courier_man

  • Posts: 5
Hi

I'm looking to earn a few extra pounds this summer cleaning driveways and patios. So far I have 10 people interested and I haven't even advertised.

I'm after a decent pressure washer, after some research I've noticed the "whirl away" surface cleaners are the best. However I can't afford that at the minute, is it possible I could rent one from somewhere?

What else would you recommend?

I hear the Karcher pressure washers are good, are there surface cleaner attachments any good?

Hope you can help

Thanks in advanced

Richy L

  • Posts: 2257
Karchers are good for cleaning your car.

you need to be spending at least £1.5k for an entry level pro pressure washer really with a few toys.

MJMR

  • Posts: 20
Hi,

In all fairness it depends on how much you want to go in to it.

If you have 10 or so already interested look in to cost of hiring the whole package from a local hire centre before spending masses of money on equipment. Most Hire Centres now hire out basic equipment that will get you started and off set the hire costs over 1 0r 2 of the jobs, if you can book them in together.
See how you get on and take it from there.
Good luck
Matt

courier_man

  • Posts: 5
Thanks for the replies

I thought the Karcher range was more domestic

Is there any other brands that are suitable for the job?

courier_man

  • Posts: 5
I don't want career out of this, it's just a summer time thing.

This karcher attachment seems to get fantastic reviews...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0000AITPN

What you reckon ? Would it remove moss + weeds

mike roberts

poope (funny doesnt let me say sh*t)

Kev Martin

  • Posts: 6954
I don't want career out of this, it's just a summer time thing.

This karcher attachment seems to get fantastic reviews...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0000AITPN

What you reckon ? Would it remove moss + weeds

I do not want to be rude but you cannot go round cleaning peoples drives professionally and expect respect off clients with something that looks like it came from "TOYS R US".  If you want to be taken seriously then you need to invest in something that at least looks the business and is going to get you some M2 of cleaning done in a day otherwise it is just false economy.  I have never used one of those things and it could be I am underestimating it but in my experience you get what you pay for.  It looks to me like it would take at least 4-6 hours to do a decent sized drive with one of those and I have no idea what you are considering to run it.  Personally I would think this through and see if one of the Pro's on here would consider letting you accompany them on a job so you can see what the differences are.  All this of course is not designed to deter you but I am just asking you think it through a bit more.

Kev Martin
Marble Life Ltd
"Natural Stone Restoration Specialists" Tel: 0121 773 9129
www.tilinglogistics.co.uk | www.marblelife.co.uk  http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Tiling-Logistics

Richy L

  • Posts: 2257
I have used a karcher before on a small, high balcony clean that needed an electric PW in cherry picker would have been to costly.
It did the job on slabs, but they were relatively clean really.
For block paved drives, getting weeds out etc. it is the wrong tool for the job. As Kevin said, its not a professional job. The quality would not be good enough.

Why not sub the work to a local company and take a cut for doing nothing?

Roger Oakley

I don't want career out of this, it's just a summer time thing.

This karcher attachment seems to get fantastic reviews...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0000AITPN

What you reckon ? Would it remove moss + weeds

As Mike has  siad S**T , to run this you are going to be using a Kaecher that is designed for home use to be honest. I'd not even consider using one on drive or patio and say I am a professional.
You might need to do some research.

courier_man

  • Posts: 5
OK thanks for the replies

You pretty much confirmed what I originally thought about the Karcher range, it's just the good reviews that swayed me A BIT.

So what would you recommend on a commercial side? Something cheaper than the "Whirl Away" 

BDCS

  • Posts: 4777
Nope - buy nice or buy twice. Reviews on amateur kit are done by amateurs that use their kit once a year and you would put twice the hours in one day - how long would you expect it to last.

clarkson

  • Posts: 1025
OK thanks for the replies

You pretty much confirmed what I originally thought about the Karcher range, it's just the good reviews that swayed me A BIT.

So what would you recommend on a commercial side? Something cheaper than the "Whirl Away" 


 Hi
 you could get buy for these first ten jobs without a whirlaway just a good lance. you must get decent fuel driven pw though. the pump is the thing you need at least 2000 psi at 15 litres per minute.

why dont you buy used, you can get set up for under a thousand watch the classified on here. you should easily get your money back and earn some wages on these first ten custies. then the next ten is all yours.

cheers

john


M W.

  • Posts: 149
Thanks for the replies

I thought the Karcher range was more domestic

Is there any other brands that are suitable for the job?

We use an karcher hd745 on jobs where hot water/steam is req. this is the large commercial m/c. but would never dream of cleaning drive/patio/flags wi it.

i use honda 13hp and an honda gd411 derv 9hp with turbo nozzles/whirlaway.

you will pick up a honda-yanmar-lombardini hoses/lance on flea bay with change out of
grand.

dont be tempted to buy the cheap honda copies that flood e-bay, and i wouldnt use any pw smaller than
an 9horse power.

hope this is of some help.