PressurePros

Holllly crap. Don't you love learning curves?

Awesome, we'll see you in Orlando, Chris! Ron can definitely help many people. If his ego and sometimes mean spirit (like posting someone's property managers online and sending threatening emails) didn't get into his way, he would be my hero as well. That's nothing I wouldn't say in person to you, Ron. I just steer clear of your path. too many casualties along the way.

I need Armor All on the tires to close the deal. Oh yeah and a new tree air fresehener once per week.. Vanilla

What does North South Redneck Yankee have to do with anything? There are car washes in North and South Carolina that sell basic washes all the way up to supreme washes with wax and Armor All. If the demographic argument held any water, every car wash in the Carolinas would offer one service.. COMPLETE. I think ice cream parlors down south might even offer more than one flavor. That's just rumor though. That's probably just a Yankee thing. Again, the question goes unanswered. Why not include the roof and the sidewalks? There is no answer. Those things get upcharged. So do gutters. Why am I making a point of it? Because William made an ignorant remark that somehow charging for work performed is dishonest.

Rando, good here bro. How's life in the 'linas treating you? Hopefully you do see the point I am making, Randy. I have had a customer ask me point blank why the roof was not included as it was part of the house. A dirty roof will kill the curb appeal moreso than not scrubbing gutters would. It should be included. Remember, the gutters are always getting cleaned, just not scrubbed. Dirty sidewalks and driveways will also detract from that curb appeal. Shouldn't we include those? It goes on and on. I don't mean you, Celeste or William any disrespect. I do not buy into the "job incomplete without gutter scrubbing" thing. You guys are leaving money on the table or pricing yourselves over low bids unnecessarily. The argument made about it being not complete stops when other, just as viable parts of the property, are mentioned as also being needed to be included. I just don't understand the logic of how you include some things but not others? Is that an arbitrary decision or just how someone established it should be done and many follow it. Ask a painter if he includes the trim in a room for no extra charge. Nothing would look worse than a freshly painted room with dirty trim. Empower customers with choice and you close more sales. That's coming from 22 years of business ownership and over a decade in sales. It works. Here's the final point that many people that argue against the upsell are not hearing. 95 out 100 (95%) of my house wash customers opt in for the gutter scrubbing, rust removal and wax application upgrade. Not only is my reputation intact as leaving remarkable curb appeal, I am given the opportunity to take it to the next level for the customer and make their property look even better. Win for my customers. Win for us.

So is the roof. Yes? Seriously, if you are cleaning my house without extra charges it should be from top to bottom. I'm not saying do it for free, but under the almighty umbrella of ripping people off, why don't you folks include that? Is it perhaps because the cost of your house wash would end up being two to three times that of your competitors? Gutters cleaning = extra tools, extra chemicals, more risk of injury via chemicals and technique thus extra PPE. William breaks out ladders. You folks seriously cannot see the legitimacy in charging extra? Hmmm. How do you compete against other house washers that do not include it? They can be cheaper than you, yes? Do you not now have to work harder to explain why you are more expensive or do you just eat the cost? Just food for thought. I still don't understand how you can do a house wash without doing a roof.

Not correct. 96% of the time they opt for the cleaning. That's real world data based on my numbers.

I agree that these forums and TGS especially take a ton of time off the learning curve.

Andy, you are showing no permanent signature. Look at mine and the other posters. Once you fill it out, you don't have to worry about it anymore as it will be posted on everything you write. Here is the link to get there: Pressure Washing and Contractor Cleaning Forums - The Grime Scene Feel free to shoot me a private message if you get stuck.

I had both cedar customers ask me about sealing the cedar this early. They both did internet research and were given conflicting opinions. I am in Fife's camp. Though perhaps destined for an early failure, getting oil into the wood, especially the new growth cedar which is susceptible/sensitive to rot and moisture cycles is better than not. Is the common ground perhaps using a clear? a 100% curing oil? I have used the latter over the years and have had no problems with two year maintenance on new cedar.

I saw that on FaceBook, Beth.. Congrats.. You must be a proud mommy!

Small deck nothing big other than being a solid stain strip P.I.T.A So far so good.

Daniel, you can never have too many tanks or battery pumps. You got a helluva deal. Roof cleaning isn't that hard. With the right wand and nozzles you can climb to a gutter's edge and spray an entire roof. Its a good niche market. Its getting more popular and there is nice profit in it.

Rick, you can do maintenance on them and on hardwoods, stripping is not bad. The hardest species to remove the Tux from is cedar. Here is a picture after running a floor sander over it. I'll add the second pic so you can see the sander to know I am not BS'ing.

For $50 you are now in the roof cleaning business.

Dan, when I get home I will dig up some pictures of Wood Tux strips. Even after sanding the wood isn't totally clean.

I thought this question was already answered with several opinions in another thread?

ATO and Wood Tux are the most brutal strips. I would guess its the short oil that cures like a rock. (Tung)

Tony, I agree about watering down a product too much but I think diluting the semi solid by 20% and applying two coats (as we always do) is worth trying. I'll update you guys.

Adrian, tongue and groove. I talked to Rick yesterday. He has a plan of attack.

Adrian, there is a show on the History channel called Pawn Stars that is right up your alley. Have you seen it? I started watching it one night now I am addicted to it. People bring in everything from Super Bowl rings to Aztec statues and signed baseballs. Cool show.

Dan and all you other woodies.. what are your thoughts on taking the semi down a notch with a gallon of spirits? It would probably help with the absorption into the cedar?

I have 2 new construction cedar decks we'll be doing this weekend. I'm gonna find a sweet blend. Both are getting Armstrong. I want to give the product one last serious look and test out over the winter before I decide what to do in '10.

I'm just pulling your leg. That above picture is not doctored, its just a trick of the sunlight on the transoxide pigment. Here is the way the deck actually looks.