Little Buddy

KISS Keep It Simple Stupid. As long as it is simple enough that people can remember it, thats all that matters. It is just one of many versions i am probably going to make. Any input is good input at this point.

the more simple version

Yea, i think i might use this for the website and then simplify it a little for the shirts. You gotta love free software!

i think im going to strt out by asking if i could put the before and after pictures on my website, then after the ice is broken, ask for the referral. Followed up with a thankyou card

how do you guys ask for the referrals?

I was wondering if any of you have ever washed university buildings? I look at the buildings on my campus and most have black streaks on the stone and concrete, and could use a good cleaning. How would you go about to giving a bid on a project like this?

Yea, i think it is a bit out of my league right now.

haha sounds good

how does that compare vs. just asking without any "gift"?

thats what i was thinking

so do you just mention that you have a referral program and some of the benefits if they choose to continue to use your services, basically sign on for the maintenance program (like discounted services for every referral kind of thing)?

how do you typically go about asking for referrals?

The First Call For An Estimate Hello this is Joe. Hi this is Eric Hanley, um I was calling to see if you can give an estimate for a house wash? Hi Eric, yea we can give you an estimate on that. Just to give me a better idea of what we’re talking about here, can you tell me what’s going on with your siding. Sure, there is a lot of mold/mildew on a couple sides, and some dirt and debris on the rest of the house. It is hard to give an exact number without seeing the siding due to every house being different, but pricing starts at $350, depending on size and scope of the job. If you’re still interested, I’d like to meet this Saturday and discuss your project to make sure we are on the same page. Ok, so I have to be there? It isn’t critical that you are there, but it is nice to have someone there to answer questions as well as discuss the scope of work for the project. But like I said, it isn’t critical, and if it is more convenient for you to just have me stop by, we can go that route. Sure, I can set aside Friday evening. Great, so what is the best number to reach you at? 715-781-5565 And the address where the work is to be done, and a name and e-mail address I can send the invoice too. 1687a west church rd star prairie, wi and lindbejb@uwec.edu Alright, I just was wondering if you had the time to browse our website at all? Yes, I did actually. I really like the before and after photo gallery. I also like all the information that is there. The photo gallery is my favorite part too. Previous customers’ are really happy and surprised when I ask them if I can use their before and after pictures to add to my gallery. It is fun to watch someone’s house, roof, or deck transform so quickly. Great, so I will see you Saturday then. If you have any questions before then, you can reach me at 715-781-5565. Thank you and have a great day. During the Estimate I take no up-front deposits. Just leave a check in your door on the morning of service and when you return, your property will be transformed. After we’re done, you'll get a follow up thank you, be introduced to our referral program, and be reminded when services are due. We'll also put you on our newsletter mailing list to let you know what's new with PowerWash Solutions and alert you to specials we are running. You no longer have to worry about the headache of exterior cleaning and maintenance. The Follow up Call Mr. Smith, Joe Lindberg, PowerWash Solutions. I just wanted to give you a courtesy call and see if you had any questions I could answer for you". "Hi Joe, I'm actually glad you called…”

I will only meet with them for wood restoration. I want to have my stripper and brightner in some spray bottle to do a demo right there for a number of reasons. It will help me decide how hard it will be to strip the deck, and it gives the customer the awe factor that i can do this without a pressure washer/ high pressure.

I am going to use this advice, it sounds so professional and efficient. I like it!

awesome advice!

My estimate that i email out is just the estimate and the terms/conditions page.

Ken, I like what you are saying and agree with it 100%. So what do you say when it comes to scheduling the estimate? Do you say i'll be there friday or does friday evening around 6 work for you? The way i have my business model setup is to asume they want convience for the original estimate, then give them the sell (beautiful deck to barbaque on, safe for kids, hot spot for the summer) on the followup call after they recieved the estimate via email. If they want to meet in person for the original estimate, i have that option built in, but i would do the selling there and on the follow-up call. I am sure i will meet with every customer to start out with, because i am sure i wont be busy enough to just keep estimates for a friday. You said your script was similar to mine, so where does your deviate from mine? The thing that i really want to know is do you require that they are there for the estimate, or do you leave it open like i was planning on doing? Thanks

I'm not selling high price, my prices are right in the middle. Why is it important to see as many prospects as possible that don't fit the criteria? My view on this is it will help to eliminate those who are not willing to pay what the job is worth i.e. price shoppers. I know that some people want to meet and talk to the company during the estimate, but i know some that don't care and just want the numbers. It could go both ways. Me personally, i don't really know if i would care to be there if the estimate was for a house/concrete/patio wash. I would want to be there if the estimate was for a deck or fence restoration. I know when we my parents have people to come out to do estimates, they are never home. I just don't know what my business model is yet. This way makes sense to me and would be convient to the customer. If they want to meet in person, i clearly give them that option, but way force the issue if it isn't a big deal to them?

Mike, Are you availble later tonight for a phone convo?

$1,600-2,500 for a specialized roof unit is expensive for me at this point. It looks like it would make roof cleaning fun! My plan is to start with my wood division. Then add on the Residential Division. I want to have two trailers, two enclosed pace american silver arrow 18', with custom paint jobs on them. One for Wood Division, and the other for Residential Division (roof, siding, flat work, gutters). I have a feeling i wont be able to get either this next summer. I can really only afford 2x1000 mailer campaigns at this point. I have no idea what my return is going to be using a targeted list. I am hoping for at least 10-15 wood jobs from these mailers. Sorry for the pointless rambling, but i just thought of a few questions to ask. First, for those of you who handout surveys, how do you collect them? Second, when someone calls wanting an estimate, i was wondering how you schedule the estimate. Meet with the home owner or just show up during the day. I AM LOOKING FOR THE VERBIAGE ON THIS ONE, not if you do one or the other. Would you say something like, "Powerwash Solutions, this is Joe. Hi, I'm calling to get an estimate for a deck restoration.......... Sounds good, i know you are probably busy so I will stop and take the measurements Friday and email you the quote later that day. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me. Thanks and have a great day." This is a bit crappy, but how do you answer the question "so do i have to be there" or better yet, how do you answer that question before they even ask it? Much Thanks, Joe

Oh and get a nice website built, nothing screams credibility more than a nice website and getting your company branded, sounds like you are well on your way, meaning the logo, painted truck, logo-ed shirts, painted equipment. First impressions are everything in the world today. It is much harder to win the customer over if they already have a bad preconceived opinion about you, so set their expectations before they even pickup the phone to schedule an estimate. One word of advice, just stick to a certain area to start. As a newbie as well, there is simply too much to learn to be a master at everything right out of the gates. Focus your work on either house washing: siding, flat work, not roofs for starters because those take specified equipment to do properly = Massive investment to get into the roof market. I am personally going to focus in the wood restoration area and will only try to up-sell a siding cleaning. These are the only services, at this point, that i feel confident that i can provide a top quality service. The most under looked aspect of starting this business is proper marketing. THIS IS HUGE TO YOUR SUCCESS! You need to figure out how you are going to do: bids, contracts, follow-up calls, scheduling, and collection. My $.02 so best of luck!

get some accounting software or it will bite you in the butt later.

I just think this is a bad idea, from a maintenance point of view. Where is the annual maintenance income from these decks?

i like it