Celeste

If it is an Oxygenated version of Dawn, there's your problem. Sodium hypochlorite and any oxi-type stuff DON'T MIX! Celeste

There is a certain amount of discipline required to make it "out there" on your own. You will have no boss to answer to - your jobs will dictate your schedule. We knew it was time to walk when Roger ran out of vacation days on his "real" job :) Walked away from GE and all of those lovely benefits almost 3 years ago but we've never looked back and never regretted the decision for a second. You'll do the right thing, because if it's not, a higher power will stop you. Celeste

We have plenty on hand if you want to try it out :) Call me - I'll be around all day 336-516-6356 Celeste

Matt, you should be able to easily get between $1.75-$2.00 / sq in your area depending on the strippability. We're actually working in our area for the next couple of weeks - give a shout if you need anything :) Celeste

I was looking at the safety issues myself ! That one is beating out even my old nasty deck :) Celeste

www.theloghomestore.com has them I believe :) Celeste

We're full until the end of May so far - Home & Garden show doesn't happen for three more weeks and the local phone book hasn't even come out yet! My side is cranking up as well! Have an entire apartment complex to bid for renovations - floors & countertops :) Celeste

Roger's down staining - if the weather turns, he could probably come help you a bit :) Celeste

:lgkick: Congratulations on your early success! Just another testament to doing your homework and starting out RIGHT! Go Ken!

Two tone ipe we did last year - just finished maintenance this week.

Those are beautiful Paul! I really like the last one - curved decks are so nice! Celeste

Here are Paul's pics :) Ooooh, and they're pretty too!

If you put a website on the information box, it will let you be a clickie but nothing appears when you mouse over.

So, how can you edit yourself? When you mouse over me, there's nothing - but if you click on me it goes to my website (which is very cool) Celeste

That's cute - we're on it :)

It's a fabulous little sports car made by British Leland :) I'll have to see if I can find a picture! Celeste

Hey Jim - I use my "B" to do everything during the right months! Take the top off and it's amazing what you can fit in one of those babies :) Celeste

Must be something about the dirt in the Carolinas :) Roger has landed more than one estimate because he showed up dirty! It is helpful to let these folks know that you've worked them into your schedule; that they are important enough to you that they don't necessarily have to wait for you to get all spiffed up. It's not a technique we apply to all estimates - I do think that most all of us would prefer to have our best appearance, but in this business, there is nothing wrong with showing people that you are a worker. Celeste

You know the old saying....when a door closes, another opens. Look at this at your perfect timing to ramp up your business and take the plunge. Yes it's scary as hell but if your work ethics are strong and you make the commitment (and don't forget to pray daily!) you and your family will be just fine. I nearly had a stroke when Roger quit GE - those steady paychecks are kinda comforting, but we have never regretted that decision for one second. Use the tools that you have, put your plans into action and welcome to the world of the self employed! Does your wife work? If you want her to help you, give her my number - I'll help her to help you! Celeste

:sunshine: Happy Spring! :sunshine:

Get you a Gator! We talked about putting together a small unit on one to leave at a large development we were doing but it never materialized :) Celeste

Our upcoming jobs are not cleans - they're full strip, detail & stain so they are not scheduled as same day jobs....but yes, we could do a test spot if the customer wanted. Only thing with that versus having sample boards is that the test spot will not have the actual appearance of the finished product. Celeste

We are doing a pretty high end job next month and we will be replacing all of the post caps on this deck. The homeowner also wants to go with copper tops. Has anyone found a good place for these items? Celeste

Mike, I have just gotten in 10 gallons of Wood Tux that were purchased specifically for making up a "cookbook". Next week, I will be getting all of the wood samples that I want as well and the mixing will begin! I plan to base the mixtures on a half-gallon basis so that all the next guy will have to do is the math to figure how much he will need :) What type wood do you run into most often over there? At this time, I'm planning on these type woods: PT pine, old & new; White pine, Ipe, Siberian Larch, both Red & white Cedars, and redwood. Celeste

Again, depends on what you're doing.......we downstream for housewashing from a tank on the trailer. We throw acid with our x-jet so still need the portable bucket. Celeste