dpaull

I could be out in left field here, but I'm thinking residential that is done infrequently $.30 per square foot? Commercial $.10-$.15 per square foot with some type of contract...maybe twice a year or so? Thanks.

Anyone else tried emailing some estimates out today with quickbooks? It isn't working for me, although it worked in the past. Is there any way to create a .pdf file directly from the program and send that through my own email? -- I have QuickBooks Simple Start 2007 (the $99 dollar one) Thanks.

Oh wow Ron, that's some good info. I haven't tried that feature yet, but I'm sure it will be useful in the future.

I may need to talk to my accountant...not sure... Anyway, I'm not digging my business name anymore, DP Pro Wash. I'd like to start a new company, but I've purchased thousands of dollars of misc. equipment...not sure how that works. Can DP Pro Wash sell that to my new company for the exact amount it would take to "break even" on the books and have 0 income, and 0 loss? Obviously this sucks for me as I have business cards, T-shirts, vinyl signs, advertisements, and a bunch of other stuff going already like a domain name, etc. My phone number will be the same, so my customers will be able to get ahold of me still. Technically DP Pro Wash has only existed for about 7 months now so it's not like I'd be losing a whole lot of "built up credit" or anything, right? -- I plan on going into the asphalt and concrete industry...and using a "bigger sounding" name ... I just worry about people wondering why the hell they're getting asphalt done or concrete poured by "DP Pro Wash" -- kind of just seems like you wouldn't want "Joe's Heating and Cooling" to come and paint your house or something... And no offense but people around here just don't take pressure washing seriously. 90% of my gross income has been through other work that I've noticed is in need in my area along the way. That make sense to anyone? Any advice, knowledge, or anything would be appreciated.

hrmm good call Ron...so DP Pro Wash can actually run a DBA ... I'm going to have to look into that. Thanks.

Oh and by the way, I don't want anyone to think DP Pro Wash was a failure or that my planning or implementation failed in any way. I originally wanted to get going, see what's out there, offer as many different services as possible, keep my attention to detail higher than the competition, with the best customer service possible, which I have done without a doubt. Then I wanted to re-group and specialize in a specific area or field...and the time has come, well for next spring anyway, and it just so happens to require a name change if I want to be on top of the game.

With a 500 gallon water tank, you're looking at getting a dual axle, enclosed trailer. Something with dual 3500 pound axles, making the GVW of the trailer 7,000...and you'll be pulling every bit of that with 500 gallons. 500 gallons = 4,000 lbs. 50 gallons = 400 lbs. Equipment = 1,000 lbs. Trailer weight itself = ~2,000 lbs. so there you're at 7400 lbs already... You need to be thinking 3/4 ton...Suburban or Excursion if you must get an SUV. I wouldn't even want to tow 7400 lbs with my 5.4L F150 with a longer wheel base to be honest. -- Why do you need 500 gallons? Your best bet would be a nice used 3/4 or 1 ton diesel with under 100k on the odometer to pull that.

Oh hey don, check out Boxer Forums » Boxer Dog Forum and Community for Boxer Dogs

So that's where people in Cali go on vacation...Canada. See, I'd be headed to the keys or Cancun or something like that anyway. But yeah, congrats on 15 yrs.

Wow that's it in the pics and it's 4 years old? That's in really good shape...you take good care of your equip.

Nice Don, boxers are great...the best breed I've ever owned...energetic, playful, they tend to know their boundaries, and can test you from time to time because of how smart they are. Extremely good around kids and people, and when needed, will put their life on the line to save you. Anyway, here's my little guy...Ares, 4 years old... Neither of her parents were white, were they? If you have any boxer questions, give me a ring buddy.

Sounds like there may be a problem with the engine getting fuel somehow...If it's run by a fuel pump, I'd say start there. If it's a carb where the vacuum feeds the fuel to the carb, then I'd say you have a vacuum leak. Basically it's running until the fuel that's sitting in the carb is used up, then it stops. It doesn't sound like anything with the carb, but it probably wouldn't hurt to get a rebuild kit...sometimes if a gasket in the carb bowl is leaking, it can cause it to not get fuel. That's my guess...not great with small engines, but I've fixed enough...I'm normally better when I can play with the engine in person though.

Just curious how the winter is for you all down there. I realize things slow down but I'm sure commercial is always hopping and never really come to a complete halt. Anyway, my friend and I are tossing around the possibility of heading down for the winter to see what happens. He does mainly seal coating and line striping and I've been doing it with him, so we'd be looking to move that operation down there for the winter... Anyone happen to know how that works in your particular area during the winter...things still booming, commercial-wise or residential-wise? It's either that or just go on a few cruises or maybe head to Cancun to check out some white sand and rest...we haven't decided yet.

Yeah, thanks. Yeah I know where Stubenville is...Out near Robinson, right? Maybe up 22/30? -- I'd look into plowing, but I know the businesses around here all open at 7AM and there's no way I'm getting up at 5 to have them cleared by 7...just not me lol. Plus, I only have a 07 F150, I'd need a F250 or 350 to plow I would assume. I thought about residential snow removal, but I've heard some pretty bad stories about guys getting sued because technically you're supposed to be making their surfaces clean and slip-free, and insurance companies may consider this "bad workmanship" and not cover it...not sure if it's something I'd feel like getting involved with. I regret buying the F150 just about every day. Of course it's decked out, moon roof, FX4 package, and so on...coulda bought a decent F250 for the same price and maybe got manual windows, etc...oh well, live and learn. -- I've actually got a huge run coming up for about 20 days straight I'll be out working. From New York, Mass, PA, DC, and NC...I figure I can either sit pretty for the winter or invest in something, just not sure what yet.

Around here, you can find little hotels that are like $199 a week and so on...they have little places like that down anywhere near you guys?

yeah...sounds good...We've got a couple larger pwashing contracts down in NC coming up in October...plan on seeing how that goes...maybe take a detour and try to secure some seal coating work. I just wonder how the mom and pop shops are down there as far as seal coating and line striping goes. Around here, if you can still make out something that slightly resembles a parking spot, most don't even want to think about it. I hate that...if I had a brick and mortar business, I'd be all about making it look good.

Nah no synthetic oil for my small engines. Just something decent like Castrol. I use Mobil 1 in my truck though (7 qts killing me lol). -- And I wouldn't use ND. The detergents in the oil help to suspend the "junk" in the oil...with ND, the harmful deposits deposit themselves on the engine components instead.

I always hold my gun open when starting also...or have someone else do it.

I dunno about that. I know that I used the Free edition for a long time and it worked perfectly. As soon as I purchased the product, it stopped working. You mean to tell me I purchased quickbooks, and now my email capabilities are going to run out? The program is so complicated anyway...worst $99 I spent. I was better off keeping track of everything in a notepad and printing invoices from office as .doc's, at least I knew where to look for stuff.

Sweet thanks guys...I got one made up. Strange quickbooks wasn't working. So much for the 30 days support and the guarantee that they'll call you back in a half-hour... I spend $99 on the product and 5 hours later no call lol...Thank God for helpful people on message boards.

Someone hook me up with a frubal, thanks.

So I did four decks this year with Wolman's F&P...two of the four are looking rather pitiful. I don't think I'll use this stuff ever again. Anyone else?

I registered for there a few months ago...haven't gotten anything yet though.

Just wondering if anyone else has any dogs or pets. I just picked up a Boxer who is 4 years old today from a family that just had a baby and couldn't keep him anymore. I ended up driving about 3 hours to get him, but it was worth it...I had a Great Dane for 8 years but he had a problem with his intestines and died. Anyway, here's my new dog...4 years old, his name is Ares (like the greek god)... Feel free to post your pets up.

lol I have no idea. I know mine is fearless. He used to be a fighting dog, but was rescued. So he has some scars but other than that, he's great. I use positive reinforcement training methods to teach him only...Mine got away at the park one day chasing a deer...He tried to hump a German Shepherd ... he's a beast.