Looking to add pressure washing services

[toddharmon]

I am looking to add pressure washing services. Can anyone suggest a good pressure washer? 2700 psi-3000 psi? Any thoughts on how much I should charge for say a 2500 sq ft home? Linear ft of driveways? I just opened my company in November and would welcome any and all tips/advice. I have a toro time cutter ss3200 zero turn mower. Toro weed eater, echo back pack blower echo gas edger, pole saw, electric hedge trimmers. Standard garden tools, shovels rakes etc. anyone think of anything I might be missing? I hope to land some pressure washing jobs because I feel it would be quick money. Thoughts? Thanks!!! Any thoughts on my website? Www.allstarscapes.com. Where all should I list online?

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Lawn care business tips

Stop looking at PSI and start looking at GPM. You need something with 3.5-4 GPM. Take the psi and x's that by the gpm and thats your cleaning units. Pricing is going to be different everywhere but remember its something thats done every few years. So theres no point of being cheap. Youll simply run out of work and not make money doing it. You need to measure the exterior. A 2500 sq ft home could be 3000 sq ft it could be 4500 sq ft. Typically basements and garages arent figured in the homes sq ft. I would call a few guys in your area and get a few estimates. That will let you know around what to charge. I wouldnt touch a house for less then $400 but I use a sq ft formula that works for me. You should average over $100 a hour if your bidding right.

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South Eastern Connecticut Landscaping /Lawn Care /Pressure Washing /Snow Removal /Gutter Cleaning
52" Brutus/52" Super Surfer/44" Pro Line/60" ZMaster
EB630/EB802/EBZ7150/EBZ8000/BR400/Billy Goat 8Hp
FS55&90/FC95/km110/L322&326/TR2350S
HC150/HC155/CHTZ2460
CS440/MS290
Case 1816 Skid

[toddharmon]

Thanks for the reply. Any advice on fall clean up bidding? I feel like I underbid every single one. Maybe that's why all my estimates are being accepted. Should I have a minimum price? I have a 5x16 trailer and I always have to make an extra trip to come get the rest of the bags. Thanks again!!

[willshome]

just be careful you can burn a house down p-washing a siding wrong. Talk to your insurance for me p-washing is an extra $1,000 a year.

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by toddharmon

Thanks for the reply. Any advice on fall clean up bidding? I feel like I underbid every single one. Maybe that's why all my estimates are being accepted. Should I have a minimum price? I have a 5x16 trailer and I always have to make an extra trip to come get the rest of the bags. Thanks again!!

I start at $199 because no matter what its always more work then it looks. If you get more then 1/2 the work you bid your prices are low. Fall clean ups are difficult to bid but you cant be afraid to tell them $500-$600.

Originally Posted by willshome

just be careful you can burn a house down p-washing a siding wrong. Talk to your insurance for me p-washing is an extra $1,000 a year.

Same here, its not covered in my GL.

I actually called a guy up that was advertising $100 houses. He mentioned he was cheaper because he didnt have insurance. I said buddy dont you know you can burn down a house? He was like no you cant it would take a idiot to damage something pressure washing. I was just rolling.

[bruces]

if your getting every job your bidding on,then your too cheap .

[willshome]

Originally Posted by SECTLANDSCAPING

would take a idiot to damage something pressure washing. I was just rolling.

That's why my lawn care insurance is like $500 (that covers me doing a lot of things) and p-washing is $1,000 and that's all it covers

Power washing must be low risk

[Steve]

just be careful you can burn a house down p-washing a siding wrong.

How does this happen? Also, what other types of situations do new power washers need to be wary of so they don't cause any other sorts of damage?

[SECTLANDSCAPING]

Originally Posted by Steve

How does this happen? Also, what other types of situations do new power washers need to be wary of so they don't cause any other sorts of damage?

It happens when water gets under the siding. The wires arent meant to be exposed to the weather. When you get them wet they spark, lighting the insulation.

Theres many deaths reported from pressure washing. Everything from falling to electrocution.

Then all kind of damage can be caused from the water, pressure, etc.

The best way to avoid damage is get a pressure washer that uses a lot of water and dont use much pressure. Then let the chemicals do the work. If you do it like this the pressure washer acts as a hose to just rinse off.

[willshome]

Originally Posted by Steve

How does this happen? Also, what other types of situations do new power washers need to be wary of so they don't cause any other sorts of damage?

it can happen if the siding is installed poorly, damaged, or if you p-wash at the wrong angle, water gets into the wall and shorts out the wiring....FIRE