The services you offer as a pressure washing contractor will depend on several factors. You must identify a market that needs to be exploited, determine what equipment is necessary to perform the task profitably, and then gain the experience necessary to operate the equipment well enough to perform the task well.
In the pressure washing industry, there are numerous types of work that you can choose to do. They include wood restoration, flat surface cleaning, building washing, industrial equipment washing, fleet washing, and kitchen hood cleaning, just to name a few of the more well-known disciplines.
While each is part of the commercial pressure washing field and requires a commercial quality pressure washer, they are very different endeavors, each requiring a specific set of skills and equipment. For example, cleaning flat surfaces, especially in commercial settings, really requires a high-flow pressure washer equipped with hot water. That machine would also be suitable for house and building washing, but hot water is not a necessary tool for building washing. Here a cold water machine is probably enough, as long as the flow is sufficient. However, a high-flow machine is completely inappropriate for most kitchen hood cleaning applications, as the effluent must be captured in the kitchen and disposed of, usually by hand.
When people first start out in the pressure washing business, they often just buy whatever machine they think they can afford and then find some kind of job to do with it. This is the exact opposite of the best method to start your cleaning business. First, find a market that you can exploit.
It’s been said many times before, if you find a need you can fill, customers who need it will seek it out. If you have noticed a lot of gum on commercial sidewalks in your area, or that there is a lot of graffiti on local buildings, and also see people going to great lengths trying to remove that gum and graffiti, you may have come across with a market. do feat You may also notice an increasing number of ads looking for cleaners in your area, perhaps on Craig’s list or some other local advertising venue. That’s another good sign that there is a market for a service you could provide.
Avoid the common mistake of opening a pressure washing business because you have seen a large number of dirty houses and properties in your area. You do not look for people with dirty houses, because those people most of the time do not hire cleaning services for any reason. You should look for people who have money available to keep your property already clean and spotless. It’s always better to find someone who is willing to buy services, rather than trying to convince someone with a dirty property that they need your services.
Now is the time to look at all the costs you’ll incur to meet the needs of your potential customers: Look at business licenses, insurance, and fees first. It almost seems like some areas are actively trying to discourage people from opening new businesses and it’s best to find out before you spend a ton of cash on a business you can’t afford to get into.
When you have established the basic cost of your business as an entity, now start looking for equipment. You can try a local supplier first, he may have a good idea of what the local market conditions are, and he will be a valuable acquaintance if you start the business and have an emergency kit. You should tell any equipment salesperson you speak to what type of work you intend to do and ask for their opinion on what you should be looking for. Remember, you’ll always be safer if you get as much information as possible, so check with more than one dealer. You’ll soon have an idea of what the equipment is worth if you take the time to do some basic research.
You should also check out online bulletin board communities. There are several good ones out there, and almost all of them have a search button. Use the search button to check the industry you plan to enter, then call a few members if it’s possible to do so. However, remember that these are business people with busy lives, so try to be concise in your questions and be sensitive to the value of their time.
Trade organizations are also an excellent resource for information. I recommend using the resources of your trade association whenever possible; joining is often cheap compared to remaining ignorant of important issues and information. You can look into the UAMCC, an organization for pressure washing contractors. There is also a helpful pressure washing forum on that site.
Once you’ve found a market to tap into and found the right equipment, at the right price, you’re ready to learn how to get the job done. Training is available in various forms and locations across the country. There are online sources like discussion forums and training websites, there are numerous e-books, videos, and actual books and brochures for sale, and there are real-world training experiences available in two main types.
First is the paid training. Many providers, and even some contractors, offer paid training programs tailored to the various fields of pressure washing. These are generally well thought out, but are often secondary to the purpose of equipment sales. The best point in its favor is that when a client pays for training, he can be as thorough as he wants. This means that questions must be answered to the customer’s satisfaction before the discussion proceeds.
The other training experience that is gaining in popularity is work-for-learning. In this scheme, the new pressure washing company owner works for another contractor without pay, in exchange for on-the-job experience, at actual customer sites. This program often leads to a kind of mentorship and has been the basis of many friendships in the industry. This type of training can also be used as part of the research process, to help you decide if the pressure washing business is right for you, before you purchase any equipment.
In pressure washing, it is important to have a clear idea of what type of work you intend to do, before purchasing the equipment. You must locate and assess a potential market, research the expenses and methodology required to accomplish the tasks, and then learn how to operate that equipment. Doing your homework before you buy will save you money and frustration, and establish habits that will make you a more successful pressure washing contractor.