[Aran Singh]

I guess the title pretty much says it all, BUT, I do want to make a good go of it.

Hi everyone, I'm finishing education this year, and its into the tough world of work I guess. I've been a bit clever (or tried to anyway) and saved some cash to set up my own business. I guess what I'm after is what money can't buy though, advice. I need advice on which pressure washer to get, I've got £4500, but if I can spend less... GREAT. From the research I've done thats only going to get me a PW. I've seen some beautiful piece of kit, diesel powered and diesel heated PW with 350BAR and 21 LPM, only thing is Ive got to order it from the states,


Can anyone recommend me any UK suppliers, the USA suppliers had a vanguard engine with 14hp, Belt Driven, Ceramic parts, medium sized whirlaway and 15m of braided hose. I also thought I'd get a drain jetting bit of kit. It came up to £5000, VAT and P&P etc. I've seen a few things on ebay, come with a trailer for the water etc but truth be told someone could sell me something that was about to break, and I wouldn't be any the wiser


I' m based in the East Midlands, I have competition already, no real USP apart from the fact its a pretty strong machine so hopefully less likelihood of using chemicals (OK i haven't got one). Truth is, I feel if this all goes t*ts up, I'll still be able to break even on the machine from a few jobs I have lined up. I set up another business whilst at uni, so I understand not everything is la-di-da-di-da (if you get what I mean).


Thanks for the help guys!

[Rob_Mac]

Aran

Where in the East Mids are you?

Rob

[Aran Singh]

Hi Rob, I'm in Leicestershire. Nice website, looks like your well-established!

[Aran Singh]

(There is a sister company that has its main contracts with a few national estate agencies in London / Leicestershire , but thats general cleaning/maintenance. I'll be kick-starting the jetwash side, hopefully).

[Kev Martin]

(There is a sister company that has its main contracts with a few national estate agencies in London / Leicestershire , but thats general cleaning/maintenance. I'll be kick-starting the jetwash side, hopefully).

I have said this many times but I am going to say it again!  Why a pressure washer?  Start with a good quality Rotary and a decent wet vac.  They do the job just as quick, make less mess and the investment is a lot lower.  Less than £1500 for a high quality rotary and a 3000watt Triple motor wet vac and you are away with brand new equipment and a 2 year warranty.  Then if it is all going fantastic in 6-12 Months and you start getting decent contracts then look at a decent pressure washer set up!  Failing that if you are determined you need to get advice from Roger Oakley, Rob at M-Clean, Carl at BDCS, Lee (Kenny), Rhinoman or Lee at Blastaway before you commit

Kev

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd

[Rob_Mac]

Aran

Ring me on my mobile number - 07919 425664. Travelling to Aylesbury tomorrow morning, will be on hands free (would be a good time to call), meeting at 12 or ring from 13.30 when I will be driving back up.

Rob

[chris scott]

(There is a sister company that has its main contracts with a few national estate agencies in London / Leicestershire , but thats general cleaning/maintenance. I'll be kick-starting the jetwash side, hopefully).

I have said this many times but I am going to say it again!  Why a pressure washer?  Start with a good quality Rotary and a decent wet vac.  They do the job just as quick, make less mess and the investment is a lot lower.  Less than £1500 for a high quality rotary and a 3000watt Triple motor wet vac and you are away with brand new equipment and a 2 year warranty.  Then if it is all going fantastic in 6-12 Months and you start getting decent contracts then look at a decent pressure washer set up!  Failing that if you are determined you need to get advice from Roger Oakley, Rob at M-Clean, Carl at BDCS, Lee (Kenny), Rhinoman or Lee at Blastaway before you commit

Kev

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd

How do you go about washing down wall tops ,steps , roofs ,removing graffiti, decking etc with the rotary and wet vac?

[Aran Singh]

You raise a point Kev, but the way I see it is something like this. All the other chaps around my way use kit less powerful than what I'm willing to invest in, the chaps that have something similar tend to only have cold washers. I'm thinking invest more earlier, get a piece of  kit that will last ages and hey presto! I've got an asset! If I can do a job much quicker than they can, and charge similar, then that is better surely. Secondly, I need kit strong enough to get rid of gum/graffiti so I'm hoping what I'm looking at ordering will do the trick (with the right nozzle).


Thanks Rob, Ill definitely be giving you a call. I'm driving to London for a graduate job interview so will be on the hands-free too!

[Kev Martin]

(There is a sister company that has its main contracts with a few national estate agencies in London / Leicestershire , but thats general cleaning/maintenance. I'll be kick-starting the jetwash side, hopefully).

I have said this many times but I am going to say it again!  Why a pressure washer?  Start with a good quality Rotary and a decent wet vac.  They do the job just as quick, make less mess and the investment is a lot lower.  Less than £1500 for a high quality rotary and a 3000watt Triple motor wet vac and you are away with brand new equipment and a 2 year warranty.  Then if it is all going fantastic in 6-12 Months and you start getting decent contracts then look at a decent pressure washer set up!  Failing that if you are determined you need to get advice from Roger Oakley, Rob at M-Clean, Carl at BDCS, Lee (Kenny), Rhinoman or Lee at Blastaway before you commit

Kev

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd

How do you go about washing down wall tops ,steps , roofs ,removing graffiti, decking etc with the rotary and wet vac?

Chris

You don't apart from the decking which a rotary or a rotowash will do a better job of anyway.  But again I feel you are being pedantic because for most of those applications I would use an 8 or 12" FSC  with a vacuum take off anyway and he is not looking to buy one of those either is he? I could also think of applications where a pressure washer would not be viable as well if you want me to???.  That said a Rotary and a Wet Vac will do 90% of most jobs and a 12" Rotary will sort the wall tops and steps.  As for roofs I don't think starting out he will be ready for those yet do you?  Or do you think he has IPAF, Harness and working at Height Quals to name just a few???

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics

[Kev Martin]

You raise a point Kev, but the way I see it is something like this. All the other chaps around my way use kit less powerful than what I'm willing to invest in, the chaps that have something similar tend to only have cold washers. I'm thinking invest more earlier, get a piece of  kit that will last ages and hey presto! I've got an asset! If I can do a job much quicker than they can, and charge similar, then that is better surely. Secondly, I need kit strong enough to get rid of gum/graffiti so I'm hoping what I'm looking at ordering will do the trick (with the right nozzle).


Thanks Rob, Ill definitely be giving you a call. I'm driving to London for a graduate job interview so will be on the hands-free too!

Aran

Fully accepted only offering you another solution. 

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics Ltd

[Aran Singh]

Thanks for all the input,  definitely opened up my view on a lot of things! Things like IPAF, insurance etc is still something I need to get done. I didn't think a vacuum would be a necessity,  unless using chemicals.  I do have access to one though for jobs should I need it.  But ain't got a clue where I'm meant to dispose of  chemicals properly, presuming I will need a waste carrier licence.

[Roger Oakley]

without hijacking this thread to much, Kevin as much as I like the Rocky, I personally wouldn't use it on decking, as I prefer to go along the grain and not across it, and not sure if it spins quick enough, but then I don't use a FSC on wood either.

[Kev Martin]

without hijacking this thread to much, Kevin as much as I like the Rocky, I personally wouldn't use it on decking, as I prefer to go along the grain and not across it, and not sure if it spins quick enough, but then I don't use a FSC on wood either.

Roger

I agree mate just having a bit of banter with Chris and his mate in the shed

Kev