Tegrey

Is ther something wrong with ***? I couldn't log on.

Employee handbooks are essential. This protects the employee and employer. Ours is 32 pgs long. Drawn up by laywers and covers most everything. Having this tool will better your company. It keeps everyone in line. We up date it periodically and always have employees sign the revision. It was actually given to me by another contractor at no cost.

Great article Ken.

Basically pricing is not an overall equation. No one should charge what another charges. If you don't know how to charge, educate yourselves. Learn what it cost to run your business. Don't make your pricing what anyone other needs.You have to know how much it cost to run your business.

Hi John, If the walls are dirty, wash them. Wipe all surfaces as needed. No dirt left. If the substrate doesn't show alot of skuffs and they look pretty good, just paint over them. Prime if the marks are very dark or the color change is quite a difference. Maybe make a test area to see how it goes. Do as much prep work as you feel comfortable with. Fill nicks, nail holes and cracks. After doing the best prep you feel good with, buy the best paint you can afford. Use 100% acrylic. As SW Super Paint, or BM Regal, even ICI Diamond. Probably use an eggshell for cleanability. You don't need to overkill the paint. 100% acrylic is all good. This will last for 5-10 years or till they get tired of the color. Hope this helps.

Rob, I am thankful for the life GOD has given me. I wake up and go to bed knowing I'm very lucky and Blessed by being who I am.

Thanks Beth. That really warms my heart up. I feel giddy all over! LOL

To tell you the truth, Starting our business cost me everything I had to spend. I worked every minute I could and worked extra jobs, plowed snow, etc. to pay the bills. I couldn't say exactly what it cost, because I did not know. This was before I learned to run and build a business. I had no idea how much to charge customers pay for supplies or even buy equipment. It was a tough time. I know you'd like a number, but there really isn't one. I made $175. my first january. I pay that much for gas per week today. Just an answer from someone who doesn't know.

Adrian, Sometimes old is best!

Pat, Great to be the one. We get jobs weekly because we answer calls, do personal estimates and follow up. Sometimes we place too much emphasis is put on utilizing our time on business building vs. maintaining what we already have. New customers are essential. Old customers are priceless.

I was wondering what equipment you use for deburring decks. Any peticular pads? Sanders? Any help would be appreciated. Thank You.

Rick, This wood is a gift from GOD.

Tonyg, We like decks. Especially two tone. They pay well. This deck is actually on the Flood stain cans. They paid us to do it for photos. It actually is semi on the deck with solid white. They changed the colors on the can also. It turned out the way they wanted it to. It now sells cans! LOL

Spending time with 3 of my Daughters and Family.

Same to everyone. Be safe and rejoice America and our Freedoms.

Rick, Just to add. Networking is often misunderstood. If you don't network with professionals in every aspect of business you are loosing valuable time and possibilities. Our dentist & florist are good prospects. Dealing with other PWers or even service people is falling way short of the possibilities. I believe my time in NO RT is very short, but I hope to pass on info which will increase everyones bottom line. Thank you.

This is a topic I will speak on in NO. Networking is a valuable asset for our business. We belong to two Chambers and a group called BNI. About 25% of our present work is related to these groups. Having a good name to pass on to our customers is really valuable. We utilize many different companys for work we don't do. We try to attend at least 2 events per week. More when we are slower. Having another business help to grow our own is easy. Making sure they are the very best is essential. Networking comes in various forms. Having a cup of Joe or sitting down to serious business are ways we sometimes don't use. Passing on a name may bring our businesses up a notch or two. You never know what could happen till you try. Thank you.

Rod is correct. Knowing your cost is the only way to price any job. Probably 95% of the people on the BBS are pricing on what they think they should make. Not knowing your fixed and variable cost is death to your company. The price to do any work needs to be done with a set of figures you are familiar with. Too many to mention here. Some though may consist of fixed as your truck payment, shop rent, etc. Variable cost include supplies, gas and food cost. These are all part of what it cost to run your business. There are organizations available to teach you your business. Private companys do it also. No matter how you do it, as Rod said, learn your actual cost. This is only a friendly reminder and helpful hint my friend. As far as charging for this deck, go as high as possible. Thank you.

Looks like the start of something GOOD! LOL

Yea, we have three decks and two small bridges ready to stain.

I believe the Hyde post and the Stencils post are Spam. What do you think? Who exactly owns stencils and where are they made? There has to be at least 100 posts on stencils and they really serve no purpose for educating a contractor. After all, are we here to learn or make someone else a profit? Just my 2 cents. Thank you.

Ron, No back track here. As I said nothing personal. I don't spread rumors and I won't talk about you personally. I will never say anything behind anyones back I wouldn't say to their face. I am as professional as I can be and we will leave the small talk out of the posts. I will be happy to support the workers and givers and leave the rest alone. We both differ in business and how we feel about helping others. I will try not to post any questionable ideas about your future posts. After all they are yours and you deserve the right to post what you want. Thank you.

Tonyg, We make up actual samples of all our colors and products available. If we get something new, we just add it. It is pretty cumbersome at times, but qualifying a customers needs will soften the blow. Our samples are PT and about a foot long. If they are tough to deal with, just make a new sample for their approval and be sure to add it to your collection.

Richard, There are firemen posting here. They probably have some numbers which might help also.