Pressure Washing Guide

pocketarnie · Joined: 11 Feb 2010 Posts: 1 Location: Naples Florida

Hi, I have just found this site and am finding it very helpful. My wife and I have recently moved to Orlando, Florida from the U.K. I have 10 years experience of pressure washing in Europe's second largest lime quarry, but as I am new to the U.S I am starting really from scratch.
It was awkward for us because we had to apply for a visa and we were not allowed to market our business until we were accepted for this, so we now have the business as we were accepted in December last year but we have no customer base. We have had a couple of jobs but that is it, we are getting calls asking how much we charge but when we say we don't give out prices on the phone but we do free estimates the customer say's O.K well thankyou and puts the phone down.
I want to do as many courses on the different chemicals and different materials I will be cleaning such as wooden decking and siding. Do you have any suggestions as to where I can find out about these.
Also we have been told different things about going door to door leaving advertising material, is it O.K to do this in Florida?
Again thanks for the information it will really help. Smile

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JC · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 264 Location: egg harbor twp, nj

you need to check with the local govt. about going door to door

try using the "search button" to answer your questions, most of them have been asked before.

Welcome to the site

Midwestpro · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:10 pm Post subject:

Welcome Jon,

Like Jim said, you'll have to check on the door to door sales in your area. Laws change from state to state and even from city to city.

There really is no good training program or class out there you can take that is worth a crap, that's my opinion.

But there are contractor events and round tables held all around the country at different times of the year. These are great places to learn everything from marketing to chemicals and to meet other pressure washing contractors. Many of us here have been to such events and have made good contacts that have helped our businesses. There is one coming up soon in New Orleans. If you want the info I can get it for you.

Other than that, we have all learned from experience and by visiting forums and just reading like crazy. I know competition is fierce in FL and it is a whole different type of selling down there. If folks are accustomed to getting prices over the phone you may have to accommodate that or target a different crowd that isn't so price oriented.

Blue Heron · Joined: 17 Feb 2011 Posts: 13

Nice post. Advertising is the means by which you can promote your business to the public. Many small businesses don’t get success they want from advertising due to availability of very little resources. The results are simply flat due to lack of good ideas for improvements.

cleanx85 · Joined: 06 May 2011 Posts: 5

I agree that small business try to cut cost in the marketing area, and I think that's a mistake. However, marketing works best when you accompany it by quality, honest service. How are you marketing now? Are you using angie's list or Craiglist? Social Media is a huge way of marketing now.

However, I would caution you against looking for the "fix-all" training class. Like mentioned above, they never seem to educate you as much as you had hoped and tend to be very expensive. This is a trade, much like a carpenter. I would try and pair up with some others in the business that can help you.

Midwestpro · Posted: Wed May 11, 2011 8:37 am Post subject:

Great advice!