Beth n Rod

This could also be the beginnings for some of a business plan. Our goals are to hire and retain the employees we need to meet the demand we create. This has been the toughest one and due to the "X" factor in other individuals not committed to the same goals as we are it is a challenge to say the least. We understand beforehand that the employees are not going to have the same drive and commitment as we do but finding those that posses the work ethic, discipline and loyalty to become stable and reliable employees is like the proverbial needle in the hay stack. Believe it or not, we have had better luck in this with citizens who have just moved to the U.S.A. and have a different attitude towards work. 2nd generation and naturalized citizens have the mindset of wanting to be the boss or supervisor and the work we have to do is actually beneath them. I do not mention this lightly as we have talked to so many who have replied to our ad for employment and this is where I draw my conclusions from...experience and in depth Q & A sessions. We have gone so far as to have them fill out a pre-hire questionnaire to help eliminate those who are not qualified from those who have the aptitude. This has made our interviews more productive but still there are those who have learned the art of deception in order to get the job and within 2 weeks begin to show their true colors...Boot~ Overall, we see this goal being integral to our overall success as we need service capable people to provide our services. On we go. Rod!~

You might be a PW'er if you can relate to the posts in this thread! :) Beth

Barry, Do you have a web site yet? Beth

Does it work? Beth

If you think of flying insects and bees as target practice.... Rod!~

If you blow the leaves off of your lawn in the fall with a 40 degree tip... Beth

If you are grooming your kid to be the successor to your business in pw'ing and he is teaching you more than you are him.... He just might be a pw'er. Rod!~

If your back yard has as many garden hose reels and jet nozzles as your rig.... Rod!~

If while you are in a local store buying some brushes and see a customer about to pick up a can of ________ and you quickly make your move and flash a business card and tell them their money would be better spent on ________ ..... Rod!~

If you: speed just to catch up to another pw'ing company to check out the rig... Rod!~

http://forums.techiehq.net/ Tell them Beth at The Grime Scene sent you.... Excellent resource. Beth

Man oh man....don't I wish!!!! :camera: :island: :sunshine: Beth

Welcome to TGS! Beth :groovy3:

He doo'd it, so he get a whippin! :taz: Rod!~

Stain pads are great tools to have. You might also pick up a couple decent china bristle brushes. Get an HVLP sprayer - we user a Decker. The pump up is a nice back-up when the sprayer doesn't work...never hurts to have one, but the HVLP is much faster. Beth

Ipe.... Wood Tux Wet.... Beth

Dealing with questions from a potential customer when you are new is daunting to say the least. In addition to what Ken has posted I will suggest you make available all your credentials and offer any type of explanation regarding each that pertains to any testing, research or education. The state required paraphernalia is also another confidence booster. Rod!~

If you like teasing the neighborhood kids playing with their little squirt guns that you have the best squirt gun...you might be... Rod!~

Ready Seal is easy to apply. It's forgiving in that you won't have to deal with drip marks, lap marks, etc. like you might with other things. We prefer Wood Tux. Both are popular. I can see why RS might be better for a homeowner to apply. If you decide to go with Ready Seal for your own deck, contact www.acrproducts.com and tell them Beth sent you. They are the closest dealer I know of to you off the top of my head. Back to my coffee... :cup: Beth

Sometimes board replacement is the best thing. Depends on the vein and how active and problematic it is. Beth

Thank you Darrell Bell! Thank you David O'Connell! Beth

If you try to mentally calculate the amount of flatwork and wood in a theme park as you spend the day "relaxing"....you might be a PW'er! Beth

We've stripped ATO off in one attempt, less than a year old, shaded deck, used HD-80. It can be done. Brent, excellent call on the mat! :dancing: Beth

Since the VOC compliance formulation changes, C.A.T.O. has become a problem with the mildew growth and flashing upon application with us as well. Before it performed really well and it always gave us a finish that anyone could appreciate. I am not about to go back to Messmer's but we are seriously considering WTW since the formulation seems to be quite similar to what C.A.T.O. used to be. (don't quote me on this, I am not a chemist by any means and do not pretend to be.) We are still deliberating... Rod!~

Larry, cool effect on the 2nd pic. :cool: Jerry, We have a great number of 2nd and 3rd level decks even on single family homes in addition to townhouses. We have to charge a premium due to the difficulty of working on a structure such as these especially the ones w/o stairs involving ladder use. In townhouses where the decks are so close together that you have a great amount of difficulty avoiding the process impinging upon the neighboring ones, it involves a bit more time and masking to complete. As others have mentioned, there are often paver's, brick or concrete patios below them and a garden of sorts with many plants to be protected and that is if they don't also have a pond or other furniture below as well. Most homeowners tend to think just about the deck and don't know about the other factors (pita) that need to be taken into consideration as you work. Informing them makes a good impression and can bend their selection in your favor. But do price yourself higher to cover the additional time on the wash AND the seal visits you will be making to care for their property while you are working on their deck. Once the client knows more about why the price is higher, they may respect it more. ( then again some won't, money is money to them and therefore cannot respect the nature of the business, we let these go) Rod!~