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Looking for someone to install a used laser wash
- Thread starter rbeach
- Start date
duh fixer upper
New member
I just fixed a run down 7 bay self service. I knew nothing, no one helped me besides my research forums like this and YouTube. Im sure I could figure it out. The problem I'm having now is I dont know what to charge. I'm open, I'm honest, and I'm fair. For my sake and for yours, what would you be willing to pay for something like that. I live in coopersburg, right next to Allentown. I used to live in that area. Well, close to it
duh fixer upper
New member
Trial error comes with it absolutely. But ur installing a used one... Idk makes sense me. You have to maintain it no matter what. Doing it twice? It never ends. I really would just like to have idea on what you would be willing to pay.
Waxman
Super Moderator
Ok lets put this into perspective; you want to just 'wing it' and try to install a touchless automatic car wash? Are you going to land all the wires? If so, where will you get the wiring schematic? I hired a very good and capable electrician to wire my Razor and he wanted to cry and run for the hills once he got into the project.
Are you going to layout the bay and mount all the rails? This has to be exact or the machine won't run true. If the machine doesn't run true, it will be very unreliable AT BEST. At worst, it will throw all types of error codes and never work at all. Not once.
This is just the tip of this iceberg. There is a reason there are dedicated distributors for automatic car wash equipment. It's very specialized, requires extensive knowledge of the equipment and programming as well as the ability to communicate with the factory directly.
Do you have any of this?
A huge red flag is how you are so oblivious as to the cost / fee you should charge. This illuminates the fact that you have no idea what you are doing, what work is involved, or how to proceed.
Frankly, I think it's insulting to all the legitimate distributors that you are implying that this is no big deal and you want to just give it a shot.
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I did a laserwash 360 about 5 years ago, but called my local PDQ serviceman in for about $2000 labor on the final wiring. I mounted rails, hung the bridge, run air and High voltage wiring. I got an install manual from PDQ and had the tech help me with the conduit plan. No electrician at all. She has made me money ever since then
This is not everyones idea of fun but I love a good challenge now and then. Probably would not have done it without a good tech to help out
This is not everyones idea of fun but I love a good challenge now and then. Probably would not have done it without a good tech to help out
duh fixer upper
New member
Dude y is everyone coming at me for having a pair of balls... Yea I'll take any challenge you or anyone throws at me. Im not gonna run and hide in a corner with my tails between my legs cause someone tried to convince i wasnt good enough. And honestly buddy what do u really know? Cause I know anything and i mean anything ive put my mind to. I have done and come out on top. I really just wanted to know what he was willing to pay. And hes installing used equipment. I think I understand what hes asking more than you do because I have tried, i have failed over and over and over, persisted no matter what. And i always come out on top. U just keep calling your salesman. He'll tell u the truth. I mean seriously figuring this out is what this forum is for right? Just google it; pick the first number u find who pays the most to sell you lies. When they're done and they fail, call me of u have any $ left
tdlconceptsllc
Well-known member
Buddy I wouldn't Dare Hire you based on your Arrogance and Professionalism alone! Guys where's MEP when you need him!!
Waxman
Super Moderator
What do I Know? I know I have a new Washworld Razor that was installed by the best distributor in my state. It operates flawlessly and generates $20.40 per car.
I also know banks require licensed, insured and fully vetted contractors if they are to lend on a car wash remodel.
While I admire your enthusiasm, I wouldn't gamble my future success on someone with zero experience, no insurance, no training, and no credentials as an installer.
Go work for a distributor for ten years, get experienced through ojt, then get a big bank loan, show the bank a well- crafted business plan, create an S Corp, get insured, licensed, buy some vans and 100k worth of tools, hire employees, buy uniforms, rent a building, hire offce staff and a sales force.
Or.... do it your way.
water guy
Well-known member
This has definitely became a weird thread.when your washing someones investment especially in this World we live in Why in the Hell would you want some carwash slash wanna be installer putting your equipment in unless its for a across the pond investor who dont give a shit.
washnshine
Well-known member
He’s still enjoying this - just from a better place!
Dan kamsickas
GinSan Technician
First, if you want to sound even remotely respectable to a bunch of people with decades of experience in an industry don't start a post with "Dude y"
Second, if someone were to get a used, obsolete piece of our equipment and hire someone with zero experience to install it I would have zero desire or responsibility to help them get it working. Quite frankly, if it's obsolete I really don't care who is doing the install. We have no responsibility to support it nor should we be expected to.
Third, when you get hopelessly stuck(and you will) there is absolutely no one you can call for help. Posts like this will burn any bridges on this site, PDQ will not answer your calls. A PDQ distributor might, but you or the site owner are going to have to pay them.
Forth, if(more likely when) you can't get it working are you prepared to go to court to fight the suit that is most likely to be brought? Are you prepared for the calls at all hours of all days from the owner when something isn't working?
Fifth, If you get hurt doing this who's paying the bill?
Finally, you wouldn't be the first to post a "I'll show you ALL!" type of post and then fail....spectacularly.
I would STRONGLY suggest you talk to an attorney, accountant, and business planner about all the ways you can ruin your life doing this.
Best of luck. If you give more specifics like age and model you will maybe get more serious people answering. If you read my post I did get an install manual from PDQ. If this is a Laserwash 4000 it is too old for reinstall. (In my opinion) There is a lot of knowledge on this site but not always easy to get. Dig in and try a new post in a few days. Be specific and accurate in your goals.
Dan kamsickas
GinSan Technician
There's a reason those had a short production run: they were not a good machine and were a nightmare to keep running with any level of consistency.
Here's another thing to consider: The owner has purchased questionable used equipment and is hiring an inexperienced person to install it. That can only lead to one conclusion, he's trying to do everything on the cheap and has no clue what he's doing. What makes you think he's not going to nickle and dime you? I will bet whatever you want he's going to.
it's amazing the amount of assholes on this site that make ridiculous comments I'm simply looking for a company to do an install . not some asshole that wants to make ridiculous comments
Dan kamsickas
GinSan Technician
My apologies, I confused you with the guy who said he was going to learn on the fly doing an install.
Reality is the GS5 was not a good machine, there is limited support for it, and you're going to have to change it out for a good machine sooner than you think. You're going to have a tough time finding a reputable tech to install it because they will not want future responsibility for it. You're not really going to save money, you're actually going end up spending more than if you bought a new machine.
no problem lol I would never use someone that never installed one before thats for sure. I'm in a really small town and a very low car count. so I can't put a new unit in id probably dye before I saw a return lol
