Beth n Rod

Cabot's Australian Timber oil. Look in the forum called The Scrap Book here. There are examples. Beth

Now THAT's more like it! Thanks for sharing it. :cool: Beth

One of the biggest costs that we have had to pass on is the cost of insurance. People have argued that the costs havent risen that much to justify my prices, but I dont feel like giving them a company report over the past years to help them understand the increases. Thats involving them in our business where its a need to know basis and they dont need to know. Gas prices are undeniable at this point. Especially diesel! The one fuel that is the least expensive to produce has now surpassed premium gas. Back to our topic. Rod~

We have some really great responses here and I think I can safely say that for the most part we are on the same page. The differences in all of us are coming together to define a lowballer. So far it reads, A lowballer lacks integrity, committment, training, experience, communication skills, and responsibility. A lowballer is rarely in business more than a season or two. A lowballer impacts the industry negatively by impressions left behind and the results they produce are not always appreciable. A lowballer skews the pricing and creates a stigma of contempt towards the contractor in general by the public the rest of us are trying to serve honestly. Beth started this thread to find out if we start as lowballers. It's a very good question and I think the contributions by all here have given a diverse amount of insight into this. We all start out a little low on our prices. But what sets us apart from the lowballers? Professionalism? Ethics? Morals? Common sense? The way we progress in business and grow? I think this is something that belongs to all of us to decide. After all, we are creating a standard here that others can follow. For anyone who has been reading and has yet to respond, please do so now, this affects you too! :) Rod~

Sikkens cetol will give it a gloss. First apply acetone to the surface and within 15 minutes apply the product. The acetone causes the natural resins in the wood to emulsify temporarily so that once the resin re-solidifies, the product will better bond to it. Rod~

More like a lustre.

Happpy happy Birthday birthday!!!!

On hardwood I suggest Cabot's Australian Timber Oil. Beth

Sometimes people go with a lower price one time, and then regret it and you get them the next time. We have had that happen. Also we have heard about competitors on the street who seem to make it a mission to learn a competitor's price so they can undercut it by a few pennies and snag the customer. To them I say, put your price on the table, discuss your service, and may the best contractor get the job. The two are not synonymous. Beth :soapbox:

1st unit: 150' supply 200' x 2 high pressure 150'reserve 2nd unit: 225' supply 200' high pressure Rod~

The main problem about 'lowballers' aside from the common reality that we understand they are novices, is that for established companies who have higher costs associated with doing business, they are left to contend with the dilema of perception in the eyes of the consumer. Lowballers skew the perception of cost and make it hard for those who's operating expenses are higher, to justify them to the client who is only interested in getting the best bang for their buck. Not everyone understands the axiom "you get what you pay for". This doesnt mean that everything is priced through the roof, but being priced competitively, ensures that no matter who gets the job, the job is profitable. For example: When people want a job done and a lowballer lets them expect it to cost $150 when the majority of other contractors would charge $300+ because of operating and mobilization expenses such as; fuel costs, payroll, insurances, taxes, etc. There is no profit left in the job. Added to the fact is the more established contractor will have the dilema of trying to convince the client why they should pay them 300 vs 150 for the lowballer which is going to be a difficult road for many including myself. Realizing that a major portion of our market is the average client who's income is in the average bracket (ambiguous for the sake of regional differentiality, but representational of the majority of clients many of us have) doesnt much care for your operating expenses and cannot readily justify the price. They are thinking of the money they are saving. Not the potential damage or the lack of insurance of the lowballer they are considering hiring. Mentioning these points to a prospect after the fact can come accross as bashing and may be seen as a hard sell tactic. Regardless of the fact that the lowballer may not be around for the next service or that they may do a bad job and it reflects on the industry as a whole, lowballers create another hurdle for those who have to contend with the conditions they created and the quality obtainable because of the condition that may not be reversable, and justify those costs to the client. Perception is now becoming a negative one. By raising consumer awareness of the potential for lowballer campaigns, we can help avoid the uphill battle and keep the pricing competitive and lessen the lowballers capability of ruining the profitability in our business we have worked so hard to establish. Consider these points to bring up in a consultation: We are insured (liability, workmans compensation, vehicle and equipment) We are licensed. 'X' # years experience in providing quality workmanship, service and repeat business. Certification(s) obtained and referrence to the issuing organization. References and photos Note also, Pricing surveys by posters here on TGS help us all to understand the market in relation to our area so we can price accordingly. When the pricing is in a closer range among area service providers, say .05%-.10% (for the purpose of example), then we are talking more in the realm of company specific costs. The consumer is then left to consider the more important things like quality, product, service, experience and if applicable, warranty! I stick to my prices. People will try to negotiate or haggle anyway. I go straight to the point if they do. I will ask if someone else is giving them a lower price and if so, what are they getting in comparison. I have rarely found anyone giving more for less, comparatively, to the regular services we already provide. This is competitive. We have often been told that we are higher than most others and that being the determining factor in their decision to hire us. But not everyone is a smart shopper or values the 'get what you pay for' axiom. There are so many variables other powerwashers accross the country have to contend with that I would not say this is the only solution. I would only propose it as a guideline for referrence. But the one thing I do hold true is, educate the client. We are in a young industry that is not widely realized, so the ground work must be laid for all of us to be supported on. And lets not forget the diversity of those who live in areas that are not so affluent and wealthy. I hear the struggle is tough. Rod~

Henry - Post a recipe. Or at least start a poll about cookies..... ;) Beth

Mike was also asking 'How much'. Please include in your response. Thanks. Rod~

Consider a Sprinter Van. 28k+ We have loaded it with a hydrotek 8gpm/3000psi 2 gun machine, 225 gallon tank, stack of 3 hose reels (1 fill, 2 pressure) and plenty of room for other items. Total load capacity is just under 2 tons. We are around 1000lbs without water in the tank (add 1800lbs when full). In the setup you mentioned with a smaller tank, you may very well have enough room to do maintanance. It also depends on how you situate the equipment. Plus, in the winter, your equipment is protected. I have a 1/3 ton ranger with a hydrotek hot water unit in it and the springs are maxed! Just a side note for your consideration. Anyone else? Rod~

Using the icicles as lawn darts! :lol: Rod~

You all are amazing in the different ways you look at things. This is great posting. Rod~

Hi Rick, Bill3752, and any others who have yet to post in this thread. Great to see you contributing here and we all look forward to more. The one thing I would like to point out to all who are new to this industry is this: We all come from different walks of life and have had different experiences which helps us to approach things in a different way. Not everyone does everything the same way all the time. Keeping this in mind, your contributions are valuable here to all. And for those who have a few years under your belts, please keep an open mind concerning differences. They exemplify who we are and the community we all can share here. This also helps us gain an understanding of other points of view. Its a very diverse place here on TGS. We are proud of it! For anyone who cares to contribute to the poll or this thread, Please, be our guest! :) We welcome your response. Rod~

Hi Mike, Well, it depends on your business. Some folks shut down till spring and spend time rejuvenating themselves. Others offer other services that keep them busy all through the winter months. It's also commonly a time to do machine and equipment maintenance and to evaluate your operation. What did you do well, where were the hiccups and what can you do to improve your services? Hope this helps. :) Beth

We have done ice dam removal in the 20's using hot water. Not many people remembered to winterize their hose bibs. yep,yep,yep, lots of ice after we were done and it was full of gutter trash too. Looked really yucky on the snow and ice covered ground. But the gutter was clean! :) Rod~

Do you have a favorite holiday tradition? Share it here. Over the years I have heard various traditions that families have. For example, one friend puts up the live tree on christmas eve, goes to mass with the family, then comes home and opens all the gifts. Another friend still uses real candles on the tree. Do you have any traditions? :lghohoho:Beth:lghohoho:

Tim, I will email you privately with a password. Beth

Winterizing tips here... http://www.thegrimescene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=862&highlight=winterize

Please vote. After all, you clicked....

I think that a person can come across as professional, carry him or herself well, and be newer or less financially solvent. Many years ago I met and did business with a man who removes a large tree and stump from my mother's property. This man came and met with us, drove up in his personal car which was not new but was clean. He wore clean neat clothes even though he didn't have a uniform. He carried himself well, spoke clearly and didn't use slang. He took the time to listen, and to answer questions and explain things. Turned out he was a part timer, and a teacher. He worked with high school students who needed vocational training, and was very dedicated to helping young men in the community. He got the job and is one of the top people I have ever had a hand in hiring. He made sure to use the correct tools for the job, and he knew his craft. Do I think you are less professional if you are new and don't have capital? No. But I think you have to ask the person in the mirror if you are ready for the challenge. Beth

Not necessarily. If a deck is really, really large you can lower the cost per sq. ft. but then again, depending on the deck and what needs to be done, you might not want to do that. We are not the least expensive, but we have quite a bit of expereince in stripping, two-tone, and other complex jobs and we don't want to do a job below a certain point. Always remember you best know your costs, such as insurance, equipment, labor and materials (etc). What you may have for expenses vs. your competition can vary. To me it doesn't make sense to measure just the floor. You can have alot in lattice, supports, and rails. We roll everything. The summer of '03 I spent two hours with a couple estimating a job. I rolled all 3,000 sq ft of decking. They wanted a very complex two-tone job. The underside (elevated deck) was to be white, the top floor california redwood, the rails white, with trim around red benches in white. I took my dear sweet time and when all was said and done they went with it on the spot. Two tone...no discount, in fact it was far higher in cost. It had to be, due to the labor and time. Had I rolled only the floor, we would have lost a very substantial amount of money. The deck wrapped around three sides of the house, and went from ground level to one story up. (three story home in the back) Lattice wrapped around the entire deck. The deck had three sets of stairs, a ramp and a bridge. A coy pond was beneath it, and also had frogs and expensive statues, a bar and elaborate brick work. The floor would not have been anywhere close to a correct estimator. There was as much in rails and lattice as floor. If you encounter a ground level deck with no rails on the other hand, sure...just measure the floor. :cool: You should be good to go. :cool: Beth