EmpirePW

Ok when I got into new construstion cleanup I actually met somebody who works in the contracting comapny. He told me they were looking for somebody reliable since (and I quote, not to prejudge anyone) they've only got "some redneck ladies that do it and they don't do a very good job". I asked what it paid and he said it works on a bid basis but I still had no idea what to bid. I now get paid about $600/house but that includes scraping paint and cleaning the windows, vacuuming all the carpet in the house, cleaning all countertops and sinks as well as the bath tubs. Regardless though I get $600 for like 6-8 hours of work. I really can't argue with that.

Which is the market I am shooting for. PS I see you are from Holland Michigan, my sister and her boyfriend are moving there in a month and he is really interested in getting into what I am doing. You wouldn't be looking to hire any help would you?

I actually use warm water and palmolive and put it on with a rag before I get to scraping. It seems to work fine, does the ammonia really make that big of a difference?

I have considered a bigger machine and in the future I will invest in it. The hot water is my main priority first. I have a surface cleaner that I have equiped with 1.5 tips so it works well with my machine (I have larger tips also for when I have a larger unit that needs them) and the gpm, pressure, and cold water have been doing the job just fine. I mostly clean loading docks and dumpster pads and I know that hot water will only improve my final product. When I do invest in my heater I will get one that works with my machine but is compatible with a bigger one. I know 2.5 gpm isn't much but I like to think of it as a learning tool. If I can do it with 2.5 I will rock at 4 or 5 gpm. I have to start within my means though. Is there any other useful advice out there?

I just want to state that being a young guy in north carolina with a midwest accent, just some stratup equipment, and only around a year of experience in the field, I have been doing some lowballing on residential work. I always leave my customer satisfied and when they send me references I raise my price just a little because they already know I do good work, but there are so many guys in my area running ads in the paper that are also getting called out to do estimates I have to do work for less than I think I deserve. Oh well, I just had to get it off my chest that I sell myself by price and impress them with my work. Residential work isn't my main drive though, I prefer commercial accounts and I don't lowball there.

If you are going to send out copies of your estimate sheets, my email is oblahblaho@yahoo.com, if you could send them to me too that would be appreciated. I promise only to use them for reference to make mine seem more professional.

I price by square footage but I have ranges, not actually by the exact square foot. Pretty much my ranges break down to little ranch, middle ranch, big ranch as well as little, middle, and big colonials. Flat work and porches are decided by how long I think it will take me to do them.

Stop me if you've heard this one. A little boy asks his dad "What are those things in the wood on the deck dad and why are they there?" the dad looks and replies "Well son when that wood was a tree those things used to be branches but now they're knot."

I have a dumpster that I clean on a regular basis that doesnt have a drain or anywhere for my waste water to go so I just leave it on the ground. Being in North Carolina and being that it is hot down here, the standing water is almost completely evaporated before I am finished loading up my equipment. Definately cheaper than reclaiming. Do be mindful of what chemicals and the quantities of those chemicals are in the water before you run it into some little old ladies prize tomato plants.

I don't have a surface cleaner with any sort of water reclaiming capabilities... if it was free yes I would use it... At least until I have enough money to buy a better light one or my back goes out... Whatever comes first.

If they give em away for free I'll give it a shot.

Just always remember... Birthdays are a good thing, the more you have of them, the longer you live...

How far does Jon live from San Fransico? :groovy2:

Has there ever been a problem you couldn't solve like that though?

If I am out in the sun between 11 and 3, be it working or hanging out at the beach I use an spf 30. Any other time in the day I don't use anything unless I am still wearing my 30 from earlier. Skin cancer runs rampant in my family though, my grandfather had it my mother had it and if my siblings and I are not careful we will too. I am only 22 though and I still look 17 so the advanced aging from the sun hasn't affected me. I don't think it will kill me but there's only one way to find out.

Same thing happened to me Jon, but she was cute and it turned out alright. I "loaned" her the $20 that she needed to "borrow" from me, but I don't think she's ever giving me my money back. Oh well, it was worth it.

If he isn't interested in that info I am. I could always use extra knowledge.

While I don't have any pricing schemes to contribute yet since I am still trying to figure out how I need to price my work, I do think this is a very good idea. I don't believe it will in any way be used to fix prices but it would be a great educational tool for those like myself who are just starting in this field. There have been times on this website where I have asked for help in figuring out a fair price plan for the work I intend to do and people have replied and given me ranges and things to consider when deciding on my price. This just sounds like a great way for me to understand how to establish a fair pricing system. Best of luck with it and when I have anything to contribute I will, and if you figure it out before I can contribute then send me a copy cause it means I still haven't figured it out yet and need the help.

Wilmington is a nice city area but it's not too big. If you change coasts completely swing down here to the Wilmington area. Just expect me to come to you to be a teacher and a mentor in my pressure washing life while I undercut you every time. :deal:

Sounds like duct tape will work. When I work in kitchens I put plastic over the outlets and duct tape them down. I do this for the kitchen but I also so it for my own safety since I am standing on a wet floor and I have heard that being electrocuted is not all it is cracked up to be.

Just hang a map, pull out your lucky dart, and make an adventure of it. Just don't move to my area please I don't need to compete with an experienced professional for the flatwork jobs here, it's hard enough already.

Just be careful not to lose an eye or a finger or an ear or anything while you're blowing them out. Happy Birthday!

Michigan... Cincinatti... Cheap areas for deck cleaning... The weather sucks and the winters last 9 months... Nobody appreciates their decks... Come down South, that's what I did you can work all year long and people appreciate their decks more so they want them taken care of properly...

Kickbacks? Sounds like somebody's going for a very lucrative government contract and dealing with a shady congressman. I don't do much residential work because there are a lot of lowballers around here doing them for extra money and I am trying to setup a legitimate type business. When I do residential work though I have my "Referal-Bonus-Back program". The way I do it is after I have done a job for you for say $200 if you send me 3 jobs of equal or greater value I will give you 25% of your money back. Send me another 3 jobs and get another 25% back. 3 jobs and 3 jobs until all your money is refunded and you got your house cleaned for free. but I got $2400 in new work and 12 more people trying to get their money back.

I am going to test out this degreaser called HD-61 from a local supplier. It is a citrus based degreaser. Depending on the result I will be getting in touch with you for information about HD-80.