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814jeffw

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Posts posted by 814jeffw

  2. Posted · Report reply

    If brushing keeps the other guy knocked down and keeps my phone ringing then that's what's important. You can only do two jobs a day if the phone is ringing. If your local competitor is brushing and the customer would prefer brushing then that competitor will be eating your lunch. Slow and steady will win the race. You (generally speaking) may be able to do two house in a day but at the end of the month the guy brush washing may have done 15 houses in 15 days and you did 8 in 4 days. In the end though the guy brushing will make more money because he sold a better overall service. That's the point I'm making I guess.

    Jeff

  3. Posted · Edited by 814jeffw · Report reply

    Hi Dan, I've never done it any other way than the way I do it now, so going "back" to brushing isn't an issue with me. As I said, this is not up for debate, do it how you choose. This post was meant to show those struggling with getting work an option for raising the bar higher. And, in my opinion the public in general sees brush washing as a better way of doing it, which in turn raises the bar simply because it looks like you're doing some work to get their siding clean. It can't be disputed with me simply because I know what I've seen and heard over the years. You can tell me all day long that your results are as good as mine, and I won't argue,...but I believe my phone will ring more simply because of what I'm selling. And that's what I'm talking about here, going further than the next guy to get work. Telling them you brush to get the job and then brushing only the pesky spots is deceptive and they may be disappointed in your not being totally honest, and they may not call back next time. Kinda' like the guy leaning the brush in a visible spot and using it enough to say they brushed,...which both of these things lends credence as to what I'm saying with this whole thread. If you want to put a hurtin' on your competition,... start brush washing. I won't argue your method, if your getting lots of work on a regular basis and haven't any real competition then that's great!!

    Just want to add: I invite customers to watch me if they want, simply to show them my method and let them see first hand that I'm not just another guy with a washer looking for the fast buck, and lets face it this business is crawling with guys like that. You have to put yourself noticeably above the others. I don't have to hide my method or use deceptive wording to get work. And I like the customer to see what they're getting. I've changed the whole way the public looks at pressure washing in my area. And it's funny because people start this up every year and think what I do is to much work,but then they kinda' just fade away. They're not willing to do a couple extra hours of work to keep their business.

    Jeff

  4. Posted · Edited by 814jeffw · Report reply

    Yea Rod I agree 100% on the safety issue when the use of ladders is considered, and I'm not saying to risk your neck with a particular landscape, and I have seen some ugly situations myself (not to many though),...I then will just tell the customer the situation as it is. But for 98% of MY jobs ladder use and brush washing is very feasible. But I do understand we live in different environments that call for different measures when it comes to the work we do.

    Jeff

  5. Posted · Edited by 814jeffw · Report reply

    OK, this is for those in this business who may be struggling with getting enough work. First things first though, this is NOT meant to bring on a debate about methods, it is meant to give those who are struggling and want to stay in this business an option for getting more work and also repeat work. Pressure washing outfits seem to be everywhere and they are always competing with each other for the work that a particular area can provide. The best way is to set yourself apart from the others who are doing it, and that means raising the bar a bit. Take yourself out of the "typical" pressure washing business form. Turn into a technician instead of seeing how much money you can make per hour. And in my opinion the easiest way to raise the bar is to start brush washing the entire house. This is not hard when using the proper brushes. Also use ladders when needed, ladders are meant to be climbed on and are very safe when properly used. Go up the ladder and push up screens so you can clean the window area properly. You don't take the pressure wand up the ladder with you, you need a dedicated chemical sprayer with plenty of hose and a stationary chemical tank. The chemical wand is what you will take up the ladder when need be. You rinse from the ground. Brush washing will set the bar way high for the guys your competing with. I know there are those who are gonna say this is senseless and that they can clean with chemicals alone,.... but whether you can clean without doing this is beside the point. The point is public perception, people like to see a brush and soap bubbles, if you look as though your more detailed than the next "pressure washer" you will get the call more likely than not. I even seen on a thread where someone gets a brush out and leans it somewhere noticeable to the customer, just so it looks like they're brush washing. It takes me approximately 3-4 hours on a two story house, ($300-$500) been doing it for 12 years so I have gotten considerably faster from when I started. BUT I set the bar a long time ago and it wasn't on purpose, I've heard it many times over the years from customers and just the public in general,...which is why I like to say "I don't compete with anyone, they compete with me". Washing businesses here come and go,I have a strong customer base and my method makes it hard for those who aren't doing what I do to get much work from me. Again this was meant for those who are having trouble in this business, I guarantee it will help your business. So what if you work a little harder than you figured you were gonna have to. I feel really good about this method and credit it for keeping my business going and keeping others who wash in my zone struggling. You just have to set the bar higher sometimes.

    Jeff

  7. Posted · Report reply

    I think she is also in big trouble for holding someone captive a long time ago, then skipped bail and was identified because of this story. Maybe she should have herself cloned so one could be in jail while the other raised the puppies.

    Jeff

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Man, those beside it look like aluminum siding, with the same issues. We have an Owens Corning plant here in town and I've done a few of those over the years. A couple were actually insurance jobs that Owens Corning had done for the home owners to keep them happy. Trucks in and out all day long!!

    Jeff

  15. Posted · Report reply

    Castrol will probably also liquefy the paint that's on the siding. Don't understand why if the house mix and/or water would make the red ink run,...then why is it sticking to the surface of the siding so bad? When you did your test spot I assume then that the red color came off as well? Maybe the paint you seen smear was oxidation, if so it may not hurt to remove a layer of oxidation to get back down to a better quality surface and remove the red in doing so.

    Jeff

  16. Posted · Report reply

    I'm really surprised the butyl based didn't cut it. Butyl strong enough will remove good paint, I figured if the ink ran from your house wash mix, then the butyl should have cut it,....at least I would have thought. Try a SMALL test spot with some Castrol Super Clean from Wal-Mart. Just put some on a sponge full strength and go at a spot with light pressure. Shouldn't hurt the good paint but just be careful.

    Jeff

  17. Posted · Edited by 814jeffw · Report reply

    Thanks for all the help. I did notice that the paint could be basically scratched off chalky.

    Jeff, butyl based cleaners or oxalic won't damage the paint or siding?

    Not if used at proper dilution rates. If you're not familiar with butyl based just be very cautious. Start with a mix of 1 qt. of something like Castrol Super Clean or Purple Power to 3 qts. water, that shouldn't hurt anything and by looking at the pictures I'd say you're not gonna hurt anything at an even stronger percentage. Test spots. I use oxalic mixed at 1 cup per 5 gallons of water, that won't hurt that siding, but still do a test spot. Butyl based is often used for removing oxidation, just learn to use it.

    Jeff

  21. Posted · Report reply

    This is going to be one of those things that will turn into a religion/politics type argument. Everyone will think that they are correct and no one will give an inch in their arguments. Somewhere there is a happy medium. I think in this situation we all need to see where we are, individually, on the line and allow others to choose their own spot on the line.

    Yea, you're right Scott, I will end it now!!

    Jeff

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Oh gimme a break...You can't afford to buy meat so you hunt? Maybe spend that time washing a couple houses and you could buy meat rather than chasing it, wounded, through the woods? Or are you one of those hunters whose every shot is a kill shot?

    Mike, it's none of your business how I take care of my family. I really don't need a clown like you telling me how to survive.

    Jeff

  23. Posted · Edited by 814jeffw · Report reply

    So ant lives (or bees or deer) are only expendable when it suits our selfish purposes?

    Senseless compared to necessary. And who are you to say what hunting can provide me and my family? Worry about your own damn self!! A lot of you on here need to realize that hunting provides food for a lot of needy people. Just going to the store isn't always an option. I guess a city boy like you wouldn't know anything about that.

    Jeff

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Burning ants is no less cruel to tham than me having to take my 10 year old daughter to a Jonas Bros. concert. I had no clue that 20000 screaming girls between 10 and 15 could be so loud. When we walked out I felt like telling the parents waiting at the gate for their daughters they were cowards. Boy, I wish I would have taken ear plugs.

    And you know whats''s really crazy Scott, is someday you will REALLY miss doing that kind of thing with your kids.

    Jeff

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