wack61 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 My job has gone a bit wobbly over the last few weeks. I've run my own light haulage Ltd company for the last 21 years but a combination of high fuel prices and cut throat competition has seen a substantial drop business. I'm pretty certain I've had enough now so I'm looking at doing something else, Although I've listed it for sale on here my Defender Hi Cap would be ideal for setting up a cleaning business So I was wondering if anyone had had their drive or patio cleaned recently, a rough size and what you paid to get it done so I can get an idea of if there's any money in it. I have the perfect demo set up as my drive and patio definitely need doing so the before and after photos are in the bag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will4x4 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 And mine...im in surrey let me know how much you will charge? My drive way is approx 20ft square. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
axlechorus Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 I think there could certainly be a good bit of money in it as most people I know have filthy patios that are often rather slippery when its wet so you could well advertise a safety factor in there justly. Only thing I would question is how you are planning to clean it? Pressure washers are very water intensive and unless u are asking your client to use there supply you could well find yourself needing a large bowser or needing lots of "refills" Cheers Ryck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 My cousin does cleaning (windows, drives, patios, anything you can point a shammy & pressure washer at really) and he seems to do alright, reckons most window cleaners get too comfy and are in the pub by lunchtime so there is a living to be made if you are willing to be a bit professinal about it. I'll ask him if he can give any rough prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wack61 Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 And mine...im in surrey let me know how much you will charge? My drive way is approx 20ft square. thanks I'm a bit far from Surrey, about a 7 hour round trip, in a landy at 25mpg, I'd need to charge about £500 If you wouldn't mind FridgeFreezer that's be great My patio gets covered in algae over the winter so axelchorus you're right about the safety factor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazwell24 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 My job has gone a bit wobbly over the last few weeks. I've run my own light haulage Ltd company for the last 21 years but a combination of high fuel prices and cut throat competition has seen a substantial drop business. I'm pretty certain I've had enough now so I'm looking at doing something else, Although I've listed it for sale on here my Defender Hi Cap would be ideal for setting up a cleaning business So I was wondering if anyone had had their drive or patio cleaned recently, a rough size and what you paid to get it done so I can get an idea of if there's any money in it. I have the perfect demo set up as my drive and patio definitely need doing so the before and after photos are in the bag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazwell24 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 dont forget wheelie bin cleaning my uncle does it makes enugh money from it has a tank and pressure washer built into his L200 charges 5quid a bin every month and he is the only peerson doing it really round here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smego Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Will just borrow my pressure washer and do it yourself, or pay me to do it while your at work, just need to buy some degreasing cleaner to brush on first leave it for a bit then pressure wash off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 There is a problem with pressure-washing concrete - you take the surface off it so it then goes green again very quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete3000 Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 (edited) no money in it AFAIK, bloke by me went bust in this exact business. The only drive that got cleaned regularly was his People cut back on non-essential services when money is tight, drive washing isn't exactly up there with food, mortgage, loans etc. Other nice to have pampering businesses as far as I can see include: dog washing/perming, car valeting, window cleaning, gardening, teeth whitening, fake tanning, nail tarting up ?, eating out, ironing and housemaid services. Not wanting to sound negative above, couldn't you specialise in light haulage to include drivng old biddies to the shops, rural scheme in ludlow pays 40p per mile for community drivers, saw on news other night, you have to provide a service that is driven by necessity. I.e people who don't have access to public transport and still need deliveries or visits to places. Edited March 25, 2011 by pete3000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wack61 Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 Old biddies might complain about being tied down to the back of a flatbed truck I'm just looking into it at the moment. Just looked through the local paper, there's a list of patio and driveway layers but not one cleaner, that's either because there's no demand or no one advertising. Basic kit is around £1500 + £100 to get some leaflets made up, second hand value would be around £800 so I recon it's worth a go for a £800 risk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WESTENDER Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 As part of my job with our local authority i clean down paved areas, brick and masonary walls of algae, emulsion paint, [you cannot shift gloss] chewing gum and with approriate chemicals graffiti, occasionaly we have done war memorials in the run up to November the eleventh, i use the pressure washer off my medium volume jetter and as i can monitor the use with a sight glass on the admittedly four thousand litre tank i can tell you that they dont use exorbitant rates of water at all. the biggest problem we get with paviors laid on sand is blowing the sand out of the joints and the subsequent displacement, however you can then offer another service, that of putting down kiln dried sand this is used as a weed surpressant as well as a joint filler, a small bag goes a very long way when swept in with a soft broom. An offshoot of this type of business is run by a lad that worked with me years ago he cleans down plant, caravans, boats anything anywere basically A good size of tank is those thousand litre plastic tanks in a tube frame, a bakery near me will give them away as they are one use only in the food industry apparently i personally would approach your local authorities, supermarkets, petrol stations etc do few square yards as a free demo, believe me the contrast is spectacular especially on natural stone and brick paviors. Hope this is useful and good luck with whatever you do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richy B Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 A good friend of mine Started up a few years back with a Normal size pressure washer in the back of his car, Just doing small patios etc, He now has his own house and a porsche on the drive ( and paid for ) Mainly does company work these days what with health n safety and image etc, Has a few people working for him also, He does work blooming hard though, but the rewards are there it seems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wack61 Posted March 26, 2011 Author Share Posted March 26, 2011 Westender that's really useful thanks. Richy B, thanks for the infor, something to aspire to One of the things I like about the Landy is it's Iconic. I own 2 cars, a Jaguar XKR I paid £2500 for because it had a blown engine and box and a Landy Hi cap Both attract the same attention, the XKR has a private plate on and look like it cost 10x what it did and people love Landies. If I did start up doing this I'm hoping the landy will attract some attention and become a bit of an advert, plus it'd be handy if someone wanted something jetwashing at the top of a muddy hill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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