Don M.

I understand this. This is why I am hoping all of us STL guys can network together. He may have been able to stay at home and collect a check for just making a phone call.

Jon, I told the homeowner that I knew Rob and I knew he did quaility work. I left it alone after that. I didnt bash Rob or his company. The bottom line is this....this upcoming year I dont want to sell pressure washing. I dont want to sell deck stripping and staining. Want I do want is to have a system in place that generates leads, a system that does a lot of preselling and prequalifing leads, and when that lead comes to my website and makes a phone call they are already 90% sold. I dont want to run across hell's half acre chasing job bids like I did this year. I want my phone to ring, and when it rings I want that customer to have went through a couple of phases before they called me. If they want a 100.00 house wash, call the local handyman or your local painter (no offense RCBill). If they want great customer service, with a detailed quote that wont go up in price after the job is done, that will back their work with a guarantee or they dont pay...call me. Jon, like in a previous post and you enlightened me...I need to make what I am worth. I know that in the previous years I havent done that and that needs to change. I agree with Rob that yeah, 150 is probably right by the time you break down everything from paying a guy xxx dollars an hour to paying a guy to tune up your truck. There are many expenses that many dont associate with the business, but they are business expenses. Like I mentioned in my post, I meant no disrespect to Rob and his company. I made well over $100 an hour on that job. With that being said maybe our expense stucture is different. I have seen Rob's vehicles, equipment, ad in the phone books, so forth and so on. For him to have that stuff he needs to charge xxx. I dont have all of that, even though I do have expenses they are probably much lower than his. So for me to make my target xxx I need to charge a rate that probably falls much lower than his. But I admit, the rate that I charged on that house was probably too low. It takes time to see what the market will bear price wise. Will I was happy making over 100 an hour on that house, chances are very easily I could have made close to 200 an hour. I guess thats were inexperience and selling on price comes in. Those two items will not be an issue in 07.

Rob, First of all, I want to start off by saying I mean no disrespect. You came out into my neck of the woods last year and bid a house. They called me wanting a bid. The house was a two story house, if my mind serves me correctly it was around 260 linear feet. After I submitted my bid, the homeowner looked at me and said "We called A+ Pressure Pros out of the phonebook and they came out and wanted over $1000.00" I agree we all need to charge more.

This was on a different forum I found... Two mistakes I made, #1 I bought a $28,000 new vehicle when I should have bought a $10,000 3 year old vehicle. #2...I waited too long to stop working IN the business and start working ON the business

Richard, your going to Mexico for 6 weeks? WOW!

Ken, This post is making me go back and redesign my postcard. Thanks!

Thats a very good question. I feel like right now I am going through a depressed phase. I'm pretty sure because I put my pajamas on two nights ago and I havent changed clothes. Thats probably TMI LOL! I really thought I would like being a "stay at home Dad" in the winter months while the wife worked and in April-Nov. hit it like a banshee. But in all honesty I cant hardly stand it. I've got to find something to do next winter. I am currently in the middle of a flip, but I only work on that two days a week because of baby sitter issues. I've been trying to do a lot of reading. Right now I am in the middle of Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. Good book. I've been planning for the RT in STL, but its so far out I am kind of at a stand still. I've spent time going through the forums, but its getting to a point looking at a computer is getting to me (why am I posting, right? :) ) Spinning marketing ideas in my head, dreaming about the equipment I want a lot, telling myself this is the make it or break it year. Compling list of PM's in the area, sending them letters, designing postcards for the upcoming campaign. My mind never stops. Anyway, thats about it.

Rinsing the windows is always a big thing. Especially in the summer. My first year I soaped up a side of a house in 95 degree heat and the sun was beating down. I let it sit for about 5 minutes and the windows looked like crap! Now I immediaty hit the windows after the soap, then hit them a few more times.

Has anyone heard of this group? I am trying to find a good affordable company that I can direct a lot of my calls to for a automated message. http://www.800tollfreenumber.com

Exactly Barry, and that is what I need for '07.

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Barry, in my head I am looking at some way of prequalifing people before I go out and talk to them. You know, we both have said we wasted too much time going out last year doing estimates. And I want something that will do some "preselling" (if thats a word) for me before I get there. I want something that does a lot of the heavy lifting for me, and then when I get there my closing will hopefully go much smoother. I would like to close 60% of my bids next year. Barry, I am also looking at splitting my business like Michael is....what we discussed on the phone the other night.

Almost every day I kick myself for not taking over my Father's business. He owned a well drilling/water installation business. It did very well. The problem was I started working for him when I was about 9 years old. Every summer I spent working for him. By the time he wanted to retire I was just burned out and wanted to try my own thing.

If I had a llc and I was the only member, could I make a loan and my wife wouldnt have to sign?

Barry, I just removed you from guest speaker status. LOL

We only lost power for about an hour. But I had the truck running and my 3 month old ready to go rent a hotel room. I heard rooms went fast! And of course there was price gouging. My parents have friends that live in a town of 20,000 about 70 miles south of St. Louis. They went to get a room and they wanted 189.00+tax.

Are any other guys Mr. Mom during the winter. Got to go...she's crying AGAIN!

Hello all, First of all, I would like to say this is coming together VERY nicely! I cant say too much right now, but I am fairly confident that I could be making a BIG announcement in the middle of the week. As most of you know...this round table event is going to be 90% geared towards marketing YOUR business. As a new company, I need to learn a great deal in this area, and learn it fast. Yes, I dont know everything under the sun about the chemicals I use, or a whole lot about machinery, but I feel there is this board and other great boards for those questions, plus the contacts that you will make are only going to be a phone call away. Let me urge new companies like myself, you WILL NOT want to miss this possibly historic event! If your like me and want to take your business to the next level, then you better be here! If all goes well over the next 72 hours, this will be one of the best round table events this year! Stay tuned...

Scott, I hope you didnt think I was stealing your thunder. Its just that most of the roundtables are mostly east of me by 1000 miles plus. I hope your not offended. That was the least of my intentions.

Thats what I was thinking Patrick. Reserve the majorty of the money for marketing and just make the 200 or so payment a month on the equipment.

I was thinking tax benefits....

I would just pay the extra 2-300 bucks a month and wait until the rate drops, maybe to 5.75 or so. I am not 100% sure, but to refi for just .75, closing cost and such for the refi would probably not be a good idea. You will be suprised at what you would eat away at the principle with an extra 300 bucks a month, that is an extra 3600 bucks a year that would go straight to your principle. Jeff, if you do send it in, make it out in a different check and write in the memo "to be applied to principal only" a lot of banks will take the check and apply it on the front end.

I've had inserts in my shoes for 7 years now. I just had a new top put one them, but the actual support is great.

Whats the best way to market for fleet work?

your going to need hot water for gum.