How should I tackle this fleet wash?

tigerwash

tigerwash

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I have a big fleet washing coming up, my first one, and I'd lie some advice on how to tackle this. I have a 5.6 GPM pressure washer and good soaps. How would you all recommend I go about doing something like this and what would you price it at?

Here is the fleet (wash/rinse - done twice per month)

9 – Day Cab Tractors
2 – Sleeper Tractors
4 – Route Trucks
22 – Trailers
1 – Yard Truck
2 – Pickup Trucks

thanks
 
tigerwash said:
I have a big fleet washing coming up, my first one, and I'd lie some advice on how to tackle this. I have a 5.6 GPM pressure washer and good soaps. How would you all recommend I go about doing something like this and what would you price it at?

Here is the fleet (wash/rinse - done twice per month)

9 – Day Cab Tractors
2 – Sleeper Tractors
4 – Route Trucks
22 – Trailers
1 – Yard Truck
2 – Pickup Trucks

thanks
Click to expand...


Thats a descent size fleet...... Most trailer soaps and wash and waxes are available locally in bulk. What to charge? That all up to you man..... I charge approx. $250 per man per day...... so if I have 4 guys working it will be a min of $1k for the day. If I am alone and can complete the work in a day a min of $250 is charged, but usually it is more around $3 or $350...... all depends on your quality and experience. I have a fleet of Semi's that we do weekly that pays up front quarterly..... so I give them a break and in return I get a significant cash flow advantage ;)
 
Bates detailing has got it pretty spot on. One thing i would highly recommend is get yourself a faom cannon and 1 or 2 soft bristle brushes to wash all the tractor and trucks and then a regular bucket wash for the pickup trucks. The foam cannon will really cut down on time.
 
yeah, I know some detailer that does rinse, wash with brush, rinses, done

no drying or anything like that
 
and some AIR NOZZLES!. Even if its not dried totally, squeegee that sucker thatll cut your time in half as well.

Sent from my PC36100 using AG Online
 
Something that was hard for me when we landed the Semi account was producing less than we usually do but more than they expect. We would spend so much time cleaning to the extreme when all they wanted was to get the road grime off. Even our "fast" washing of these trucks destroys the finished product of those companies before us. Point is, make sure you are on the same page with the individual that is contracting your company - otherwise you could very well be doing WAY more than they expect which will waste time and money. Goodluck and let us know how it goes man! :props:
 
- otherwise you could very well be doing WAY more
than they expect which will waste time and money.
Goodluck and let us know how it goes man!

This .. enough said. Applys to each car. I just recently started my business and the work has to be efficiently timed to make money. I found out that real quick, my first client lives 15 miles away from me and expected that the car be really clean most cared Wheels and interior. It cost me 15 dollars round trip every week. I quoted him before making that kinda haul in my truck/trailer. So that's $60 off the top. Trust me you don't want to be on one car for more than a hr if your doing basic wash inside and out. I spent 3 hours twice on his car and that's just not acceptable. I'm still learning so it's good I have a car to do every week and know a formula to speed up the car.
 
thebamboo23 said:
yeah, I know some detailer that does rinse, wash with brush, rinses, done

no drying or anything like that
Click to expand...

I worked for a fleet wash company for about a year, long time ago back when I was in college. We went out 2-3 guys in a cube van w/ a water tank, PW, buckets & brushes. We'd roll into a yard and bust out the tractors & trailers as fast as we possibly could...rinse, wash, rinse. Back in the truck & on to the next yard. It a relentless pace & winter was brutal.
 
Drop forum member cajundetail a pm.
She probably has plenty of insight on pricing in your geographical location.
 
I will preface this post by saying I detail as a hobby, not as a profession.

With that being said, and maybe I don't understand the ways of the industry, but isn't a price usually agreed upon before the job bid is accepted?
 
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