[Ed J]

Hi all

I've been thinking of starting a PW business for a while now (patios, drives, decking etc) and in my head it sounds an ok and do-able idea (subject to commitment etc)

I've advertised in a local rag, placed some cards in a few local shops and currently designing a leaflet to distribute locally as well.

My confidence in this was growing until today! The local rag that I advertised in goes to 37'000 homes and is jam-packed with adverts and little editorial plus my little advert.

The thing is there is at least 4-5 other adverts, either for gardening or patio laying etc that also offer a 'driveway type cleaning service too plus one advert purely for a pressure washing business.

I know I should be worried about this and I am and it's good to be aware of local competition, but i'm now starting to doubt my business because I'm potentially entering a part-saturated market.

So my questions/worries are:

Should I be worried about this? Is this the norm for this kind of business and if so, do I need to market myself differently in order to make some kind of success or just accept that there will always be competition and to man-up and plough onwards and upwards..

Apologies for long first post but have my pessimistic head on.


Thanks for reading

Ed (on the south coast)

[Londoner]

Most pressure washers in my experience go on the knocker and do it that way.

[Richy L]

If you're only going to be cleaning drives/patios/etc. you will struggle to earn enough.
That type of pressure washing is seasonal

[Ed J]

Thanks for the replies


As for door knocking, i'm thinking that may be a good option, and perhaps knocking on peoples doors to introduce myself and hand over a leaflet and go from there. I'm getting some leaflet produced this coming week and will then decide on my next option.

And as for being seasonal, perhaps i'd have to turn my attention to commercial work over the colder months, councils, playparks etc etc etc. but have heard some negative stories re: obtaining council work.

 

[Richy L]

getting council work will be very hard if even possible at all. My council didnt want to know. They said they have their own teams carrying out the work.
I'm not trying to put you off, but there are so many people out there now with a pressure washer you need to have another avenue of income really.

[Alan McTernan]

Hi Ed,

Where abouts on the south coast are you?

Regards
Alan

[Ed J]

Hi Alan

I'm based around the Southampton area, I see your Sussex Way and would appreciate any advice before the towel gets thrown in (this isn't what I want though)

Lealfets will be done this week (5000), then i'll be pounding the streets.

Also thought about printing off a few hundred business cards and giving out a handful in a little holders that can be placed around a few local shops -although not sure there'll allow this but i'll ask anyway.

Maybe I need to add a new angle - eco friendly or something?!

Regards

Ed

[Blast Off Stoke]

Ed
Most of us are eco friendly anyway hardly any chemicals are used on the average job.You could offer other services that compliment driveway cleaning like gardening or odd jobbing.

If you're only going to be cleaning drives/patios/etc. you will struggle to earn enough.
That type of pressure washing is seasonal

this is true aswell it wont last all year.

good luck

[Griffus]

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=104952.0