Doug Dahlke

We have five dogs. Four are from the animal shelter and one belonged to my wifes mother. We took the dog when she passed away.

That's a tough question. I already have some local competition on this board who can see what I post. There is another guy in my area that I know and we talk business at times and I have even subbed out a job to him before but we don't get into each others pricing, techniques, customer base, etc. Boards like this are a great learning tool and others can learn from it just as I have. There are also many people here that I know will talk to you or share info but my business is not a threat to them. Its one thing to share a littlle info here and there with established companies in your area and have a friendship with a reputable competitor. Its another thing to take a guy out with you and show him the ropes knowing he will be in direct competition with you as soon as he is trained.

For a 2100 sf vinyl house I would be charging between $275 to $300. That would include brushing the gutter exteriors. I don't know everyone's pricing in this area but I believe I am at the higher end of the scale. The house I am doing tomorrow is in that SF range, maybe slightly smaller, and for the house, sidewalk, driveway and pool deck I am getting about $575. I really don't think people will pay much more than that here.

Ken always has great posts on the business and marketing end of things. I have printed some of them out and use them to develop my plans. Lately I have thought a lot about how to succeed in business which also forces thoughts on why businesses fail. I put together a list of my thoughts, many of which I am guilty of. Why do Businesses Fail 1) Lack of a business plan. Before starting your business did you do any market research? Do you know how many competitors are in your area and how long they have been in business? Do you have an idea of what the market rates are for the services you will provide? Did you estimate what your start up equipment costs will be? Do you have a target market? Did you put together a marketing plan and budget? Is there a timeline for the business to turn a profit? Is there a back up plan if the business does not meet its profitability goals? 2) Lack of financial resources. You will spend and lose money before you make any kind of profit in a new business venture. What financial means do you have to pay the bills and fund the business until you are making enough money that the business is self sufficient? When the business is turning a profit are you saving enough money to keep things going through the tough times that all businesses will face? 3) Over extending credit. It is easy to use up credit resources thinking you will get a return on that money that doesn’t come as soon as expected. Think carefully about adding debt and new monthly financial obligations without the ability to repay. 4) Lack of experience. This applies not only to actually performing pressure washing services but running a business as well. Show up at a two story house with a 2.6 gpm machine and no x-jet, down streamer or other means of accessing the higher sides but a ladder and you can soon get discouraged. If your marketing plan consists of printing flyers off of your computer and sticking them on mail boxes you are in for a disappointment. 5) Unrealistic expectations. Don’t fall for the “Field of Dreams” mentality. Just because you build it doesn’t mean anyone will come. I drive by homes and businesses everyday that need my services but will never call me or anyone else to do the work. It is hard work finding the people who will hire you. Running a business also takes a big commitment of time. Starting a business an even larger one. When you are the pressure washer, mechanic, receptionist, salesman, marketing guy, purchasing agent, head of R&D, webmaster, accounts receivable clerk, etc. your time gets gone in a hurry. Even if you just want to be a full time one man show you will need to outsource, and pay for, many of the tasks mentioned earlier or you will be working 24/7. 6) Lack of desire. It will take three to five years to get a business off the ground and running. That start up period will require lots of commitment. In the last two years in my area I have already seen companies come and go. I assume most of these companies just didn’t give much thought to starting the business and pulled out when they realized it just wasn’t that easy.

About a month ago I noticed that the liquid inside my pressure gauge coming off the pump had turned black. I replaced the gauge and now the liquid inside the new one is starting to darken. Is that normal or a sign that something in the pump is not right?

One more question. I bought a new gauge that I will install this weekend. On all of the gauges I installed it said to cut open the little rubber nipple at the top of the gauge. I did this and the gauge that is on there now, which has turned black, has leaked fluid out of this opening. There is definitely less fluid in the gauge now then there was. Why is this opening supposed to be cut open? Is it supposed to leak fluid?

I have rarely had a customer say anything about my pricing to me directly although I am sure some have experienced sticker shock. You can see it in their faces. No one has complained about the pricing after the work is done. You are right about some people living way beyond their means. I would rather lose a few jobs than lower pricing.

You said you just changed the tips out. Did you make sure the fan on the tips you installed is parallel to the bar?

The first week I was in business I met with an accountant and I did use one for my taxes last year. Tax prep for me last year was only $150.

Thanks Don. I have 2500 to mail out soon. I'll keep those demographics in mind.

Lots of good info here. I'm still digesting it all. My minimum price depends on how far I travel for a job. I did one recently for just over $100 but it was only a few miles from home in a neighborhood I had sent mailers to. I still made money and now others who received the mailer have seen me in the mailer and I have a reference there. I have been in more affluent neighborhoods and had people ask me for quotes when they saw me working there. I have thought I had those wrapped up and never close. On the other hand I have quoted in more modest neighborhoods and left a quote thinking what a waste of time and the next day they want the work done.

Following up on what James said. I have probably done as many if not more washes for properties for sale because the owner called me prior to listing than getting an agent to have me do it. People can be dumb as rocks too. I went by one property in an area I was working. House for sale, obviously empty and very nasty looking. I measure the house, work up a quote and call the listing agent. She says that she will pass the quote on to the owners but she already told them the house needed to be cleaned and the didn't want to spend the money. We're talking about $250 here to wash a house listed at over $225,000. Six months later I am in the area and drive by the house. Still for sale with a reduced sign across the realtors sign and still filthy. I can't understand the logic in reducing your price thousands after paying thousands in mortgage payments for six months on an empty house but you won't spend $250 first to give the thing some curb appeal. Here's your sign.

I have done work for several agents. The jobs have been few and far between. I see houses for sale all around this area that look terrible. You would think that would be a good connection but that has not been my experience. Maybe you will have better luck.

Anyone have any experience with North Star (Northern Tool) generators? I need to buy a generator and the prices on the North Star looks good.

I have a spot in the rear of my trailer that fits the PEV2. I have to strap it down and have it chained as well just in case. The generator will have to go in the truck bed. There is still some room on the front of the trailer. I just need to sit down and work something out for all of this. Let me know how your plan comes together.

I graduated high school in 1975 so Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Doobie Bros, Steely Dan and of course Robin Trower were what I grew up on. I might have been a bit hastey calling all new stuff crap. I do like some of the newer bands mentioned in other posts. I play guitar and still enjoy a good electric cranked up and heavy. What I don't like is stuff passed off as music with no one singing, no chords, no melody, nothing that defines what I consider music. As far as live earth goes I don't doubt the sincerety of some of the artists. I just point out the conflict of doing something in the name of environmentalism that is obviously very un-eco friendly.

I did buy a generator. I bought a North Star 8000 watt max, 6600 running watts. 13 HP Honda with electric start. The item number is 165920M if you want to check out the specs on Northern's site. I have not had to use it yet but will be putting it to work next week. I also bought a Sirroco PEV2 vacuum. Now I have to figure out how to haul all of it around when I need it.

Live Earth... Lets see... A bunch of musicians want to save the planet from destruction due to pollution so.. lets have concerts at huge facilites where thousands upon thousands of people will travel by car to see bands who have trucked in tons of equipment with hundreds of diesel tractors, lets generate tons of garbage from food wrappers, plastic cups, etc while selling T-shirts that required energy to produce and used dyes and chemicals to color while the headlining acts fly to their respective concerts in private jets. Yeah, that's a recipe for helping out the environment. My favorite electric guitar player of all time Robin Trower I listen to everything from the Allman Brothers to Led Zeppelin. I agree most music nowadays is crap especailly rap. Why someone wants to listen to a drum machine while a guy who can't even sing usually strings together a bunch of swear words is beyond me.

Nice rig. Congratulations on the growing business Jeff.

I include brushing gutters in my pricing. For a two story I would charge at least $2 per linear foot. Without seeing the house this is what I would suggest. Give the customer a qoute based on the assumption that your house wash mix will remove the marks. Tell the customer you will want them on the property when the work is done and pick an area to do as a test to see if the marks come off. If they don't have a back up plan with the customer to either charge more to brush them out or continue at the agreed price but the customer makes the decision. You could also offer to do a test area at no charge just to show the customer what to expect. This would also give you a chance to see what the job will require and you can then quote accordinly.

I've never raised the price after giving the customer a number. I remember one paint job in particular that I probably made less than minimum wage on. Like Ken said, chalk it up to experience and move on to the next one. By the way, that customer later referred me on to other more profitable work. That may not have happened had I tried to raise the price.

It is the fluid inside the gauge that is changing color. This gauge has only been on the machine about a month. The one I replaced was so dark you could no longer read it.

I've had a commercial property manager ask me about restrictions along with homeowners. There are probably quite a few potential customers out there who won't even call and ask assuming they can't have the work done. We still have quite a few people here on wells also and they definitley don't want anyone pulling from their well right now.

I sent the first 500 of 3,000 cards out yesterday. Shuold have all sent within the next week. We'll see what happens. Had a pretty good response to a 1,000 card mailing last year.

Looks like the stains could be rust. Call Prosoco or Eacho Chem for some help.