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D_Tagr

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Posts posted by D_Tagr

  1. Posted · Report reply

    Accounting and office management for me. I'm surprised that 75% are reporting the same. I thought I was the only disorganized person out there,chuckle.

    I often wonder though, what kind of an affect having a more organized office would have on the bottom line? Significant maybe? I regularly tear my office apart looking for number or an address I wrote down on some scrap of paper and buried with other stuff,lol. I'm sure I could save some time if I got my stuff together.

    Interesting poll.

  2. Posted · Report reply

    I didn't understand this 3 weeks ago and I still don't today. There is sooooo much to know about all this internet stuff it's hard to learn it all and run a business.

    When I make a post, my website and blog appear in my signature. Is this a linkback?

    My blog contains a link to "The Grime Scene". Is this a linkback?

    If not can someone please show me a linkback. TYIA

  3. Posted · Report reply

    I have a feeling the majority of folks in the trades especially pressure washing and painting have never heard of an 'Income Statement' nor a 'Balance Sheet' or even a cash flow report.

    Dan,

    I suspect this is nowhere near true. Anyone that can add 2+2 has the smarts to read a balance sheet. 90% can't follow basic accounting principles? If that's true then they will go out of business and deservedly so. Problem solved.

  6. Posted · Report reply

    I have also felt the need to be careful when posting information related to my specialty. When I do, I prefer to post some kind of resource instead of directly saying I charge $x per sq ft, or I use "y" paint stripper.

    I'm happy to provide a link to a 60 page study,or a book title,or a marketing website. that provided me with some critical information. That way I feel that I'm contributing to the industry as a whole and I don't have to worry about a lazy man taking my market.

    As an example I use vistaprint for all my marketing/printing needs. The lazy man doesn't know what I just said. But without revealing any specifics, the go-getter now knows of a good resource for postcards,brochures,baseball caps,t-shirts,calendars and other schwag. He still doesn't know what items or combinations of items I use-and he never will,but he now has a good resource and it didn't cost me anything.

    I guess my opinion is keep posting Dan, but do it in a way that you feel comfortable with.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    Aha ha ha ha! I'm so tempted!! I have one client that didn't pay despite a perfect graffiti removal from his delivery truck. He tried to comp me a meal in his crappy restaurant instead. Unfortunately my creditors don't take lasagna.

    I ended up using a picture of his truck on my old website so it looks like he's endorsing me.

    I know it's not entirely ethical but for the less than $200 he's owed for over 18 months I don't care.

  8. Posted · Report reply

    I'm just curious if there is an actual marketing angle here. I bid some provincial (State level) jobs this past spring and they stated that the bids would be weighted 10% on environmental factors. Wondering if all else being equal if this would tip the balance favourably? I expect environmental concerns to be a factor (minor now but maybe growing) in most or all government contracts.

    For me its about $225.00 to offset my one truck.

    BBB runs me about $340.00 for the year.

    I think I will look into this. If it closes even one job it's paid for.

    Could be a way for the industry to look better and balance off all the harsh chemicals we use. Potassium Hydroxide,Sodium Hydroxide,Sodium Hypochlorite etc,etc.

  11. Posted · Report reply

    A friend shared this with me today. Somewhat apropos.

    Feel free to change Member of Parliament to Congressman,Senator, whatever.

    THIS IS A NONPARTISAN JOKE THAT CAN BE ENJOYED BY All PARTIES!

    NOT ONLY THAT-- it is POLITICALLY CORRECT!!

    While walking down the street one day a "Member of Parliament" is tragically hit by a truck and dies.

    His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

    'Welcome to heaven,' says St. Peter. 'Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you.'

    'No problem, just let me in,' says the man.

    'Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.'

    'Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,' says the MP.

    'I'm sorry, but we have our rules.'

    And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

    Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.

    They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

    Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly & nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

    Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

    The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

    'Now it's time to visit heaven.'

    So, 24 hours pass with the MP joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

    'Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.'

    The MP reflects for a minute, then he answers: 'Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.'

    So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

    Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

    He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

    The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. 'I don't understand,' stammers the MP. 'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.

    What happened?'

    The devil looks at him, smiles and says, 'Yesterday we were campaigning.. ..

    Today you voted.'

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Once again thanks for all the support. I love this board!!

    After my last e-mail the council decided to accept my bid! I'm not sure what changed their mind but I'm not going to delve too closely, at least until the contract is signed!

    I agree totally with what John said about duty of loyalty. I'm also on a council and it is sometimes difficult to put personal interests or agendas aside and focus on what is best for the Strata. At any rate I think it's extremely unethical for this guy to bid.

    I wouldn't (and didn't) bid on our Strata's pressure washing this year and had to sit in silence as this year's PW'r did the same crappy job as last years for $5000 less. I didn't see the contract or the bid sheet, but I got to supervise! I called them back 3 times. They hated me, lol!!

    I was fully prepared to move on so this is a nice late in the day surprise. :)

    Has anyone experienced a similar situation? I'm curious to know how you handled it.

  14. Posted · Report reply

    I hope you guys can answer this one.

    I quoted a Strata(HOA) in good faith for some flatwork and windows on a 40 unit condo complex. Now one of the members of the council says he can do it cheaper with a rented machine and is preparing a quote. I am ******* pissed.

    I have been talking and e-mailing with my contact throughout and he wants to use me but council is waiting for their member's quote. What protection do I have (if any),or recourse if this mutt picks up this job?

    So far I cut price by about 5%(hated doing it) and have tried very hard to explain the differences. Here is an excerpt from my last e-mail.

    Hi Jason,

    Here is the revised quote for 2120 Central Place. I have also included a copy of a contract which must be signed by a council representative or your property manager.

    It's important to note that often pressurewashing is regarded as something that any one can do with a rented machine. This is only partially true. Often specific knowledge or skills come into play, in my case chemical knowledge for removing graffiti or stains on concrete, or knowing that window seals can be blown very easily leading to fogging or "weeping".

    Having a $2,000,000 liability policy,Worksafe coverage,and being a BBB member unaviodably add to my cost, but this only ensures that your Strata gets the service it deserves - professional.

    If this fails and this mutt steals my job what are my options?

    This is the first time it has happened to me,but I figure it must be fairly common.

  18. Posted · Report reply

    Hey Bro, I would not recomend cleaning windows with a PWer. If you don't have a water pole and DI water use the old wand and a sqeegee and microfiber towls. Since you have a man lift you shouldn't have to much trouble reaching. Are you doing the inside as well. After you figure in your expences and equipment you should charge about $5 per pane of glass. From what I can see in the pics $350 + man lift for outside. If your doing the inside as well then + $5(panes). Since your new it may take you longer than expected.

    Equipment you'll need:

    18", 12", 8", squeegee

    18" wash wand These you can buy at Homecheapo or Lowes

    Microfiber towels only!!! Sams Club has a pack of 25 for $10

    Chem: abcwindowcleaningsupply.com Glissen...Awesome stuff!!!!

    Dane

    Thanks Dane!!

    Excellent little web site they have there. Got a kit coming now. I'm only going to do exterior windows here. I've got an allergy to working indoors.:)

    I had estimated somewhere around this price too!

  21. Posted · Report reply

    I'm having a reasonable time with this job here except for the north side which looks like this. I used a regular house mix which Hotsy makes and then a mild caustic degreaser which Hotsy also makes with a 15 deg tip and I went up to 120 Fahernheit. I don't want to go higher in temp for fear of stripping but I want those streaks gone. These are great clients who are selling their building, the lower portion used to be covered in graffiti.

    My only thought is to try some combinations of 12% + TSP and/or Borax + Dawn.

    Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

    I'm also trying not to get electrocuted!! For obvious reasons.

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Hope one of you window guys can help out with my noob questions.

    First off here are the pics.

    I don't have a water fed pole system but I do have access to a 30ft Genie (man lift) and a pressure washer. So my plan is to downstream some sudsy ammonia, brush and then squeegee. I don't have DI but our water here is naturally soft.

    Is there a better way with my limited equipment and experience?

    Also I have no idea how to bid this, or how long it will take. There are a total of 117 individual panes (glass between frames) of varying sizes. I thought I might go $2.75-$3.50 or so and estimate 4 hrs.

    This is definitely not my cup cup of tea. Please relieve me of my noobish ways.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    I know if I drink too much grape juice, I make a lot of brown :D Prunes work well too.

    Actually, I'm with Jon Chapman and I think most of the whole "green thing" is a crock of crap. All you have to do is follow the money to see that. In the kitchen exhaust cleaning industry I think we do have a major responsibility to stay compliant on what we do with our greasy waste water though. I was recently given an endorsement from a local Lake Manager while cleaning an exhaust system. He came over to the restaurant with the intention of shutting me down, but when he saw how I was handling my waste water, he gave me an endorsement and said to put it in any advertising material that I have.

    We do need to be aware and we do need to be good stewards, but going over board really ticks me off.

    Oh yeah, D-Tagr, I admire your efforts, but in my opinion, you are totally wrong in your assessment. With a higher GPM machine, you would more than likely get the job done in half the time. For 3 1/2 years I ran a 2.0 gpm machine to clean hoods, I've since changed to a 5.5 gpm machine and I'm saving soooooo much time and the water is about the same. Do whatever works for you, I'm not trying to discourage you, but I just think that you are wrong about that. Also another thing to think about is the fuel consumption....if it takes half the time and half the gas then........

    It definitely works for me. Not saying your wrong but I don't think you can clean 80 sq ft in half the time. 80000 sq ft you'd definitely kick my butt. Vast majority of my jobs are under 100 sq ft. Graffiti is not as endemic in Canada as it is in parts of the US. But it is growing.:lgmoneyey It's a good point about the fuel though.

    When I go into resi and commercial work I will definitely increase my flow rate but because of the nasty chemistry involved with paint strippers (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, etc) the less runoff the better.

    I do agree with the general sentiment of the thread as far as the "Green Agenda". A lot of it is driven not by scientists but by "believers" and dedicated acolytes. I am in the same region as David Suzuki (environmentalist broadcaster) and Paul Watson (cofounder of Greenpeace) and there are legions of followers. I call them "Greenatics".

    I guess in a nutshell I do what I can afford to do and I do what I know from experience and trial and error what is feasible. But if going green truly distinguished myself from my competitors I would jump with both feet. As it is many market green but very few achieve.

    Good thread.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    I started going green right from startup.

    My very first purchase was my pressure washer and I specifically specced it for a low flow rate. I know this sounds odd to a lot of you, but for graffiti removal at most I'm only cleaning a couple hundred square ft. Most jobs the run time of the machine is under 15 minutes.

    I run 3.0 GPM. Hot water to maximize my chemical efficiency. Compared to a 5.5 GPM machine I am preventing approximately 37.5 gallons of water being used and 37.5 gallons of contaminated runoff from potentially entering the storm system during a typical job.

    I haven't yet worked out a feasible (cheap) reclaim system yet. Any advice, please PM.

    As for chemicals, wherever possible I use the corn and soybean based strippers. I have recently begun to investigate the possibility of manufacturing my own chemicals and milk based paints.

    Of course I use recycled paper in the home office.

  25. Posted · Report reply

    Most of you will probably LMAO, but this is true. A home and property service that's been in business for over 40 years just cleaned my 108 unit strata with two 2.5 GPM HD machines and a brush. I considered buying one myself for a backup unit to my trailer rig. They were on sale for $285.00 at Home Depot in January. Took them 3 1/2 wks with 3 guys and they were paid $13000.00. As they used a 24' flat surface cleaner you can imagine how our concrete looks. Not to mention the rust stains, mildew,gutter streaks,scuff marks, bird droppings, leaf stains etc that were left behind.

    The contract predates my position on the strata council or it would not have happened. I have been butting heads with my property manager bigtime over this.

    I guess the upshot is:

    1. You can make money or at least win large jobs with cheap equipment.

    2. ACS is now moving into the residential pressurewashing market under the name of A.C.E.(All Clean Exteriors)

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