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JFife

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Posts posted by JFife

  4. Posted · Report reply

    I charge for estimates out of a certain area, and if it isn't commercial. Granted, mine are higher ticket items. I often have people OFFER to pay for estimates....ever have that?? I always know these are the people that ain't buyin', and they feel bad for wasting your time, or, they want it for litigeous reasons.

    People will expect A LOT more in a paid estimate--expect follow calls and emails with lengthy questions. I refund 50% if I am hired (sometimes 100%, depends on situation) and that is the seller. People hate to think they wasted money. Other thing--this is a GREAT way to weed out bad customers. If they complain about this, they'll be complaining aobut everything. I told a guy once that there'd be a fee for an estimate, and he started pouting and said, "uh, well I don't want to pay for an estimate, I'm not even sure if I am going to get this work done!"

    I laughed and said, "now you understand why I don't want to waste my time giving you a free estimate." And he hung up. Also, I have a lot of people that are about to put an offer on a log house, and want to know what this work will cost before they plunge. You gotta charge when the people don't even own the house!

  8. Posted · Report reply

    Specialized,

    ....Interesting fact about "wall penetration". I've never heard that, and it is very good advice. Surprised I am the only Sig advocate thus far......anyone else a fan?? Reasons why or why not??

    ....and I'll go ahead and open this can or worms....why is everyone so hostile towards the govt in the wake of Katrina??? Can I be honest??----Here is what I saw---people (90-95%) that were too dumb to heed the advice to get outa town. I know, I know, some were unable, but the authorities could have more easily got to them if the others were gone. .....So what are you left with??? The predators and the vulnerable. And a situation where it was next to impossible for the authorities to provide help, because of MOTHER NATURE!! Besides, why does everyone need/expect the GOVT to take care of them???? If I hear a tornado is coming, I don't expect the govt to come and wisk me from my home....I'd like to think I am intelligent enough to deal with a) the situation, and b) the aftermath.

    I for one think people expect too much of the govt. People says this shows just how poorly-prepared we are for a nuclear attack......ya think??? Are we to expect preparedness to the point of zero casualties in such an attack?? No.......people will die, lots of them. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.........I'd rather nuke a handful of countries and nip an attack in the bud rather than be concerned about our preparedness for when they come and dirty-bomb us.

  9. Posted · Report reply

    I'm not a big business, but I can tell you the answer, how you've written it, is "none of the above". It is all going to come down to employees.........your ability to get good ones, keep them, pay them, motivate them, and properly manage the business. IMO, growth related to sales is EASY. Getting the work done, properly, on time, efficiently, under budget.........that is the moneymaker. Good luck!! We can grow together!!:)

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Jon,

    I agree to an extent....everyone has their limits. I personally don't "enjoy" killing animals. I find it to be gut-wrenching. But I think exposure to death is profound, especially if you are involved with firearms. Kids have a different view today of firearms IMO---they are something they shoot a kid from NJ or Germany or Japan with while saving a city in their online video game. If a kid transitions from shoot-em-ups to live firearms, they should be witness to real death with the blood, gasps for air, and last breaths. Our generations have never "had" to kill for food, so people have escaped creating death, but have reaped the benefits of others having to do it, each time you eat your beef, fish or chicken. I think killing should be revered in the way the Indians did it, and I think that is a healthy lesson, and one that kids (esp. males) should receive, if they want to own/carry guns. IMO!!!!

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Lance,

    First, though I am not a father, I'll offer this--talk openly about guns with your son (or whatever the relationship is). Maybe even through hunting--teach him to respect firearms and their power....and he will. I think one good reason to take kids hunting is that they see "death" and how serious it is. Seeing something die before your eyes is powerful and a good lesson for kids, especially boys. THIS IS NOT AN OPENING TO A DEBATE!! MERELY MY THOUGHTS ON GUNS.

    As far as guns go, just like a roof cleaning chemical, find what works best for you in your application. Things like the size of your hands, preference of sites, etc. will all be factors. Get what "feels" right. I love my Sig Sauer handguns. I'd not want anything else. Chambered in 40cal, it would be a show-stopper. Next choice would be Colt.

    For the purposes you've outlined, I'd suggest considering a 12 gauge shotgun, or the Street Sweeper. You won't miss if you are nervous with a shotgun.

  12. Posted · Report reply

    shane,

    that looks different than what I had, but I bought on about seven years ago. Guy in Lousville made them, wife was involved in pwna. Sold rights to Wolmans last i heard......maybe they've changed them to this model.

    Makes them better?? Regarding the Deckster, I'd rather pop open my hood and sit a shurflo on top of my motor, hook it to the truck battery and string out 150' of hose then get another one of those. Didn't like it. Didn't like the Pumptec, and the design was horrid, with where the bucket sits, et al.

    The Deckhand was very maneuverble and stable with the bucket containment and battery holder. Quite efficient.

    I've made many more homemade, but have never gone to the necessary work to put on a battery box, figure out how to (stabley) mount a bucket, protect wires, keep it bottom-heavy, etc. Maybe rather than buy a Deckhand I'll just invest in a welder and make a really cool one. At Orschlen's or somewhere they had these giant dolly's that had me considering making a dual-system shurflo--maybe I'll pursue that!

  15. Posted · Report reply

    Well, I consider myself to be a pretty sensitive guy. I cried in "Million Dollar Baby", and after various "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" episodes. But frankly Matt, I don't see anyone ridiculing you or belittling you. I don't see anyone really trying to help you that much either, since a) you've asked an impossible question, and b) you claim to not need help.

    If you want HELP bidding a job, I'd be glad to do that. If you want me to spend a lot of time analyzing five pics that supposedly represent a 75K dollar job, and throw out a price just for kicks even though you already have a figure calculated, I'll pass. Right now I am watching a CSI dvd, and I'd prefer to relocate the time to that endeavor. You gotta wake up pretty early in the morning to sneak one past ole' Gil Grissom.

    But why leave?? If someone is being a jerk to you, be a jerk back or ignore it. I, for one, would like for you to stay. Pretty please, with sugar and a cherry on top. .....and since this board is to educate (per your last post) start by telling us how you formulated a bid for this large project?? And what kind of stain will you be using??

  18. Posted · Report reply

    ....No way for someone to give you a logical price idea without knowing many, many, many more factors that what you've displayed. Obviuosly, every building is different in the number of gables, roof extensions, etc. that are covered in the shakes. If you are hoping poeple will look at this and start throwing out numbers just to get an idea of what your competition will be at, I don't blame you, but I'd put zero stock in it.

    If you are asking because you truly don't have any idea of how to bid it, I'd go through with a fine-tooth comb and calculate expenses (should be easy) and then start calculating the man hours. If you have enough experience to do this job, then figuring the hours should be fairly easy. If you are still uncomfortable with your bid, based on the level of uncomfortable-ness, I'd then increase the final price by 10-25%. Other factors: do you get money up front?? Work on your schedule or theirs?? Do you have to deal with the tenants??

    I know what you are going through--I've got a MONSTER to bid this spring, a cedar sided lodge/hotel, restraunt, etc. Bidding big jobs can get intimidating. My only advice would be, "the worst thing would be to under-bid:)"

  20. Posted · Report reply

    ......it is good that you already have a database of paying customers (sprinklers) and that will help kick off the new biz.

    Welcome to the toughest service business to think of a name for!! You are going through what everyone has had to deal with for years. Go with your heart---but don't be surprised if things turn out far different than you might think.

    Think about where you TRULY plan to go with things---is a long term goal to franchise?? Just be a momandpop in a small town?? If franchising, go with something generic and memorable, ie. House Helpers, Inc, Wonderwash, Inc., if going for the small town thing, be Fife Wood Restoration, etc. or Fife Construction.

    This is going to be a very hard decision. I love the name of your sprinkler co., let that lead you to a name for your new biz. I love alliteration (sp), so you may incorperate that. Go for a seven-letter name, and you may be able to get it as a phone number as well. And check that you can get your biz name as a website.

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Sprinkler,

    This is a Ford/Chevy argument. What you should determine is what is right for YOU. You may find one product works better, but their contractor support costs you time and money. And some products work better than others in certain situations. Personally, I like to keep my choices on such things limited. One, it reduces bookkeeping if you can buy most everything from one or two places, and they bill you monthly. Two, if you have employees, the more they have to remember the harder it is.

    At this point in your "career", I'd get lined up with someone that can not only provide you products but excellent support not only for application but for pricing assistance, sales support, equipment advice, etc.

    Find something you like the advantages of and stick with it. For instance ESI makes a stain that can be applied to wet wood. This will boost the efficiency of a lot of guys in the country. Maybe that doesn't matter to you. Maybe you like that Readyseal is lap-free and easy to use. That makes YOU more profitable and happier. Maybe you like the fact that Benamin Moore stains look nice, and there is a store one mile from your home so it is easy access. Whatever it is, find what makes you YOUR best and stick with it.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Rich,

    As I expected, your thinking is right in line with mine. This probably would have been a better question to just ask a log restoration crowd, but it would not have got many responses. The reason I say that is because there is a vast amount of ways to properly restore a log home, many different types of stains, all which perfom/appear/maintain differently. The deck market has, well, fewer ways to properly do a job.

    With homes, there are a hundred different ways to do things correctly.

    For instance:

    Strip, brighten, TWP (basically what everyone does to their decks)

    Strip, brighten, BUFF, TWP

    Cob, borate, TWP

    Cob, borate, sand, TWP

    Cob, borate, three coat waterbase

    Cob, borate, buff/sand, three coat waterbase

    (etc. etc., etc.)

    There is nothing wrong with any of these methods, all will look different and weather differently, and be maintained differently.

    Where it gets tough, is trying to sell this idea. "Here are your five choices for a job."

    "homeowner: which will last the longest?"

    "Depends on what kind of maintanance you want to do"

    "Why should I pay more for sanding, blah, blah, blah"

    I was just curious if others offered a tiered approach. I've tried it and been unsuccessful, and nothing short of confusing to the customer. Now I just look at the job and determine what is the best thing for that SPECIFIC job, when looking at the desired appearance, what kind of maintenance they want to do, the value of the home, the customers "perfection" level, etc.

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