Celeste

Carolina ProWash LLC of Graham, NC to donate services during PWNA's Clean Across America Week Power Washers of North America member Carolina ProWash LLC volunteers services to Home Builders Association of Burlington Alamance Graham, NC July 31, 2006 Carolina ProWash LLC of Graham, NC, a local power washing company specializing in exterior cleaning and enhancements, contributed their time and workers to the Home Builders Association of Burlington-Alamance as a part of the PWNA's Clean Across America Week. The team from Carolina ProWash cleaned the brick exterior of the newly constructed "Carraway Project" located at 624 Carraway Drive, Graham, NC. In August, the Carolina ProWash team will be installing a decorative concrete overlay on the front porch of the home. Products for this project are being donated by Pure Texture (www.puretexture.com ) of Greensboro, NC. About Carolina ProWash LLC Carolina ProWash LLC is located in Graham, North Carolina, and has been in business since 2003. The company specializes in new brick construction cleaning, wood restoration and decorative resurfacing. Carolina ProWash is an active member of the PWNA and HBA of Burlington Alamance County. Carolina ProWash is also a five-star rated contractor with www.servicemagic.com. Learn more... About HBA of Burlington Alamance The Home Builders Association of Burlington-Alamance County has been an integral part of the community and the building industry for 40 years. As members of the largest trade association in the nation, "Building Is Our Business". The standards we adhere to are set forth in the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Home Builders. The members of this association are involved in home building, land development and planning, building codes and standards, business management, community growth and development; but most important, we are involved in developing good citizens through Home Ownership. This Association provides members with educational programs and seminars as well as keeping them up to date on the latest developments in materials, techniques, equipment, financing and legislation. The Carraway Project is a joint effort of builders, suppliers and tradesmen who are members of the Home Builders Association of Burlington Alamance County. The finished home will be sold with all proceeds going to local charitable recipients. Website: http://www.alamancehba.org About PWNA The Power Washers of North America is the recognized leader in developing and communicating the highest standards in ethical business practices, environmental awareness and safety through continuing education and active representation of the membership. Power Washers of North America (PWNA) is a nonprofit trade association. During Clean Across America Week, typically scheduled for the last week of July each year, many PWNA members across the nation donate their services to give back to their communities. If you are interested in submitting a project you can search for a PWNA member in your area to see if a contractor near you is participating in this program. Website: http://www.pwna.org

Hope your bubble isn't going to get busted on this one, but we are educating our customers every time we speak to them that they SHOULD look for and expect certificates for BOTH WC and GL. We have both, we are competitive and people WILL and DO pay us more because of what we provide (which mean superior work, quality products as well as protection for them). But then again, I also consider part of being competitive to also include allowing us to pick and choose our customers just as they are picking and choosing us. Further, there are companies out there (not resi work) that won't even let you on their job site without it. How can you compete if you DON'T carry it? Celeste

We, as owners, can get covered here in NC as well but the premium jumps up about $3500 a year on top of what we're currently paying! Celeste

Let me clarify "increase" where the customers costs are concerned - I meant our customers are not getting raises to cover all of their increases (not just gas). I mis-typed - oops! Celeste

Maybe I'm in another world here, but even with the increase in gas, increase in food, increases everywhere, we're not seeing a decrease in folks wanting our services. A large part of our marketing however, has been to take care of/update/facelift what you have and make it more valuable and last longer - seems to be keeping the phone ringing here. I know that everybody that has enough sense to spend their money on their primary investment doesn't live in NC! We also have not increased our prices due to rising gas costs - doesn't seem fair for us to charge more when our customers aren't getting paid more to offset their gas costs :( Celeste

'Bout time :) Is the "full timers" party at our house next weekend? Celeste

I like Satellite, but Juice is the only one with the little guys up top and they are really cute! Celeste

Very nice transformation Matt! Celeste

Our project, which is still somewhat in the research process, is an historic log home. We are considering this a CAA project as it is being done at little/no charge, but it is also in conjunction with WRAPI as well for promotion of wood restoration & preservation. This home was built of old tobacco barns and log homes from here in Alamance County. It has been named "The House of Many Barns" and is one of the subjects of a book being released in November about homes in our area. The building, moving & restoration will also be featured later in Our State Magazine.

Here in the south it's referred to as "the good ole boys network" and it is awesome! Celeste

EFC-38 Celeste

So, since most of us in here make a living improving the way our customers' homes look, I think it might be fun to see how we improve our own homes! What do you do in your spare time - inside or out :) Celeste

Geez Jim - I spewed coffee when I read this - thanks for the morning giggle! Celeste

Congrats on having a positive supporting wife - take advantage. As some of the other guys in here will tell you, when the spouse is scared, it makes the decision quite difficult! Celeste

Okay - pictures pictures!

Coming from a former mortgage broker - go to your BANKER - mortgage company loan officers work on commissions. The Banking Commissions are trying to regulate commissions, but there are still ways to boost fees, trust me. If you have any military background - a VA loan is the best way to go as THEY have capped the fees that can be charged. Definitely get a buyers agent, don't just rely on the sellers agent - they're getting all of the comms and may stuff you into something that's not right for you. Don't count on rental income on the property for financial qualifications if you don't have a sure thing lined up. Loan officers will tell you a certain percentage of your income for your payment - try to stay below it. The RESPA math is inaccurate at best! Also be careful using the rent word when applying for your loan. If your property is considered something other than your primary residence, sometimes lenders will want to charge you a different (higher) rate. If you can swing a downpayment AND get a house that you can fix up, your loan to value ratio will be excellent within a couple of years. Good Luck & Congrats! Celeste

Well thank goodness we don't count on our baseball team for anything important around here - UGH! Long live the Hurricanes! Celeste

I'm in :) Celeste

The nice part about doing multiple days would be that the informal stuff could come on Friday evening, maybe during breakfast - get a few (most of the day) organized hours for Saturday, have a planned Sat eve family/networking thing and the a free-for all day on Sunday :) It's the best of all the worlds! Celeste

Our prayers are with you guys - if you need any back up, just call - we can put a couple weeks for you on our schedule to help keep you caught up and with money coming in! Celeste

T-shirts would be cool.........temporary tats that say TGS4Life would be great too! October/November would work for us :) It's gotta be a multi-day thing......Friday night at some hotel that would take us all.....Saturday, demos, "water gun" fights, etc... Blow out barbeque on Sat nite and then everyone can go home on Sunday - Family style too...kids and all! Celeste

CLR might be an option for you. Celeste

Matt, If you need one for just a quick fix, we've got a Titan440I you can borrow :) Celeste

OHMMMMM....Sunshine on Jim, Sunshine on Jim.....OHMMMMMM. Jim, with your reputation for wood care - could you not maybe move some of that knowledge inside for hardwood floors and furniture? Back to OHMMMMMM....Sunshine on Jim, Sunshine on Jim.....OHMMMMM :sunshine: :sunshine: :sunshine: :sunshine: :sunshine: :sunshine: :sunshine: :sunshine: Celeste

Way to go Jim! We have some big irons in the fire - may need you to jump in, too :) Celeste