[James1804]

Hi all,

I am looking for advice from all you seasoned professionals, and would be grateful if you could help me. I have read a lot of posts on this forum and have learnt a lot so thank you.

I am in the process of starting an exterior cleaning business, will be mainly patio/drive cleaning using pressure washer, rotary cleaner and hypo if needed. Plus gutter vacuuming, wall and render cleaning, possibly roofs in the future. Operating in the south east.

I understand this sort of work can be tough and I’m fully aware of this, I have some experience in pressure washing on a commercial level but never needed to know the ins and outs. The main thing I’m struggling with is all the equipment and what will best suit my needs, I would be grateful if you could give any useful information on the following points:

1.   Is it best to get a petrol or diesel pressure washer?
2.   Would 15lpm/3000psi be sufficient for the type of work I’ll be doing?
3.   Should I aim to always use the customers water source or have a tank in the van?
4.   If I did get a tank of say 600 litres, this would be used within an hour so how can you work without connecting to a tap?
5.   What is the best method of applying hypo? I have seen the x-jet, backpack sprayers…….
6.   If I used a WFP to apply hypo to walls and then to rinse, do I need to spend big money on a Gardiner pole or are budget ones just as good, if not a little bit heavier?

I understand you’re probably thinking “Here we go again, another novice without a clue who wants to know the world”, but I’d be very grateful with any helpful comments you can give me.

Thanks

James

[Smudger]

1 diesel if you can afford/justify the cost but a good petrol Honda is pretty reasonable on fuel esp. for what your planning

2. No - 21 litres minimum - 15 will do it but jobs will take longer

3. You will need a tank no decent pw will work off mains - you fill tank then draw from that while using mains water to top up while running

4. 21 litres a minute will empty 600 litre tank in under 30 minutes

5. Pump sprayer is fine to start you will have plenty of control x-jet etc are for large areas

6.any wfp will do - but gardiners clx is both cheap and good quality

Darran

[James1804]

Thanks Darran,

What are the best websites to look for commercial pressure washers. Most of the sites ive found dont have anything like 21 lpm, most are 16 lpm max. Is £1000 a realistic budget? Or ive seen a few package deals for around £1200 that include a surface cleaner and hose extension.

Also is it realistic to expect to use the customers mains electric if gutter vacuuming, or would I need a generator?

Thanks

James

[Smudger]

Best sites are Rutland pumps - speak to Ben
Or
Q washers on eBay

Forget flat surface cleaner - turbo nozzle is the way to go

Budget needs to be a little higher with hoses, lances, nozzles odds and ends I’d say £1500 to £1750

Personally we always take a genny when gutter vac’ing but I know some that just use customers electric - depends on how you feel about asking or being tied into a day/time for access

Darran

[Mike Halliday]

With all your questions I was hoping to see the most important one..... “how do I find the work?” Unless you’ve already sussed that out😉

 To answer a couple of your questions....

You will always need to use the customers water even the smallest job will require a full (big) water tank and why drive around with all that additional weight.

If you have the money by the bigger 18-20hp machines with the bigger pump they are heavier but still on wheels, I used my 15lt/3000psi machine a few weeks ago and felt like stopping the job it was so slow ( my bigger machine was broke)

We still use a watering can to apply hypo, it’s works fine we have an x-jet for really big jobs but for small/medium a watering can is easiest

[James1804]

Thanks both,

Darran, can you please explain to me to preference to a turbo nozzle. I understand you get a more concentrated jet and therefore greater cleaning power, but because of the small area of the jet would this not take a lot longer than a surface cleaner? or are you saying that it will save time in the long run because the finish will be a lot better?

Mike, completely agree that finding work is the most important part. Whats the point in having all the bells and whistles if the work isn't coming in! I have a friend who works in internet marketing who has advised me on setting up a website and tailoring for Google analytics and all that jazz.  What is your method of gaining new business, and also keeping existing customers? Do the old methods of door knocking and leaflets still work and are they worth the time?

I have come up with a few ideas to gain extra business, especially from gutter vacuuming. For example if you get a job doing a terraced house, ask the neighbours if they'd like theirs done too, give a discount to all 3 houses if they all accept. 3 jobs in the same location relatively easy. Also you can offer gutters as an add on. If you quote for a drive clean and they think its too high, offer to do their gutters for free.

Cheers

James

[Smudger]

You can work far quicker with a turbo and the clean is better esp. on brickweave where the edges of the brick are chamfered a fsc will not get the weeds or moss out of the joints effectively

Door knocking g and leaflets will bring customers in quickly - we also have signs (a bit like for sale boards) where I give the customer £30 discount if I can have a board up in the garden for 2 weeks - people then see your work and know who did the cleaning

I also had a large customer base (600) from window cleaning which I tapped into

Networking looking me BNI or 4n will get you contacts with gardeners, cleaners, letting agents etc...

Darran

[Mike Halliday]

We get all our new customers from leaflets, we constantly leaflet I do a couple of hours every day and my helper does at least 90 mins. Saturdays & Sunday i’m Up at 5:45am to get out leafleting for 3 hrs.

I do no marketing to my existing customers apart from them getting a leaflet 3-4 times a year.

[chris scott]

I disagree with most of what has been said....It would take far to long to put my point across. Feel free to call me.

[Smudger]

I sdisagree with most of what has been said....It would take far to long to put my point across. Feel free to call me.

Nothing new there then.....

Darran

[James1804]

Mike, that's some serious leafleting. Would Internet marketing not be more affective and at least give you a lie in at the weekends! Obviously it works for you though.

Chris, I'm open to any advice you have. The more the better. I'm happy with quick bullet points.

Can anyone send me a link to a decent pressure washer as detailed above, or one suitable for the type of work. Really struggling to find one.

Cheers

James

[Aqua Power Solutions]

James ,
Chris , Mike , Darran can  all point you in the right direction . What equipment you get all depends on your budget !
Don't rush out and buy any cheap old tat . Take your time
Ed

[Mike Halliday]

Mike, that's some serious leafleting. Would Internet marketing not be more affective and at least give you a lie in at the weekends! Obviously it works for you though.

Chris, I'm open to any advice you have. The more the better. I'm happy with quick bullet points.

Can anyone send me a link to a decent pressure washer as detailed above, or one suitable for the type of work. Really struggling to find one.

Cheers

James

I’ve tried google adwords and have a website on the first page of google but I  Find leaflets are the most targeted marketing you can do, i’m Sat here now in Mc Donald’s drinking a coffee before going leafleting then I will pick up my mate at 8:15.

Leafleting  works well for me as it fits into my personal characteristics, I find it easy to do and even if I wasn’t  going leafleting I would still wake up at 5:30ish and get up.

I found the cost of adwords was more than employing a part time guy to put out leaflets and didn’t give the return on investment.

[James1804]

Thanks for the advice Ed.

Mike, hope you enjoyed your coffee, egg and bacon McMuffin?

If you don't mind could you please tell me what pressure washer you use on a daily basis as your main machine.

Also does anyone have any comments on the best van. I love the look and size of the transit custom L1 but not sure the payload if enough (think its around 900kg). 600 litre tank plus me plus pressure washer, generator, gutter vac, bits and bobs. Would a normal transit be better?

Thanks

James

[Mike Halliday]

I use a drain jetter same as this.....



Mounted in a medium wheeel base, high roof  Iveco Daily

[James1804]

Interesting.

So obviously a drain jetter and pressure washer are for performing different jobs, but are they essentially the same thing? Engine, pump, hose, lance.

I know jetters have greater flow, which i assume is why you got one. Also i like the idea of something on a skid in the back of the van, with the tank and hose already attached and ready to go.

What spec is yours Mike?

Thanks

James

[Mike Halliday]

I think it’s about 4000psi with 30lt/ min flow don’t really know the label on the pump is worn away.

Water cooled Diesel engine , the big water tank allows you to compensate for the high flow which a domestic water supply cannot  keep up with,   so if you turn up with a 3/4 full water tank you can keep working without  running out of water.

It’s got about 90m of high pressure hose  so you can reach most jobs front & back,  the electric hose reel is helpful

[James1804]

Sounds like a beast Mike., bet you can work quick with that.

What about something like this?  https://jetmac.co.uk/products/loncin-g420-on-skid-and-hose-reel-various-pump-set-ups

They do a Honda GX390 version too, would just need the tank.

Can you give ma any advice on belt driven and gearboxed pumps? Which is best?

Thanks

James

[chris scott]

A Honda  GX 390 will not run a 21 lpm Pump.  A direct drive pump would be a better option.

[Mike Halliday]

Belt & gearbox are used to alter the rpm between the motor and the pump to exstend the life of the pump by running at a lower rpm, to be honest they both have their merits but you are over thinking the issue for your first  machine.

Unless you are going really big you will probably  get a direct drive and for a few hundred pound more a gear driven

To start I would get a portable machine that can be wheeeled around the house to get closer to the job, with a van mount you need 80-100m of pressure line

[James1804]

A Honda  GX 390 will not run a 21 lpm Pump.  A direct drive pump would be a better option.

https://www.rutlandpumps.com/evo-2-pressure-washer-21lpm-200bar.html

[James1804]

Would I use a ramp to get a wheeled pressure washer into and out of the van? As they weigh 80kg+, whats the usual setting up process?

Plus if you have a bigger pump and therefore have a return to tank hose, what do you do if you have the washer out of the van away from the tank in the van.  Or would you use a temporary water tank such as wheelie bin or barrel and have it near the machine?

[SB Cleaning]

Would I use a ramp to get a wheeled pressure washer into and out of the van? As they weigh 80kg+, whats the usual setting up process?

Plus if you have a bigger pump and therefore have a return to tank hose, what do you do if you have the washer out of the van away from the tank in the van.  Or would you use a temporary water tank such as wheelie bin or barrel and have it near the machine?

I lift my machine in and out the van...but I'm not doing it day I day out.

[Mike Halliday]

If you go down the portable route then you would use a wheely bin or similar.

You can use a ramp I used to tie it to my bellend and swing it out.... but i’m From up north.😉