Beth n Rod

Well, one could get a bit deterred by this kind of thing but if you didn't tell the guy you charge for being asked to come and do a job and then are turned away then its not really his fault either. His reply to "the other day it was $XX.XX, take it or leave it!" leaves me the impression he had no concept of your times value especially since they asked you to come out and then turn you away and you let them do it without a charge. I learned this from plumbers who inform you up front there is a charge just to come show up at your door and inspect the problem. Then you have to pay for whatever service and supplies/parts are needed...on top of that. Next time, I suggest you incorporate something similar into your verbage and have them sign off on it so that you don't get jerked around. Since you are past the negotiation stage and you have empowered your customer by not specifying any terms or conditions to cover such an incident, I suggest you leave it. Puts you in a stronger position if he decides he still wants you to do the work. Others may disagree but right now you are down 2 trips without making a dime by your own hand. Rod!~

I see it

Crews Use Helicopter, Boat to Rescue Stranded Motorists|ABC 7 News We had a 66" pipe burst not that far from us. Look at the flow from this. Thank God everyone was OK. Beth

Hey Scott.... Sure. Email me! Beth

Remember, heck how can I forget! Yeah there were times when alcohol got in the way but the rest of the time was pretty vivid....although, there may be a couple of things I'd like to forget. I met some pretty strange people on the road. Rod!~

This may sound obvious but I don't shoot at the window. We will wash above and below but will not aim anything into the widow section. The wash water running down from above mostly runs down the screen (if one is present) otherwise, it will splash on the window sill like a rain does but if you wash to direct the flow to either side from above, it is minimal. I don't like to waste a trip either and if the situation makes it one that you must directly clean the window, then I would re-schedule and charge them a trip fee. Rod!~

Echo what Jimbo says.... also when we call them the day before, we make sure to tell them all windows and doors need to be firmly closed to prevent water intrusion. That seems to help. Beth :cup:

Your site is looking good! Nice job! Beth ps... best way to get damage shots I know of is to take a camera with you on estimates, or look through your before shots on jobs you have done. There is often damage...

Which one were you? All I got are photos taken by some friends during some of our events. Too poor for much else but damn it was fun! :bandplay: Rod!~

:lol: ...not surprised at all!...:lol: Git 'er dun! Beth

I'll believe it, when I see it. Today - there is not a product worth a spit that will do what many did prior to 2005. What is in the future doesn't get the deck sealed today. I have also NEVER been a fan of acrylics on horizontal surfaces.... Beth

It comes to the same really, since a lack of porosity means a coating will not adhere well, nor will it penetrate well. It is far too dense a species. Sure you can apply a film like Sikkens but when it fails it fails like a champ and is costly and time consuming to fix. You can apply a penetrating oil, but it will not have the same life as it would on say PT wood. But you just can't beat the look and durability of the wood. We can't base it on what is no longer for sale post-VOC law changes or what will soon go away...what has he got as an option in his state today, and what will be an option in future years...and how green does he want to be.... Beth

If it is that low to the ground, anything forming a film is completely out of the question. Be prepared to care for it annually if the look is important to you, if it is not covered like a porch.... You purchased a very dense long lasting wood, it will outlast the logs on your home. But the trade off is finishes....well, they just don't perform due to a lack of porosity. Beth

Stone Maintenance Technician (SMT) Certification Seminar (IICRC) 277 Pilot Rd. - Las Vegas , NV - Jan 29 & 30 This two-day “Hands-On” course, covers proper procedures, products and equipment needed to identify, clean, maintain and restore all common types of stone, marble, granite, ceramic, concrete, and terrazzo flooring found in commercial and residential properties. Stone and tile cleaning and maintenance are profitable add-on’s for janitorial and carpet cleaning companies. In most areas, billing rates for tile work start at $1.50 per square foot and go to as high as $15.00 to $25.00 per foot for granite restoration. This is income that is available to most cleaners for the asking with new and existing customers. The course prepares attendees to take the IICRC SMT certification exam on day two of the course. Day 1 Stone Identification & Inspection Equipment, Chemicals & Supplies Cleaning & Sealing Stone & Grout Ceramic & Clay Tile Cleaning Concrete & Terrazzo Care Stone Maintenance Procedures Stone Restoration Procedures Day 2 Spot & Stain Removal Repairs, Inspection & Troubleshooting Safety, Health & Liability Industry Resources Pricing & Production Rates Marketing Your Services IICRC Cost: The cost to attend the seminar is $375.00 per person. In addition, there is a $50.00 fee that must be paid to the IICRC if you take the certification exam on day two. For More Information or to Register: Contact: Cleaning Consultants P.O. Box 1273 Seattle, WA 98111 Ph: 206-824-4434 Fx: 206-824-4554 Internet: www.cleaningconsultants.com Email: pm@cleaningconsultants.com

When it comes to Ipe' your one best sealing point is the end grain. Use Anchor seal to seal ALL end cuts. This is the part where Ipe' is most vulnerable to moisture loss or intrusion which leads to dimensional changes. Sealing all 6 sides is indeed a good practice especially if you are building the deck with little or no clearance below it. Reason being is moisture obviously but also to help protect it from excessive dimensional changes as the weather goes from wet to dry conditions over a prolonged period which is the demise of finishes in general. Other than that is the problem one will face when it comes time to perform maintenance once the structure is completely assembled and those sides which may be compromised by the chemicals is no longer accessible. Sealing all the sides is a one shot deal and from then on is only as good as you can get to in the future. In regard to your question of will it buy you anything to let all the boards weather is a difficult prospect to predict as one would have to turn the boards on a regular basis to get all the sides to weather effectively. No need to make things any more difficult than they already are...Save yourself the delay and grief; apply a clear sealant to the underside upon installation and let the top side weather for a few months, wash and seal as desired. Rod!~

:lol: In the words of Larry the cable guy: Thats funny no matter where you come from. I am leary of anything these days and feel a bit dismayed at the changes these voc regs have created. Gone are the days of a product last 2-3 years with only the need for a clean and a recoat. Now are the days of 6-18 months with who knows what to expect will be left by then. Call me a skeptic but from what I have seen on decks we went back to, I have good reason to be. We are not endorsing any products at this time until we have had time to evaluate them firsthand. I am encouraged by the experience and performance characteristics of Armstrong Clark products and as you all know we will be posting our thoughts and observations here in the future as we can. So far, it looks good. Rod!~

I have seen this theme come up over the years many times on bbs's. Dan, you are not alone in feeling insecure about sharing ideas and techniques. Whether it comes from you or someone else, the information is already out there and the only thing that beats it is a structured education in business topics. Business management, self motivation, sales, marketing etc. Anyone that has it will do better than those who don't. The lowballers will always have a way in because not everyone can afford much, so despite what anyone would like to think that this economy will be their doom is mistaken. Back stabbers will always be there because the ones committing the acts are desperate themselves. Everyone needs to make money and they will do it however they can. Whether or not you or anyone decides to share information here or anywhere for that matter is fleeting because unless the person obtaining that information is gifted in some particular fashion, without the desire to continually improve and grow the results will be short lived. Some will argue common sense is all that's necessary. Well my friends; common sense is arbitrary and actually quite rare. To be successful, one needs drive, determination and goals. Experience is only as good as the training. I have seen people brag about their experience and yet the results they produced were average at best and the opinions not as favorable. The information derived here on bbs's is not structured or complete. It is literally hodgepodge. Scattered and incoherent in some cases. BBS's are best for networking and sharing tidbits of information because when you stop to think about it, the amount of information needed to even begin a business in itself is considerable. Lowballers and hacks will always be around, not the same ones but others who think they can do what we do but, by taking shortcuts and staying below the radar because they know they don't have what it takes to be legitimate. They will come and go because they have seen something or heard something about how much money there is to be made, they dive in with the expectation of making tons of money easily. Then comes the first complaints and call backs and before you know it they have performed a Houdini and vanish. The equipment shows up somewhere on the net for sale and someone is laughing at how much they saved by taking barely used stuff off of someones hands and the sob story they tell about why they can't continue in this business. Fear not grasshopper, the jungle is full of wiley creatures but you have a purpose and that is where you are strong. Stick to it and care about what you do otherwise it will consume you. Rod!~

Good morning Terry! Happy New Year to you too! :cheers: Beth

Hi Bigragu, Please go to your My Controls and add your signature. Thanks! Beth

Focus Danielson! Practice....Market the business! ;) Great speaking with you also. Beth

...if you install Sikkens DEK - you MUST seal all sides.....according to Sikkens. Beth

I think V-Seal attends too. In fact, I think Jay Tarantino has spoken there before. Beth

Rod here... The regulation stated that manufacturers are not allowed to create formulas that require additional components to be added by the user which would increase the VOC's beyond the limits set by the EPA. ie no formulas that you can add mineral spirits to in order to have a packaged product that is compliant but not usable in its current state without additional regulated ingredients to make it a viable product. Must be user ready. Volatile Organic Compounds http://www.thegrimescene.com/forums/wood-cleaning-restoration-decks-fences-etc/14582-links-voc-regulations-etc.html These links should help. Rod!~

If you have 4 sample boards, place one on each side of the home, different exposures will weather differently. Beth :cup: