Beth n Rod

This is an excellent example of leading with price, which actually is a marketing strategy. However in our industry it seems that there is a stigma associated with it, and rather than being explained in these terms it's usually associated with a deragatory name like lable. There are some markets that due to the nature of the demographics, will only bear this type of strategy. However many markets are mixed. There are many areas that will serve both the strategy of leading with price and the strategy of leading with quality. You can't do both. The most important thing I could possibly stress, is that if you say you are leading with quality and then say you will beat everyone else's price, you are NOT leading with quality you are leading with price. However if you hold your ground and demostrate the reason for the price, you have lead with quality if you get the job. Beth

http://www.cabotstain.com Check out their site to get the most accurate info on the products they list. Beth

Just thought I would pop in on the thread. Only thing I will addis if you are not sure why "low baller" would be offensive....try translating it into any of the below and see if it strikes a nerve. unprofessional but should know better - been doing it a while not taking the work too seriously not your main job no expertise but can run a machine someone new who simply does not know better yet but is learning Any of these could result in being labled a low baller depending on how seriously you take your work and what you put into your education, training and business practices. It's not really a matter of how long you have been working, so much as it is your own...level of satisfaction for the job you do and the price you charge. Some people feel they have to be the least expensive...leading with price is dangerous. You can get stuck leading with price and have a hard time adjusting to economic changes as a result. Lead with quality and you can lower them if need be but probably won't need to. Quality will uphold the price. Beth p.s. time for more coffee... :coffee:

Hang in there Reed! And just remember, you have a whole network of people out here who would support your statements in a heartbeat I'll bet. Let us know if you need anything. Beth & Rod

Between the two for a solid, I think Cabot has a nice line of colors. Beth

Please call the office if you have any questions concerning specific product availability. You can reach us toll free at 1-877-426-9274. Beth

Yeah, Tony just said it doesn't matter. Dale is the one that said Jon's and old fart. I don't think Jon's an old fart. You're only as old as you feel - or think you are. Beth

When it comes to application, we dont skimp on the protective plastic. We use 8' high pre taped plastic and tape it at the bottom with a continuous tape to hold it all on the siding. We also will clamp 4mil plastic under the deck to protect the siding there too. This minimizes the amount of clean up time we spend and the customers appreciate it too. On average, the cost is about anywhere from 4.00-25.00 per job depending on if we are reusing the 4mil which may have only minimal sealer on it and is still viable for use to cover other areas. Rod~

2 coats minimum. Older wood may need many more coats to get any good result. Rod~

I apply and rinse at an angle the has the pattern repelling just before the opening. The best way I have to clean the actual vent is to apply the product over the vent and let it run down. Then rinse in the same manner. Just like rain. Rod~

Wood Tux is not easy to remove once it dries. It has a really wonderful resin system, which makes the product very durable. Make it a habit to clean as you apply and get it off when wet. The HD-80 should work. How strong did you mix it? Also some vinyl siding it will absorb a bit. You need to RUB RUB RUB to get it out. Mix it at 8 oz to the gallon. Rod wants to know what color the siding is also. He said some colors such as white are a real pistol to clean since everything will show up. Be aware that you may see a shadow on the siding from the oils. On the concrete, you can strip that too. Post a pic if you have one. Hang in there. Tomorrow is friday! Beth p.s. Seymore, what do you mean strong chems will take the paint off vinyl siding? Vinyl is plastic - it's molded into the siding. Do you mean aluminum?

We're pleased to announce as Distributors for Extreme Solutions products, that we're ready to set up our Dealer Channel. What does this mean? It means opportunity is knocking and YOU have a chance to answer the door and take advantage of a great opportunity. Have you thought about stocking products for your local area? Just think... HD-80 EFC-38 Citralic Wood Tux Hangtime Da Booster! and MORE! Contact us directly for details about how you can become an ESI Dealer. But don't wait, because these territories are going fast! This does require you to stock product, and serious inquiries only, please. Beth & Rod :groovy3: :groovy3:

:bullistic The secret about why Jon doesnt want to retire is that he has too much fun shooting at all the tourists in California. Water that is~~~~~~~>:whoops: :seeya: Rod~

Montgomery County Maryland has some of the finest public schools in the Nation. People move here so the kids can attend them. I used to work for a software company whose VP moved out here for that very reason. Thought I would mention that in case schools were a factor. Beth

Alan, You're welcome here any time. Be glad to go over wood care and just hang out with you. So is all this just talk or are you serious? If I were you, I would look not only at the cost of living, but at the growth rate for the area as it's relative to the housing market. Look at the ROI for the home sales over the last...5 years and 10 years, and even as recently as say.... 2 years. You're looking for a sharp upturn in home values and a rapid growth. THAT is where you want to be. We are in the thick of that in Maryland in many places. You'll find it in Virginia, and in NC for sure, look at Raleigh for example. Atlanta is another fast growing city. I hear many good things about some places north of us like Pa, NJ, and NY but I am not as familiar with the growth there. Contact realtors in the areas you are interested in looking into. Tell them you are considering a move and get them to get the above info. Any good realtor can get that info. It's a matter of public record at this point, and most of the good ones keep that data handy for long distance movers. If Maryland is of interest to you, I'll put you in contact with our realtor. Have used her for many years in our family, and she's excellent. Beth

A sodium hydroxide based stripper (HD-80 is one) will remove the paint on aluminum siding if you are not careful, yes. Use it gently, quickly, and rinse very thoroughly and neutralize so you stop the reaction on the paint. Best of luck to you! Beth :groovy:

Take him out the front door to the front yard???

If you are staying in Alexandria check out the shops and restaurants in Old Town. If you feel like venturing south, you can catch a vinyard in Orange Virginia. There are some good B&B's there too. If you are doing the museum thing don't miss the Air & Space museum. It's great. See one of the movies there. If you like crabs, drive out to the inner harbor in Baltimore and eat on the water, maybe even see the aquarium while there. Don't hang out in DC at night. Do eat dinner in Bethesda, Md. Take the Metro. There is an area of Bethesda called Woodmont triangle. More restaurants than you can shake a stick at. The only place to hang out in DC at night is Georgetown, but the kids will be too young to get in to anything except restaurants. (lots of night life there) Have a blast.

Chad, For vinyl siding try the following, depending on what you have in your arsenal and how long the stain has been on ther and what type it is. 1. Goof Off 2. Easy Off oven cleaner (same premis as using a stripper) 3. HD-80 if you have it, then neutralize it If it was still wet, I would use a degreaser. Keep a bucket of degreaser solution and a few rags with you on all sealing jobs. For aluminum, if it's wet, use a degreaser. If it's been there a day or more and is hardened and cured - forget it. Degreaser will not remove it. Dried stain or sealer on aluminum siding is tricky simply because you have to use the same items described above but with a slight variation...lots of water and a fast hand after a short dwell time. We have used HD-80 on aluminum siding to remove stain and sealant, but not at full strength, and not for long, and keep it wet as you work. We make it a habit to remove the prior companies mess when we get a job. One time we were able to help a couple who had a choice, either replace the siding, or remove the stain, and they had to go to settlement. We removed the stain and saved them tons of money. They were thrilled! Beth :groovy3:

Hey everybody! Dale's B-Day is the 4th of July! He's got firecrackers on his cake, not candles!

Alan, We love Maryland. If your dart lands anywhere on the east coast and you want to learn to do woodcare, look us up. We'll be glad to help you learn about it. You probably know more from being online than you think... Beth & Rod

Hey Scott, You and the family are welcome to visit if you like. Come hang out on the deck, and we'll fire up the grill if your schedule allows. If not, hope you have wonderful weather and a great time. Beth

Wash, neutralize, and reseal the area, and break the dog of the habit. Get him to go off the deck into the yard.....

Hey thanks, and to you too Dale! Hey everybody! Dale's B-Day is the 4th of July! He's got firecrackers on his cake, not candles!

The tannin gives the wood its color. Too much brightening will lighten the color. It draws the tannin out of the wood. Does the same thing with CCA in PT pine for example.