Barry M

First of all are you talking outside of gutters or inside? If outside what chem are you using?

I have an '01 Dodge 1500 4x4 with 132,000 miles. I had to replace the tranny at 100,000, other than that it's been good to me. I went with Dodge because I liked the look of them, and the last three Ford's I've owned have lost trannies. The last one was my wifes Windstar minivan with 50,000. I wish someone would build a reliable transmission. I thought about getting a Toyota Tundra until I heard of their crappy fuel mileage.

We got Little Ceasers pizza tonite for the kids. The pizzas are called hot and ready, they are large one topping pizzas ready on request for $5 and they SUCK. This is the 'lowball' pizza choice, if we wanted more quality we could pay more and go to Pizza Hut. My point is there are lowballers in almost every industry type in the country, some have no clue what there're doing others think they can only get business by undercutting everyone else. All I know is history says the 'quality' companies stay in business longer than the one's lowballing. Pick your side of the fence and go with it.

Rubber boots......$20 Aluminum extension ladder.....$210 Pressure washer......$350 Getting a picture of someone botching up a job, with a wedgie to boot..... Priceless

Congratulations Jeff, that's awesome. I have 2 boys 13 and 12 then we had a girl who is now 7. I was scared to death when we found out it was a girl and now......well I'm still scared to death. Good luck.

Good game, Lance.

Use windsheild washer fluid, it's cheaper. I'm a part time PWer but on the full time job we use a directional bore machine that has a 19gpm water pump on it and we've always used ww fluid. It's all anybody in that industry uses, it doesn't harm the seals. On very cold days we have to winterize the pump before we start hauling it back to the shop or it will freeze.

Morgan, Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and your family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I don't like pinning a name on people it feels like I'm degrading them and I'm not perfect either. But I know the word lowballer has been a long standing term that describes the type of business owners we are talking about and I don't think you'll ever change that word or know why you'd want to. These type of people are people just like you and me, who have stubbled upon an industry that shows the potential of making a lot of money. We all became interested for a reason and I'm guessing most of us did for the money. The only difference is that they are misguided and lack direction. They don't network or have mentors, they just see money and go. Without a business plan and being the new kid on the block it is just human nature to undercut the competition in order to get work. If guided or taught most of them would do a complete 180, but they don't belong to a network of PWers like we do. So just for the sake of conversation involving one of these people I do agree you need to call them something. Having just watched Rudolph with my daughter I say we call them Misfits. The definition of misfit is 'A person who is not adjusted to his environment'. And it's not too harsh a word, now if there was only an island we could send them to......the island of misfit powerwashers. LOL

For those of you who clicked on the link and were overwhelmed basically... If you use part of your home for business, you may be able to deduct expenses for the business use of your home. These expenses may include mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, repairs, and depreciation. To qualify to claim expenses for the business use of your home, you must meet both of the following tests. 1. The business part of you home must be used exclusively and regularly for your business. 2. The biz part of your home must be: a. Your principal place of business, or b. A place where you meet or deal with patients, clients, or customers in the normal course of you business, or c. A seperate structure (not attached to your home) used in connection with you business. It goes on to say that your home or office qualifies as your principal place of business if you meet the following. 1. You use the office exclusively and regularly for administrative or management activities of your business. 2. Or you have no other fixed location where you conduct substantial administrative or management activities for your business. I don't think you can charge yourself rent but there are a few things you can deduct. I've also heard of tax preparers believing that it's better not to claim legal deductions if doing so will trigger an audit. A few good books I've read claim that this philosophy is foolish. As long as you're staying within the boundaries of the tax laws, you have no reason to fear an audit. Your only cheating yourself out of money.

This is boring reading but might help. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p587.pdf

A percarb or a stripper (EFC 38 or HD 80) would both work. Personally I would use the percarb because it's not as harsh on the wood or the environment. The first deck I did was in the same shape, I used a stripper and found it was overkill. I was also told to use a mix of 12% after the stripper, because 12% is the only thing that would kill the mold and mildew and prevent it from growing back right away. So I did that followed by a neutralizer. So it was percarb or strpper, let dwell, rinse, 12%/water mix, let dwell, rinse, rinse, rinse, then citralic or oxalic, rinse, rinse, rinse. Let dry to 12% moisture or less and stain.

I agree with the need to stop worrying about a perfect season, if it happens it happens. You sound like a dedicated fan and I respect that, you also have a pretty good team down there and I know it's gonna be a hell of game no matter who wins. Good luck to you and your team you never know there may be an upset.

Yea Mike, post the link my wife is interesed.

We did some plowing this weekend at the full time job, we got about 3 inches of the white stuff. I don't plow snow for myself, there is way too many lawncare companies that do it during the off season.

Hey Lance, how about a friendly little wager between you and me. The loser of next Sunday's game has to visit this thread and post that their team sucks 10 times in big bold letters. Are we on?

That is an excellent unit for a newbie and at a great price. Good luck.

I always neutralize before sealing and I use citralic acid.

I didn't know you knew the area that well, I am in Plymouth about 20 minutes south of South Bend on US 31.

Northcentral.

Good for you Felix, now we see that you are serious about the biz, I applaud your openmindedness. This time last year I was very serious about getting into this industry myself, and had been researching since October. I decided to go with a belt driven unit 4gpm even though start up funds were tight. I got started part time with my tax refund of $4,000. That was for everything I needed from equipment to insurance. I made all of it back and then some. Good luck and keep researching.

I get 1.50 for wash and seal and 2.00 for a strip and seal. That is measuring all the wood, railing, spindles, steps, everything not just the floor. Mind you I've only done 5 decks out of 7 estimates so far.

Seattle has a team? Just kidding Dan.

If it runs good $350 is probably what it's worth. I'm sure it's a direct driven pump and only 2-3 gallons per minute. The gallons per minute is where your speed comes from and where you make your money, not the psi. What are you planning on washing? And no offense but your name just gives me the impression of CHEAP and unprofessional. I'm not saying this is what you are or what you plan on being it's just my opinion. Lowballing others on price is not a good long term way to pick up work. Quality and good service is a better option. Again don't take it the wrong way but to me that is what your name implies. Just my .02 cents.

The Colts won't go undefeted, Dungy will pull the starters once they lock up home feild. They don't care about going unbeaten they just want to win the championship. So getting beat by the Jags, Bolts, or Hawks will only mean the starters might have to play an extra game before locking up home field advantage. A lose might do them some good in the long run, reminding them they aren't invinsible.