Adrian

I'm into April already, but still feeling the effects of the economy. I am trying to keep them spread out a bit so the ol body holds up for the Summer rush. Not the spring chicken I used to be. Don't think I will taking on a helper this year either. Just can't see putting $$$ into a newbie, after the way last year worked out. UGH wasted efforts and time. Prices are up on all materials and hoping I can get another couple of seasons out of my surface cleaners and PW's. I am also trying to be Mr. tightwad with the money I spend. Not buying stains until I land the jobs for sure. Plus keeping alot less overhead on the rest of the materials. I guess one advantage is there are alot less start up pw's so far this year.And my repeat business is what is actually picking up. Calling my previous customers on a regular basis. Less commercial and more resi's at least so far. Gene, how did the Home Show booth treat ya?

I've seen some decks that have had surface cleaners on them. I could tell exactly where they started by the pressure circle. Seen plenty of zero degree tips by the DIY's. seen plenty of bad sanding jobs as well. So sad.

Yea, I understand Tracy. I will do brightening process for the natural look which is no prob. They just want it sealed as well. My distributer here does not carry the RS clear, only their store brand clear. Which they say is as applicable as the RS. But I just want to be certain RS has the clear, because that's what I like best is RS. Thanks all I will contact RS in Lewisville and get it shipped direct.

I know I have options. I can't contest the covenant of the HOA. But my customer wants their fence cleaned and sealed and it cannot contain pigments.

A dream come true for me.

Some days are better than others. Some days I can sell snow to a snowman. Other Days sand to a desert. Then there are the days I can't give it away. Selling is a necessary evil in this game. Some guys like it, some guys hate it. I'm both, but you just can't rely on ads and SVC.MGC. for your leads all the time. Today I did a resi for the VP of an HOA in a somewhat upper tier neighborhood. Ironically, she was a call back from 2 yrs. ago. So the sales part had already been done. I only met her Husband last time around. I met her today. As I was setting up, another member of the same HOA drove by and stopped to inquire about services offered. Long story short, that member called my customer and said they should use my services for 15 entryways into that particular village to clean the monuments at each entryway. They also have 10 more villages that will need service as well. Cool. I spoke with my customer about the project after completing her resi and drive. They are willing to do quarterly cleanings and supply water meter up front. Afterwards they will want the other villages serviced as well. Just sharing. Keeping the head down and nose to the grindstone. Best wishes.

Hi Daniel H. I did notice what I believe is a typo in the services section ( I could be wrong about spelling though) on the side of the page ,column going down it says: Click on pictures to see the damage from to much pressure. I believe to word "to" should be "too" I am not positive about this but I think I might be correct. I really like the site though. Very nice and great video relative to region. If I am wrong I apologise. I think it should be spelled "too", though. Good luck with the site drawing alot of business you way.

I do agree with you Rod, really, I just feel the poor guy could have been handled with a lot less aggression. That's all. It could have been worded kinder with getting the same point across. But, that's just me.

well, after reading the post on PT I certainly feel it could have been handled better, and am not alone in my feelings either. There are definately different levels of professionalism that could have been employed for an answer, that simply were not used.

Good points and well taken. I just know that if I hadn't asked questions and been somewhat personable to the reception of this site, I would have folded years ago. I guess it can go both ways. Just an opinion on my part. I know enough but enough is never enough. 6 yrs and still going because of asking questions and being on forums and meeting others and RT's has been the biggest guiding factor for me. Kind of hard to regulate I would think. I'm not so sure that testing their knowledge just starting up would keep them here on this site. Of course PT is alot looser of a site and would never get away with that. I think by not educating them would only increase the amount of hacks.

Dan, just curious, does your service area go as far as Michigan? Weren't others willing to help when you first came on board? Don't you have valuable info that would help a startup do things the right way? You actually have an advantage on most of us as you also have all those years painting experience that could benefit other's who are already pwing and might want to expand. I mean you expanded from just painting to doing other types of services in the pw industry i.e. flatwork ect.. It's tough for everyone in a startup. IMO thwarting a newbie is just going to be a negative for him. We can help here and improve the industry. .... just sayin.

I'll be back on earth in a few days.

I was all choked up and Michele did all the talking. I did however manage to give a copy of the cd with the song you just heard on the slideshow. She gave me a very humble thank you. Medics revived me right afterwards lol.

Oh well, I tried to pay it forward anyways. He was in Destin (sp) Fl. and found a stucco post I made a while back and somehow thought I was in his service area. ...... those darn kids with eggs at halloween. lol.

Hi everyone, I finished up my first Playscape today ( man these folks love their kids). It was gargantuan(sp). I can't believe I have never had an opportunity to do one of these things. It was quite the fun experience. Really.It took an hour and a half to strip and brighten last week & about 3 hours to finish the spray and pull the plastic. Keep in mind it's still January. It was nearly 80 degrees and I literally got a sunburn ( forgot the sunblock like a dummy). Tonight it will be in the 30's. Texas weather, if you don't like it... just wait a minute, and it will change, that's what they say, and it is very true. The books are full with wood and PW into Feb. Why am I still pushing wood in Jan.? Because I can!!!!! I love this industry. I set my target spending matches with SM to 10k ea. and they are keeping me hopping. Try it, it's only money, right. I love my deckster. I love my x-jet. I love Texas. Hope everyone is having a GREAT year so far.

Russ, I sent you a stucco customer a few months back, did they mention my name?

..... now where's Doolittle going to hang out?????

Yea, what Larry said, I have been at work as well and BOOM..... did someone mention $? Not good experiences in the past with some post'..... Couldn't have been Dan, he's part of the wheel.... Please clue us in and catch us up. ...incidently Beth, this place has always been home for me. Please stay!!!!

Thx all. I've just hired a hitman.....KIDDING KIDDING. I'm working on it. Not much I can do over the weekend, but this is by far not over.

.....in consideration Kevin. But, I'm such a runt.

he he I have made jokes in the past that "if you are not happy with our performance, we will give you your dirt back"

Great!!! I will see what is involved on my end and see how it parallels with your advice. So basically, get the warning out first. Then Start the dirty work. If they were all like him I wouldn't think twice about becoming a milkman right now. Thank God they are not. He's a real class act.

I may be able to but I am inexperienced in that field. I don't know how as I have pretty much only had compliant customers all these years. Never ran into a customer like this. He has had bad experiences ( I'm sure due to his attitude) in the past with other contractors and seems to have towards me. Maybe I should just move on and let him feel as if he got over on me. It's not really the $$$$, it's the principle. He's a real jerk that seemed to look for issues before they are there if you know what I mean.

...and played in punk bands. YouTube - Grenade launcher of Love Happy New Year!!!!!

Call a roach a waterbug, then you have no more roaches. Call a handyman a PM company and kill the perception of a handy man.