Adrian

I am just now catching my breath from the initial rush of the season. Started for me end of Feb. Have been going strong since. This week is slowing up a bit. I will utilize the bench time to market and follow up on previous leads. It seems to be a trend in these parts. But the horizon is looking busy as well. Hope it holds up until Nov. It has been kind of a rush for my customers to get their decks done before company arrives for the 4th of july cook outs and what not. It seems that the North is getting most of the foul weather ( except for the poor folks in Houston with all the recent flooding) Not to mention the Boston areas. Hang in there, and I will be sending good vibes your way. In no time you will be laughing at this thread because you are so SWAMPED!!!!!! I guess it could be worse. we could be in Phoenix where it is 110 just about everyday. Mr. Stone must be sweltering. I mean it gets warm and muggy here in Atlanta, but not 110.

Excellent idea Ken. I was thinking of a clamp, but the ball would be less cumbersome. Thanks.

you might be a pw if.......... when you are vacationing at Disney World and staying on the Boardwalk and thinking of submitting a bid on it to the director of facilites. ( it about a half mile long around this beautiful lagoon ) YOU WOULD HAVE TOO!!!!

ok, well I just found out about the "Certification". All it adds up to is a gold ribbon that says certified above the company profile. So that covers that one. any takers on the crampy hand issue..... or am I on my own to devise a trigger holder? I can't be the only one who deals with this.

I like it. I use it pretty often when deck jobs come up. Applies very good even with pumper. Pretty oily odor for a few days after but not unbearable. Dries quick. Kind of a limited color selection, but, they do look great afterwards.

It's great not to have to worry about the "Man". You are the captain of your very own ship plotting your own course. What a great and scary feeling. You will do well and we'll keep ya lifted up on this end.

oh yeah. Here's the little disabled childs website. www.mckenziecarey.com Maybe some type of involvement by grouping up with other contractors. This project evolved over a couple of weeks and was finished in one day. ( of course I went in a day ahead to wash the house) and came back the next morning to do the drive and sidewalks ( in hopes of exposure to the T.V. network as well) and it worked fine for me!!!

I was just on FOX channel 5 two weekends ago for volunteering a free housewash to a family with a disabled child. It was really cool, fun, and I feel like I did some good for the family. The house was falling apart and they had no money for improvements on the house. A painter got a few different contractors to help with the facelift. I got interviewed and mentioned my company name on air. Maybe you could try something like that.

Cover the screens for sure. Wind and overspray may complicate the job. Best to just go ahead and tape it all off. An ounce of prevention.....

Great for you Jeff! I haven't been on TGS much lately because of being so busy. Mine business comes from various sources, through painters and HOA's front of the battle lines marketing, face to face, and the 3 foot business card rule but the resi's are booming for me and the deck work is picking up considerably. Truthfully, I haven't even been doing any classified advertising since Nov. of last year and the word of mouth or sub jobs have been very steady. I have been landing alot of work from nicely placed business card holders in Gas stations and dry cleaners and diners. But like you said, even when it slows down, another round of jobs come in from the others looking out for you. I don't operate on the level that you do, and I only have a helper some of the time. It is nice though to see the stats turn in favor of profit vs. more withdrawals than deposits. I am not sure if it is growth I am experiencing or just a full calandar. Just hope the back holds up. lol.

Nice work!!!

Deck and stain are 10 years old. It came back to life pretty good. Just wanted to share.

Thanks folks for all the nice remarks. Yes this deck was very thirsty, and in my opinion it could use another gal or two of the med. brown ready seal. The customer was just short of freaking out at the results of the cleaning. I did a small swatch area with the stain to show what it would look like after, and they love the finish. Another good thing is that in a few months they are going to expand the size of the deck. They said they would like me to finish the new addition as well. I stripped the deck with 12% I neutralized the deck with 12% and I stained the deck with 12% just kidding ( that was for Shane) HD80 for strip #80 wood brightner and neutralizer from Sun Brite.( great product) Med. Brown Ready seal The customer wanted some color, but not the hideous brown (whatever that stuff was) that was previously on it. Cool thing is that after I cleaned the drives and sidewalks and finished the decking, that the house really shows how bad it needs a cleaning as well. I gave a few freebie swipes on the house to show them. I am sure I will be back there soon. Hope everyone has had a good and profitable week.

... and a few more

Here's few more

Cleaning local business dumpsters and dumpster areas would be more profitable if you are wanting to break into refuse cleaning. The rats are twice the size as normal rats, and tend to put up a good fight. Plus they are not that hard to get setup for multi cleanings on a regular basis. I actually don't do as many dumpster cleanings as I did at first. You can find alot of business at the diners and quick stops. Trash can cleaning may be more trouble than it is worth. IMHO.

2 packs a day for over 20 years as a habit......now I only smoke 2 packs a day for pleasure.

I actually should have said finer grade sandpaper. Courser paper will be very noticable. I tried trex handrails with ??? stains on it and lightened with S.H. and it worked fine. Note.... not talking baring down with all your might on the sander either. Just lifting the stains and then spritzing 12% over sanded area to match rest of trex railing.

Belt sander and 12%

Mr Muskgraves runs alot of trucks he told me once. Like 24 2 man crews.

12% ....Then you will love your x-jet

Try this site http://www.music.com/person/jimi_hendrix/1/

D, you need to rinse really heavy after chems. If you desire the sheen after effect you can mix liquid carnuba wax 4oz. to each gallon and treat the house ( for an additional charge ). Stay away from the windows with this stuff. It air dries and the elements bounce off of it for a few good months or so.

Hey Lance, Try a joint called Henry's memories in Dallas Texas, (Irving). I sold them a Hendrix autograph for 2000.00 back in the early 90's . This guy had every hendrix import available. But you will pay. No promises that he will have it,or that they are still actually there, but he will at least point you in the right direction. OR..... Waterloo records in Austin Texas will have it or get it for you. Again very pricey. Austin is still a big Hendrix town, because it all ties in with the classic and current greats. Hendrix= S.R.Vaughn = Eric Johnson= Van Welks, you get the idea.. Then there is always e-bay, unless you've been there. If I am not mistaken, that was an album with band of gypsies with Billy Cox on most of the bass work. I have an entire wall dedicated to JH in my studio downstairs including flaming torches. Do a search for the 2 places I gave you , they might have 800 #'s. I have to run or I would do the search for you. There is also a place called Lincoln's in Sheffield England that you may stand a better chance of finding it. Again.... you will pay through the nose. Good luck. If you do find it I would love for you to burn me a copy.

Hi everyone. Vehicle signs work. Although I don't service this area, sounds like a pretty good project. This customer's name is Mike. He lives in Gainseville, Ga. His telephone is 678-524-3355. He has a 12000 sf 1.5 stucco residence to be cleaned. yes , that's 12000 sf. I am a little too busy to venture that far outside of my service area. i told him I would post his info on this forum. He's ready now!