CCPC

I do most mo my estimates for standard house washes and roof cleaning off site. Fortunately I don't have to many guys posing as home owners just to get an idea of what to charge. I have a theory that most of the these jack legs that you all are hearing from are finding your numbers via yellow pages. I don't advertise in the yellow pages anymore, and ever since I stopped; I don't get hardly any of those calls anymore. Most of my new customers find my by way of the Internet, and I'll tell you, the quality of the customers and jobs I'm getting from that avenue are top rate. I hate the yellow pages. Cheap, Cheap, fishing, cheap. When I do get calls like that, and I of course I usually know it's someone fishing for information, I will either call them out, or I'll give them a hugely inflated price on the job in question. I figure if they want to know what they should charge to TRY and do what we do, I might as well give them some lofty goals to meet.

$1.40

I know I've heard people say that adding a little borax to your house wash mix can work as an insect repellent, but I also know that you have to be careful using it because it can easily damage plants if you use it to strong. Or you can call a pest control company to come out and regularly spray the properties.

I've had the doorbell thing happen two times on the same house. Pressure washed it the first time, and the door bell shorted out because of the moisture, and started ringed countinusly. Had to remove the doorbell and disconnect the wire. Came back a year later for a rewash and covered the doorbell thoroughly this time, remembering what happened the last time, but it did it again. Came back a third time for a rewash, and they had installed a new door bell. No problems that time.;) Here's my procedure for covering things: outdoor receptacles: Tape over, unless they have a plastic weather cover on them already. Outdoor lighting: Always ask customers before starting to make sure all outdoor lights and fans are turned off (even ones on sensor) I will cover some lights, if I think it is necessary Outdoor fans: I've pretty much gotten in the habit of always covering ceiling fans with plastic before cleaning. If you don't cover, you can run the risk of damaging them, or at the very least, they will usually start to rust if don't cover them. You'll know this when you come back the next year and the fan is rusting and pealing. Yeah, you did that. Windows: I always look for open windows before I start cleaning a house. I know this one is common sense, but it is easy to miss one here and there until you really get in the habit of looking out for it. Cars: I always evaluate which way the wind is blowing when I arrive on a job, and then see what cars my be in the path of my over spray. If I see one that is a problem, I will alert the neighbor, and ask that they move their vehicle for its protection. They usually appreciate that. Anyone ever get a homeowner that doesn't seem to realize it's not a good idea to walk out through a door that you are cleaning right around it? "Uh Mame, that's bleach that's falling all over you, I hope those are old clothes your waring."

Our grandparents generation probably would be parked out in front of Washington right now. They were the last generation that understood what this country is all about, and took action when it was needed.

Sounds like you have to focus your internet marketing efforts and SEO on multiple cities and townships. I do the same thing, but my main focus is geared towards Jacksonville because it is obviously the biggest market for me, and it yields the biggest ROI of my time. I have other smaller areas that I hit pretty hard because of the wealth in those areas, like Ponte Vedra Beach (home of TPC at Sawgrass) Very rich area with the most concetrated wealth in North Florida.

I would say if you don't have any skills in web design, better to pay someone who does, but you have to be careful on who you hire. I see a lot of really nice websites, but with horrible on page optimization. the other side to this coin is that I'm a big believer in expanding one's horizons, and it never hurts to learn something new if you have the time to do it. I feel that if you know a little about something, you at least know what to look for when hiring a pro to do it. I had some skills with web design before I got into this business, but had zero understanding about SEO, and have been teaching myself for the past 6 months. there's really not to much to it. The key is to stick with it and don't slack off. Off page optimization is an on going process that never ends.

It might just be where you live. Your area is already at a disadvantage because less people are in need of pressure washing, or at least they think they aren't in need of pressure washing. Also, population probably has something to do with it as well. It looks like Andover has an estimated population of about 31,000. that's not bad, but it's definitely not great as far as overall number of people. You look at bigger cities and you see the difference. My market is Jacksonville which has an estimated population of almost 800,000 people.That's 26 times more people, and a lot more homes and businesses. I think the only way you are going to get the volume that you want is if you live somewhere else.

Most of my new customer base comes from the Internet and my website. I pay about 90$ a year, and the ROI for that small investment is absolutely threw the roof. Just to give you an idea, I've booked about 3000$ in work in just the past 4 days all from the Internet, and my website. Take advantage of it why you can. Eventually everyone will be privy to how important advertising on the web is. Right now there is only my company, and one other company in Jacksonville, that really take the Internet seriously, and we own the search results for the Jacksonville market. Meanwhile, all of the other suckers are wasting money on yellow page ads. Life is good.

Don't worry, he will be gone before you know it. The problem is there will be 3 more to replace him, and they'll charge less than he is.

I could burn through a hose reel every year, and use twice the chem, and still make more money per job downstreaming then I ever would x-jetting.

I don't understand how you feel, and God willing, I won't ever have to. Sorry to hear about your problem. Regardless of a persons situation, only a scumbag would not return phone calls, or make an effort to handle it one way or another.

That's a great idea on the buying lunch thing.

Dan I will start out by saying that the guy on PT State wasn't asking for advice on whether it's a good time to start a pressure washing business, he was asking for specific advice about equipment. I believe he already has his mind made up about starting the business. I for one don't see any harm in answering a newbies questions, in this economy or any other. It's not my responsibility to decide for a newbie whether it's a wise time to start a business right now. It's their risk, not mine. Maybe this is just coming from a guy that is fortunate enough to live in an area where things are still good and there is plenty of work to be had, but I don't feel threatened by new guys coming in. Heck, it seems like I see a new rig driving down the road every week. Who cares! some will survive, most will be gone by next year. I worry about what I need to be doing to stay busy and keep my business healthy, and that doesn't include harassing new start ups with negativity. I will say that even if you feel the way you feel, it doesn't give you the right to **** on someone else's dream of becoming a business owner. If you don't feel the need to help answer a newbies question, than maybe it would be better to just not post at all. A negative attitude WILL ALWAYS = negative results.

I would really recommend going with a tandem axle with electric brakes.

Do you keep that tank full? That's really pushing the limit on that axle is that is the case.

I wouldn't recommend going this route, but in a world without consequences it sure would be a fun way to handle it!

I guess I've been lucky so far. I've a few slow payments, but never had a customer flat out not pay. Good luck with it, and if all else fails; sneak onto his property when he's not home, and throw a few gallons of paint on his deck, and house. That will show him.

Sounds like you've been there, done that.

I wasn't aware of that. Good to know.

have a happy born-on date.

I try to close open windows. If I can't, I will wash every area on the property that I can with the exception of that small area around the window. Explain to the customer the situation, more times than not they will feel bad for leaving in open, and inconviencing you. I will offer to come back next time I'm in the neighborhood and hit that spot. One thing I will not do that I'm a bit supprised that so many on here say they will do is take chances cleaning around the open window. I'm not a big fan of incurring the risk of bleaching out a customers carpet, furniture, etc.

Although that may have been the case with their last playoff game, they sold out the NFC Championship Game in 6 minutes.

go Jags :lgtear:

What kind of washer do you have, and does it have a downstream injector? Your best bet, if you are dead set on cleaning it yourself, is to downstream your chems through your pressure washer. Even better, higher a pro to clean your exteriors and stick to what you're good at. :)