Little Buddy

I was feeling the same way. I figured out a high price for stripping solid stain then doubled it and gave it as a ballpark figure. If i get the job, which i wont, i will be getting paid for the labor. Thanks for the advice.

Hey guys, It's finally my SPRING BREAK!!!!! I have a couple bids to do this week and one project. Its a little deck that they want done asap so they can start enjoying spring, the rest of the project can wait until summer. There is some previous damage because they told me flat out that they tried doing it themselves years ago, and now the finished has failed bad. It is 10-15year oldish ptp with failed thompsons water seal. Take a look... *Stripping sp

Here is an update after brightening...

Here is an update on whats underneath the thompsons, Olympic Max lol...Oh boy

sounds good, I'm also taking this time to make some youtube videos as well. What kind of ratios do you use F-8 in for direct application.

i was planning on using a pumpup sprayer...would you still use 13oz with that?

They said the stain went on as a golden color. They never removed the previous finish before, so i dont know whats underneath. I think i might start at 8oz per gallon with the F-18.

Hey guys/gals, I was wondering how you do your demos for wood estimates? Do you carry the chems in spray bottles pre mixed then just do a little spot and hit it with the garden hose or something else? I think homeowners would really appreciate the visual of taking an old weathered-grey or a deck with failed finish and make a little bit of it look restored in just a few minutes. This can also be a great indicator for yourself as to how hard the job may be. I would like to hear your thoughts. Thanks, LB

Finishing my BS in Chemistry then off to dental school! Starting a small business is a great way to pay for school.

i try to price around $1.68 per total sq ft, not on the floor sq ft. This way i now how much material i will need and can show how much of the cost is going towards materials. I would guess that customers would appreciate knowing how much of thier bill is going towards materials.

I got $1,695.60 for that job with a first time customer discount, Wisconsin pricing, but i dont know how many steps there are.

Hey guys, I was wondering what to say for a spring email to the customers? Was wondering what you guys say to stir up some spring work. Thanks, JL

Has anyone used the Mangum series sprayers at ReadySeal at all?

Thanks for the info

Where would you find such truck brushes.

So Rick, Do you just use the sprayer from the chems and for staining the railings, then pad the floor?

Awesome! They even have it on their postcards, just got my samples today....I would forget the doorhangers and get the mailers, use the mailers as doorhangers, as well as use their mailing service. First Choice, good call on the a'deas printing!

Sweet!

thanks Rick, I just sent them an email asking if they could send me some pics of the gun and some better ones of the sprayer as well.

What do you mean? I know the site is new from last year and i dont think they were offering it last year, i was just wondering how it compares to the deckster.

I was wondering if it was common to "loan" pictures? As a brand new company, my portfolio is quite small and was wondering if anyone wanted to sponsor me for like a month until i can get some work? This is my theory. As a young adult, 20, i feel that the odds are against me with little experience. My plan was to build a site as an information tool and a gallary of what some finished jobs looked like with the ready seal stain, mostly to showcase the product. I know some landscaping companies that use the same job photos, because the paver company supplies them. None of them did the work, and are not taking credit for the work, but are using the photos to showcase the pavers. I just need some photos for a site to help sell the product, until i can build my own portfolio and sell the product and quality of work. Let me know what you think, JL

Oh I agree. Personally i like looking at a before and after picture of anything. It will just give the customer greater confidence in the product. They might not have heard of ReadySeal stain before and want to see what the final product looks like before they buy the service. I did do one job in the last few weeks of summer. It was a fence and deck for a group home for $2,300. I was the only one that got back to them and gave them a bid, makes life easy. I will be doing our decks this summer, so thats another $1,700 that my parents are paying...mostly materials. It's not that i am a rookie to wood restoration. Unless you are reatarded, there shouldn't be much variaiton between various contractors work if they are using the same materials and stains. I have never heard of ReadySeal before i started looking in starting my company, neither has my dad, who has worked at Anderson Windows for over 32 years. That is the main reason, to show case the product and how it looks like furniture. Like i said, i dont understand the argument that it isn't my work and why would you show work that you did not do. Thats my view. Not to spark any arguments. JL

I was wondering if anyone didn't use some older equioment that they wouldn't mind donating the Joe Lindberg the poor college student dids some equipment to start his exterior restoration specialist company? Little stuff like a wand, hoses, tips.... Thanks, JL

I will give you a call thursday!

Do you guys think age, I'm 20, will hurt me or doesn't it matter?