ProjectEarth

I live in NJ which is a very expensive part of the country.. and I dont know how the heck you guys make a living charging $0.50 a sq. ft for cleaning (let alone brightening) a deck. Youre telling me that a 120 sq ft deck (10X12) with railings and balisters that you're gonna do that job for $60? That barely pays for the drive time and setting up and breaking down of materials. Thats just my opinion. -JC

I just bid/got a job to wash a vinyl siding house. One side in particular (the shade side) is COVERED with bird droppings. Any special cleaner I should be aware of to use in this situation? Its a two story house and the one side is just layered with Gosh knows how many seasons of it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, siding color is a light blue (if it matters) -JC

Not bad for a newbie.. The top floor (3 story house) was worse, but it all came out well. Thanks for the tips on the respirator. You shoulda seen the piles on the ground. Nasty stuff. I bid the job right, but in the future I would have bid higher just for the health risk and overall time involved for the one side of the building. -JC

In NJ you >> HAVE << to be a commercially licensed pesticide applicator & the business has to be licensed as a commercial applicating business, both through the NJ DEP. The process to get licensed (at its quickest) takes about 2-3 months. I am licensed in NJ, but I would have to take a different test for tree spraying and honestly, it's not worth the time, or money involved. Tree spraying lets loose all kinds of cr*p into the air and NJ is already out of control with IPM (Integrated Pest Management) which is trying to find a natural way of preventing pests instead of just going for the chemicals. Plus for the extra few bucks we could make this year, I dont wanna breathe in that poison. Just my thoughts -JC

Could you explain what back brush and back pad is?!

I've sealed a few decks & fences and I have always used rollers for applications. Traditionally, I havent gotten many calls for wood work, but recently I'm getting more and more requests to strip and reseal. I see you folks using sprayers (pump-up, airless, etc).. I'd like to try my next deck with a sprayer. I have a bunch of 5 & 6 gallon hand held pump up sprayers. My questions to the seasoned professionals: Can I do my first "spray" job with one of these hand helds? When you use a sprayer will it leave "overlap" marks if you happen to get a little sloppy on your first go at it? And lastly, If I can get 100 sq. ft out of a gallon, let's say for conversation purpose, will my square footage be reduced -or- extended by switching to spray application? Thanks, as always, to the professionals that offer help to us newer guys. It's always nice to see people that enjoy their work as much as I do. -JC

I'm new to the Power Washing industry. I added it this year to my landscape / light construction business. My goal for this season to try primarily residential house cleaning, with upsells of driveways, walks, decks etc.. I've done a few estimates already for houses, and my pricing is fair and competetive. Im not low balling to get business by any means and I have booked some jobs already. I was wondering if you seasoned professionals could offer some input on closing the customer's quicker. I know it's tough to get customers to commit on the spot, especially when they tell you they are waiting for, "another guy to come give an estimate". Buyers are liars, and we all know this. Anyone out there have a tried method of closing the sale? I've always killed them with kindness, concern and knowledge and I have always made money doing it. I don't like pressure selling or wheeling and dealing like that bargain basement jerk at the used car lot. Makes me and my company look cheesy. Any Input??? -JC

Appreciate all your input.. Seems as though you folks that respond are doing what I have always done.. Treat the customer with Respect, treat them like humans, listen to what they say and educate/address their concerns. And if you dont get the job on the spot, follow up with friendly phone calls. Its funnie when people tell me all the time that the ONE thing i did different then "the other guy" was to call back and ask for the sale again... It AMAZES me the people that DO NOT do this. I dont see a friendly follow up call as a pain in the ass or annoying if done properly.. My older sister (who is a very successful executive) taught me two things years and years ago: 1) Never be afraid of success. 2) What is a priority to YOU is not necessarily a priority to someone else. -JC

Did any of you people received that mass email going around to STOP BUYING gasoline from Exxon/Mobil?? Basically, what it says is Exxon/Mobil is the largest oil company in the world. Last year, an email went around to tell people to NOT buy gasoline AT ALL on a certain day--Well that was just about useless, as we all NEED gas. This one says to buy gas, just NOT from Exxon or Mobil stations. If all people tell 10 people, and they tell 10 and so on, hundreds of MILLIONS of people nationwide could be reached in under 2 weeks time. So now, if exxon/mobil sales drop tremendously, they will be forced to lower prices to increase business and competitors will be forced to lower THEIR prices to maintain business. Anyway, thats what the email says. I personally NEVER goto Exxon and there arent too many Mobil stations around me. I will make an effort to stay away from those two in the event that this might actually work. They would have us believe that $1.60 a gallon is a GREAT PRICE, since the end of last summer hit over $1.85.. I personally think it's sickening whats going on with the world and in this country, and gasoline is just one issue. -JC

Ok.. I know there are posts on other forums where we are discussing What We Charge and How We Charge. I'm posting here because there is definately a correlation between what we charge and what we ARE charged. I see your posts in other states that you're paying $400 a year, $1200 a year, etc for insurance. I'm paying $2000 a year for General Liability (only a $1,000,000 policy) and whack on ANOTHER $2000 a year for Workman's Comp (required by law). I had to shop around a long time to find rates that low. I have insurance quotes for that same coverage closer to $6000+. I dont know how fuel prices are in other states, but NJ is back up to $1.60+ for a gallon of regular 87 octane and by all accounts, the media is telling us that it *WILL* go higher in the summer months (remember last year's Labor Day boost: $1.80+ for regular). So I see the $1 per foot per story which seems to be the "standard" in the industry.. But that $1 per foot isnt going as far in NJ as it might be in, say, Ohio or Pennsylvania. Any thoughts?? -JC

I read the stat sheet on that stuff.. WOW! Did you happen to notice where it says this stuff must NOT be discharged to soil, water or sewers (as it is a "priority pollutant") without consultation of federal, state -AND- local regulations regarding public health and the environment. ph level is 14. That label said a mouthful! If im restoring a chimney, there's no way in heck some of that stuff isnt going to get into/onto the soil. I really appreciate the feedback, i think im going to turn down this job. There are too many issues running thru my head with this one, and the little man says, "Walk away." For all you Seinfeld fans out there, you know you have to listen to "the little man". -JC

I went to look at a residential house today with an old, painted chimney (white paint). The entire brick chimney is painted and the house is being renovated by a builder. He wants to get the paint off the brick. Anyone run across this type of job? Should it be treated like a graffitti job as far as chemicals? What I mean by that is, is there a chemical that will do most of the work eating up the old paint, then wash off? Is hot water a must on that type of job? -JC

I read all the time about $1 per linear ft one story, $2 per linear ft two story...etc. I'm new to the Power Washing industry, so I'm trying to understand how someone in my town paid $800 to have a 185 Ln. Ft house washed (2 stories) and a 120 Sq. Ft deck washed (not sealed). I was going to do estimates using a pricing system based on that particular job, which is WAY more than the $1, $2 rule. Keeping in mind, I am in NJ which is > THE < highest insurance state and cost of living isn't exactly low. Any Thoughts? -JC

What is a good cleaner to get heavy mildew stains off of marble surfaces?? Polished -AND- Unpolished?? Will bleach stain? Anyone have any experience with this? -JC

"Don't discount the effectivness of greased lightening,at full strength it is awesome on gutters,diluted down it makes a good house wash,rim/tire cleaner,degreaser.....you name it it willmore than likely clean it.Remember it will kill plants and gras,so rinse,rinse,rinse and rinse again." I saw a gallon of this stuff in Home Depot today for like $7.. It lists its uses as a great house wash for vinyl and aluminum.. I flip to the back of the label and it CLEARLY says: DO NOT USE ON ALUMINUM! WILL DAMAGE! Now i might be dumb, but im not that dumb (am i?) -JC

Im sorry..i didnt mean to come off as if we disagreed. I was just letting people know what kind of $$ goes into advertising for this section of the country. I always take notice of what other people in other parts of the country are doing/paying. It all goes into job education (which is a big part of my tiny brain!). When do you folks start your new season of advertising local newspapers?? When the weather returns to the 40's? 50's? high 30's?? I drive by houses all the time that are BADLY in need of cleaning.. Is it out of line to drop an estimate in the mail box? Flyers dont always do it, maybe the people think its thousands of dollars instead of a few hundred. -JC

I live in NJ, which I believe is still *THE* highest insurance premium state (yes, even higher than NY City). So let me just come out and say what we all know and feel: INSURANCE IS A LICENSE TO STEAL We all get letters every year, "Your rates might go up. Your rates will go up. Your rates DID go up." God forbid you need to make a claim, no matter how minute it might be--We should all be dentists cause it's easier to pull teeth then to get money on your claim. Thank you for letting me vent. -JC

Ok..I know I'm the new guy here, but I can't bite my tongue on this one: Paul--the picture you have for your posts. Was that taken after you accidentally hit a power-line with your aluminum pole? Couldn't resist! Trust me, you have my respect! -JC

Im with Henry on this one... for a small 1X2 ad in the local paper (printed weekly) im paying about $80 a week. Their rates vary depending on how many weeks you commit, but lemme tell ya--they dont vary THAT much. That $80 a week is getting me into 141,000 homes every week with that tiny ad. I was going to run a small 3 line ad for PowerWashing only in a seperate section which lists ONLY housewashing contractors, and that should run about $11 a week hitting about 80,000 homes. -JC

First grade class teacher says to her students one day, "We're gonna play a little game. First you are going to say and spell your daddy's job and then you're gonna tell us what it is!" So little Meg raises her hand! "My daddy is a banker! B-A-N-K-E-R. He loans money to people who need it." "Very good, Meg", says the teacher. How about you Jackson? "My dad is an electrician! L-E-C. No wait. E-L-L-E-C. No. L-E-K-T-R (pause)..." "That's a hard one." the teacher tells him. "Why don't you think about it a moment and we'll try Frankie." So Frank stands up and says, "My dad is a bookie! B-O-O-K-I-E. He would give you 7 to 1 that Jackson ain't never gonna spell 'electrician'." -JC

What have you folks found as successful advertising in this business? I am running my Landscaping ads starting this week, with a mention of Powerwashing and I added a listing in the yellow pages which will go into distribution in March. This is my first season of Powerwashing, so I'm learning as I go. 1000 flyers went out last week. In NJ the weather is still in the 30's with an occasional day in the low 40's--and windy just about everyday. Damn groundhog! -JC

What about brushes?? soft, hard bristles? Where do you folks buy your brushes?

I'm new to the Powerwashing business and The Grime Scene, but I have to say--you people REALLY know what you're doing. I own a Landscaping business and decided to add Powerwashing this season and see what happens with it. I've read just about every post in every forum and i feel like I have more knowledge then some long-term companies in my area (who take 7 hours to wash an 1800 sq. ft house AND do a lousy job). I couldn't help but notice a post that said, "all extention poles aren't created equally." Could you elaborate on this and recommend what type and where to purchase quality/reasonable priced poles on-line? One more question on my mind when I read about brushing the gutters and sometimes houses--what type of brushes do you folks use for gutters and houses (ultra soft, soft, firm bristles?) and where can you recommend purchasing these brushes? I'm not blessed with a local business that has a great knowledge of Powerwashing supplies and chemicals, so i'm putting my faith in your experiences. Thank You.