There is a big difference between a part time sales clerk knowing it’s a pressure washer and a professional distributorship that knows about pressure washers.
As a consumer become educated before making a purchase decision. Learn how warranty is handled, who does the work, and verify it by looking on the manufacturer’s website when possible. Retailers know that recognized Brand Names sell products of all kinds. Because a pressure washer is private labeled with a name you recognize, does not mean that company builds pressure washers. So, who repairs and services that brand? Is it local or do you have to drain all fluids and ship the pressure washer back to the manufacturer of origin? Never assume as we are a certified repair center for many of these brands, and there are just as many consumers we turn away with the correct parts on our shelves that could have fixed their issue, but there was a different agreement in place with the manufacturer on how warranty is to be handled. Place emphasis on the quality of the components used and the warranty that covers them. Many companies private label for brand awareness. We private label as a company to promote our brand as well as add what we believe are necessary options to increase the reliability of the equipment and enhance the customer’s experience. Do not be misled that recognized brand names necessarily equate to a better-quality product.
Don’t take a pea shooter to a gunfight!
Don’t shop for the least expensive pressure washer and expect it is going to last in commercial applications. This especially holds true if you rely on it as part of what you do as a profession. I purchase Milwaukee Heavy Duty Hammer Drills for our techs to use for installations. I could buy an inexpensive drill that includes the hammer drill function. To make money on installations, I need personnel on-site, not running to buy another cheap drill.
If you cannot afford a quality pressure washer, wait until you can! Buy once because you bought the correct model.
The extra $100 you spend on a pressure washer may get you upgraded to a better pump. All equipment looks pretty and shiny when it’s new. I used to keep a Chinese model on the floor primarily to point out the differences of what you’re getting for the money being spent. In most cases, you cannot take a Chinese engine to any Honda or Briggs service center and expect that they will even spend the time to try to obtain parts for it. We have had customers bring in pressure washers with owner’s manual’s that are not written in English making it difficult to help them. Every pump manufacturer has a variety of pumps they offer based on economy to Heavy Duty. Engine manufacturers do the same thing to compete. Ask what the standard warranty is on the major components of the pressure washer you are considering buying. Do not factor in an extended warranty which is coverage provided by a third party much like an insurance policy. The pump or motor manufacturer will not place a longer warranty on a component they are not confident will hold up. Manufacturer’s Standard Warranty is a pretty good way to understand what type of quality you are buying.
Do you have more money, or more time?
When you buy a pressure washer, you’re buying a tool that saves time. If you use a pressure washer in some form of your business you need to consider this. Assess the price compared to labor costs when deciding between a more expensive larger model compared to a less expensive smaller model. It will cost you the price difference to upgrade to a larger model one time, the day you purchase the pressure washer. However, when you can clean faster you will either save in labor costs, increase productivity, or both for the duration you use the pressure washer.