I am totally new to pressure washing. I own a small lawn and landscape maintenance business and have had several customers ask me to pressure wash their patios, driveways and roofs (I haven't done any yet so I am losing money). I have a Landa MG 4gpm 3000 psi hot/cold portable pressure washer.... (great ebay sale) My questions are
1. Where can I get some "learning material" 2. Insurances? inc. LLc or sole proprietorship? 3. Procedures, equipment and supplies
We are working on all the stuff you asked for Nate. Until we do, I suggest the roof cleaning sections of Pressure Washing Institute or The Grime Scene. This is a brand new board, and it will takke some time to get all we hope to offer up.
Thank you, I have looked at pwi but not the grime scene... and before anyone asks I will not do any p'wing until I am totally confident in my knowlege.
For the LLC info and or Incorporation info check your state website. Filing is rather easy to do and they usually provide the info you need there.
Insurance can be tricky, I would suggest lookong for a commercial specialist. Trying to insure with your "homeowner" insurers can be more expensive than it should be. Try looking in your local yellow pages for a independent agent and have them price shop it to the major companies. When setting up your insurance go with a general .5-1mil policy and an additonal umbrella policy of 1-2mil to save money on your premiums.
I am right up there on Google! Even though I have been doing this since 1978 and "no pressure" roof cleaning since 1994, I really know nothing about internet advertising. YOU DID IT FOR ME!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa 813-655-8777 wrote:
Bergman Roof Cleaning Port Charlotte FL 941-698-1959 wrote:
I wonder if they will insure me in Florida? I pay over $800.00 a year to cover myself and my son for $300,000 and i'd like a lot more!
Here is a letter I received from my insurance co.
       I talked to 7 different companies that we do business with and none of them were willing to quote/write coverage. Most of them had no experiencewith this type of operation and were not comfortable with the exposure. A couple would not do it because it is a new business with no history. I do think I could get a quote from a couple of these companies when you have a year or two in business.         I did get a quote from a non-standard carrier. They quoted liability coverage of $1,000,000.00 with $1,000.00 property damage deductible. The annual premium would be $1,854.00.               Does not do me much good with just starting out. Wondering if their is a nationally known insurance co. that the rest of you use ? Any info. would be appreciated.Â
Your insurance should not be very different from any pressure washer business. Here is an agent that can help, he is national, and insures alot of power washers and roof cleaners. He was head of the PWNA for awhile I believe 2.
http://www.josephdwalters.com/
I used him for 2yrs, I think I paid about 1k per year through peerless.
Call the Phone number on the site and talk to Bonnie.
I went through Joseph Walters and got 1 mil per occurance and 2 mil per year for 800 and some change. The underwriter is Ohio Casualty Insurance. I don't think they will be going anywhere any time soon.
Good price, i may call them , i pay about 1200 for 1mil but then again this is Long Island and nothing is cheap ( except my roof cleaning prices LOL )
Those prices are great .. we are paying 1025 for 300,000.. here in missouri, I talked to Bonni about it , i guess it all comes down to your state and what they require.. Im gonna keep searching so if anyone finds a better deal please post it..
KID
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Elite Roof Cleaners Roof Cleaning Missouri & Kansas City
I use Merchants Insurance. I secured it through a broker - Kramer Warner Associates. The guys was relatively young and trying to build his insurance book so he worked pretty hard for me to find a good price. I pay $900.00 for $500,000/occurance - 1,000,000/year and a low $250.00 deductible. A higher deductible would have saved me a lot more. I chose the low deductilbe while I am still a smaller company. I will change it when I get bigger. He did everything by e-mail, phone and fax. It was pretty painless and mechants billed me directly. If anyone is interested in his services, here is his info:
Marc Millison
Insurance Consultant
Kramer-Warner Associates, Inc.
3545 Rhoads Avenue
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Phone:Â (610)359-1422Â Ext. 218
Mobile: (484)368-2384
Fax:Â Â Â Â Â (610)359-0437 mmillison@kramerwarner.com
Just tell him that Brian from The Roof Cleaners gave you his info.
-- Edited by theroofcleaners on Wednesday 17th of June 2009 09:58:09 AM
-- Edited by theroofcleaners on Wednesday 17th of June 2009 09:58:35 AM
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Brian Friel The Roof Cleaners llc Oxford PA 19363 610 842 2104
I will call him for sure, i tried thry farmers down here had no luck, well i can not rem why at this time, but I as you can tell I never used them . I will give your man a call Thanks for the heads up
KID
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Elite Roof Cleaners Roof Cleaning Missouri & Kansas City
This is great information. I will discuss this with my mentor. I am a beginner and could use all the advise I can get on how to get started. Thanks.