PowerWashofVa

I had one the other day.... The deck was aprrox 550 Sq FT. He wanted me to wash it. It was in really bad shape & had a acyrlic stain put on it years ago. I told him $558 to strip & neturalize it. He said "I give you $65". I told him I was in business to make money & since he wasn't my father I don't work for free. He told me he could get it done for $65. I asked him for my estimate sheet back, told him to have a nice day and walked away. OH! he ownes the small town of Lively Virginia & is worth millions. I guess that why he rich & I'm not.

Mas3372 Check with your insurance company!! Some won't cover you I had to switch to another company.

John, I have a appointment Monday at Pressure Works in Richmond to have the unit tuned up, oil changes( pump & motor), filter and have a new injector put on. I don't work on my equiptment and they seem to do a good job. Phil

This morning I look at my new local phone book (which Verizon completely got my ad wrong) and decided to call a newly listed PW company. I was looking to introduce myself and see if we can work as peers. He seemed nice enough until I asked if he was insured. I committed a sin. He told me he does not beleive in insurance too expensive. If he damages an home tuff. He doesn't have anything to go after anyway. Holding back, I asked him about equiptment, chems etc. & how long he has been in business. Answers: 5+ years cold water machine Sears buys all chemicles at WalMart He also advised he does decks, & piers. He stated he did 70 homes last year & 20 or so decks. I thanked him, told him about how I work. He was nice enough and said if I wanted to learn how to operate a business stop by some day. OH I did ask him his hourly rate - price per SQ. Answer: I would charge $250 for a house that size. Thank God his prices are in the ball park. Just thought it was interesting.

They got the whole thing wrong!! No one knows my company by my first & last name. In one book the used the others book phone #, which is long distance!! In the other book the only thing right is the tel #. I already told them forget the payment. I spoke to the manager, salesperson & complaint department. So for 2006 I'll have more $ to direct market. I was real upset but what good would it go? Good luck with your problem

Take a look www.morattico.com/

Ken, Right, I already called the saleperson a week ago & she admitted it was her fault. She gave me a 800 number to call, so they can investigate it and I should hear something in a few weeks. They messed up two books, today is the first time I saw the other book They used my first & last name, home address? To late now the books are out. Beth, Thank You I feel the same way!

I have Tuff machine & it has a Legacy pump. I was wondering who really makes this pump?

Ken, I got the same thing!! I can't tell if it is real so I'm not going to do anything. Phil

I can only speak for Virginia, most jurisdictions call the fire department to wash down the blood at crime scenes and vehicle accidents. If it happens to be on private property (inside a house or apartment) the owner have to clean it up.

My brother-in-law worked for the BBB for a short time as a salesman. He said it wasn't worth joining. I did belong to a CC when I had a different business several years ago. The networking was great. Once a month they would have a Happy Hour meeting & they where real nice in the Tides Inn, which I believe is a 5 star resort here in Lancaster County VA. I am in the process of rejoining with my PW business. Most of the members are professionals and networking is the way to go. I spoke with a franchise PW owner in Lynchburg Va. & he stated most of his commerical work came from his CC.

I was paying $500 for PW insurance (1 million with a $1000 ded) was about to reup for 2006 & heard about (care custody & control). So I called my agent (Virginia Mutual). He advised the house I was cleaning is not covered for the wash & if I broke a window that would not be covered. The damage to the interior would be covered??? I called State Farm they will not write PW. I called Walters & they gave me a price of $757 with a $500 ded. but only 1/2 a million. I figured even if the house caught on fire I should be ok land does not burn. They will cover the house I.m working on & I can get a million fo around $1000. What I had last year was worth nothing if I was responsible for the home I was working on. Check you policy... Jeff........ Thanks for the information the other day.

Jon, It is my understanding that a retired PO must be in good standing. Someone that would still be allowed to be rehired or work in another law enforcement position. Now don't ask about different type of weapons... I never was a gun buff and only used the weapons supplied by my agency. I don't carry a weapon most of the time, only when I think it is going to be necessary. I never carry a weapon while I'm working. (it would rust) lol :) When I retired I was in charge of Organized Crimes Division and I'm glad I decided to leave & start a PW business. It is nice to see the results of your hard work when you finish the job. Take Care

Here is the info on carring a weapon by active & retired police officers H.R.218: The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004 (Enrolled as Agreed to or Passed by Both House and Senate) One Hundred Eighth Congress of the United States of America AT THE SECOND SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the twentieth day of January, two thousand and four An Act To amend title 18, United States Code, to exempt qualified current and former law enforcement officers from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004'. SEC. 2. EXEMPTION OF QUALIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM STATE LAWS PROHIBITING THE CARRYING OF CONCEALED FIREARMS. (a) In General- Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 926A the following: `Sec. 926B. Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified law enforcement officers `(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law of any State or any political subdivision thereof, an individual who is a qualified law enforcement officer and who is carrying the identification required by subsection (d) may carry a concealed firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, subject to subsection (b). `(b) This section shall not be construed to supersede or limit the laws of any State that-- `(1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or `(2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park. `© As used in this section, the term `qualified law enforcement officer' means an employee of a governmental agency who-- `(1) is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and has statutory powers of arrest; `(2) is authorized by the agency to carry a firearm; `(3) is not the subject of any disciplinary action by the agency; `(4) meets standards, if any, established by the agency which require the employee to regularly qualify in the use of a firearm; `(5) is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance; and `(6) is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm. `(d) The identification required by this subsection is the photographic identification issued by the governmental agency for which the individual is employed as a law enforcement officer. `(e) As used in this section, the term `firearm' does not include-- `(1) any machinegun (as defined in section 5845 of the National Firearms Act); `(2) any firearm silencer (as defined in section 921 of this title); and `(3) any destructive device (as defined in section 921 of this title).'. (b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 926A the following: `926B. Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified law enforcement officers.'. SEC. 3. EXEMPTION OF QUALIFIED RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM STATE LAWS PROHIBITING THE CARRYING OF CONCEALED FIREARMS. (a) In General- Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is further amended by inserting after section 926B the following: `Sec. 926C. Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified retired law enforcement officers `(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law of any State or any political subdivision thereof, an individual who is a qualified retired law enforcement officer and who is carrying the identification required by subsection (d) may carry a concealed firearm that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, subject to subsection (b). `(b) This section shall not be construed to supersede or limit the laws of any State that-- `(1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed firearms on their property; or `(2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park. `© As used in this section, the term `qualified retired law enforcement officer' means an individual who-- `(1) retired in good standing from service with a public agency as a law enforcement officer, other than for reasons of mental instability; `(2) before such retirement, was authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and had statutory powers of arrest; `(3)(A) before such retirement, was regularly employed as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 15 years or more; or `(B) retired from service with such agency, after completing any applicable probationary period of such service, due to a service-connected disability, as determined by such agency; `(4) has a nonforfeitable right to benefits under the retirement plan of the agency; `(5) during the most recent 12-month period, has met, at the expense of the individual, the State's standards for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry firearms; `(6) is not under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance; and `(7) is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm. `(d) The identification required by this subsection is-- `(1) a photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired from service as a law enforcement officer that indicates that the individual has, not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the agency to meet the standards established by the agency for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm; or `(2)(A) a photographic identification issued by the agency from which the individual retired from service as a law enforcement officer; and `(B) a certification issued by the State in which the individual resides that indicates that the individual has, not less recently than one year before the date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the State to meet the standards established by the State for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm. `(e) As used in this section, the term `firearm' does not include-- `(1) any machinegun (as defined in section 5845 of the National Firearms Act); `(2) any firearm silencer (as defined in section 921 of this title); and `(3) a destructive device (as defined in section 921 of this title).'. (b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for such chapter is further amended by inserting after the item relating to section 926B the following: `926C. Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified retired law enforcement officers.'. Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate. for your convenience, the SITE MAP provides easy access to all of our website!

A C New Guy Some of the larger subdivisions have a internet site. I 'll send them a e-mail asking about their advertising rates. Since I have lived in the Richmond Virginia area, I'll check with friends and relatives. They are only too happy to have me copy it. I do not telemarket them but will use them to target market the area. Example my dad is moving to a subdivision and they sent him via e-mail a list of the 62 homeowners and telephone #'s. I know they get a gutter cleaning and PW a year from the HOA & I can't work that cheap but they have cement walkways & driveways that I will try to clean & seal. I also use them when I write out estimates so I spell their names correctly. I haven't tried to work with HOA's because they want you to work cheap. I am going to try to test the waters this spring.

A year or so ago they passed legislation allowing any honorably retired law enforcement officer officer to carry a weapon in all the states. You have to qualify with your weapon yearly ie: with you agency. Know that doesn't mean you can carry on planes, there are some restrictions. Years ago some states were reciprocial but not all. NYC has or had the Sullivan Law which did not allow other outside agencies to carry their weapon. The Federal Law over ruled NYC's law. Short story... I was a cop in NY in 1973 and stopped a NJ State Trooper he was off duty and had his service revolver on. I could have locked him up. Of course I didn't especially when he said laughing, he needed the gun in Manhattan more then he did on the Jersey Turnpike. Currently I am in Florida and have the paperwork at home. This all came about after 911.

Last year was my 1st full year in business. I feel I did pretty good. I used the marketing I learned from when I owned a Spring-Lawn Franchise. I started out with 0 customers. Nine years later I had 2000 full application customers. Direct Marketing, we had 10 + telemarketers call 4 nights a week. We offered free lawn estimates. I don't know what the new telemarketer laws are now & I don't want to deal with all those problems this time. This year I am going to market 3600 specific homes in a $250,000 & up area. A flyer with a magnet attached as soon as the weather breaks in the spring. I also have a BOLD listing in the two Verizon yellow pages. Then I'll advertise in several specfic subdivision directories. We'll see if it works. I figure to spend about $800 to start with. Time will tell.

I have a fully carry permit good for the entire Unitedd States. I have carried a weapon for 33 years. A person needs to be trained with the weapon he or she will be carrying. They need to check with their local law enforcement on the specific regulations. If you carry a wepaon check into liability insurance. If you use it and are 100% right it doesn't stop a civil suit against you. If you are a little hot headed do not own a weapon!! I seen alot in my past life & some good people have got caught up in the moment. Secure all weapons from your children and never leave it on your night stand when you go to sleep. I have seen a spouse shoot their partner by accident. One would get to get a glass of water the other in a deep sleep is not fully awake and shoots. I know what I sound like but it is very dangerous and you can't take back a bullet once it leaves the barrel.

I had a lady call me for a estimate to wash her house & deck. I went by and gave her the estimate she advised she was only renting and would sent it to owner with the rent check. Now for the stupid question! Then she asked if I could pressure wash her because she was dirty. A nut!!! I never went back to follow up!! Dangerous!!! & ugly

I have a 3 step pricing program, Silver - Gold - Platinum. Today with a lot of lowballers I feel it is necessary. I want to be on a even playing field with them when it comes to services. On the Silver plan they get a simple house wash, gutter wash & rinse (good job) what most of the others sell for cheap!. I do it right and charge for it. NO $99 hOUSE WASH here. Gold - I'll include brushing the gutters, clean the front porch, cement walkway & rear cement patio. All price accordingly but with a discount if they bundle the service. Next "THE WORKS" Platinum - house, gutters, cement, deck (washed not sealed), patio furniture, trash pad & mail box. I'll be there the better part of the day but it's a good days pay. Most of the customers want the Gold Plan & I can mix & match to what ever they want. I am in a service business.

JOgden, I spoke with a Sparkle Wash Franchise owner a little over a year ago and said he had all the work he could handle in Lynchburg Va. It's a pretty area.. Good Luck!

I have to agree with Larry B. It depends on the type of marketing that I am doing. I tried calling homeowners from a HOA directory. I offered a free estimate. I and several told me to do it if it was free! When I attempted to close they really were not intrested or had some other excuse. When I put out flyers in the same area I closed the majority of homes. I feel I'm in the ball park with my prices (Charlottesville Virginia). When I do a estimate I look at SQ FT and the difficulty of the job. I average close to $100 a hour most of the time, that is for washing vinyl house or deck work. Sometimes $70 a hour but that's my fault (under estimated the time.) I was told by a marketing person from a major lawn care company "it's a numbers game". The more estimates you do the better chances you have. I found that to be true but area has a lot to do with it. In the spring I'm moving the business to Greater Richmond Virginia and the Northern Neck of Virginia (Chessapeake Bay) two different markets. One has thousands of vinyl homes and 100+ PW's and the other high end homes on the water with only 4 PW'in the phone book. I have been business a little over a year now and I am still in the learning curve, time will tell!

I think it really comes down to this. Q.S.V.P Quality, Service, Value & Professionalism Quality - Of your work. Service - Be there when you say you will. Value - Price your work fairly. Professionalism - Treat people with respect.

I started a little over a year ago. I work for a organization for 25 years, during that time owned three different businesses while working full time. Retired in 02-01-02 and decided to start a PW business. I like the work, in my prior life I could never really see any results. Now when I leave everyone is happy.

I am about to winterize my equipment and usually put stabilizer in my gas tank and run it through the motor. What about the burner? Is there a stabilizer for Kerosene? Thanks