somepressure
New member
I have been working as a full time handyman for some time and at last Spring I purchased a Simoniz 2900psi cold water gas pw unit as simply an addition to my toolkit initially... but a valuable money making sideline in reality, to the point that it is taking over my working week and improving my cashflow. I have been cleaning decking and concrete/masonry and find I get a real sattisfaction from cleaning and a buzz from how excited people are at the results they see. I am now thinking about how to expand this line of work (which I really enjoy) into more of a year-round activity and something I can develop into my primary business...
So, I've been trying to think about something I can do in winter time - a service which would not require 'huge' investment in further equipment and which I think/hope would be in demand here in Nova Scotia. (winters here are part snowy, part slushy due to the maritime influence o nthe climate, usually consistantly cold but not extreme lows)
People here are always complaining about and worrying (justifiably) about the effect that road salt has on their vehicles during winter time. Oobviously getting the garden hose out at home and pouring cold water on the problem each week is not viable or sensible, coin-op spray washes are expenisive and require drivers to get out in the cold and wet, most people know that full-on car washes are just nasty to paintwork... maybe I could help here? I was thinking that a medium sized investment in a hot-water washer (you don't need/want high PSI for vehicles, especially when sluicing off winter grit and thick grime, right?) and a water tank (to increase mobility, I currently rely on on-site residential supplies) would set me up? Additional items would obviously be clothing, salt (perversely) for the ground around the cleaning area and a few other seasonal upgrades...
I would then either try to stake out this rig with appropriate signage and pricing at key traffic locations (arranging rental spots from commercial property owners?) or alternatively/as an additional income stream I could try to arrange regular appointments with businesses to do a number of employees vehicles in one go as a true mobile 'Salt-Off' service, the more employees who pool together obviously the cheaper the rate per vehicle...
I have a massive list of considerations, pros and cons (mostly concerning water and low temperatures, you get the idea...) that I have come up with myself... rather than boring you with all of those I'd just like to see what those of you with more experience come up with right off the bat, so I can cross-check what you highlight against my lists. What are your thoughts about this sort of operation, concerns? Do you think it could be viable?
Thank you all sincerely for your help, I feel bad straight out asking for advice with my second post but (as I have a real wish to get into this line of business) I hope I can redeem myself by contributing plenty in the future.
So, I've been trying to think about something I can do in winter time - a service which would not require 'huge' investment in further equipment and which I think/hope would be in demand here in Nova Scotia. (winters here are part snowy, part slushy due to the maritime influence o nthe climate, usually consistantly cold but not extreme lows)
People here are always complaining about and worrying (justifiably) about the effect that road salt has on their vehicles during winter time. Oobviously getting the garden hose out at home and pouring cold water on the problem each week is not viable or sensible, coin-op spray washes are expenisive and require drivers to get out in the cold and wet, most people know that full-on car washes are just nasty to paintwork... maybe I could help here? I was thinking that a medium sized investment in a hot-water washer (you don't need/want high PSI for vehicles, especially when sluicing off winter grit and thick grime, right?) and a water tank (to increase mobility, I currently rely on on-site residential supplies) would set me up? Additional items would obviously be clothing, salt (perversely) for the ground around the cleaning area and a few other seasonal upgrades...
I would then either try to stake out this rig with appropriate signage and pricing at key traffic locations (arranging rental spots from commercial property owners?) or alternatively/as an additional income stream I could try to arrange regular appointments with businesses to do a number of employees vehicles in one go as a true mobile 'Salt-Off' service, the more employees who pool together obviously the cheaper the rate per vehicle...
I have a massive list of considerations, pros and cons (mostly concerning water and low temperatures, you get the idea...) that I have come up with myself... rather than boring you with all of those I'd just like to see what those of you with more experience come up with right off the bat, so I can cross-check what you highlight against my lists. What are your thoughts about this sort of operation, concerns? Do you think it could be viable?
Thank you all sincerely for your help, I feel bad straight out asking for advice with my second post but (as I have a real wish to get into this line of business) I hope I can redeem myself by contributing plenty in the future.