Adrian

Chaz quote :We all know PWing and Wood resto differs all through the country so I dont see how this could become some huge national business. I know you do good work for your customers, but do you feel like that contributes to the industry? But it is a huge national business with schools, and seminars and all kinds of industry events and education. It's a world wide industry that we are all contributing to in one way or another. Bad or good. Dental and medical, auto ind., mfg. construction, all also vary across the country, but that does not mean that they are not part of an industry with an "EXPECTED" reputation and skill to uphold. God bless the peace keepers for sure, but one crooked cop leaves a very bad impression for the next cop that comes around. Eggs may be cheap in the country, but does it make them any less of an egg. If you buy a dozen rotten eggs in the country or the city, it still smells awful and has no nutritional value whatsoever. Makes you never want to buy eggs from that source again and leaves a a bad lasting impression. I Love my Egg Jet

Because he is leaving the customer somehow convinced that this is the image of the PW industry ( assuming by pics). I work my a$$ off to give this industry a good image, to cause the customer to rethink altogether the entire concept of this industry compared to their last PW experience. It suports my rates and sales program. It's not competition as the way I view it. The guy clearly hasn't " done his homework". This to me doesn't even qualify as lowballer grade. Or maybe that's just the way they do things in the D.C. ( example of how it makes the industry look and how it is viewed by the customer) OR I am simply just too caffinated and was assuming that this was actually a legit business. But if that's the best he has to offer in pics for his service then he should take some better ones, because I wouldn't hire him. ILMXJ

He needs to research on this site and see the 1000 reasons listed as to why not to do it this way. Maybe he should drop all of his other services and simply offer trash clean up service. all of his pics tell such a sad story. Someone tell me when the PW industry went back to using the wand on driveways, because I didn't get the memo. This guy is definately not acheiving 100.00 per hour like this. This type of service urks me to death. I LOVE MY SURFACE CLEANERS!!! ILMXJ

Last week was pretty incredible. I closed on everything I touched. Excellent week!!! Deckwork fencework, Resi's , driveways, walk ups galore. Code enforcement leads. It was awesome. Doing jobs by slippingin between thunder cells that would float a canoe.Yesterday was a pretty great day as well. 2 closers and a last minute resi side and drive, but I could feel the tables turning. TODAY THE GODS MUST HAVE GAS!!!!!! cause I got PPPHHHTTT closed only 1 so far and got dropped like a hot coal on a nice one on golf course alley. I even promised him I wouldn't take any breaks to practice my putting. I hate my xjet I hate my Deckster I hate my rig .............. unless of course I am using them. .... someone hit me in the face with some sales positivity one liners. ......other uses for high pressure hose....... .........noose over tree limb....... other uses for xjet.......... .........to clean the area between your ears......brain surgery oh well the day is still young

I did that with 18 inches of my hair about 10 years ago for the kids with cancer program in Austin. It felt great to help out. Yes I had that much hair and looked like Tommy Chong. But the reward of it was immeasurable. I actually looked human afterwards. I know some lucky little kid got a head full of hair that had so much mileage and history to it, it should have been framed in any other case. you have an awesome child Celeste. ILMXJ

geo and demographics are going to cause the rates to vary. there are different stages of the process that some charge individually for and some blanket the entire service with one charge. The more deck and fence work you have under your belt with different wood will be easier to rate in the future. Start with your own or a friends and practice. Sq. Ft. and linear ft. rates can be applied at the same time ...... or not........ your call. Main thing is to get all of your dimensions. Measure twice if needed. Be accurate. Be firm with your rates. the lower end customers will try to bring your rate down, the higher end customers will actually wonder why your rates are low and won't go with your services..... they actually expect to pay more. If it is too low, they will question your quality. Shane and Ken F are the kings in this area of topic, but feel free to contact me if you want to discuss in greater detail.

Jamie, I have used that setup before as well. 15 gal bungeed to a two wheeler with a very small hose reel attached to the top of the two wheeler. The 15 is very cumbersome and heavy to roll around. Only used this setup to kill a 60 town home project. It worked great. My mix would cover 3 of the townhomes in one sitting. For resi's I use a 6 gal container and adjust he mix. It works great. Curious now though..... Does it really take a 15 gal drum to do 1 house wash. If so, that seems like too much mix for a resi unless you are weakening the mix. I have found a happy medium with my cart setup. I love it. It is the best setup so far. I don't use a wand for resi's, just the xjet attached to a gun with trigger. Roll the cart and shoot from the hip. NEVER had a problem reaching the heights either. yes folks....... ILMXJ

What Richard said......

Nice job. No one loves their xjet more than me. I have only one concern about any spillage. It would be in direct contact with your skin, (seaping through your clothes of course). Is this a " surefire" setup that will not pose concern that would cause a person to lose focus on the job at hand by running to rinse the backside of the body? The fact that you are using proportioners says that the chem in the tank would be at a higher strength. I have heard of people trying this method and getting seriously burned from chem spillage. I like it though. Have always loved the idea. Just haven't seen one that has had great success without injury. Even some on this site have mentioned this style of xjet application and regreted it. Have you had any issues with chems on your skin yet. Again, I love the setup, just hate,hypochlorite, hydroxide, oxalic, burns. I bet this turns into a great thread. If this works out for you, manufacturing the product might be in your future as an extention of your business. Good luck and keep us posted on it's reliability. ILMXJ

ILMXJ it's the way to go. rarely use ladders myself. even on 3 stories. anyone who knows me, knows I ain't lyin...........

I did a job last year that was referred to me from Jim Crossley for a millionaire rancher. He had a (literally) 5 million dollar home at 15 thousand sq. ft. At the end of the project the owner came up to me after I loaded up the the lil 4cylynder for the 90 mile ride home and asked me to share a sit down with him on his tailgate. This guy had watched me work thoughout the course of the project and stayed way out of my work zone. Never talked to me or interferred with the progress. Made me a little nervous considering this place looked like a 5 star resort. But nonetheless waited until i was through. We shared a drink and talked a few moments about self employment. The ins and outs, yadda. The whole time this guy is commanding my respect because you could just tell he was self made. All and all some advice he told me was that it is all just math big or small. As it was approaching dusk he just pointed across his 400 plus acres to the sunset and said " this is what it's all about anyways". It truely was a great day for both of us. I knew this guy was genuine. Not "old $$$". There is a BIG difference between the 2 types of $$$.

I love being back home in Texas. People here ( for the most part) are so considerate and friendly. Two customers called to reschedule today for next week when it will be in the high 60's to low 70's. they thought it was too cold for me to work in the 40's. Hey, as long as the h2o isn't turning to ice at the business end of the stick, I don't mind. Although it is still in the high 30's low 40's ( alittle nippy) I don't mind making money. but the customer is always right. One plus is that one of the customers decided he wants the flatwork done as well after my downhome schpeil???sp???. The warmer weather next week may have more people out in their yards looking at how dirty their property is.More for meeeeee!!!!!!! Stay warm folks, esp. ya'll up in the NE.

you can't buy the manners they use here in Tx. Awesome folks!!!!!

I was thinking of having a banner made for my tank that says: Housewashes xxx dollars. Has this worked for anyone in the past with walk ups? I love my xjet!!!!

that's what I needed. thx for both responses

Everyone thinks my biz name is a simple generic application for phone books etc. .... but it is actually my initials. People have known of my biz for a few years and seem shocked when I tell them. They just never put it together, they tell me. Oh well, I guess it still works w/ pw on the end of it.

.... I'd probably have a little different tone if they cancelled due to weather. Just appreciating their etiquette (sp?) that was used. Seems new to me after dodging the alley runners in downtown ATL for so long. No need for the stunners, mace cans and batons where i'm at.

purchase an xjet or an m5. It will save you alot of early start up headaches. Leave the ladder on the trailer. Read this bbs alot and soak up as much info as possible in the cleaning categories you are pursueing. Also, like Jeff (the condo king) said........ learn your chems. Always have rinsing on your mind as well, or you will be replacing alot of flowers and such. Learn your machines capacities and limits. Get a surface cleaner as well, that is geared for your machine's output. That will save you time and make money for you. Or, go out and clean a driveway with your wand and then re- read my last statement. Good luck, you are at the right place for info.

Wow!! all these changes taking place!!!! Celeste, you have been a great help and encouragement to me. Thanks a million. Good luck to you and Roger. pop in from time to time. I love my x jet I love my Deckster

Right On !!!!!! I LOVE MY XJET

After moving, settling in, acclimating to a new environment in a different state. I finalized and viewed my upcoming ad on " The Video Mall" on our local cable network ( again, not Wayne's World). Let's just say that the note on our new property has got me in neck deep and I must start pushing the biz now before Spring kicks in. I have to get my name looping in their head. My TV ad looks AWESOME, and will be aired 3150 times minimum this month. I am offering a " free house wash" for 2 closed referrals. Piece of cake!!!!!! I hope this works!!!!!! Free is always good and should draw some calls. But one thing for sure, if they are calling for a free house wash then I know that they will actually need a house wash. Sell Sell Sell!! I am also doing the usual postcard mailings and have the lead generator filled up with over 100 zips. I am not giving up commercial work by any means. But, with the move, I am actually starting biz over again and don't want the expense of a helper at this point. So I am targeting heavily on the resi market that is in my area. 1 nice golf course, lots of parks and Summer homes on the lake, which is really close by. Lots of deck work, and flatwork. I can't wait to be so busy and sore and sunburned, and smelly, and sleep depraived. So I hope the TV commercial does real good. Wish me luck and if I can some how get a copy of it..... I will post it. ..... just wanted to share. Hope everyone's season is off to a good start.

...already in motion..... some of the answers I have heard so far are ..... sodium hypowhaaaat .... and .... what's an xjet, the new fighter plane......

I 've been w/ SM for a good while now and they have made $ for me. Not the best vehicle, i'll agree ( for all the SM haters), but, combined w/ all of my other methods they do produce leads. That said, why have they raised their rate for leads, and why are their sales reps calling and offering contractor referral $ to me? Why are they copying and pasting some of my own text ads in other sources of ads. and asking if I would like to become a service contractor member not knowing that I already am via email. Do they actually communicate w/ each other ( ROLLING EYES )? Anybody else having tech dif's w/ SM? I LOVE MY XJEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET

awesome Rick,Now you can put that boy to work with you. That should lead to many more or even the district. Check out the tv ad on thread that says "my first tv ad" congrats Rick, if I can help in anyway let me know. There is a big project coming up in march that I will have to go back to ATL for. I will not pass this one up. I will need subs and I got your # programed in.

Keep in mind that the leads exact match & market match. Hey Mr. Orr, How long do you have to be a member before you can select only the leads you want?