Interested In Advertising? | Contact Us Here
Warning!

 

Welcome to Clean It Up; the UK`s largest cleaning forum with over 34,000 members

 

Please login or register to post and reply to topics.      

 

Forgot your password? Click here

Pages: [1]

Pole2pole

  • Posts: 783
Thinking of expanding
« on: September 02, 2007, 04:37:53 pm »
Hi gang. I'm seriously thinking of expanding into patio,driveway cleaning and i would dearly love any input from people already working in this area. I looking at buying the item on the link below, but was looking for and positive or negative thoughts by those in the know  :)
Thanks,Dino
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/13HP-INDUSTRIAL-PETROL-PRESSURE-WASHER-NEW-13HP_W0QQitemZ180154775780QQihZ008QQcategoryZ46536QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Logged

Kwackers

  • Posts: 700
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #1 on: September 02, 2007, 05:28:10 pm »
You'll need a few chemicals for tough stains, a surface cleaner, weed killer and sprayer, sand, brushes etc.

Not sure how good they are, they look like a cheap import??
Logged

Pole2pole

  • Posts: 783
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2007, 06:06:32 pm »
It does??? What would you recommend Kwack??? Got a budget of about £500. Maybe a Honda? And why would i need sand ???
Logged

Davew

Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #3 on: September 02, 2007, 06:28:11 pm »
To rejoint the gaps? I looked into it briefly but you need a fair bit of kit to hump about and the larger pressure washers guzzle the water faster than a tap can supply it so you will need a large tank or wheely bin to prefill first. I was told that customers get funny over the pricing because they can buy a jet washer from a diy store for fifty pounds.
Logged

niceandclean

  • Posts: 1897
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #4 on: September 02, 2007, 06:39:13 pm »
I have done alot of homework on this subject as i have now got alot of work off my existing window cleaning customers. I will be taking delivery of my new equipment tomorrow from the U.S. I have bought all that i will need for patio, driveway ect cleaning from a company called Merrill Fox based in Florida. Out of all the companies that i spoke to here in the U.K, they have been the most helpful. For a full set up including VAT, import tax and delivery to my door cost me just shy of £2000.00 . Saved about £6-700 buying this way .
Logged

Pole2pole

  • Posts: 783
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #5 on: September 02, 2007, 06:41:51 pm »
That's what i was thinking Dave........but you can buy a pair of scissors for £5 but how many people cut their own hair :-\
I bought one a couple of years back for a hundred quid or so. Went to use it for about the 5th or 6th time(about 2 yrs after i bought it)and the bloody thing had packed up on me  >:( And no it wasn't the fuse  ;) Ended up down the knackers yard.
Logged

Pole2pole

  • Posts: 783
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #6 on: September 02, 2007, 06:43:22 pm »
Is that petrol nicenclean? Sorry, gasoline?  ;D Just had a quick look at their site. Are ya worried about buying from the states? I guess a petrol has to be the safer bet.
Logged

niceandclean

  • Posts: 1897
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #7 on: September 02, 2007, 06:58:04 pm »
Yes petrol with electric start. Honda 13HP engine, 24" stainless steel whirl away, bin feed kit for bin water supply, turbo nozzle, extra filters and nozzles, long wand and gutter attachment, belt ect ect!!
The cheapest same washer here i found, non electric start was £1150 plus Vat.
Logged

Pole2pole

  • Posts: 783
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #8 on: September 02, 2007, 07:34:13 pm »
Sorry to keep on  ;) but can you get spares and get it serviced over here? Are connectors universal etc etc???
Logged

niceandclean

  • Posts: 1897
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #9 on: September 02, 2007, 07:55:47 pm »
Yes it comes with a worldwide Honda 2 year warranty, and can be serviced at any Honda authorized small engine dealer. The connectors are different to uk, but for pounds can be changed if you want to.
The Comet pump has representation in England as well. It has a warranty of 5 years, but does not include wear parts such as seals,check valves ect. As i said, i wanted to set this up properly, get the right equipment first off, so i have spent two months researching. I could of bought second hand or cheaper, but in the long run i think this was the best way.
Logged

niceandclean

  • Posts: 1897
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #10 on: September 02, 2007, 07:58:57 pm »
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250157370192
Look at this, quite a similar set up, he bought from Merrill Fox a couple of years ago, and probably got his money back!! Sold for a grand. 
Logged

Pole2pole

  • Posts: 783
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #11 on: September 02, 2007, 08:10:39 pm »
Interesting. Thanks for taking the time out to reply in detail. I don't wanna buy cheap either onky to regret being so tight soon after. I've been there with wfp  :)
Logged

Kwackers

  • Posts: 700
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #12 on: September 02, 2007, 08:17:03 pm »
For a pressure washing set up the main outlay is the washer itself obviously, but don't under estimate the bits and pieces needed along side the washer, they soon add up...

Logged

Davew

Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #13 on: September 02, 2007, 08:19:48 pm »
Good luck Dino, hope it's a success. The guy I was talking to was now doing big pressure cleaning jobs on site, the sort of work that takes days like cleaning whole buildings and blasting off paintwork etc with steam as well. He said he got fed up with driveways because people just weren't prepared to part with the money. Mind you I reckon there would be good money to be made if you can erase oil spills from expensive blockwork and perhaps graffitti removall.
Logged

niceandclean

  • Posts: 1897
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #14 on: September 02, 2007, 08:20:58 pm »
Thats why i spent so long researching and talking to lots, and i mean lots of different companies. And i can honestly say the service so far that i have recieved from Merrill and his team has been second to none. Just cant wait for the washer to arrive tomorrow!! Give them a mail, ask as many questions as you want and find out prices and the different packages they do to suit your needs. If i can helpo anymore just mail.  :)
merrillfox@earthlink.net Email address
www.merrillfoxenterprises.com Web
Logged

Pole2pole

  • Posts: 783
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #15 on: September 02, 2007, 08:21:07 pm »
I don't doubt that for a second mate   :-\ What does the stainless steel whirlaway do? Stop stuff from flying up in the air at all angles?
Logged

Pole2pole

  • Posts: 783
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #16 on: September 02, 2007, 08:22:36 pm »
Cheers Niceandclean. You've been a triffic help  :)
Logged

niceandclean

  • Posts: 1897
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #17 on: September 02, 2007, 08:23:51 pm »
Welcome  :)
Logged

Kwackers

  • Posts: 700
Re: Thinking of expanding
« Reply #18 on: September 02, 2007, 08:25:36 pm »
For muck on surfaces thats not to stubborn like algae depending on the size of the cleaner you can clean probably 10x the amount.

Mines a 500mm so it's a bit of a difference to a pressure washer, and also, you can clean the surfaces evenly.

Logged
Pages: [1]