CleanPortland

I had a client last year that would not pay for months and it was a small gutter cleaning job $250. What we did and have done for other clients is to write a letter with an invoice letting them know that they have 30 days to pay and the next time that they are contacted it will be by a collections agent... if they care about their credit they will most certainly pay immediately. I have not had to go to the point of putting a lien on a house but that would be my next step. Good Luck!

We have definitely been effected by the economy, fortunately during the start-up we focused on the more affluent market. They have been hit hard but want to see us succeed so are not cutting out our services. We did lose a lot of clients that we have done work for in the past b/c they could not afford it, but we were able to triple our business from 2007. We are however a fairly young company and just getting established in out area. We lost 40% of our Christmas light clients but made it up with new clients that will lead to more work throughout the year. Hopefully things will turn around in 2009.

I was wondering how many people, hang lights on here. I know that it has been a very good business for me and allowed me to expand in to other areas of pressure washing and deck refinishing. It has definitely gotten us some huge clients, 10 - 20k per year...

Scottwash, We advertise all of our services using Servicemagic.com, if you don't use them I highly recommend it, using them alone we tripled our business this year. This year we also advertised in Portland Home magazine, through affluent living marketing out of San Diego, CA. Chris, We get our lights online, I currently have some overstock that I would like to sell at our bulk rate. We charge anywhere from $2-$3 per foot to hang, service, and remove. We only service if the client calls with an issue. We supply all extension cords, lights, clips, timers, and anything else to get the job done properly. We keep the lights, store them, with maps to the houses so that it is easier and faster to put them up the second year and beyond, and we charge the same amount.

We supply everything, we started by just hanging them but ran in to too many issues with customers not having enough supplies. We lease everything and store them under our house in our garage. By leasing we have found that you can make much more. We buy in 1000 foot spools and custom fit them to the homes. If a client decides not to use you in the future, you have those lights to put on other houses. It is however controlled chaos at this time of year.

I post regularly on craigslist, not in hopes of getting consistent work, but to help drive traffic to my website. I have only got a few jobs from craigslist but one or two jobs is worth the two minutes a week I spend posting the free ad. You will definitely fail if this is the only way you advertise.

I can see how this is a good concept but by the time you set it up, clean up the mess and pull it out and take it to the next gutter I'm not sure that there will be too much time savings. We us the "Gutter Cleaner" Spoons on poles to pull all the debri to us and pull it out. saves a ton of time and clean up the mess as we move the ladder every twenty feet. Works well for us. ....Off to clean gutters on five houses today

Dane, A 50' towable should be sufficient. We just finished cleaning a new Dicks Sporting goods that had atrium windows in the center. It is lightweight and easily manouverable but they are a lot slower to use and move than the large gas lifts. You must make sure to put Plywood under the legs. Make sure that you get paid for the time it takes to get the lift in/out, and set up to move it around. We got our lift for around $250 a day I believe. Feel free to call or email me with any questions. These types of jobs are large, I under-priced the job but know what it takes now.

I just received a quote of $52.66 for 5 gal 12.5%. Then asked about a 55gal drum said $0.20 per pound. Does anyone know what SH 12.5% weighs?

I have someone that just contacted me that would like to get some pricing and information on having his Deck Cleaned and Sealed and I am unable to work in Washington due to our licensing being limited to Oregon. If there is anyone that would like to bid this job or knows of anyone Please let me know. Authenticimpressions@msn.com Thanks, Matt Mills

Carlos, I would love to have a copy of these forms. I am currently looking on expanding. authenticimpressions@msn.com Thanks, Matt

I have to complete a bid for cleaning the dryer vents, where would I find one of these machines to purchase or rent, and what is fair bid for something like this. I have a three story condominium project that is 21 buildings 93 units. any more information would help. Thanks

If interested in getting in to the holiday lighting business let me know. I might be able to give some helpfull information. I started 3 years ago and rapidly turned it in to my largest business.

We have been fortunate, we do all kinds of property maintenance and have, dispite the nasty weather, have had a couple roofs cleaned, and a property that we cleaned about 10000 sq ft. of concrete, have painted the house, are waiting for break i the rain to paint the shop and stain the deck and fence..... not a bad start to the season. Looking forward to getting the weather to catch up on two houses to paint and large decks to refinish left over from last year. Apparently we are the only people in this area with this kind of luck. By the way, what are you all getting to refinish decks, and do you have a product that you have been particularly fond of? I have tried several products and have yet to be very impressed.