Beth n Rod

Sing the song that's in your heart, not the song that's not. Beth

Think what you like. But as you would learn in any business curriculum in college, marketing is the cornerstone. Networking is actually a part of it, sort of connected to both sales and brand image building, and also tied in with social media these days. But as a backbone per se, marketing is a foundation point that encompasses many other areas. Beth

Welcome to TGS Jon. Glad you found us. Beth

Guy, We joined in 1999, to learn and grow and market our wood business. I'm going to emphasize MARKET. I am not going to discuss org politics or get in to the banter that surrounds all of that. We are members, it is part of our MARKETING plan. Beth

John, there are azzhats out there who have nothing better to do than to be negative bullies and who will make it their personal agenda to interfere with anything good that anyone tries to do. IGNORE THEM. If you want to do a nice thing and hold an event, do it. If someone else gets their panties in a wad over it, well they don't have to read the posts, or go to the event. Zero tolerance. Beth

Agreed. We're members of PWNA. PERIOD. Beth

Sorry for the delay in response, been in the middle of remodeling. Maintenance plans are not easy to create because not everyone has the same conditions on their deck and each requires attention according to them. We send out reminders though. Again, these are based upon the product installed and the wood species too. Rod!~

Hi Rick! :-) Beth

I found this article particularly interesting, and enlightening... recurring revenues even more so. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/do_management/article/0,2620,HPRO_20161_4759981,00.html Deck Services Can Help Builders Clean Up By Chuck Ross June 8, 2006—If you're a deck builder looking for new revenue opportunities, the answer may be right at your feet. That new wood deck you're standing on needs to be finished and sealed right away to provide the best protection from damage by sun and moisture. Of more interest to you, though, is the fact that this is a job that will need to be repeated regularly over the finished project's lifespan. Deck pros who aren't offering finishing and maintenance services along with their building business are missing out on both added income and the chance to boost client relationships. "It's a shame; they just leave that money on the table," says Michael Beaudry, who heads up sales and marketing efforts for Oreland, Pa.-based Back To Nature Decks and serves as the executive vice president of the North American Deck and Railing Association. "They go in, they build a deck, and they leave." Finishing and maintenance services are relatively easy to sell. Most clients already recognize that sealing their new decks against the elements is essential to protecting this significant investment. At the same time, because this is primarily recreational space, they want to begin enjoying it as soon as possible. "People aren't fighting you on the subject that it has to be done," says Darrin Haugan, a founder and owner of St. Louis-based Deckor, which began as a deck-washing business and added building services over time. "When we walk off the job, there's nothing they have to do. They can just enjoy their deck. It's kind of our brand." Recurring revenues Deck-treating services also can mean ongoing business for contractors, since wood decks need re-treating every few years. Returning to a satisfied client offers other opportunities, too. "There's just tremendous opportunity for new business," says Beaudry. Despite the possibility for new and ongoing income, adding deck-treating services can pose some challenges for those new to the field. Builders need to train themselves or make sure the workers they hire know what they're doing, or their reputations could become ... well, as stained as an untreated deck after a birthday party for a six-year-old. "There are some risks. If you do a bad job staining, then you are dealing with that for life," Haugan says. "It also extends the amount of time you stay on the job, so there's more opportunity someone may find something wrong with what you're doing." The biggest potential investment for deck contractors exploring this line of work is the purchase of a professional quality power washer, which can run $1,200 to $1,500, Haugan says. It's also crucial for contractors to be trained on this equipment, because incorrect use can damage the deck or cause injuries. NADRA is addressing the issue of training by creating learning opportunities for its members. The association is developing closer ties with the Power Washers of North America professional association, which Beaudry says will be exhibiting at NADRA's 2007 national conference and expo in Las Vegas. Once builders have made the needed investments in equipment and education, the result can be a new revenue stream, providing added income outside the traditional deck-building season. Beaudry provides his own close-to-home evidence of just how helpful deck-servicing dollars can be to a builder's overall bottom line. "I have five kids," he says. "And my three oldest daughters have put themselves through college washing decks."

ACR Products sells all you need to do that with. Beth

^^^^^ What Shane said! Beth

It will get shiny on you. If the excess is not wiped off while it is still wet, it will remain shiny for a while. It will not crack and peel in a horrible way like other film formers will because it has less drying oil in it. Beth

My guess.....we will never know. LOL Beth

WOW!!! It's 2013 already. Seems like it was just the summer of 2012. Where does the time go? Beth

Insurance? Never work without it. LLC? You should talk to a CPA about that. My sense is either form a Corporation in either C or S, or go with an LLC. I would NOT remain a Sole Proprietor. If something goes wrong, you are leaving yourself wide open. Beth

Looking at 14 years here. :-) Beth

If I remember, the order was something like this: Delco forum Dan Flynn's forum (Marc M has it now I think) Ron M.'s forum (he did alot of posting under a false name on Dan's forum before hand, and they had a falling out) Deck Guide by Greg R., and then, within about 3 months I think it was, TGS. That's what I remember..... Beth

I'm still here....... ;-) Beth

Butyl based degreasers work well on cleaning most gutter stains from asphalt. Some however, do not come off due to the paint being damaged and one or two things are the issue. 1. aluminum oxidation. Looks like asphalt issue but appears at the drip edge on the bottom of the gutter. 2. asphalt material has become 'locked' into the paint and doesn't come off without taking paint as well. Rod!~

Many have covered the basics now I will add to the confusion. Mildew does not show up very easily as it is a microbe in the early stages and can start to grow within a few days of installation of any exterior wood structure. If it is not removed beforehand, it will be taken even deeper into the wood upon application of a sealer making it an even harder condition to eradicate. While oil based sealers have a mildew inhibitor, they are not fungicides that actually 'Kill' the microbes. They 'Inhibit' their growth....(another key word) 'On' the surface of coatings. Since the product evaporates, dries or otherwise becomes inactive once the coating cures, it's active time is short and the microbes life can begin to mulitply once this stage is past. Manufacturers like Akzo Nobel (Sikkens), TWP, wolman, Flood and many others all recommend using a bleach formulated cleaner to prep the wood. Bleach is a fungicide and will kill mildew spores, microbes and any root colonies below the substrate of the wood because it it an ingredient that can outlast the life of the cure cycle. Every time moisture is re-introduced into the wood (through any surface cracks, overlays or joint connections that cannot be sealed once built), the bleach is reactivated and continues to work. Now, this is a short term condition because time and UV exposure will eventually get below the substrate and destroy what remains in the wood. Unfortunately, it is also not good for the wood either so the concentration must be kept low as they specify. The mildewcide additives are good for the time the product is curing once you have applied it and left the site. After that, mildew begins to grow. Simple as that. Some coatings provide a less palatable surface once dry making mildew growth more difficult and easier to clean, but! that is still on the surface. You must deal with what has established itself in the woods fibers or substrate. That is where the coatings failures begin in this case and that is what you must impress upon your customers. Rod!~

We didn't login yesterday, but I sure hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Beth

Scott - call me tomorrow. We'll talk more about the correct product. Beth

Happy Holidays Roger and Shane. Best wishes to you and all hold dear. From Beth & Rod!~

Yep. Have seen it many times. If he's gotten splotches after all he did before, he's got to use an acrylic. And I would be fairly liberal with the "conditioner" (clear primer) too.... Beth

Scott - Strip the Bakers off, re-prep the door. Apply a conditioner (see Minwax line or look at other acrylic lines) Apply color coat. Apply top coat. The reason I say this, is that the "conditioner" is going to act as your CLEAR primer coat before the color. This gives you a chance to hide the flaws from the poly and get an even color application. It is also the reason I would stay away from the oils in this instance. Beth