newlook

Just keeping this worth while thread alive for all to contribute :)

Really don't sit down and watch t.v. but when I do I like watching CSI Vegas and Missing (I think that is the name).

If you are serious about wood restoration then call the following contact information. Russell will take you from there. Good luck!! Russell Cissell Extreme Solutions, Inc. 1-866-536-7393 636-288-8512 - Cell 2000 N. Broadway St. Louis, MO 63102

Hope the link works http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2685392 Just some humor as the year comes to an end....enjoy!!

New Look Partnerships, Inc. will match any donation up to $100.00 starting immediately from Larry B's post above and will continue through the month of January '06. Beth, let me know when you hit the mark and we will send the match.

I may be a little bias but this BBS has definately been a very valuable resource for this industry. BBS interaction and dialogue, when managed properly, can offer unlimited resources for the contractor. Adding the google banner ads is just yet another example of how the TGS is progressively thinking "out of the box" to offer a variety of resources to it's audience.

Great thread and good information all the way around. One thing to remember when working with Property Managers is that they also report to someone. If you do a terrific job for the property manager then the property manager will get a "pat" on the back from his/her boss for selecting such a good power wash company. By having a clean building will attract new tenants and possibel enable the oweners to increase the rent a tad bit and etc, etc. If you can think your way clearly through this 'cause and effect' marketing then you should do well providing services to this audience. For us we dabbled in this market over the summer and had mixed results. We do however go after home owner associations and have had great success.

If you market your business with several services offered is very wise. We offer not only powerwashing but concrete, landscaping and painting. Our angle is that if we are on a job to do concrete then that is all we are there to do. If a customer wants us to install a sprinkler system, they will need to call the office and schedule the appointment and sign a contract.

We do not deviate from our pressure washing responsibilities. As Craig stated, there is too much exposure for a customer to sue you with.

Thanks Rod....hopefully the information can assist someone just gettting started and really does not know how to gel together a contract for someone to read.

This is a sample fleet wash that we did a couple years back. The second contract works for fast food chains with drive thrus or could be used with banks and etc. These are contracts that were created a couple years ago but maybe someone can use the information to get started on a basic contract and build it from there. Good Luck!!!

Bringing this back to the top.

Try blowing out the downspouts as much as possible before you hit the gutter line. Doing this will offer the water to go down the spout vs spilling over. If there is a ton of debri in the gutters you will find it very difficult if not impossible from preventing the debri from blowing out. I highly recommend getting the extension pole that Pressure Pro spoke about in the above post. You may want to add a shepherd's hook to that for the nook and cranny's that you may come acrosss.....

I would suggest in investing in the hot water unit. Even though you are only doing decks and it may seem that you do not need a hot water unit...down the road you probably will need one. Your business may take you in that direction ~ even if you do not want it to!!!

Wishing everyone on the TGS a Very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year. It has been a pleasure working with everyone that particpates on the TGS.

Currently a member and have been for the last couple of years. Pro's and con's to any organization. If you think joining will improve your overall business strategy then I say it is worth the investment.

That is referals and everything. This is approximately our rate today but it wasn't like that when we first started in this business. Many doors were shut on our faces and were told many times that we could never make it. For us it was all about determination and not giving up. Kept customer service in the forefront, offered a great service and kept our price scheme fair. These three principles have kept us going early on when our close rate was not even half of what it is today.

The short answer is usually between 80-90%. There are many factors that influence our success. A few of them are: lack of competitive competition, great sales pitch, reasonable pricing, solid reputation, great service. The above are just a few points that play into whether or not we are awarded a contract.

Surveys are great. We considered that but was concerned about the response rate and whether or not we would get enough feedback with that median.

To answer your questions Rod.....we also implemented this past summer a Quality Assurance Department. I have 2 individuals that all they do is customer relations. I will be posting a detailed description of the Q & A program after the holidays for anyone to implement into their business model.

Voted will strongly consider it. I think forming a new org is good for the industry and will certainly give people a choice to joining an org vs. only having to join one because it is the only org.

Prayers are pouring in from the West Coast Morgan.

Well...well....well...very interesting!!!

Morgan, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My brothers daughter had a stroke back in July ~ she was 1 years old.

Congrats to all that had a successful year in '05. It is our hope and prayer that '06 will offer many opportunities for all of you! For those that did not make their numbers this year....don't give up. If this industry was easy...then everybody would be doing it!! Keep the faith, press on and most of all....believe in yourself!!