My Customer Thought I Was An Idiot | My First Pressure Washing Job

[@AustinDavis24]

Interested in getting into Pressure Washing? Check out My Program. Full A-Z Blueprint on how to get to 6 figures in pressure washing plus ongoing mentorship every week in private the facebook group. www.Sixfigurepressurewashing.com

[@pearlopez]

Was this video an example of a finished product? You did an okay job, but for it being a professional clean… I wouldn’t hire you again cause you left lines all over. I know the video is sped up, but you must have still went way too fast for it to have come out that bad.

[@AustinDavis24]

@@pearlopez the end of the video is not what the final result was. That’s the problem with video. You can only see what you can see. I was still there for an additional 10 or 15 minutes. customer was happy

[@REAL_JBdudes]

@@AustinDavis24so is this a good money making job? I don’t know, because if this is taking multiple days, then Thsts not a lot of money, so do you do it quicker now?

[@REAL_JBdudes]

@@pearlopezand that was really good

[@tyescott3561]

Im just recently started a pressure washing business and landed my first job...ive already charged and completed the job....my question is how do you come up.with your pricing for jobs?

[@olivejalopy3623]

This is exactly the type off content that folks want more of. Relatable to the newbie, a real experience based story. Thanks

[@AustinDavis24]

Wow thank you!

[@lennychorn147]

​@@AustinDavis24 You remind me of me, trying to work on modern vehicles, to do the jobs I used to be able to do with my eyes closed. KZbin saved me more times than I car to admit.

[@Drone932]

Yes

[@RM-lk1so]

ABSOLUTELY. Love it. Im Green as can be. Seeking all the info i can get. As a 50+ yr old carpenter i gotta take the tool belt off and stop humping lumber. God this has to be a way to get me to where i wanna be faster. I need investment capital to retire. Ps. Debt free and no mortgage...

[@Drone932]

Yes Exactly what people need

[@williamschroeder3070]

I heard a saying about 40 years ago that applies to this video: "experience is something you get about 30 minutes after you needed it".

[@efinveecaught7281]

A good way to come back from something like this is to play the "I want the job to turn out perfect" card. Say to the customer "hey, normally this amount of bleach is perfect, but your algae on your home is especially tough, so I am going to go get some more bleach so I can get it extra strength" turns it from an "im unprepared and out of gasoline" to "I was prepared for the standard clean, but you need something better, let me take care of you." If you fit in the "I wanted to make sure it was perfect" line, that makes customers happy. If I'm ever slow at work, like an hour behind I find a way to fit that in so the client is less annoyed about the work taking long. Most clients just want it done right.

[@markoshun]

Excellent response. I’m bookmarking this as a reminder. I do renoes and there are always times when things go long/hard/pain. It’s hard not to blame the work/job as you are problem solving. But that’s never what the customer needs to hear. 👍

[@Delimon007]

I was just about to say this. Just tell the customer that you're new (be honest) and you want to take your time to get it right. Also, don't make a promise on timing until you're experience, ALWAYS high ball it, NEVER low ball the time it will take.

[@grim789]

Gotta learn how to lie intelligently haha. Working in hotels for years I'm a master at that now 😅

[@Joe-lc3sv]

Nah lying is no good

[@Michael_N9253N]

@@Joe-lc3sv Exactly. Lying is a ticket to hell.

[@Mr.Smith101]

The rotary nozzle on the pressure washer is the most valuable and effective tool for deep cleaning concrete. Keep several on hand as they do not last forever.

[@turkperry4910]

I was asked to wash a restaurant's carpet. I had the equipment, but like you, it was my first time. The owner told me they had never had the carpet cleaned. To come find out the restaurant was built in the early 80's. Here it is 2006. I told him I could clean it, but it would take two days. The one side was super easy, the other half was super dirty. What I did not tell him was I left a bunch of soap in the carpet after the first day just to allow it to do a deeper cleaning. Even with the extra soap it took me every bit of that second day to completely clean the other half. It was a hands on experience for sure.

[@Connection-Lost]

I worked at a place with such bad carpet there were black areas that had so much food and drink spilled on them over the decades, that it was completely rubberized into a lumpy layer that would be impossible to remove. It was a tear-out job when they finally decided to do something. I'm talking 1/2 inch of lumpy black tar.

[@kberlinquette]

You could have been honest with them and bought HUGE points. If you told him you left soap in the carpet for a deeper cleaning it would have showed you knew what you were doing (even though you didn't) AND that you care about doing a good job. Those 2 things alone = good recommendation. I don't know why workers have to lie so much. I'm so honest and do such a great job, that after moving 900 miles away from the last place I lived, I got calls for 4 years straight from random people that visited houses I had remolded. let that sink in...

[@driverjamescopeland]

Had to watch the video with the sound off, 'cause my infant was sleeping... but the big thumbs up at the end, AFTER looking at that streaked driveway? That's a no-go.

[@ocho27hd]

I liked all the transparency and honesty about your work. Ironically you clickbaited me by putting an angry woman in the thumbnail. You have good content just don’t trick people into clicking 😂

[@charismatic9467]

But it worked lmao

[@ocho27hd]

@@charismatic9467 yes obviously, that’s the point of clickbait. I’m pointing out the irony here.

[@charismatic9467]

@@ocho27hd That's not irony. Irony would have been if you didn't click it

[@ocho27hd]

@@charismatic9467 touché…I guess I meant that he’s being very honest and transparent with his work. However he wasn’t being honest with the thumbnail so that you’d click on it. That’s why I see it as ironic. Wait, are we arguing here? 😂🤙🏽

[@charismatic9467]

@@ocho27hd I get what you're saying

[@rickwashek478]

That's how we learn. Learn a little with every mistake.

[@JHughes-w3q]

I am just starting to research this industry. Ive watch a ton of videos, this by far is the most valuable one I've seen so far.

[@keegancan]

What worked is you didn’t give up. Great job Austin.

[@jivepatrol6833]

I like how you stuck with it and got the job done! You're doing honest work and it adds value and appeal to your clients' homes. Great job and keep up the good work!

[@motogig7803]

I think this video shows how smart you are. You took the job not knowing what to do but you were learning on the fly and you were succesful. It's a inspiring story letting people know hey you can do this.

[@Delimon007]

@@user-rr4fr8pf3j This 😂

[@DarkBykeTwitch]

This is quite possibly the worst way to do business EVER.

[@bard44]

I noticed even after the last spraying there were still squares of dirt and lines of clean. I think maybe if you went a little slower with the initial cleaning with the spray head there would be a better looking outcome. It's good that you went both directions, vertical and horizontal, but you need to go slower for these hard-to-clean areas. Sidewalks are easier because they don't get the heavy traffic that driveways get. Just a word of advice from an old-timer.

[@tonypascale7754]

I hear ya brother that driveway did not look finished. I don’t know what GPM he is running but with how soiled that driveway was it looked like he was going a little too fast even for an 8 GPM unit. Maybe with a longer dwell time and going a little slower might have made a difference.

[@douglaspelowski5566]

He was going to fast on the driveway, plus trying to do too much at once. He spent a lot more time fixing his mistakes but learned his lesson. When the job was done, he realized faster is not always better

[@CbrF4i600cc]

U guys assuming this video is of his first job, lol???

[@meeldowns41682]

⁠@@CbrF4i600ccno, they’re pointing out that the driveway wasn’t as clean as it should have been because he was rushing.

[@fullyawakened]

@@CbrF4i600cc No, they didn't assume it is... they KNOW it is, because he tells you that several times throughout the video. lol????

[@claystone7729]

At least you did not give up and you ended up doing a Great Job. May you be Blessed with Lots of Business. Thanks for Sharing.

[@mattedwards4533]

Don't worry about! What inpressed me was how hard you worked and your ability to google up the information you needed.

[@phillipgrandison2384]

Education should always be step 1.

[@yolo7382]

Smiled the whole time you told the story since I know where you’re at with it now ! Motivational brother wish you much more success !

[@Fikishut]

Props to you, because every new challenge you encountered, you figured it out, and the most important is you FINISHED and didn't give you~ much respect 👏

[@dasmac3179]

Your tenacity is impressive you didn't give up you went searching for the answers and solved each problem. I6 hr job with in the job troubleshooting. I am sure every job afterwards went faster with less hiccups.😊

[@patrickridge9616]

This is the best description, I so recall this stage of learning. I always recall that if you are explaining a task to a guy and you ask him if he has done it before - if he has never heard of it, he will say he has seen it done. If he's seen it done he will say he did it once. If he did it once, he'll say he's done it several times. And if he's done it lots times of he will nod.

[@MuckyPup115]

What I’m most impressed at is that he stayed there and got it done no matter what. Figured out his mistakes and fixed them. Kudos.

[@TheFreshRinse]

I’m so stressed right now. Mostly because I can absolutely relate!

[@itsKeeN]

thats an amazing name you got there

[@TheFreshRinse]

@@itsKeeN BOOM!

[@jrholmes79]

Thanks Austin. We always learn better from problems than getting lucky.

[@denadavisteam4197]

Dont forget about the garage door for my client you had to repaint! Lol! That’s a good story… but you handled it well.

[@AustinDavis24]

Lol oh yea

[@LarryIAm]

Tell us this one next haha

[@JenniferF2882]

​@@AustinDavis24 I wanna hear this story

[@AustinDavis24]

@@JenniferF2882 this story is next!!

[@BlackWhite-ru8gm]

You must have many home owners who send you business?

[@rychei5393]

I LOVE stories when we learn from our mistakes!

[@jakejake7162]

Bravo sharing this story, 99% of guys would swipe this under the rug and never talk about it again. It’s these embarrassing fuck ups that really help us grow and learn from our mistakes

[@CODM_Kevloke]

I love this video, it really shows that you don't gotta know it all to start.. just do it.. Like once on a job an excavator track popped off an luckily customers weren't around and I KZbind how to put the track back on then went out and got the tools and after a lot of struggle, stress, and swear words I fixed it and accomplished the job..

[@obs_vell439]

My rule to life is dont be ashamed to make mistakes, you learn from them. That's how u get better. 💪🏾

[@Sylvia-Storm]

Reminds me when I had a little cleaning job, and the old lady went into hospital. To make up my hours I decided to clean her bit of concrete of a front garden. I borrowed my husband’s little domestic karcher. I ended up in a right mess, dirt all up the walls and over me, I was soaked and could hardly see out of my glasses. Haha. Did it though.

[@Kramzit1]

Thank you, you have taught the newbie about 80% of how to and not to in a short 6 min video. Your awesome dude keep this type of content coming.

[@socaltoolman]

Yup! Just do it, that's how I always got things done. Now we have KZbin so it is much easier, watch several people doing the same thing, and then do it yourself.

[@Supermankev2001]

I feel your pain learn as you go. The upside is after you learn so much. Thanks for sharing this we all learn on the run no matter what it is.

[@Max-zw3ut]

Lesson to learn; do all of your research before starting the job, so you don't spend two days going a job you could've done in half a day

[@cliffordcooley1273]

So you didn't get the lesson about not being able to foresee all the issues before you start. You still have that one to learn.

[@danny-FL]

You're so much better than him bro, please tell us more of your wisdom

[@Max-zw3ut]

@@danny-FL yeah sure, when you do research things before hand, also make sure not to believe everything you read

[@danny-FL]

@@Max-zw3ut You sound like the type of guy to stomp your foot and fold your arms when things don't go according to your research. There will always be something that catches you off guard, no matter how much you prepare.

[@Max-zw3ut]

@@danny-FL you sound like the type of guy who loves to project his insecurities to others. You can't get thru life if you let the setbacks ruin your day.

[@josephvalentjr7677]

Honesty at its best. . Great job. Learning from your mistakes ,makes you #1 in the end . Best of Luck

[@predatornotprey]

Man, I respect this so much. This video, along with your others have given me the confidence to get out there and clean. I appreciate you

[@markr5132]

Awesome video. I started two businesses 1st power washing-added sealing, roof cleaning, reworking & sealing pavers. Then a Co. cleaning only wood shake roofs + PW. Used to work my ass off while learning. Amazing how many custormers notice any delay in productivity and you sometimes have to explain to them, your trying to do te job with the least amount of Chem's or damage, as I had the opposite problem you had some times. I started with 3000psi @ 8.8 GPM up to 200 degree monster power washer! So before I bought variable guns I would destroy edges of lawns etc from massive flow LOL!! so much stress! after a few years I had to close my Businesses in Nor-Ca. water shortage then terrible emplyee's made me finish last eight big jobs by myself. I know exactly how you felt when you recieved a decent check. I started too big, you did it the right way by working your way up equipment wise. God Bless

[@TheGuitarRoom]

The most impressive thing about you aside from your humble desire to learn is your incredible work ethic. Good for you.

[@Blackronin357]

The best teacher is experience. Glad you had that experience and put in that work!

[@Zer0_Cool69]

KZbin is definitely a lifesaver I saved so much money on diy projects because of it

[@EphrimForbes]

Your videos has given me a new set of inspiration and ambition. Thanks

[@leew878]

I think it’s great you shared your learning experience. It can possibly give other newbies hope. I’ve always used liquid chlorine or muriatic acid on concrete and never have the power washing markings. I only have to clean every two years and when it starts to turn, it turns evenly

[@danpellecer8086]

DUDE, GOD BLESS YOU MAN. I LOVE HOW WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM THE FALLS. THIS REALLY ENSPIRED ME BROTHER. I WANT TO START MY PRESSURE WASHING BUSINESS AND YOUR VIDEOS ARE VERY HELPFUL. SHOWING SUPPORT FROM GWINNETT GEORGIA!!!! KEEP DOING WHAR YOU'RE DOING MAN.

[@waynelewes7817]

We all done some youtube learning on the job but hats of to you for having the hunger for the work beat the embarrassment of not having a clue what to do! 👍🏼😂

[@MadScienTEST]

Nobody ever starts as a pro. Takes hard work to get there. Cheers🍻

[@Timberbeartrail]

This is absolutely the best video a really good marketing tool for us when I mean by that is giving us the confidence that we get into this thank you for this video the most important video I’ve ever watched about this residential driveway house cleaning definitely

[@ericgautreaux1752]

The lessons you don't forget. Have my share learned over thirty years self employed. Good luck.

[@1mean1]

I don't downstream anything. I always use a pump can and spray my hypochlorite. I get my hypochlorite from Fleetfarm when they have it on sale for $1.00 a gallon. I always pre treat with it and post treat. I still use the same 3000 psi machine I started with years ago.

[@wardy940]

Can you get surface cleaners to run on 3000psi machines?

[@c.barrett5114]

I recently was given an opportunity by a lady to be her housekeeper and she knew I had never been paid before but gave me a chance and it has been such a self esteem booster

[@Paxmax]

Wait-a-minute 'ere! Hahaha, that thumbnail photo montage! That's the St. Louis woman who brandished/defended her property with an inoperable gun (with husband holding an actual lethal option).

[@Q-Bert123]

Good eye, mate.

[@michaelc7283]

We all been there 🙂👍 Never quit and always learn. That's how we get better.

[@espfuel815]

This is SUPER helpful. I'm sbout to start a pressure washing business with my son. My goal is to teach him how to run a business and show him how to put in a little hard work. I appreciate you sharing your real world experiences, the good bad and ugly haha!

[@mannycalavera2335]

KZbin is an incredible learning tool. I learned how to put together a PC from its components. I learned how to do exercises for my injured Achilles, navigate countries, learn linear algebra, and a ton of other things.

[@rickmiller1257]

I was amused (not criticizing) at your comment about dealing with all "kinds" of homeowners. Believe me, I know what your saying. I, too, used to do a lot of residential work. Didn't take me too long to figure out commercial work was much more beneficial to me.

[@areasonablethought610]

Thats a nice setup. I built a single axle cold water for standard vehicles. In a couple years I will build a double axle with hot water for rigs, buses and storefronts. You got a good thing going brotherman.

[@Al_W_On_The_Trackz]

Bro, I respect your hustle! You really deserve all the success that comes your way! 👍🏽

[@z3roxc00l9]

the way i tell you i was like omg when i washed my stone brick the first time using a hand pump and used some chlorine and i watched my white stone turn from green to white and clean in just a few mins...i was in straight shock. i thought i discovered gold..then i used it on my concrete porch..it made it so clean, ud think i pressure washed it and i hadnt even done that yet. this opened my eyes up to maybe doing a side hustle since i already have the equipment in my shed. thanks for sharing your first time story!!!

[@carl5536]

I'm proud of you because you learned by your mistakes and I guarantee you that every person that started out doing what you were doing on your own. I'm pretty sure that they didn't get it right the first time either...I've learnt many things the hard way and the only time I ever got anything right was helping people that already knew the process and I always paid attention so I wouldn't have any problems. I've went outa my way when I's younger watching people do stuff so I'd already know how to do it. Thumbs up 👍 2ya cause I'm sure that you know what you're doing now

[@killgoretrout877]

but he didnt he did a crap job on the driveway cause he was going to fast

[@GodRockCafe]

about to jump in the game again. KZbin is always a great resource, and here I am getting back to information intake.

[@richvail7551]

Mad working skills. I think the most important part is how much effort you put in and you didn’t try and squeeze more cash out for the job. I’d hire you for sure.

[@MrCoreyCoreyCorey]

Success is failure man, thanks for sharing!!

[@backspace12399]

I have a similar story but about roof washing. Customer has hired me for 4 other jobs since. Just be honest and do your best, people will see how you handle a difficult situation 👍🏼

[@crytun]

In any field we’ve all had those moments. You’re like 😮 what is happening. Learning is what makes the difference between the guys that do bad work and the ones that get called out

[@JustFun-vc2ri]

Thank you for sharing your story. I wish you the best of luck!

[@aminatadavis4183]

Blessed your heart. It is all about progress 🙏👍

[@prolifeunity]

The problem is, you ended the video with the driveway still having lines on it, giving us a thumbs up like it was done.

[@AustinDavis24]

The driveway wasent the finished product yet. It had just gotten post treated moments prior to me giving thumbs up. If you’ve been pressure washing for any amount of time you would know that over the course of the next 15-20 minutes those lines will disappear and I did not get that on video because I have more jobs to get to. Thanks for the comment

[@ZomBeatBrainZ]

Got to walk super slow speed with sidewalk cleaner especially if you have a smaller gpm pump. 5gpm min. for a two bar 20” cleaner with two 2.5 gpm nozzles.

[@Saafiiii_k]

This is too good. Thanks for sharing your experience! Love it!

[@HappyPandaPropertyServices]

Dude, quoting as you learn is tough. But you just keep learning. Well done.

[@s0ulr3aper90]

Been thinking about making my own pressure washing business for a while now,i think i may just do it now. Thamks for the video!

[@stephennorthcutt8874]

Thanks for the real info. A lot of people want to put the good stuff on here but not the bad.

[@tonyrobinson9328]

My dad had a business of pressure washing vehicles for companies. It consisted of one high pressure rinse hose with a 500 gallon tank for the water, a soap hose with a separate tank with powdered soap and water mixed, a large engine to operate the hoses, long handled brushes, soap buckets to dip the brushes in and some other cleaners he mixed in 2.5 sprayers for tires and chrome. He had all of that on a trailer he hauled behind a pickup and had spools for the hoses. My brother now has that trailer and equipment and still uses it some. I did go out with him some and it was hard work, but having good equipment and good cleaners makes a big difference. I never had my own business but I can relate to the big learning curve for the business.

[@robbs96]

Wash off with high volume (not high pressure) every two passes on the driveway and you can avoid those nasty hash marks.

[@freddieweisbrod]

Love the b roll while telling a SUPER entertaining story!

[@Claudiu-Steflea]

Very courageous of you to share this. It is a good example of you need to do your do diligence. Thumbs up ;)

[@harrylake9388]

I just came across this. I like this, thanks for sharing your experience brother. You are a true go getter.

[@karinadiaz6467]

Great story! Beginnings are always hard. You did a great job

[@phillipwallace7211]

All the technical stuff aside, The great American dream in action. Offer a product that people want and are prepared to pay a certain amount of money for and rock on... love it.

[@catlady8324]

Where’s the angry Lady in the thumbnail pic?

[@waggtech4883]

😂 You don’t recognize who that is? 😂 that’s the famous “Get Off My Lawn!” Lady!

[@glennwhisler8678]

He used the ‘lady in the thumbnail’ as mocking something he may soon need to do himself in the near future on behalf of himself and rampid crime allowed to flourish because of liberal DA’s inabilities to put scumbags in jail where they belong! The lady’s image was Patricia McCloskey who along with her husband was defending their property outside of St.Louis against a gang of thugs that trespassed onto their property to create damage and inflict harm! That is the shit we get in liberal controlled cities where no one is allowed to defend themselves against thugs! The dude that made this video and used that thumbnail is concerned about making himself lots of money but has no clue what being indoctrinated he is!

[@ryanmitcham5522]

@@waggtech4883 Nope, can you link to it?

[@acousticshadow4032]

He's just learning. She shows up in the next video. 🙃😉

[@elimemeswabaponga]

I guess u are a rookie watching this video come back in 4 years for the next video didn't you heard go back to the 2:00

[@andrewwatkins1561]

This reminds me of the very first job in my plumbing business. 30 years later, it’s a breeze 😅

[@C.LosWashing]

Bro I give you credit for sticking to it and getting it done.

[@dfrozendog3849]

Yup, been there. I didn't have internet back then and had to improvise, adapt and overcome. Made some blunders in the process.

[@gadielsantiago8813]

First time is always the most demanding, learning as you go is good in a way, frustrating at first but good memories in time👍🏻

[@lancebledsoe2855]

lol that’s a great story. I kinda started the same way but mine was a roof wash moss removal after I spent 2 months building my trailer.

[@Storm_Lily]

This is EXACTLY what we needed to hear before getting started, thank you! If you have more stores, pls share! 😁👍✌

[@donniemcelwain801]

Well done story. Totally understand and can relate to "it was the best money I ever made"

[@tomroach6275]

Great info. Thank you and continued success!

[@mannysfishingadventures5405]

Awesome bro glad to hear ypu pulled through many future blessings

[@tylerk.7947]

Lol good story bro I can definitely relate. First time I ever used an excavator was for a landscaping job that I bid… The clients were literally there watching me as I insanely horribly attempted to move boulders with this excavator and it was very embarrassing. Guess it’s just part of the experience… Also, consider it like paid training lol

[@AustinDavis24]

That’s awesome lol

[@stever.9925]

Yeah, it reminds me of when I was posing as a brain surgeon. It paid real well, but I also had to take lots of breaks to Google the information that I needed. I was SO embarrassed. But I got through it. The patient didn't make it, but I figured that with time, I'd get better. Lol, jk 😂

[@heatherthompson7706]

Love that you are drinking CLEAN!

[@AustinDavis24]

@@heatherthompson7706 of course!

[@TheRealAltomon]

It’s moments like this that make you learn better than any other method but it’s also the fear of this that keeps people from taking that chance.

[@renebaez9093]

I've been in these positions many times lol. Moments like these you learn the most! Thanks for sharing. This is gold.

[@Beluel]

Awesome that’s what we need real content no BS Thanks

[@razur9065]

Thanks for sharing. I’m just starting out too, done a lot of research over the past few years before starting this as a side gig. I’ve learned a lot from Powerful Improvements and Joe Deery, he’s the first guy i started watching when i thought about getting into this. I completed my own 5x8 trailer build this past winter and have the wheels turning somewhat with marketing/advertising. Thanks again for sharing and i enjoy your channel!

[@jonnybro7676]

I learned a ton the first time doing my driveway

[@adeesharootunian1300]

iv been there when i did my first carpet steam .. i feely sorry for my wife she was with me cleaning whole house. we both learned alooooot that day

[@williammelear2906]

My 17 year old wash given a small kohler pressure washer at 14 years and bought a few attachments. He has probably made over 10,000 dollars and finally ready to buy a bigger unit. I've been researching for a while and leaning towards a Simpson GX200. Lots of money in pressure washing and plenty of KZbin videos to learn with.

[@The_Handyman_Can]

Great to hear your experience of winging it. How do you get rid of those squares on the driveway?

[@jilow]

You stuck with it and did it right. Nice job.

[@tonybersano2428]

That's hilarious, thanks for sharing.....you have come a looong way !!!!

[@heathencat5236]

Your sharing of your learning experience is an awesome act of kindness for newbies to the profession. You're a good man. 👍

[@brianmcpherson7846]

Starting off we all been down that road