SprinklerGuy

Any thoughts on systems? By systems I mean manufacturers/distributors that sell a system...an all in one system for restoration. I have heard of some....Weathershield....Extreme....probably many others. By going to the people or companies that market these systems..would it be a better way to learn the fine art of restoration only or would it be a good idea to learn the business as well. I know that many of them (read: ALL OF THEM)..think their way is the way the truth and the light...but are they all created equally? Not trying to start a war...just wondering and hoping for solid advice. thanks in advance.

I have a problem...well I have many problems...but lets focus on just this one for the time being. I had this problem in the past with my other business...and I'll give some background and ask for suggestions. I started my company in 1993 with the intention of just repairing lawn sprinklers...i did just that...and also installing them..my company name was indicative of that fact... Sprinkler Solutions....fit perfectly. As time went on...we started doing some Landscape Contracting...sod, plants, walkways etc....I fought with the idea of changing my company name to reflect this. I ultimately decided that my company name and my core business were more important...and I marketed myself to people who already knew me anyway, therefore the name change was not important. Now the dilemna...(sp?) I love wood....I love the way it smells, I love the way it looks and I love to work with it, mostly building things but I was so impressed with the before and after pictures on this site while researching PW'ing that I have decided I want to specialize in wood restoration. I want to be known for that and I think my company name should reflect this...my niche. However, initially I feel it is very important for people to know that I will also offer other types of PW'ing....I will need to do all I can to make ends meet...it won't happen overnite. Should I attach a more generic name to my company and push the wood restoration because I love it...or should I do what I did w/ the sprinkler company....attach a name that defines my niche and mention also that I offer other services? I'm leaning towards the niche name...and getting those prospects to do other things as well. The way I see it a client has many chances to use that big machine on the trailer for things...not just wood restoration and it is my job to let them know what those things are. BTW...it is with a heavy heart that I realize I need to let the fledgling sprinkler business run its course...I just finished my first season here in Colorado and it was promising...but I believe my future is in something else... Thanks for listening.

quote: HVLP=High Pressure Low Volume and it refers to a decker unit from PumpTec. Are you sure? ;)

I just left a fence repair/replace bid....and it got me to thinking. The guy was upset that it was going to cost so much.....so I told him to speak w/ his neighbor about ponying up 1/2 the cost..as it is HIS fence also...that brings me to my problem. A lot of the fences around part of my market are cedar dog-eared beautiful grey, splintering fences....but they are shared fences....the neighbors are that close together. How do you go about cleaning and restoring just one side of a fence? Can it even be done? This worries me, ultimately if it cannot be done, there are 3 other sides of the fence to worry about....3 other people to be convinced...3 other people that could ultimately say no and then what? Is there a way to seal one side and not another or is this impossible. Thanks....

Just for the record..I have some ideas....not sure if I should post them or not.....what do you think?

Thanks Will the tarps draped on the other side of the fence really prevent any of the stain from going between pickets and getting on the other side? Seems to me that would depend on the gap between boards....but if the other side is in bad shape and hasn't been cleaned I guess the stain won't be too noticeable eh? 2 weeks later the neighbor calls and wants his done too....can the recently finished client's stain/sealant be compromised by the cleaning on the other side of the fence? Inquiring overanalytical minds want to know!

What do you guys think of this one? Maybe I need a little drive...does this perhaps belong to one of ya? http://cgi.ebay.com/HYDRO-TEK-STEAM-HOT-WATER-PRESSURE-WASHER-TRAILER-CAT_W0QQitemZ7578104025QQcategoryZ46536QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hey..I love tools...in fact, I have enough tools to enter just about any trade that I want! As for the info...I guess I understood that there is a system...my eyes and head hurt from reading this stuff. By system I meant....a commercial system or "franchise" if you will. Not necessarily a franchise in and of itself but a system of cleaning and restoring that is the same brand name, marketed in that way.... Or...do you use a certain stripper/cleaner from one company and a stain from another company. thanks

Sorry to steal this thread..not often I meet a fellow rock inhabitor. Ever go see the habu mongoose fights? We went on a field trip with my little brothers school....yes grade school..I still can't believe they let those kids watch that. Pssst, the mongoose almost always wins!

Celeste....remember the Habu's in Okinawa? When I was on mainland Japan in Atsugi..there was another kind of snake all were afraid of....for the life of me I cannot remember the name..... Anyway, the banana spiders on "The rock" were incredible...how about the poisonous conch shells that scared the daylights out of everyone...it seems there were so many scary and dangerous things there...except I still loved it. I was there from 82-85 yourself? My father was USMC and we were also stationed in Cherry Pt., NC...another great place. Take care.

I did a search..found part of what I was looking for but I am interested in specifics....answer this question if you would please. When the nightime temps are falling below ( ) we are done for the year. In my immediate area it is a mountain community...the temps are below 30 most nights now and I am sure the season is over. However, in the big town 45 minutes away from me...the temps may be consistently over 35-40 degrees at night and 50 in the daytime....safe to continue or not safe? I am trying to gauge my actual season and when it will begin and end. If the temps are too cold for decks..can you still do fences? Thanks in advance.

Thanks guys....John Fife...respectfully, our climate is nothing like Denver's.... We are at 10,000 feet..they are at "mile high"...ugh I hate the Broncos.... Their average highs in summer are a good 10-15 degrees higher than ours..but the big difference is that their average lows are 15-20 degrees higher than ours. I know it seems like I'm trying to talk myself out of this...LOL...Truly I am not..I am just trying to be realistic..the last thing I want to do is go from a 7 month per year business to one that is much shorter.... Ha Ha...thanks for all the help guys...luckily for me Colorado Springs is pretty close to me...that is where I install and repair lawn sprinklers in the "season"...they are much like Denver.... Thanks

I understand that I will have to diversify in order to work the "shoulder" months..and I have no problem with that...I just hate to think that I have a window of 3 months to do wood work.... I guess the biggest problem is the wood itself...freezing temperatures and the moisture in the wood will cause the pores of the wood to close...correct? If they don't open up again with steady warmer temps...then I cannot apply sealant. If it is above 45 during the day and gets below freezing at night during my shoulder months...will the few hours of freezing temps at nite cause me problems? Keep in mind that our humidity is very low here. Thanks

Wow..that's gonna make for a very short season here....hmmmmm. Average High temp in april is 54.5 average low for april is 21.7 May high is 64.1 low is 29.2 June high is 73 Low is 36 July high is 77 low is 40.6 august high is 74.9 low is 40.4 Would you ever work here?

Hello all...I am a lawn sprinkler company owner and have been for about 13 years...the last 4 of those years have been spent in Colorado after growing up in the Phx Metro area in Arizona...what a culture shock it was 4 years ago moving here....4 seasons per day...wood decks and siding versus stucco and cement...I have been trying to figure out a new way to make a living or a way to supplement my living. In the last year or so, the research has become more hurried and desperate as my company of 10 years in AZ fell apart without my direct involvement and I sold it 6 mths ago. Needless to say, the weather here isn't the same as Arizona and has caused me to reevaluate...5 months of business is tough to live on...get my drift? Anyway, long story longer...In the winter I have been building houses and decks with my buddies here in Colorado that are home builders and done a little handymanning here and there for myself. I am good with my hands and my father is a carpentar so the wood is in my blood. I love working with it, however, after enjoying repeat business at its finest in the sprinkler business I am always trying to apply that sort of thing to every other industry/profession that I research. You should know that the deck and siding on my home are my research areas..that is where I will start as my deck is bad bad bad...and my wife wants to lighten the solid stain on my home.... So finally, here are my questions: In Restoring the wood surfaces of homes and or decks there seems to be a 2 step process..(more than 2 steps honestly, but I am simplifying to keep your attention!) I have read all the archives and devoured the information. You strip the deck....you refinish the deck. But is that the end of your relationship with the client? Can you on a yearly basis come back and brighten the finish you applied without damaging the finish? This applies to decks and cedar sided homes. The reason I ask this is because there are an endless supply of homes and decks in my immediate area and even more of them 45 minutes away from me. My area is particularly appealing because the majority of the owners are affluent...I think they would be up for a yearly inspection and cleaning of their wood surfaces once they were educated. There is only one other significant company in town and they don't market themselves properly, leaving a huge hole in the market for someone else to fill. Please take a minute in your busy schedules to help me out with these questions and accept my thanks for your professionalism on these boards. I frequent many other types of boards...doing research or participating in my own field...and I don't see the infighting or pissing matches here that I see there...you should be commended for that. On a side note...the wood restoration would not be my only efforts in the PW arena...I would also pursue the standard stuff as well...flatwork and drive thrus etc...I am a huge proponent in finding not only multiple streams of revenue but recurring streams as well and this business appears to be suitable. Thanks again in advance!

Thanks guys...this reminds me of the sprinkler business.....many products..all do much the same thing, but everyone thinks their product is the best. Ford vs Chevy type of thing. I agree on the training....a smart guy may be able to learn what he needs on his own...will he screw up? Probably....and his friends deck may never be the same...I believe in being taught when it is available...I believe that training is invaluable and worth every penny. That being said...it is tough to decide which way to turn based on heresay and second hand information. I am going to stick around over the winter...watch the boards and see what happens. I think my instinct will tell me which system is right for me. My biggest concern is my area and its idiosyncrasies. Humidity..types of wood used etc. I am a fairly independent person...I will figure this stuff out through trial and error if I have to or I will get "schooled" if I have to...but I'm not spending a dime until I figure out wether or not I can do this for a living...I love what I do now and I'm just looking for other options at this point. I do know that I truly enjoy seeing the before and after pics...and I can imagine the satisfaction one receives from the look on the client's face....much better than giving my client a bill for 500 bucks for fixing something buried in the dirt that they will NEVER see ever ever ever.... Thanks again...look for my many posts....I have lots of questions..hopefully none of them considered redundant. Thanks again

Ken I have been around message boards the last 12 years and know better than to make the mistake of bring up money right away ;) Besides, its not about the start up costs for me..neither is it about the short term financial gain...for me it is a marathon not a sprint. Thanks for the welcome...thanks for the ideas thus far...keep up the brainstorming if you will.....