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dlamontm98

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Posts posted by dlamontm98

  1. Posted · Report reply

    Its been awhile since I have posted, but I have notice their has been some interest in the tile and grout cleaning field. I have over ten years experience, but only been in business now for a little over a year. Although my tile and grout restoration business is very much a baby--it is starting to crawl and eventually walk.

    We have done some commercial, but we mostly specialize in residential. In my opinion it is more lucrative than some commercial opportunities. In residential, I price by the square foot. I can usually get anywhere from $1.15 to $1.35 for cleaning and sealing only or $1.50 to $2.00 for cleaning and color sealing. We only use top-notch chemicals from reputatable companies. I know everyone has their preference---but I just don't use Loews and Home Depot products for floor restoration. I have seen some examples of what their products can do to a floor. We also do non-slip treatments for slip and fall prevention. Feel free to check out our website to see some of our work @ www.nomoredirtygrout.com

    Derek

  3. Posted · Report reply

    Did You Know?

    Grout is a textured and porous Portland Cement, that much like concrete, welcomes stains and dirt.

    95% of ceramic tile installers Do Not Seal The Grout as part of their installation process.

    Without a non-porous grout sealer your investment has zero protection against household stains.

    White and light colored grouts will begin to show signs of discoloration almost immediately.

    Properly sealed grout will actually repel the moisture that leads to bacteria, mold and mildew growth.

    Many recommended tile cleaners contain a percentage of acid, and other harsh chemicals, that can be damaging to unsealed grout.

    Properly sealed grout is as easy to clean as the tile itself, and makes routine maintenance trouble-free.

    Perfectly good ceramic tile installations are ripped up and replaced daily, at great expense to homeowners, due to permanently damaged unsealed grout.

    One Tough Pressure reacted to this

  7. Posted · Report reply

    I definitely would be interested in coming to the convention next week to learn more. I will go online tonight to check out the information and registar as well. I do appreciate this a lot. I have never been to a convention before.

    Thanks, Mr. bkwelker--maybe we can talk as well. Can you leave me a way to contact you?

    You guys are exactly right--Addison--is just a hop, skip and jump away from me. Look forward to speaking with you guys.

  8. Posted · Report reply

    I would like to start window cleaning this spring. I was wondering if anyone had a sample sales letter or flyer that I could you use to get started.

    What is the best way to get started? Flyers or Direct Mail? and When is the best time to start advertising this service.

    Any response from you window cleaning pros would be greatly appreciated. And please if you do have any sample sales letters or flyers please e-mail the smaples to dlamontm99@hotmail.com

    Thanks in advance,

    Derek

  9. Posted · Report reply

    Why the changes? Were you a little disorganized this year? or do you see these changes increasing your speed on each job?

    I do agree with you wife doing the bidding and estimating. This is just my opinion, but women who do the selling, bidding or estimating are better than men. Plus, most people like to hear a soft, elegant voice rather than a ruff and grumbling voice. As a kid, I noticed that my dad used women to give estimates in his moving business.

    Good luck to you.

  10. Posted · Report reply

    http://www.dcs1.com/del/pricing.html

    Use this thread, it is very informative with pricing guide lines.

    I was thinking about purchasing the same start up kit. Please tell, was the tape worth its money? Was it informative?

    Also, please let me know how your job goes? Would love to know the details of it----Was it easy or difficult? etc....

    I seriously thinking about going into this service and would love some insight from someone who is performing this type of work.

    Edited by OTP to correct link

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Well, I did a outside patio area and the interior of another store. The grout inside the store was entirely black. After I use a strong stripper and my steam machine--we saw the true color of the grout which was light-grey. The manager was really impressed and said that he was going to take pictures to send to the facilities manages at corpaorate. The outside pation was a different monster---I used my rotary machine with a nylon grit brush and aggressively scrub the patio. The manager at that store was impressed as well. Both floors were seal with a top quality sealant for protection.

    Hopefully, if these managers keep their word about giving me high recommendations this could lead to 65 stores in my area, plus of regions of Texas.

    So, right now--I am just waiting patiently to see what the facilities manager at corporate wants to do.

    Derek

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Well, I have a chance to get a chain of stores--(providing them with tile and grout cleaning). I have two stores to do this week, in which they will judge my work. The regional maintenance manager was telling me that this could lead to many other stores in my area as well as other regions of Texas depending upon my work performance. PRESSURE!!!! So, I will be giving a 120% or more on these two jobs. I will more than likely put in more time than usual for a job like this---because the opportunity is so vast.

    I'm a little nervous, but I will treat it like my military days when we had white glove and military dress inspections. Usually, passed with flying colors.

  13. Posted · Report reply

    Yes, Durall is a commercial garde, but it can be used in your garage. I really don't want a do it yourself kit (in my opinion: you will doing it yourself many more times over) The commercial grade will at least last up to 10 years, possibly more. Plus you will have that showroom shine like commercial industries. Durall manufactures their own product as well. The hole process takes about 2 or 3 days to complete. It won't hurt the car or truck to stay out the garage that long.

  14. Posted · Report reply

    I am looking at durall myself. They are suppose to send me some samples. From what i can tell they have been around for years. I was also looking at another company out of Arizona as well. I will try to get there website address---I was really impreseed with Durall though. I can't wait until the information hits my doorstep. I'll keep you posted.

  15. Posted · Report reply

    In my business I mostly concentrate on the floor side of things. I will probably start offering epoxy floor coatings in garages and small warehouses--I have already sent out a proposal to advertising place who is interested in this service (Instead of painting their concrete). I am going to be my first customer---the idea of having a nice glossy color to match the decor of my house looks and sounds great. I will be able to offer solid colors or even the granite look. Instead of having a garage full of oil stains and cracks---I can give my garage and my future customers a showroom floor look of their own.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    I have only seen a few of you who have tried awning cleaning or who have done the work actually. Is there a reason why you guys don't do awnings.I ordered a video tape from DELCO on Awning cleaning and doesn't really look that hard to do. I would like to eventually like to offer this service---but right now I am concentrating on tile and grout cleaning. Here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area I have seen tons of awnings that need cleaning or some type of maintenance work---just like aplus referred too. Just wondering as to why you guys don't attack this area of service---seems like a great opportunity to make some mnay--just my opinion.

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Maybe working on a major assignment for a nationwide contract with a major casino for Anti-slip protection for their floors, tubs, showers and pool areas. The contract is in the final stages. Not only do I look forward to working on this assignment, but I am really looking forward to making alot of money from this as well.

    Their is definitely a market for anti-slip protection for businesses and homes.

    Paul-uk---It's like any other industry, you have to sell the benefit the service. For me, it would be - anti-slip protection for properties--for example: protect your customers and employees from serious falls or prevent lawsuits, medical bills, and employees loss workdays etc...

    Did you know?---David Brinkley the famous news anchor from abc news loss his life because he had a serious fatal fall in his home (slipped on a slippery surface and hit his head).

  18. Posted · Report reply

    I was curious as to how you guys are reclaiming your waste water while you are performing your jobs. I understand you can be fined by the city or the EPA for letting waste water go down the drain. What methods or machines do you guys use to reclaim your waste water? I was thinking about going into Power Washing offering services of Awning Cleaning, Concrete Cleaning and Fence/Deck and Staining Services.

  19. Posted · Report reply

    ****Don't have a section for tile and grout---so I put it uner the floor care topic. Hopefully one day they will have a section for us --- tile and grout cleaners ****

    I had a tile and grout job today (400 sq. ft) As I am steam cleaning the grout lines and revoing all of the bacteria and dirt. The customer and I were talking about used car salemen and companies. Come to find out he was a luxury car salemen. I had informed him that my mother was being cheated by used car company. He had informed me that we needed to file a report with Department of Transportation. He said they were like the IRS of the Auto Industry.

    When I finished the job he tipped me and I thanked him for the lesson of filing complaints against used car dealerships who try to cheat you.

    Then he said---I'll be sure to to refer you to my friend, becausehe wants his tile and grout clean as well.

    Wow--- a tip, a lesson and a referral

    That was a experience I hope to encounter more often.

  22. Posted · Report reply

    Has anyone every heard a company who just specialize in bathroom cleaning--nothing else--just bathrooms.

    I was wondering--would this be a good service to provide for homeowners, restaurants, workout facilities, nursing homes and gas stations---etc......

    Specialize cleaning--like Steam Cleaning, odor control and sanitizing.

    Just curious--a gentlemen brought it up to me a while back--he said, he started to do it, but his other businesses took up too much of his time.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    Good Point---Its just like with those fancy gates at apartment complexes. Some people thing those gates are for security--their not--its just for the look of the property. If any apartment personnel say they are for security reasons and you get robbed--you could sue and most likely win. Thanks for the advice.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Thanks, I will surely share my experiences with this industry.

    I hope that I am able to market this really well.

    I had no idea that slips and falls caused so many deaths in the

    workplace. So, with the training of marketing this (Non-Slip

    Protection) I hope I can get some new clients or even help my

    existing clients by making their workplace safer.

  25. Posted · Report reply

    Just got certified as an installer for Non-Slip protection. Now, I am hoping to offer this service along with my tile & grout business. Non-Slip service seems to be in the area of safety--I had no idea---how important it was. According to the American Disabilities Act and OSHA--it is quite important. Will be getting some training on how to present these important services to different industries and let them know it is important to have flooring protection for your customers and employees to help prevent lawsuits and employee loss work days.

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