Power Washing...anyone doing it?

[lpwhandyman]

AMW: Now that we know your equipment, your backlog and your "unwillingness to take away work", even if asked (which makes no sense to me) how does any of this help answer his questions? Not calling you out or anything, just wondering how any of your response would remotely help the guy.

As for the original post: I'm thinking about power washing as well. I'm looking for some advice about the do's and dont's and the in's and out's, what i can wash and what i can't. . I'm sure theres a bit more to it than just picking up a power washer and spraying whatever.
Thanks for ur advice in advance Guys

Do: Get a good brand name power washer, Like Landa, etc.
Do: Look for at least 4 gallons a minute with at least 3,000 psi.
Do: Get one that will generate hot water if you plan on taking on
all aspects of pressure washing and doing it for a while.
Do: Get insurance. Joe Walters Insurance Co. is a highly
reccomended Co.
Do: Find a local dealer that sells and services locally. A lot will sell
them but few know how to fix them correctly and quickly.
Do: Get a quote on what it's gonna cost you to start up. If I
remember correctly, the last washer cost around $5,000.
Do: Once you buy the machine (as corny as it sounds) call family
and friends and "sell your work", give them your bla bla bla
then go meet with them, give them a price, then do the
work either for free or at low cost to give you practice. Then
have them critique you on everything from sales to service.
(Take the criticism as a good thing)
Do: Take pictures of your work. I used to take one before, then
halfway through, then after.
Do: Get yard signs made up. After several years of cheap ones,
we finally had some metal ones made with reflective vinyl
lettering, costly but getting one job from the signs and PAID.
We keep track of how they heard of us and those signs
are the number one answer. Word of mouth is # 2.
Do: Something more then the other pressure washing guy would
Ex: I remember doing a rental property for a business owner
and I remember her saying she had gotten two
other estimates already. I wasn't going to lower my price,
but I did get a rag and some cleaner, picked the dirtiest part
of the double house and cleaned a foot wide circle. I
handed her the estimate, she said hmmm, "you're not the
lowest, but you're the only one that showed me what it
would look like". So a long story made short, I did the rental
property, later did her own house and scheduled to do her
daughter's house. She has the before and after picture (that
she asked for) displayed in her store, keeps my business
cards on her counter and she refers me to a lot of people.
All of that from doing a little extra.

Don't: Dont' be afraid to charge the customer the prices that you
see from http://www.dcs1.com/del/pricing.html
Don't: Wash from a ladder if at all possible to reach those high
spots. Get a good extendable wand that will reach from
ground.
Don't: wash near high power lines.
Don't: hit anything with too much pressure until you know how
it's gonna react. Wood will fur and paint will disappear.

I could go on but the flu bug has hit me. I'll try and answer any direct questions.