KGILL

I set up my LLC through the state of Tennessee for 300 dollars without Legal Zoom. I have heard many people say good things about Legal Zoom however I went to the state commission website and set it up myself. It was pretty easy.

I have a Whisper Wash 16 Ultra Clean and love it. Whisper Wash Ultra Clean Floater- 16" You need to make sure you match the size of the surface cleaner to your machine. It will do you no good if you get a monster cleaner that is too big for your machine. I once saw a document that showed proper size machines for different GPMs but for the life of me I cannot find it now. I am sure some of the veterans here know the info.

I know this is an old thread that has changed topics from its original topic to several others but here goes. I currently am using a 5.6 gpm 2500 psi portable pressure washer in the bed of my truck. It has been working wonderfully but I am already looking into getting a hot water skid mounted in a trailer.

I understand how to make a batch, but I know when using SH for housewash or Percarbs for wood you have to worry about it them losing their effectiveness. Thanks for the response once again.

Another question, if I prepare a batch of gutter cleaner using F13 how long will it last? Do I have to use what I prepare the same day, or can I put a lid on it and save it for another use?

Gotcha. Thanks for the reply. I have my first customer who wants gutters cleaned next week.

OK, for those who use F13 how do you apply it? Do you have to brush it on, or have been been able to downstream or xjet effectively?

I understand that prices are different based on markets, overhead, etc.... But I just got back from a potential customer's house to take measurements. I know how to price everything but a retaining wall. As of yet, I do not know my productivity rate for retaining walls. I am thinking about pricing it on par with my flatwork pricing, if not slightly higher. Besides algea it should be an easy clean. There is no efflorescence, rust, other type of stains, and no PITA factors. With retaining walls, do you price along your concrete pricing? I'm not looking for a price per sq ft, or a set price but I would welcome it. I am just trying to see if my thoughts on pricing compared to concrete flatwork is appropriate.

On par with wood cleaning? I guess I could have charged more but this wall should not take any time at all and the total job house, drivway, walkway, etc is paying pretty well.

I have a potential customer who called and wanted the paint from her driveway removed. Several years ago the whole driveway was painted but now she would like to have bare pavers. The homeowner does not know the type of paint. In the attached photos are what she has done with a cold home pressure washer and a paint stripper from home depot. She states the progress she has made has taken numerous hours. She is willing to pay quite a bit to get the job done. More than enough to cover renting a hot water pressure washer from an equipment rental place. The hot pressure washers I have seen available for rent range from 2000 psi and 2.8 gallons a minute (electric) all the way up to 3500 psi 5.0 gpm. Figured if I were to rent a pressure washer I would go with the high psi and gpm. Besides a hot pressure washer what is the best method of attack?

They were PITA. Que Sera, Sera.

Unfortunately the customer and I parted ways but next time I will wear a cape to appear more like a superhero.

Does anybody offer sealing concrete driveways after washing? If so, how often do you close the sale on sealing? I have talked to a couple potential customers who have inquired about sealing their driveway after washing. Just wondering.

Thanks everyone who posted responses, replied to private messages, or allowed me to pester them with phone calls. I have not used Dads or any other stipper, but I will say I was impressed with the Soy Gel. The customer service at Franmar was excellent.

Wife left this morning for a business trip and the weather has been dog doo all day. Spent a large chunk of it reading the many threads on wood work starting from the oldest. I still have a bunch to go, but I have made some progress. I would love to be able to ride shotgun with a company that does wood cleaning for a couple of days and learn the ins and outs. I know some companies offer labor for learning opportunities but have restrictions on working in the same market. That being said, are there any companies that would be willing to take myself for a couple of days, especially in the Nashville, NOVA, or Hampton Roads markets? These are all areas I have friends, or family I would be able to stay with and could get to easily. Thanks

I know this is an old post, but I found it as I have been reading every thread about wood from the first one posted. I am sure some of the posters here are no longer with this forum, but I do recognize some names as currently with the Grim Scene. Facts... this was a deplorable crime committed by an animal. Whether or not a company or person is licensed, insured, yada yada yada has no bearing on what transpired. Perhaps the company owner should have done a background check, but those are only as good as long as the system works. I have seen too many times where failures in the system in which some things are not listed. Depending on the information available on the warrant...it may not have been entered properly on NCIC, and the state criminal information network. In va it is VCIN, other states have other names. Another big problem with relying on background checks as CCPC states if a person does not have a criminal record. The funny thing about people who are charged for the first time.... is that they have no criminal records. I have seen situations in which the victim can be at least partially blamed for their own victimization. For instance someone attempting to purchase narcotics and ending up getting robbed by the dealer. Or in recent times at my alma matter where a college student was robbed and killed while dealing narcotics in his off campus housing. These two situations are where people put themselves into a bad environment and situation. Does that mean they deserved what happened? No, but you can see where they are partially responsible. This victim does not fall into this category at all.

Went out to do an estimate today for a potential customer I met through a teammate from our dodgeball and softball teams. The customer stated she wanted me to clean her concrete driveway, walkway, front and rear patios, and the curbs washed. I measured and came up with approximately 2250 sq ft driveway and patios and 150 linear feet of curb. The driveway was dirty but did not have any oil or grease. This was a straight cleaning job with no sealing. I gave her my price at which point she responded with a price of 75 dollars. I have had a couple of customers already, but I am still figuring my pricing. Her price would come out to about 3 cents a sq ft. I have averaged a great deal higher on concrete work so far. Like I said, all she wanted was the work on the concrete. No siding, roof or deck. I politely advised her that I was unable to do the work for 75 dollars. My question is... Is she cheap, or have I been ignorantly charging others too much but been lucky?

I was affraid I was going to end up painting it. Lesson learned

I attempted to edit last post and add info but it would not let me. I have attempted to powerwash and it does not do the trick. The garage door appears to be soft and rotting in some spots, and I flaked off a little of the garage paint even with low pressure. I attempted to use a hand bristle brush with warm soapy water, no luck. A razor scrapper is not doing the trick without taking garage paint with it. Any suggestions?

Soy Gel has been working like a champ. Now.... another question. I tarped to prevent stripped paint from going anywhere, however some paint flakes did end up on a garage door and a support post. Garage door is wood and painted, same with the support column. Any ideas how to remove it? Power washing is out of the question, paint on garage door will flake off (even with low pressure) and is apparently rotted. I attempted to use a bristle brush with warm soapy water and it did not seem to work.

Thanks Mark. After some time has passed I believe my price to be within the industry standards. I was just shocked and shaken when she countered my price with a price of her own which was far off from what I believed to be a good price. Either way, I was unable to close the deal as our price points were at opposite ends of the spectrum. The business management aspect of operating a business scare the daylights out of me. I can do or learn the operations part of any job, but the management part is scary. I wish I had gotten a business degree instead of a Criminal Justice degree with a minor in Communication.

Doug, Here is a distributor locator from Franmar. Distributor Locator Map Woodcraft Supply carries it in 1 qt and 1 gallon sizes.

Going to be applying the gel Wednesday night and placing a light plastic cover over it. I plan to hit it first thing Thursday morning. Here are some pictures of what the homeowner did.

Thanks everyone. Been MIA for about a week now as I was in an area where I did not get cell reception or have internet. While talking to the customer she received a soy gel that she was going to use. That was before I posted this thread and before I knew anything about soy gels. Many of you advised the same thing. I just talked to her and she stated that the soy gel did work however she is unwilling to do the rest of the work herself. She is interested in ordering some more and having me do the work. Will let you know how it goes and post after pictures.

Amazing work. What are you using to apply stain?