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Barry M

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Posts posted by Barry M

  1. Posted · Report reply

    I mix my stripper full strength in a spray bottle and apply to a spot on the deck, I reapply or keep wet with water if it's trying to dry, after 5-10 minutes I then scratch lightly with my fingernail. If I can easily scratch and expose bare wood I know I can strip the deck without going full strength. If I don't expose wood, I increase my dwell time and keep trying. After I've determined if it's strippable or not I then rinse the area with water. I always do a test on a vertical spot where the old sealer is in better shape as opposed to a horizontal.

  2. Posted · Report reply

    I never owned a credit card until last year when I started the biz. So my limit is very low and I normally use it for chems and pay it off before the end of the month. My start up cost was all cash, so I owe nothing as of now and that's fine with me, I don't like having payments. I want a hot box right now but I will not put it on credit and dig a hole before winter, I'll wait till I have the cash.

  3. Posted · Report reply

    Nobody Is Spending Any Money Due To Gas Prices !!! Residential Work Is Way Down In My Area This Year !!!

    Shawn

    I know what your saying Shawn, it does seem like some have stopped spending due to gas prices. But I think that the amount of people who were actually thinking of hiring a PWer and then decided not to because of the gas prices is probably very few. I am not rich or well off by any means and I have to pay these ridiculous gas prices, but have I stopped doing the things I've always done.....nope. I still spend money on my hobbies, I still pay for services, I still purchase the same needs and wants I always have. The only thing different is I complain about the gas prices. I refuse to believe that Joe Blow the homeowner that makes 100,000 or more a year is going to let mold and mildew take over his beautiful home because of gas prices. I am good friends with a few guys who make 6 digits a year and I never, never hear them complain about gas prices. Nor have I seen their spending come to a hault because of it. Just my .02 cents.

    As far as the realtors go, some hire me directly - and pay me directly. Some call me to do the work and the homeowner pays and some refer me to the homeowner and I work directly with them. (Find a realtor that sells in the nicer neighborhoods and maybe offer to do his house for free.)

    Thanks for the insight John, good stuff.

  6. Posted · Report reply

    This deck actually had some old sealer on it besides a little mold. So I stripped it with Timber Strip Pro and then gave it an acid bath with the xjet. Are you joining the BDA now or what? I have used bleach (6%) on a couple of decks, because after stripping them some of the boards were still green looking. The bleach took the green out and also lightened the deck. I don't think you have to nuetralize after washing with bleach, but I'll let Shane or someone chime in on that.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    One of the reasons for the increase has been the housing market. For the last few years, people hardly vacuumed when selling, let alone having the house washed. I have had realtors coming out of the woodwork, wanting everything done yesterday. Not only the house, but also roofs. If you are not building relationships with realtors, you are missing the boat, but be ready to get to their listings asap.

    John

    Is it the realtors that are hiring you to help them make a sale? Or are the realtors talking the sellers/homeowners into hiring you?

    Just wandering because around here when someone puts their home on the market the last thing on their mind is sinking more money into it, even if it may help it sell, they just don't care. And as far as the realtors, they don't make enough money as it is, let alone hiring me to wash a house they just have listed, and may or may not even sell.

    Kory

    Slow here too man, hang in there. I wish I had some commercial accounts to fall back on but I don't yet.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    jnoden, if your going to do commercial flat work then you will definately need hot water for greese, oil, and gum. I'm in the same boat you are, I've been thinking about gettng a hot box too. I want to target some fastfood places, banks, walmart, walgreens, etc but it does me no good to even bother them if I don't have hot water, I'm just trying to put together the funds.

  22. Posted · Report reply

    A place for the wives to come and ***** about us, great! No, I'm kidding Celeste. This is an excellent idea and I knew you would pursue it, gimmie a high five. But I know if there is guys frequenting the forum some women won't feel comfortable to post, and even worse if some guys are posting on there and treating it like a dating service. Is there anyway to keep it just for women? A no guys allowed sort of thing?

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