There is a certain confidence that comes from learning business the hard way. On the tools. On the phone. Knocking on doors. Hearing no, then going back again.
For HydroGo founder Cole Dallimore, that confidence arrived early. Still in his teens when he launched the business, Cole has built what is now one of Hawke’s Bay’s fastest-growing commercial water blasting and maintenance operations, backed by contracts, repeat clients, and a reputation for getting jobs done properly.
But while Cole’s age often grabs attention, the real story sits with the business itself.
From house washing to commercial contracts
HydroGo has evolved well beyond its early days of residential house washing. Today, it is a multi-division commercial services operation working across industrial sites, food production facilities, retail environments and infrastructure assets throughout Hawke’s Bay and the central North Island.
Its focus is on long-term relationships rather than one-off jobs, with consistency, compliance and reliability at the core of its offering.
“That evolution was deliberate,” says Cole. “We wanted to build a business that commercial clients could rely on.”
From the outset, HydroGo positioned itself as a trusted service partner rather than a price-driven contractor.
“We’re very contract focused,” Cole says. “That’s what gives the business stability. Once you’re embedded with a client and doing ongoing maintenance, you’re not chasing one-off jobs all the time.”
Momentum, then a turning point
The foundations were laid early. Cole started the business at 16, washing houses with a brush and hose while still at school. His mum dropped him off to jobs after class and on weekends. Every dollar earned was reinvested into advertising, equipment and building momentum.
Cyclone Gabrielle marked a turning point. Demand for cleaning, flood response and recovery work surged, and HydroGo was well placed to respond. Investment in trailer-mounted water blasters allowed the business to take on larger, more complex jobs tied to infrastructure, civil sites and industrial facilities.
As the scale of work increased, so did capability. HydroGo invested in higher-capacity equipment and systems that enabled it to operate confidently in commercial and industrial environments.
Health and safety, working at heights, confined spaces, chemical handling and environmental compliance became standard practice.
Winning the work and proving it
Landing major commercial contracts proved pivotal. A large Hawke’s Bay winery became one of HydroGo’s first anchor clients, requiring months of industrial cleaning and maintenance work each year.
“If you service a site like that, it opens doors,” Cole says. “Other businesses take you seriously.”
HydroGo used that credibility to push further into food production, retail and infrastructure environments. Winning some contracts took time. In several cases, Cole missed out initially, then returned repeatedly, asking for feedback and re-quoting when opportunities arose.
“I’m persistent,” he says. “If we don’t get something, I want to know why and what we can do better next time.”
Today, HydroGo services hundreds of clients annually, with commercial and industrial work forming the backbone of its revenue. The business employs a core team of permanent staff, supported by experienced casual workers when demand peaks.
Cole is deliberate about keeping the operation lean.
“We don’t overstaff,” he says. “Everyone’s busy, everyone’s productive.”
Expanding services, strengthening relationships
HydroGo’s service offering has expanded steadily. Alongside high-pressure water blasting, the business now provides soft washing for sensitive surfaces, industrial and food-grade cleaning, concrete and hardstand cleaning, and preventative maintenance programmes.
This breadth allows clients to deal with one provider across multiple needs and simplifies facility maintenance across complex sites.
The HydroGo brand now sits at the centre of a wider group of complementary businesses, including roofing maintenance and small-scale commercial building services. Each operates independently, but together they allow clients to solve multiple property and facility challenges through one trusted relationship.
The next growth engine: drainage
One of HydroGo’s most significant growth areas is its expanding drain services division, a move Cole sees as a natural extension of the core business.
The business recently launched HydroGo Drain Unblock, offering drain unblocking, CCTV inspections, drain locating and preventative maintenance. Many existing clients already require drainage work, particularly in food production, commercial property and industrial environments.
“We’re already on site, already trusted, and already doing the maintenance,” Cole says. “Drainage just fits.”
The next phase involves significant investment. Cole is actively working toward acquiring high-capacity vacuum and hydro excavation equipment, commonly known as sucker trucks. This will allow HydroGo to take on larger-scale drainage, stormwater and infrastructure work.
“That’s where it really steps up,” he says. “Once you’ve got that capability, you’re playing in a different space.”
Cole believes the drain division has the potential to become one of the largest parts of the business, complementing HydroGo’s existing services while opening the door to longer-term, higher-value contracts.
Built to last, not built in a hurry
Importantly, the expansion is being approached with discipline. Each part of the business is structured to stand on its own, ensuring resilience if conditions change.
“I’ve only known tight markets,” Cole says. “So we focus on doing the work properly and looking after the clients we’ve got.”
Expansion is firmly on the agenda. HydroGo has already established a regular presence in Taupō, servicing the region consistently, and longer-term plans include further regional growth and franchising.
Family, relationships and the long game
Underpinning everything is relationships. Cole acknowledges the influence of his father Scott and the wider network of business owners and mentors he has learned from along the way.
While Cole brings youthful energy and ambition to the business, he is backed by a vastly experienced team with more than 80 years of combined industry experience. Operations manager Kris Simmonds plays a pivotal role in overseeing day-to-day delivery, ensuring the team operates efficiently and meets client needs promptly.
With a strong organisational skillset and strategic mindset, Kris helps streamline processes, strengthen service delivery and provide the operational depth that underpins HydroGo’s continued growth.
HydroGo has moved beyond its start-up phase. It is now a contract-driven commercial services business with systems, structure and direction. The early hustle remains, but it is supported by capability, people and long-term thinking.
Cole Dallimore may still be early in his journey, but HydroGo is already proving itself as a serious operator. Built the hard way, and built to last.
