright, basically I am a teenager who wants to make some extra money this summer and am already thinking out my plan. I really want to do something that doesn't really involve me working for someone else even if that means less pay. I want to go door to door (I live in Houston) and ask people if they want me to power wash anything (driveway, sidewalk, etc.) but don't know where to start in terms of what kind or how much money I should spend on a washer. I also don't know if there is anything I should be concerned about going into this including taking paint off people's houses and that kind of stuff. Any input would help! Thanks!

[txcntryboy]

Hate to say this but try something else. I did powerwashing for a few years and it has gotten to the point where there is no money in it. To get the good money jobs, you have to have the big boy equipment (trailer rig) and it ain't cheap to buy,run, or maintain. There are a ton of "undocumented" workers as they say out there who do houses for 50 bucks or less. There just ain't no way to make a decent pay off of it if you don't have something rose on the side.

When times were good business was awesome, we had contracts with a lot of the custom home builders and did a lot of concrete staining for them as well. As soon as the market crashed, the other guys swooped in and there was nothing we could do about it.

Not trying to rain on your parade just hate to see ya down the money up front and not make it back. There are a lot of things to be careful about too. Knocking off paint, tearing up mortar joints or the frosting on brick, or etching someone's patio could cost ya big time if they push it. And with the way people are these days I wouldn't be surprised to see it.

You are probably better off mowing and that kind of thing, whatever you go with make sure you do exactly what you say your gonna do and when your gonna do it. People will keep you around if you treat em right.

[mtb4396]

Thanks for the input. How long would the average job take? Because if I can do 1-2 $40 jobs an hour, thats better than working at the pool or some other teenage job.

[Grizzly1]

I agree with the guy above.........if you're going to do pressure washing maybe stick to concrete work...driveways, patios, etc, where there isn't paint, caulk, windows and other things that can be messed up and your responsible.
Lawn work can be a good money maker, especially if you can get a few definite people that you're mowing for weekly but remember you will have gas cost, belts, and maintainence repair expenses on equipment.

[txcntryboy]

To do an average size cookie cutter house, Driveway, Garage and porches took me about an hr. Factor in gas, maintenace and all that and your not making a thing.

Also, If you do get into it, Go to some classes. . Go take a look around any industrial powerwashing sales shop one day and youll see how quick it adds up. I know it sounds like an easy gig but learning to get it just right takes time. Again, Sounds weird but there is a form and proper way to do it. When you do it right, You can clean anything and not leave any kind of striping when your done, Slip up and miss some spots and your customers driveway is gonna be tiger striped and youll be going back a second time for free. It all looks good when its wet, You have to get it down so you know when it dries out you wont have spots. Alot of it depends on what your using. You wont be able to do a professional job with one of the home depot water hose rigs.

Also need to check into local codes, Alot of cities are starting to enforce the waste water aspect of it. Anything with oil residue or gas or even pant that your washing will be need to be vaccumed up so it doesnt hit the storm drains. STAY AWAY FROM GAS STATIONS!!!! No matter what they tell you, Every drop of that water has to be sucked up and properly disposed of or you risk a nice fine from the EPA. They dont always catch you, But if they do your up a creek without a paddle...Maybe even without a boat.

Average cost top repack the pumps on our rigs was about 400, Every 3 months, And it shut the rig down for a day. When a hose breaks, Figure 100 bucks. When a rig blows a pump, Figure 800-900. When the motor goes, Figure 2K.

Again, Not trying to down the idea but it aint cheap business to run and it aint very profitable with this economy.

[chongo]

To do an average size cookie cutter house, Driveway, Garage and porches took me about an hr. Factor in gas, maintenace and all that and your not making a thing.

Also, If you do get into it, Go to some classes. . Go take a look around any industrial powerwashing sales shop one day and youll see how quick it adds up. I know it sounds like an easy gig but learning to get it just right takes time. Again, Sounds weird but there is a form and proper way to do it. When you do it right, You can clean anything and not leave any kind of striping when your done, Slip up and miss some spots and your customers driveway is gonna be tiger striped and youll be going back a second time for free. It all looks good when its wet, You have to get it down so you know when it dries out you wont have spots. Alot of it depends on what your using. You wont be able to do a professional job with one of the home depot water hose rigs.

Also need to check into local codes, Alot of cities are starting to enforce the waste water aspect of it. Anything with oil residue or gas or even pant that your washing will be need to be vaccumed up so it doesnt hit the storm drains. STAY AWAY FROM GAS STATIONS!!!! No matter what they tell you, Every drop of that water has to be sucked up and properly disposed of or you risk a nice fine from the EPA. They dont always catch you, But if they do your up a creek without a paddle...Maybe even without a boat.

Average cost top repack the pumps on our rigs was about 400, Every 3 months, And it shut the rig down for a day. When a hose breaks, Figure 100 bucks. When a rig blows a pump, Figure 800-900. When the motor goes, Figure 2K.

Again, Not trying to down the idea but it aint cheap business to run and it aint very profitable with this economy.

x2 - I was in the pressure washing business for about 2 years. I had over 80K in contracts annually doing it part time. I did very little residential, most of my work was commercial flat work. Take what you are reading to heart - unless you have at least 5k to dump into this (used commercial hot water setup) you will be spinning your wheels. Also consider insurance. Also, the waste water EPA is becoming a bigger deal or I should say more widely monitored and enforced. The whole reason I got out of it was because I did not want to have to reinvest into a collection/filtration system and the need to increase pricing to adjust for the additional cost of equipment plus additional time. Plus on the 80K worth of contracts - roughly 45% went to materials/maintenance and equipment. Then you have to consider taxes etc. It can be profitable and I know of a few companies making very good money - but it takes a lot of time and money to get there.

Like has been mentioned - you are better off trying to start up a summer time mowing operation than pressure washing.

Best of luck to you - and good on ya for thinking outside the box

[Patton]

Dont want to type on my iphone but my brother and his friend did this a few summers ago. Put up flyers with a list of your services. Mowing, weeding, weedeating, mulching, painting, power washing, etc. Make it look proffesional on the flyer and then also try some of the door to door knocking, its harder to say no in person to a kid trying to get work

[whitetailslayer]

Search for HOA's in your area and contact the president of the neighborhood. Tell him that you are looking for jobs within your skill level and see if he knows any elderly/disabled/willing bodies that could use some help. If you get 9 out of 10 No's, that 1 yes will work for you in using as a reference to work for other people in that neighborhood. I live in a retirement-type town and my neighborhood is packed full of retirees that appreciate a young strong back and an eager heart to make a dollar. You could spend a whole summer in just one neighborhood helping out the community. Just don't be too proud to do the little things, pick up trash, sweep, pull weeds.
This is what I did in high school. Get your foot in the door with one person and your reputation will take care of itself. I told my first client that I would mow her yard for free if she would be willing to help get your name out there and pass it along to their friends.

[flywise]

google roof cleaning